73-87chevytrucks.com
General Site Info => Website/Forum News and Info => Topic started by: Captkaos on June 16, 2014, 07:13:13 pm
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Last and final questions..
1) currently these are sized to fit Autometer gauges of 2-1/16, that means others won't slip in and be held. Should I make is smaller and have a step in it on where to trim to for the Autometers or just make it fit and anyone using other generic gauges have to use the clamp set? (many people don't clamp these)
2) Is everyone going to be drilling holes in their pillar to route the wiring/hoses? What is your plans on routing?
3) How is everyone planning on attaching these? What is you plan on attaching these?
I am ready to fire the trigger on this and this is how I planned to go about it.
1) make it fit the Autometer body
2) drill a pass through hole if required in the pillar or for wiring wrap it under
3) I plan to permanently mount mine with either epoxy or plastic weld.
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1. Autometer sizing is fine with me
2. I planned to drill a hole for the wiring
3. I planned to screw it on, but would not be opposed to epoxy/plastic weld.
Excited about the progress, let me know when these are ready.
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- Any standard 2-1/16" gauge should fit the 2-1/16" hole. But, if the holes are slightly undersized they can be shaved for a custom snug fit to suit.
- For wires to be completely hidden they will need to route under the factory trim. A pass-through hole seems imminent.
- I assume that either the screw locations for the factory pillar trim will be left uncovered by the gauge pod -OR- at least one trim screw will pass through the pod strengthening the mount(?).
As an afterthought, three or four reinforced plastic bosses on the "underside" of the pod might provide an excellent mounting option for "hidden" screws that come up through the factory pillar trim from underneath. Of course, the pod would have to be secured to the pillar trim with the screws before mounting the trim to the A pillar. The advantage in screws is the option to remove the pod, but still provide a secure mounting. A conservative bead of paintable silicone caulk will seal against any light leaking from the back of the gauges and/or warning lights. Epoxy, although effective, is a little less forgiving.
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Some of the generic 2-1/16" gauges are smaller, although the bracket will fit to hold it. I tried about 3 from Autozone and Advance.
Drilling is inevitable, but some have cringed on that before... I need a gauge, so I will be drilling.
I have thought about screws also, just not sure yet. I do know that any form of tape will not work in any type of heat.
As for a hidden boss, they are just to thin and would need to be screwed from the outside in. No holes will be covered by the pod.
Keep it coming...
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Someone suggested no holes in the pillar and let the owner cut them out. I am opposed to this, opinions?
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If you mean blank gauge locations, so the gauge mounting holes aren't cut out, I am also opposed and think this would be a source of ongoing complaints.
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Yes exactly. Still trying to nail down the attachments. Suggestions welcomed.
Chris Lucas
73-87chevytrucks.com
captkaoscustoms.com
squarebody.biz
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im kind of confused on how the other gauges will fit if the hole is to big for the face to catch. not big on gauges so i dont know what other sizes or how these even work. would the autometer be snug and slip into place while others will be too small for the hole to be snug so you have to use the "u" bracket that comes with them?
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I am going to make the hole smaller than the gauges so they can be trimmed ( actually sanding may be better) to make them fit snug. The Autometers are 2.0625" the hole will be 2", so we are talking fractions.
Chris Lucas
73-87chevytrucks.com
captkaoscustoms.com
squarebody.biz
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So the faces are the same its the body thats different dia?
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The pillar doesn't change at all. The face needs a hole to mount the gauges. The autometer interference fit is 2.0625, the smallest one I ran across that was cheap was 2.045". There isn't enough difference to make it 1/32" smaller so I just made it 2" even and any gauge can be sanded to fit.
Biggest thing I need feedback on is attachment. I need to tell them something ASAP to get this moving...
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I would like to see the attachment points sufficiently reinforced that they won't crack with tightening or minor flexing as the pieces conform to one another, or as they distort with temperature extremes such as baking in the sun. I envision #6 oval head trim screws at the four corners of the pillar, perhaps, augmented by a pair in the center for 4 to 6 attachment points, making the gauge mounting fully supported and very solid.
Edit:
Although gauges aren't heavy and the pod can easily be retained by two screws, four-plus gently tightened screws should decrease strain while maintaining conformity between the pod edges and the trim.
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The final part will be about the same thickness as the current part so they should hold together with screws.
I am just thinking about the underside connection...
Chris Lucas
73-87chevytrucks.com
captkaoscustoms.com
squarebody.biz
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...I am just thinking about the underside connection...
Sorry Chris, you lost me.... What underside connection?
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Bolted from the backside. The only issue is having to locate the holes.
Chris Lucas
73-87chevytrucks.com
captkaoscustoms.com
squarebody.biz
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How about a paper template that ships with the pod and wraps around the factory trim piece to locate the holes for drilling?
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So the faces are the same its the body thats different dia?
meant this to be about the gauges not the pillar i was thinking the faces will still catch on the same surface area but the auto-meter will fit snugly and the cheaper ones will slide in so they need to be bolted
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If I made them the size of the Autometer it is possible to get the bracket in there and with a ratcheting wrench tighten it for smaller gauges.
But 99% of the current offereings mainly from autometer are made to fit one size. Trying to make sure it will work with more than just one manufacturer.
Chris Lucas
73-87chevytrucks.com
captkaoscustoms.com
squarebody.biz
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Chris, did you resolve your quandary on attaching the pods from underneath? Seems like the screw bosses would need to be located farther from the corners under the upper and lower gauge pockets.
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Not solved it yet. I am going to talk to them tomorrow and if it is going to be a long delay it will be bolted from the top.
Chris Lucas
73-87chevytrucks.com
captkaoscustoms.com
squarebody.biz