Gauge Pods

[Maintenanceman]

Anybody know where to get A pillar gauge pods for a 85 Silverado? heck, do they even make them?

TIA,
Ben

[Captkaos]

Don't make them.  It is on my list for getting them though... (long list)

[Maintenanceman]

that sucks. Im really wanting to get my tachometer off of my steering column but still have it in plain sight Suggestions or ideas?

[werewolfx13]

make your own out of fiberglass.

[Maintenanceman]

thought about that but I dont know the first thing about 'glassin. Guess I need to do some research

[zieg85]

I don't remember where I saw it but there is an aftermarket stock appearing tach "kit" that replaces the fuel gauge and the fuel gauge is moved to where the blank/clock position is at, lower left.  I am thinking it was on EBay where I saw it.

[SUX2BU99]

I put an Auto Meter tach in my truck and I mounted to the underside of the a-pillar. I used the housing it came with and bought an adjustable mount that Auto Meter sells seperately that I think is meant for use with roll bars (has a rounded contact point to mate wtih rounded surfaces like a roll bar). It worked out well. The only thing I can complain about is it bounces around a little bit since it's hanging from the a-pillar and my springs are rough. Overall though I think it's a clean spot to put it in. Better than the typical steering column or dash mount IMO.

[Maintenanceman]

pics?

[82ChebySWB]

I too would like to have a 2-3 gauge pod for the pillar.....but outside of glassing one...that's it. You'd think with how popular these trucks have been....and thier increase in desire even now that autometer would tae notice and build a pod.

I've got an Autometer 5" C2 Cobalt pedestal mount tach in my truck. I had it mounted previously on the pillar....but had to unbolt it and ship it back to Autometer for repair. I haven't reinstalled it just yet....because I need to dye the trim and door panels in my truck first.

I hope to have the interior dye work done within a couple weeks......when I get it done I'll take some fresh pics with the tach reinstalled

[werewolfx13]

I suppose I could make a replacement A pillar w/ built in pods sometime this summer and do a write-up..Glassing is pretty easy, just time consuming and messy. If I do get a chance, if I make it for a tach, it'll be for a sunpro supertach II, since thats what I'm using right now.

[Dragon]

Not to step on anyones toes, but I'm a Bit Lazy when it comes to getting too drawn out on things....
http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?searchinresults=false&y=0&N=700+115&Ntk=KeywordSearch&DDS=1&Ntt=Universal+Pillar+Guage+Pod&x=0
Universals get you there, and then even a Novice can blend them into their pillars if so chosen....

[werewolfx13]

I played around with a set of those once, they're generally ABS plastic, I don't remember if the A pillar trim on these trucks is ABS or not..if it is, then mixing up some ABS sludge would work pretty well, but blending ABS takes some practice and patience.

[82ChebySWB]

but blending ABS takes some practice and patience.

That's kinda my fear about those pods. I want something that matches the factory look of the pillar. I think that I'll play around with this project in a couple months and see what I learn/teach myself about building a pillar pod.

[Stewart G Griffin]

The only other thing(s) i can suggest is, and i apologize because i have no pictures so we'll have to use our imaginations on this one, is if you can visuallize the rear view mirror's base attachment thing--in other words everything except the mirror it self, but the "arms" and pivot balls etc.

If you can visualize putting the tach/gauge mount where the mirror would normally go, then you can mount this gauge virtually anywhere without any drilling and using the glue makes it pretty secure.  You can still have the tach right in front of you but off the column and not cobbled to the dash.  i did get this idea from another 73-87ian, but i can't find the picture.

The second idea, which i'm probably going to do as soon as i get my act together and get the truck running right again is to use the overhead bolt in console idea and to mount the gauges off of this console because i just can't drill holes into the dash;  i want to keep everything stock.
i don't want to give a link to it as i don't think Chris would dig that, but there is a company that makes one for the 73-87's and it's bolt in.  i guess if you really want to know, we could go to PM or email.

By the way, if anyone comes up with a good quality pillar gauge pod for the 73-87 series, i'm buying it.
i think as a business idea, anyone who does this will get all the marbles ( or at least some of them).

[SmokeShow]

Haven't some had success using an a-pillar pod made for a 91-93 Dodge in the 73-87 GM?  It's not perfect because it's obviously not made for it but the pics I remember seeing, it was close enough for anything short of a show quality truck.


C-ya