Gauges on top of dash- any custom options?

[wildo]

Has anyone ever created a custom center dash gauge pod for the P5? I've never taken the dash out, so I don't know what kind of clearances are available at the center of the dash. I am thinking about making something like this:

Anyone have any experience with this? Could you upload pics? Progress pics would be great too!

 

[43975]

never seen it for our cars but I have seen the "frog eyes" basically a dual gauge pod that sits on top of the dash over the gauge cluster.

 

[wildo]

Yeah, I'm familiar with the dash pods. They look really nice, but I just picked up 3 gauges, so that won't work. I'm surprised there isn't an existing manufacturer for these. I wonder if it is a clearance issue under the dash...

 

[wildo]

wow- totally did not mean to post this in the FS forum. Sorry. Mods- can you move this to the P5 forum?

 

[Wagonbacker9]

I'll move it to the 3rd gen appearance section, as it isn't P5 specific.

Most people go with a DIN pod and go with a single DIN radio, or you can get a gauge cluster pod to put one on each side on the bottom of the factory gauge cluster. Another could be put in a steering column pod. ForceFed also has some vent pods available to mount a guage in the driver's side center AC/Heat Vent.

Most cars that have dash pods like that available have some sort of storage or Navi that typically goes in that location and can be replaced, we do not, so theres no seam or anything.

 

[wildo]

Thanks for moving it. I was looking at the dash as I drove home for lunch today, and yeah, I think it might be hard to get something on top. I forgot that there is a "hump" in the middle of the dash. If it was flat, or even an indentation- then it probably would be a lot easier to put a gauge set up there. Seems like if you want to stick with the factory radio, and you want to mount more than 2 gauges, then there isn't much choice than an A-piller mount (blah!).

 

[Wagonbacker9]

I gave you options which would mount 4 gauges without and A Pillar or removing the radio...

Personally I HATE A-pillar pods.

 

[wildo]

I gave you options which would mount 4 gauges without and A Pillar or removing the radio...

Personally I HATE A-pillar pods.

You did? Oh, you mean 4 different locations, but not necessarily grouped together. I see. I think I am still looking for a place to mount all three next to each other. I thoroughly dislike a-piller pods as well...

 

[blackmica_es]

For $12.99, you can mount 3 gauges on the Glow Shift Universal Triple Gauge Single Din Radio Face Pod. The application on their website shows how it's mounted on a Protege:

http://www.glowshiftdirect.com/Universal-Triple-Gauge-Single-Din-Gauge-Pod.aspx

OR

for roughly the same price, you can get these in an imitation carbon fiber finish on ebay:

 

[justanothermp5]

you could buy a triple gauge pod like the one in the original pic off of glowshit i beleive
and then custom mold it to the dash

 

[Wagonbacker9]

You did? Oh, you mean 4 different locations, but not necessarily grouped together. I see. I think I am still looking for a place to mount all three next to each other. I thoroughly dislike a-piller pods as well...

if one on top of the column and one on each side isn't close enough, I'd say you're lookin at an A pillar or a DIN mount. Point being, you have options.

 

[wildo]

if one on top of the column and one on each side isn't close enough, I'd say you're lookin at an A pillar or a DIN mount. Point being, you have options.

Point taken.

 

[wildo]

you could buy a triple gauge pod like the one in the original pic off of glowshit i beleive
and then custom mold it to the dash

This is probably what I will do. Not sure yet, but I think it would be the best solution

 

[wildo]

Well- I decided to go with the 2 gauges in the dash approach. A DIY jonridinhi pod, if you will. I haven't decided where to put the third gauge, but it's just a voltage gauge- not a big deal.