A-Pillar

[Crock]

In terms of appearance, what are the pros and cons of having a triple gauge pod on the a-pillar?

I'm seriously considering some gauges and below the radio isn't exacly the best place to look when trying to keep my eyes on the pavement.

Thanks

 

[MSP#735]

as far as ease of viewing, im gonna say the A-pillar is your best bet.....i am toying with gauge placement myself, mainly im not wanting to be like EVERYONE else and mount it to the pillar but, where else am i gonna mount it and have it in a safe viewong place?? i guess im gonna have to 'jump off the bridge' like everyone else did and mount it on the A-pillar.

 

[Crock]

A-Pillar also looks like the 'easiest' install. I did read once that it can block your view. Is this true or what? Someone with an A-Pillar set up please chime in.

 

[Protege2K]

I've got a triple gauge pillar as well as the three guage pod under the radio. The gauges on the A pillar are much easier to see, thus why I have the boost, air/fuel, egt mounted in its location. I've got the "less important" gauges under the radio.

And the install is made much easier if you just mount the pod with double sided tape. Leaves you a TON of room to run wires neatly.

 

[Stormtrooper77]

Con: I think the pillars only come in black.

 

[Protege2K]

Con: I think the pillars only come in black.

Pro: It takes only about $4 to make them match perfectly.

 

[mp5smuggler]

so you paint them somene has posted the color break down so you can got to home depot or wherever to get a color match done up

 

[Wiggles422]

A-Pillar also looks like the 'easiest' install. I did read once that it can block your view. Is this true or what? Someone with an A-Pillar set up please chime in.

The only real loss of vision I've noticed (note that I only have a 2 gauge a-pillar) is that at night (and I have %15 tint) the light from the gauges has a glare on the window. Other then that I don't have vision problems.

 

[Crock]

The only real loss of vision I've noticed (note that I only have a 2 gauge a-pillar) is that at night (and I have %15 tint) the light from the gauges has a glare on the window. Other then that I don't have vision problems.

Thanks for the input. I don't think I'll go for fancy light-up gauges anyway. I'll keep it simple.

 

[Leadfoot]

This is a shameless plug, but at the same time I'm not sure if you guys know this is out there. I convert your stock instrument bezels to allow fitment of two 2-1/16" gauges....stock look & all. Here's a pic:

In all honesty it doesn't matter to me if you guys are interested or not, but I just thought I'd throw it out there. If you are, I'm keeping a notification list for my next GB, and it's in this thread: http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1179303#post1179303

 

[Crock]

Leadfoot, I've seen the threads about that. You do a great job. A few things holding me back are..
1. Not a big deal, but I don't want to drive around without it.
2. Is the alarm light preserved?
3. This is permanent. A-pillar can easily be undone.

Number 3 is the real thing holding me back. I like to be able to un-do mods. If I had a spare bezel it would be a different story.

 

[speedfrk]

Well then you will still have to buy a second a pillar after afixing the a pillar pod unit on your factory one . which is what I did.

 

[Wiggles422]

Yeah I drilled a hole in the stock a-pillar to run the wires through. I also had to sanded/scuffed the stock pillar so that the double sided tape would stick to it better.

 

[Protege2K]

The pillar pods will fit just fine without using the stock A pillar. I have mine secured with double sided tape. No holes ever drilled in the stock pillar. And without the stock pillar behind it, I have tons of room for wiring.

 

[Wiggles422]

Yeah, I goofed. I searched on the forum, and at that time, the only answers I found said to leave the stock pillar on.

 

[2K3 MSP]

Yeah, I goofed. I searched on the forum, and at that time, the only answers I found said to leave the stock pillar on.

Mine wouldn't stick with just tape. I really had no choice but to drill into the stock a-pillar and use the little rivets I was supplied with. No big deal to me though.

 

[LAZERBLU2003.5]

nobody makes a guage pod that mounts on the dash in the middle above the a/c vents? that might be a good spot?

 

[Leadfoot]

OK...let's see if I can't answer a few q's. The first thing can answer both #1 & #3 - you can pick up a replacement piece at a dealership or salvage yard for about $20 - $25. As for the cutting, I think that most of the ones that I've done since mine didn't need to do the cutting behind the stock bezel, but it's all dependent on your gauge depth & the exact angle of the pods...no two are exactly alike.

As for the alarm light, it's easily preserved. I don't make any changes to anything except for where the pods mount...that's obvious because I cut the holes to allow the gauges to pass through.

If you have any other questions feel free to drop me a line.

Leadfoot, I've seen the threads about that. You do a great job. A few things holding me back are..
1. Not a big deal, but I don't want to drive around without it.
2. Is the alarm light preserved?
3. This is permanent. A-pillar can easily be undone.

Number 3 is the real thing holding me back. I like to be able to un-do mods. If I had a spare bezel it would be a different story.

 

[I'm Allen]

pros: easy to install and easy to see

cons: everyone wants to race you and the cops take a double look at you

I'm getting rid of my A-pillar for those reasons. I have the Leadfoot bezel on order and am getting the gauges under my radio.

Allen-