Fabrication of a Instrument Bezel Gauge cluster

[Leadfoot]

OK....since I'm generally quite poor, I've started to fabricate the two gauge pods that I want in my Instrument cluster bezel. I've started w/ an APC dual pod for the A-pillar, and trimmed the pieces out of that to fit into the instrument bezel (IB from now on, I hate typing all that!). It cost me ~$32 after tax at Pep-boys....which is more in my budget than the $80 for the other one. (I think the other one looks great...it's just that I can't afford it that's all...plus I love to DIY projects like this)

I cut the two pieces last night & sanded them....today I'm gonna try to trim the holes out of the IB w/ a dremel for the gauges to slide through , epoxy the pieces, and prime & paint them. I have to stop at Home Depot tonight to get the epoxy & the paint if they have the satin black there for vinyl & plastic. I feel the pieces came out quite good (I messed one up a bit, but nothing I can't correct w/ the epoxy). They both face slightly upward & inward...just the way I was hoping for. There's definitely gonna be some cutting involved behind the IB as well...but nothing the dremel can't take care of!

There w/ be pics to come...(be patient please)...I have pics taken, but it's NOT a digi-cam, so I have to wait to develop the whole roll, then get the picture CD so I can post them up.

I'm hoping to have this done for the MTMA 1st annual meet this weekend...it's gonna be close. I'll post up again w/ my progress.

 

[Leadfoot]

OK...got my dremel going, cut the holes & shaped them out to fit the gauges. W/ the gauge in there it already looks great! I just epoxy'd them in place, so in 20 minutes I'll start w/ the putty epoxy to smooth out the lines.

I was gonna do some cutting in the dash area tonight w/ the dremel, but it's pooring rain, and I'm not to keen on mixing electricity & water! LOL! I took a bunch more pics, and I have 8 more shots left on the roll. I'm gonna save a few shots of the finished product & installed, so needless to say there will be pics soon!

 

[Gbourdon]

PICS! Ha ha. Just kidding, cant wait to see it, great spot for those guages, good luck.

 

[Leadfoot]

Yeah...just got done laying the putty epoxy....I used a whole tube. Needless to say, I have a lot of sanding ahead of me tomorrow when this s*** cures up. Overall, I'm happy to say that it's actually coming out better than I expected. If you took off the IB, then looked at it from the bottom, it kinda makes a crescent shape....well, the gauges perfectly match up w/ that line. The funny thing is, I didn't plan it from that angle....but from the front & top.

I figure tomorrow I have a lot of sanding, starting in the evening. If the weather drys up and I can finish the sanding, then I'll try to prime it as well. That way, on Wednesday I can spray the first paint layer. Then, fitment in the car & final install Thursday & Friday....ready for the meet Saturday! Now all I need is Mother Nature to cooperate a bit!

 

[mazpro]

cool man can't wait for the Pics.

 

[Leadfoot]

Just sanded it down....thank God I have that Dremel that's all I can say. If not, I think my arm would have fallen off by now!

Overall, I must say DAMN I'M GOOD!.....I honestly didn't expect this to be coming out anywhere near as good as it is. The gauge pods are dead even on both sides, and have a smooth edge all the way to the edges of the stock IB. There was only one small air bubble that I just filled w/ the 4 min epoxy, so in about an hour I'll sand that down & have the pre-painted finished product. I'm thinking that I may sneak down into the Apt. complex laundry room later on to lay the first primer layer. I can't wait to see it once it's got a smooth, even color on it!

Don't worry, pics are being taken at each step...so once the roll is developed, it will all be posted up!

 

[Leadfoot]

(band2) (band)OK!!! Finally done....have it installed in the car & both gauges wired for lighting, but only the boost is functional right now. I must say that it looks great! I have it painted a satin black, and is very close to stock, with a shade more "bling". I took one night pic w/ the camera, but I have no idea how well it will come out. Tomorrow I'll take the last pic & have the film developed. That means I will have pics tomorrow afternoon!

To all those headed to the MTMA meet, you can get a first hand look on Sat. as well!

(cheers)

 

[Leadfoot]

Pics Pics Pics!!!!!

Starting w/ creative process....all the way to finished product!

Cut-up universal A-pillar gauge pod:

some views to get me thinking of placement before I cut the IB:

 

[Leadfoot]

Cut the holes in the IB for the gauges to slide through:

What it will look like....getting closer!:

Who said that a 28 year old can't play with Play-Doh anymore!:

 

[Leadfoot]

Some shots after sanding to give you an idea of the final product....black paint hides the details a bit:

Final product...the Satin Black sucks up the light...but it's clean:

 

[Leadfoot]

Some shot's at angles in the car....

My front-on pic came out like s*** (real blurry) and the night pic didn't even make developing...so what do you think??

 

[L8R]

looks good man

major props for this

-chris

 

[Leadfoot]

Thanks...I busted my ass! But it was well worth it in the end!!

looks good man

major props for this

-chris

 

[L8R]

now u have something NO ONE has hehe. but everyone will copy u now lol, better make a copywrite on it

peace

chris

 

[Leadfoot]

Well...I can live w/ that. Who know's...maybe I can start up a new 2ndary income! LOL!! (I think my wife would kill me!!! )

now u have something NO ONE has hehe. but everyone will copy u now lol, better make a copywrite on it

peace

chris

 

[MP3skaterNC]

yes, now make a mold, and mass produce!

 

[Captain KRM P5]

yes, now make a mold, and mass produce!

thats what we've been trying to do, lol

http://www.mazda3online.com/product_info.php?cPath=27_43&products_id=215

 

[Leadfoot]

Captain....how's yours coming along? I know that you decided to remake it as you said you weren't completely satisfied w/ the prototype? Sorry I couldn't jump in on your's.....money is really tight, and I wanted/needed this for the meet today!

Anyone else looking for these, I would definitely take a look & talk to the Captain here....$80 shipped is a good deal, now that I know how much work is involved!

thats what we've been trying to do, lol

http://www.mazda3online.com/product_info.php?cPath=27_43&products_id=215

 

[jersey_emt]

Looks great Kevin...can't wait to see it in person today.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

Captain....how's yours coming along? I know that you decided to remake it as you said you weren't completely satisfied w/ the prototype? Sorry I couldn't jump in on your's.....money is really tight, and I wanted/needed this for the meet today!

Anyone else looking for these, I would definitely take a look & talk to the Captain here....$80 shipped is a good deal, now that I know how much work is involved!

No apologies needed my friend, knowing how much work is involved, let me tell you I have six more yet to make. Let's just say I'm a little behind on that We've considered hiking the price a little bit even to offset the added work. But the one I've just shipped is as perfect as they come, so I am satisfied.