CwhillVT Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 I decided that the steering column was not a very aesthetically pleasing mounting location(to me) for my gauges (boost and oil pressure). Additionally I felt that the A-pillar gauge pod was, for lack of a better word, Ricetastic. Also, my cubby was out because it houses my sirius tuner. So here is my install: I removed my ashtray and cig lighter. Made my own mounting brackets from some metal i had laying around. I then cut a piece of lexan to fit between the opening and the gauges. I found that the gauges were too bright so I used tinting film on the lexan. I wired them such that in the dayime they light up white(close match to the dash gauges) then when the headlights are turned on they switch red(matches the red button illumination). I accomplished this switching action using a single pole double throw relay(SPDT). I'll try to post some daytime pics tomorrow so you can see "daytime mode" when it is actually daylight outside. With the tinted lexan it also looks stealth when the car is off- looks like the info center or the radio display when those are off. I was unable to find pics of other people using this location for gauges- I'm sure that im not the first- I'd love to see how other did it. See pics below. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldiablo Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 That's freakin' awesome!! My VB Garage... Pumping the air back into despair Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one69chev Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 really nice work... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwiener2 Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 No so easy to glance at My Mods List (Updated 8/22/17) 2005 Outback FMT Running on Electrons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwhillVT Posted October 10, 2007 Author Share Posted October 10, 2007 No so easy to glance at yep, my only hang up is the difficulty/danger associated with looking down at the gauges while driving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whobaru Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 nice install though...I vote white Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meier motor sports Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 cool guage placement. any more pics of how you did it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cll Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 that looks great, in the dark at least. interested to see how it looks in light how do you have your sirius mounted, by the way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwhillVT Posted October 10, 2007 Author Share Posted October 10, 2007 I'll post a few pics with the shifter surround off tomorrow or the next day as well as some day time photos. how do you have your sirius mounted, by the way? Here are some pics of my sirius reciever(pre-gauge install). And yes- the cubby door still closes ftw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fzanetti Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 Nice work... Did you take pics during the install? How about a DO IT YOURSELF guide to help your fellow LGT members? Flavio Zanetti Boston, MA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bull Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 good job. it would be cool if sum1 made a heads up display for gauges Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator GT Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 No so easy to glance at I'm with MW on this one. I'll say it is original at the very least. I placed my boost on the steering column, right next to my knocklite. Only thing it blocks is the Eco Gauge, not something I pay terrible attention to . I will agree with you CwhillVT, however, on the A-pillar location for gauges. I've resorted to killing my cup holder option and placing my next 3 gauges in there. And I'm designing it so the sliding door still closes. Yeah, I know, those will be even harder to glance at, but, for the Oil Temp, Pressure and EGT, once the car is tuned, I'll barely use those, save the Oil Temp to see when the motor is ready to really scream; but that one can be looked at while at a light. And since the gauges have a warning LED, I can see that in my peripheral vision if its flashing like crazy if there is an issue. "If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed." - T. Jefferson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merc6 Posted November 14, 2007 Share Posted November 14, 2007 Not so easy but it's where most muscle cars have theirs. I miss the ones on my marauder. Marauder basicly took spot of ashtray. http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k280/merc6/Marauder/e8226a6a.jpg http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k280/merc6/Marauder/7ff0d15a.jpg BTW OP, did you have any day time picts of the gauges? 2005 Satin White Pearl Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Unlimited 5EAT (Project Car) 2019 Agate Black Ford Explorer XLT 4WD (DD) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XVR_legacy Posted November 15, 2007 Share Posted November 15, 2007 i vote for white as well....awesome job and nice placement but yea i agree that its a little dangerous spot lookin down but otherwise i really like it -Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSpeed Posted November 15, 2007 Share Posted November 15, 2007 Nice idea... I've been playing around with putting my OmniFi DMP1 mp3 player in there... it's an in-dash and I really miss it... matches Legacy interior as well.. except I know I'd have to get the dang dremel out.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prosport Gauges Posted November 17, 2007 Share Posted November 17, 2007 Nice.. It is really cool to see different mounting options. BTW-Great choice of gauges... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franklin Posted November 17, 2007 Share Posted November 17, 2007 Nice job. If this was offered by Subaru it would likely be $600. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmononana Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 holy thread revival - just found this, this looks great! I'm guessing you lose your ashtray door closing ability though, right? so they can't really be "stealth" if need be?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest thelosmos Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 I decided that the steering column was not a very aesthetically pleasing mounting location(to me) for my gauges (boost and oil pressure). Additionally I felt that the A-pillar gauge pod was, for lack of a better word, Ricetastic. Also, my cubby was out because it houses my sirius tuner. So here is my install: I removed my ashtray and cig lighter. Made my own mounting brackets from some metal i had laying around. I then cut a piece of lexan to fit between the opening and the gauges. I found that the gauges were too bright so I used tinting film on the lexan. I wired them such that in the dayime they light up white(close match to the dash gauges) then when the headlights are turned on they switch red(matches the red button illumination). I accomplished this switching action using a single pole double throw relay(SPDT). I'll try to post some daytime pics tomorrow so you can see "daytime mode" when it is actually daylight outside. With the tinted lexan it also looks stealth when the car is off- looks like the info center or the radio display when those are off. I was unable to find pics of other people using this location for gauges- I'm sure that im not the first- I'd love to see how other did it. See pics below. What shift knob is that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwhillVT Posted May 20, 2009 Author Share Posted May 20, 2009 It is actually an OEM ford mustang (2005-2006?) knob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henryq89 Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmononana Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 CWhillVT - I'm assuming you lose the ability to close your ashtray - correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwhillVT Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 I completely removed the ashtray assembly and cigarette lighter. So no- the ability to close it is lost as there is no more door. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmononana Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 I completely removed the ashtray assembly and cigarette lighter. So no- the ability to close it is lost as there is no more door. OK - thanks, I think I'm gonna try to keep the door if at all possible, I really like this gauge location... ...is that even possible? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwhillVT Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 With the size of the gauges and the way that the ashtray door is integrated into the assembly I think it would be hard to do. I thought about trying but you would need to do some major hacking and modifying. also, the door only opens at maybe 45degrees which would make viewing the gauges difficult. but if you attempt it I'd be interested to see how it turns out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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