Gauge pod, or is it art?

Not totally new here just been lurking for a while. My 1997 Outback (Blu) was lost in hurricane sandy. he had a JDM triple gauge set in the DIN mount. Since I replaced him with a 2005 I had been reading here and getting an education on the good and the bad. This was an annoying issue.

 

I always have a Volt Oil Press and Tranny Temp gauge on my roos, Blu2 no exception, a new to me 2005 Outback Ltd . My Subaru Justy has Oil Press, Oil Temp and Volt. However Blu2 has been a pod challenge. I did not like anything available commercially due to the quality or the cost. With the side airbag A pillar was out. I have seen some dual gauge setups, but i like the nook with the door on the dash, and the ashtray can only hold two gauges not three.

 

I used to do fabrication for a living, so I did what I do best. I took a 2" inch gauge and went to Home Depot and Lowes, and Had other online stores (mcMaster Carr and Graingers on my list).

 

Then i saw it, PCV pipe.

 

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x234/nipper-dawg/IMAG0285.jpg

 

Easy to work with, forgiving and cheap. a 2" gauge fits snuggly into the 2" pipe.

 

I cut three 2" long pipes (my cuts were sloppy using a miter box). I used a dremel on a very low speed to clean the sloppy cuts. A dremel at the lowest speed stalls in the plastic which makes for great control.

 

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x234/nipper-dawg/IMAG0289.jpg

 

I then glued them together using PVC glue. It was a decent bond, but I wanted to reinforce it. So i cut another peice 1" wide and cut that in half.

 

IMG]http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x234/nipper-dawg/IMAG0294.jpg[/img]

 

I glued the "feet" on and it made a stable platform.

 

I trimmed 4/10ths of an inch of them after it all dried

 

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x234/nipper-dawg/IMAG0296.jpg

 

I stuck the longer tube in the center since my tools at hand did not allow me to clean up the slight diference.

 

here is the semi finished product

 

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x234/nipper-dawg/IMAG0299.jpg

 

And back

 

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x234/nipper-dawg/IMAG0298.jpg

 

All i have to do next is to modify the feet to match the curve of the dash so they sit at the right angle. After that I will paint it. I researched it on the web and PCV is paintable. I will probably attach them to the dash the same way I did in the Justy, with automotive grade velcro. This will allow me to get to my inspection stickers, clean the winsheild, and remove the gauges at will. I am going to mount it drivers side by the roof support on the dash

 

In all honesty that is all I could come up with right now, maybe i will do something else, not sure yet.

 

Not bad for 8 bucks in material. Also since the 2005 Dash does a lot with circles, it will match the rest of the dash.

Can't wait to see the finished product. Glad to see another glowshift user.

Right on nipper, be sure to post pics of the finished product!

Great idea! I needed to make a gauge pod for my wife's impreza, as I don't like the a-pillar mounts and didn't want to by a cheap one from ebay. I have pvc pipe from other house projects that I can use too.

waiting to see finished product as i absolutely hate my a pillar triple pod.

Interesting idea.

VERY cool idea and I think it looks fabulous. I have been trying to come up with a way to mount some gauges and this is absolutely outstanding. I may try to baloney cut the back and mount the tubing on a flat piece and fit it into the GPS/junk box above the radio. If I baloney cut the tubing, I can mount the gauges on an angle towards me and attach the tubing from the back with small screws (I believe you are using Schedule 40 tubing?) through the plate and straight into the outside wall of the tubing.

Extremely cool and I can't wait to try it.

great idea. good stuff

Instead of paint you can use a process called flocking. Google it. Here is a link to someone's Subaru who did similar gauges but used a flocking coating. http://bbs.scoobynet.com/interior-15/861002-center-top-dash-gauge-pod-for-pre-facelift.html.