73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

Last and final questions before the pillars are signed of for production...

You can see all the progress on these here, skip to the end if you want the latest.
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/sm...?topic=16193.0

http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/proj...riple_POC8.jpg

1) currently these are sized to fit Autometer gauges of 2-1/16, that means others won't slip in and be tension held. Should I make is smaller and have a step in it on where to trim to for the Autometers or just make it fit Autometer and anyone using other generic gauges have to use the clamp set? (many people don't clamp these)
2) Is everyone going to be drilling holes in their pillar to route the wiring/hoses? What is your plans on routing?
3) How is everyone planning on attaching these? What is you plan on attaching these?


I am ready to fire the trigger on this and this is how I planned to go about it, but feedback is welcome. I cannot accomodate everyones wishes though.
1) make it fit the Autometer body
2) drill a pass through hole if required in the pillar or for wiring wrap it under
3) I plan to permanently mount mine with either epoxy or plastic weld.

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

Nice job Chris! These should sell like hot cakes!

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

would air ride gauges fit in these? I would like to run my air pressure gauges in one of these

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

I know you can't make everyone happy but if it was me......I would build them with a smaller 1 1/2" or 2" opening allowing the ability to trim out to a larger size to fit your autometer gauges. It just allows for more options IMO. The options to outfit with smaller or larger gauges should help the sale of your product.

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

Sweet. I'd be fine with the autometer press fit. They have a good variety of gauges and lots of styles.

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

Nice work! I recently had a friend with a K5 Blazer who is not on the forum ask me if anyone makes a gauge pod for the door pillar on our trucks.

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

Any 2-1/16" gauge should fit in the opening as it is. Some that have bodies smaller than the Autometers will just require the retaining bracket as it is. This includes several of the cheaper gauges.

I chose the standard offering or 2-1/16" for gauge sizes based on other offerings and feedback many years ago.

Keep it coming...

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

Any 2-1/16" gauge should fit in the opening as it is. Some that have bodies smaller than the Autometers will just require the retaining bracket as it is. This includes several of the cheaper gauges.

I chose the standard offering or 2-1/16" for gauge sizes based on other offerings and feedback many years ago.

Keep it coming...

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

I know the other thread said these will be offered in triple only but I hope a lower single does become available.

As a bike rider, that middle pod is placed to do a good job of hiding a bike or pedestrian.

A low single would be a good solution to where to put a tach gauge without blocking my scan pattern.

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

What will be the price on this?

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

I ride motorcycles myself. I can assure you that pod not being there is not going to make it any safer for you. You have to worry more about the nut behind the wheel. By the time they get to where that pod is, they will be well past you. I drove it like that for over 2 weeks.

If you compare what is blocked on the 73-87's compared to a newer trucks, what is being blocked is nothing in comparison.

Pricing hasn't been set yet as it will need to be finalized.

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

A lot of people will love you once you get them going.We have had a few post about where to find one and no one makes them so you got the market cornered if the price is right.

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

Will they work on a truck with out a headliner. Just the bare A pillar?

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

Im with Chevy3+3. Maybe no hole at all. Customer cuts to fit ?
I would like to put an LED shift lite in it !!!

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

Doesnt look like it will to me...of course you could modify it to pretty easy i would assume.

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

So how well would it mount with double sided Velcro or 3M strips? And when I got my rod door speaker pods for my kick panels they were solid. It was a pain but it was nice knowing my speakers would be a custom fit and would work maybe make some pods that aren't cut so other gauges can be used or custom fitted?

I'm also assuming I can just cut it to the desired amount of gauges like 1-2-3
I'm in for a set!

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

yep, just the position would have to stay the same as i read, which makes more sense when you look at the shape of the pillar. ie. bottom gauge would have to be in that same position on the pillar etc.

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

Just means you can have it in different spots still then right? I would love to have my oil temp and a/f up there

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

Can not wait for these. Last time I did this I drilled a hole in the existing A-pillar trim and ran the wires through, then used small screws to attach the gauge pod to the factory trim. And I vote for them to be fit to AutoMeter gauges.

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

I don't know that I am going to do no hole at all. I don't think most people will want to try and center a hole in there. I am probably going to make a 2" hole and then you can trim for size from there. This will allow the end user to use cheap or expensive gauges.

The pillar is curved in 2 directions. Where they are there is about 1/2" of variance. They will probably be attached with screws or "pins". Which is what I am looking for feedback.

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

Chris, what about providing a center hole or indent...this would allow for easy drilling of the correct size opening for the gauge the customer ends up purchasing. Just a thought.

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

That and maybe a template in various sizes a person could use to scribe a cut line.

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

have you made a single pod to fit in the steering column? by the way it looks killer

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

looks good, i'll be wanting one...

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

Are we there yet !?!?!?!
I want one, or two, or three.....

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

id like to see one that you could mount to the bare A-pillar!

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

^^^ me too!!!

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

Maybe a spacer for the bare A-Pillar guys ?

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

To mount to a bare a-pillar, get driver's side a-pillar trim from the junkyard and trim the top off above the gauge pod. Mount to your a-pillar with screws like factory.

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

Good call on the trim piece !!!!

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

Any idea when these will be available? Really want a triple pod! :)

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

I say go with an autometer gauge size but if you can offer a disk or plug that can be trimmed for smaller gauges it would be the best of both worlds, not every one is looking for 3 gauges so if you had a cover or plug for the guys just running 1 or 2 gauges thats can be trimmed for the guys with smaller gauges......something to think about?

i personally love the 3 gauges and would use them all I already have 2 gauges on my dash and want another lol

how would you hide all the wires and stuff?

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

They are about 6-8 weeks out right now before they will be available. Hopefully they are working on tooling right now.

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

any idea on prices?

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

No update on pricing until the die is finished, but I got pics of them last week so getting closer.

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

thnks for the update...

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

To accommodate everyone's size, I would make the face solid and have a pilot hole in the center pre drilled like the size of a thumb tack and then gather the popular gauge sizes and include plastic discs so the user can selct the size and cut it out themselves. Also leads to making mistakes and repeat customers :)

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

I really like this idea. I have some nice Milwaukee hole saws that I can drill with. It would also alllow me to run a light or switch in place of a gauge

I sure hope this is going to bu under $50

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

As of this weekend this is the Triples mounted in the truck. There are 2 injection points on the part that serve really well for a screw location, I also opted to put the 3rd screw at the top inside edge. These are #8 Trim screws. I am looking for source bulk in the correct length, but for now I just trimmed them to fit. I highly recommend using screws to secure these. I made them to fit all models but it was a compromise for the 73-80 style as it has slightly more tension on it, these will require screws.
Pictures is the pod mounted on a 81-87 a-pillar. Right now we are working out the minimum order and pricing, once that is out of the way it should be a matter of weeks before they are available.

As always feedback is welcomed.

View from the front:
http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/proj...TriplePod2.jpg

View from the Side:
http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/proj...TriplePod1.jpg

Re: 73-87 Pillar Pod final questions
 

Nice, that's exciting.