MY gauge "pod"

98lincmk7lsc

98lincmk7lsc

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So, after finding out that I'd have to drill holes in my A-pillar trim in order to install a gauge pod, I decided to try what I had seen on one of Jeremi's old cars. He installed 3 gauges in the defroster switch panel. I don't know how on earth me managed to get 3 of them to fit....

Here's what I did...

First, I measured the gauges. Here they are. They're PLX multi-gauges and are pretty bad-ass. They measured a little larger than 2 inches. (They're 2 1/16" gauges)


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Once I got the measurement, I grabbed the next size larger hole saw that I had, which happened to be 2 1/8". I scribed some lines on the defroster switch panel based on some measurements I took, and made sure the centers of the gauges were equidistant from the defrost switch opening, and the same distance from the top. With such an odd shape, that's about the best I could do. I then drilled a small pilot hole where my scribe lines intersected, and used that to center my hole saw. It was pretty scary since it's so close to the edge, I thought for sure I was going to break it. Luckily, I didn't. Here's what how it turned out....


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I had planned on using some aluminum bar stock to make trim rings to fill the openings, but ended up finding a perfect-sized piece of stainless steel pipe instead. The outside diameter was a little bit larger than my hole saw hole, and the inside diameter was a little smaller than my gauges. Perfect. I chucked a small length of it into the lathe and proceeded to turn down the O.D. and bore out the I.D. until it was just right IAW my measurements. I chamfered the edges real nice and parted them off. They fit perfect. Here's some pics of the rings...


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Some pics of the rings installed in the defroster panel, I'll be gluing them to make sure they stay put...


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And finally, everything all fit up...


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Looks good! Nice job man, I have heated seats so that's not really an option on mine. I don't drive it in the winter but I do like the heated seats in the fall and early spring.
 
97MarkJA said:
Looks good! Nice job man, I have heated seats so that's not really an option on mine. I don't drive it in the winter but I do like the heated seats in the fall and early spring.
Click to expand...

I also have the heated seats. I've got to figure out where to relocate the seat heater switches. I'm not really that worried about them though. I don't drive the 98 much when it's cold outside, and the heater works just fine. My butt can deal with being a little cold...


BAD97LSC said:
looks good but lets see how it all fits!!
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I'll try and get some pics with it installed in the console as soon as possible. I actually just did all of this today. Since I've only got 3 more days left at my job here, I went in today and did all of this. I finished making all of the crossover caps that were ordered too. I'm gonna miss having all of that equipment at my disposal.... :(
 
That looks freakin killer. Love the PLX gauges. Is one a OBD II version?
 
Yup, one is OBD-II, and the other will just be for A/F for right now. I'll add more modules later. I got these for a killer price and couldn't pass them up.
 
I like the PLX gauges, I hadnt seen them before you mentioned them. I have a set of Aeroforce gauges waiting to go in.
My TB doesnt look like that one.. ;)

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97MarkJA said:
I like the PLX gauges, I hadnt seen them before you mentioned them. I have a set of Aeroforce gauges waiting to go in.
My TB doesnt look like that one.. ;)
Click to expand...

Think you probably posted that in the wrong place, but my throttle body is actually exactly like that one...
 
Lol.. yeah, looking at the other post at the same time.
Have you put the accufab on yet? I know some of the guys with fox body stangs have to drill a small hole in the blade to get them to idle right.
 
97MarkJA said:
Lol.. yeah, looking at the other post at the same time.
Have you put the accufab on yet? I know some of the guys with fox body stangs have to drill a small hole in the blade to get them to idle right.
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Drill a hole? There is an adjustable stop on those. Did you already bore the Cobra plenum open to fit that single blade? Shouldnt have an idle issue as long as you are still retaining the Cobra style IAC.
 
97MarkJA said:
Lol.. yeah, looking at the other post at the same time.
Have you put the accufab on yet? I know some of the guys with fox body stangs have to drill a small hole in the blade to get them to idle right.
Click to expand...

Haven't installed it yet. It's waiting for the Cobra intake to go on. Whenever I get up the time to do that, I'll worry about making it work, but I really doubt it will involve me drilling a hole...
 
LaserSVT said:
Drill a hole? There is an adjustable stop on those. Did you already bore the Cobra plenum open to fit that single blade? Shouldnt have an idle issue as long as you are still retaining the Cobra style IAC.
Click to expand...

I think thats specific to the 5.0 TB. something to do with blade area, adjustable stop and TPS... my buddy had to do it on his fox. I was what accufab tech support suggested he do.
I'm running the cobra TB and IAC with no issues at all. The new one will go on with the new motor.
Sorry wasnt trying to thread jack.
 
Summit makes rings that are angled so you can angle the gages to face you. I used them and am very happy with them. this picture is from the drivers seat and they are facing you.

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Not a bad idea, but the center console is already angled toward the driver, so that's not necessary. I like how my rings turned out anyway. I'll try and get it put into the car so I can post some installed pics some time in the next couple days...
 
Alright, so I just took it out and threw it into the 97 to do a quick test fit. It'll be installed on the 98, but the 97 was a little more convenient to get to right now, and it's dark in the garage.

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It's kinda hard to see the guage on the right when the car is in Park, but when it's in drive, I've got a full view of it. I'm super happy with how it turned out.
 
looks good. what does that wide band obd 2 gauge go for? my buddy has an obd2 dash hawk in his trailblazer ss that thing is pretty sweet.
 
Thanks guys!


BAD97LSC said:
looks good. what does that wide band obd 2 gauge go for? my buddy has an obd2 dash hawk in his trailblazer ss that thing is pretty sweet.
Click to expand...

The OBD-II multi-gauge goes for about $200, and the SM-AFR (wideband O2 module/sensor) goes for about another $200.

I'm using a non-OBD-II multi-gauge with the SM-AFR. Those seem to go for a little less than $200.

If you look around (just saw them on eBay), there's a bunch of people selling the non-OBD-II gauge with the SM-AFR for $375.

Here's a link to the thread on corral.net where the guy I bought these from still has some stuff available. He's a great seller, and I recommend him 100%. He sent the stuff I bought right away the next day.
If I could have, I would have bought everything else he had too. I could certainly use all of them, but don't have the extra funds right now.

http://forums.corral.net/forums/interior-parts/1318388-new-plx-led-gauges-sensors.html
 
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