WHO WANTS A W123 "A" PILLAR POD?

[BF_JC230]

Hello all

I am in the works of installing extra gauges in the old W123 and am looking into doing it with a "A" Pillar Pod...I know it s a bit ricey, and flashey...but i really can not come up with a better solution...if someone has one - let me know!!!

they would be for 2 1/16 gauges or 52mm

i am taking a poll to see if others want one and with how many gauges???our car will only fit THREE AS A MAX because of the vertical windscreen, and the function of the sunvisor...

so please vote!
Jake

NOTE-the center top dash with two gauges would be like the 1994ish Mustang clock or Saleen gauge setup.

OH - Please note...

if you want gauges that monitor items that change over time (EGT, Volt, CHT, Ect...) i would put them in the ashtray location....I am running two gauges there now. (thats if you dont smoke)

things like Boost, Air/Fuel, Fuel Pressure, Ect...i want to see with very little eye movement - "A" Pillar pod.

jake

[psdsteve]

Yes, I need Boost and Exhaust temp.


They are a must if you are planning on turning things up a little. Love the pillar pod in the Ford Diesel.

Besides they help troubleshoot performance problems related to those two features. Yeah they aren't NEEDED but so what.

Stephen

[bill murrow]

Never saw pillar pod on a Ford diesel until a friend of mine bought one. I think it's a '95.

Were these special order? What year is your truck steve??

Cheers,

Bill

[81Wagon]

I thought about an A-pillar pod briefly, but I couldn't find one that would fit and that wasn't ugly as sin. I ended up putting my boost and EGT gauges in the center vents of the dashboard. The ashtray area is also a good place for a couple of gauges; I have a voltage gauge there along with a couple cigarette lighter plugs.

[psdsteve]

Bill,

Mine is a 96. These are all aftermarket add on and are pretty standard for anyone putting in a hotter chip. With a hot chip it is not that hard to melt the pistons if you don't keep track of the exhaust temp. Being able to see the boost is also nice.

Stephen

[bill murrow]

psdsteve,

I would never have thought they were aftermarket. They look great!! They are easy to see and out of the way. And you're right--with the hot chip I'd like to know whats going on....

Cheers,

Bill

[The Warden]

Originally Posted by psdsteve

Yeah they aren't NEEDED but so what.

I have to respectfully disagree with the "aren't" part of that...a boost gauge isn't critical, but IMHO an EGT gauge is the most important gauge to have.

I was thinking on the lines of using the #3 spot for either a "real" voltmeter or a tranny temp gauge...

[BF_JC230]

81wagon

looks great...and is a real good solution with the gagues in the vents....i have thought of that route - and some of my buddies are edging me toward it - i want to build the w123 pillar pod, and see how it looks when not forced from another car - but designed for the w123...it wil still be out of context, flashey and ricey, but ill see....your gauges look great

any other "extra" gauges out there???
jake

[boneheaddoctor]

I really want one for a W116.................I plan on making a panel to replace the Ash tray and place 3 needed guages in it. Pyrometer, Boost, and voltmeter. I have a boost controller (want to bring it to spec) pyrometer ( I plan to tweek the ALDA and don't want to melt anything) voltmeter (hey I had a regulater go out and fry my tach, clock, stereo and half my dash lights before I knew it. 17.9 volts at idle? yep that will do it)

[rwthomas1]

If I could get a A-pillar pod that would look decent I'd be inclined to buy it. I have EGT/Boost gauges in my truck in an Autometer pod, dyed to match the interior and most people think its factory. I like my AC too much to use the center ducts and the ashtray is not exactly in the line of sight... I was going to try adapting a pod from another car. RT

[BF_JC230]

I really want one for a W116................. - i imagine even if you took one of these (once i make it) and fit it to your car it would ce closer than say from a civic, or mustang....if i go to a yard anytime soon ill pull of a 116 pillar and see just how close it is....


well it sounds like some of us might want this - ill get going on building the buck posting rough picts to see what people think and then vacufoming the ABS once we all sort of agree that it looks right (if it can be right! HA!)...everyone okay with the slight krinkle finish in black (you can paint it to match if you want...ABS requires some prep work...i can sand blast them light if you want to paint it, then you can prep and paint)

thanks all
jake

[BF_JC230]

well i have good and bad news....i finally am around to building the plug for the gauge pod...

it will only fit two (2) 2 1/16 gauges.

here is why...in order to have it designed for the w123 and look right, but work right i can only fit two...

i am 5'11" and sit normal in the seat, very upright, lower back as far into the seat as i can...

looking down at the gauges to see only the gauges and no housings i can only fit two gauges to still have the visor work...as we all know things that seam like they will work, and that you can draw up..dont always work...the real problem is that most gauges are three inches deep. and the windshield glass is so steep and the dashboard so shallow that in order to make it all work, you can only get two...based on the angles to fit the gauges and see them...

in the photo the blue chisel represents the lowest point in the sunvisors path on this mock up...this is the very early start.

jake

[BF_JC230]

picture latter - upload no good

[omegabenz]

Jake,

I think that two in the ashtray or two on the A pillar is a good idea. The problem with them in the ashtray is the time you have to look down to see them.

The A pillar for the coupe and sedan are different. I have been wanting to go down to a rice shop and just take some a pillars and see what matches up nicely. I think that in the ashtray would look nice too, but I use my cigar lighter though for my cell phone.

Austin

[81Wagon]

Originally Posted by omegabenz

I think that two in the ashtray or two on the A pillar is a good idea. The problem with them in the ashtray is the time you have to look down to see them.

The A pillar for the coupe and sedan are different. I have been wanting to go down to a rice shop and just take some a pillars and see what matches up nicely. I think that in the ashtray would look nice too, but I use my cigar lighter though for my cell phone.

I have one gauge where my ashtray used to be (voltage; I don't look at it too often)... I also added two lighter sockets there to make up for the one I lost taking the ashtray out. If you were to put two gauges in the ashtray area you should still be able to fit a single lighter socket in there somewhere (I've got a shot of my setup here; not a great one but I'm camping at the moment and can't get a better shot).