New product suggestion....dash gauge pod

[AustinTSI]

This is something that I think a number of people would really like. A 2 or 3 gauge pod that would mount on the dash, angled toward the drive, that runs all the way to the digital clock opening. The idea is that you remove the clock and run the gauge wires through the clock hole so you don't have to cut your dash or cluster hood. Ideally the front of the pod where the gauges mount would be a removable plate that would also allow options.

 

The mounting plate/assembly should be offered in both 52mm and 60mm. If you make the hood clear the 60mm then you just have to change the mounting plate holes for the appropriate gauge diameter.

 

2 gauge pod example:

1. 1 gauge, new digital clock, one 1/4 din rectangular hole for turbo timer/boost controller.
   
2. 1 gauge, 2 rectangular hole for turbo timer/boost controller.
   
3. 2 gauges
   

3 gauge pod example: same as the 2 pod just add 1 more gauge.

 

I personally would take a 3 pod with 2-60mm holes, a new clock, and a single 1/4 din mounting slot.

 

I would suggest something along these lines with a built in hood for sun shading and something that comes as close to the edge of the dash so as to keep the gauges as low on the dash as possible so they don't interfere with your line of sight through the windshield.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNIVERSAL-TRIPLE-52mm-GAUGE-METER-DASH-PILLAR-POD-/220814361368?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item33698fc318&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Auto-Meter-10051-Triple-Dash-Pod-/310662298960?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4854ea7d50&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ATi-Triple-Meter-Center-Dash-Gauge-Pod-2002-2007-Subaru-Impreza-WRX-STi-52-60mm-/290839816108?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43b76767ac&vxp=mtr

 

Anyone else interested in this?

 

1. AustinTSI

2.

3.

4.

Edited June 24, 2013 by AustinTSI

[kidjc]

Sounds like a winner to me! Are you think'n about producing them... or hoping someone else will? Sign me up!

[NikoFab]

I like this idea...especially using the digital clock port for the wiring...good thinking. I personally never look at the clock in my car anyway.

 

Although instead of bringing the gauges all the way down to the edge of the dash...I'd consider keeping them further up. For one, the further up the gauges are, the less the driver has to divert their glance to check gauge info...which is the ultimate goal I would think. A low profile gauge cluster isn't going to be too invasive on your over-the-dash view. Two, bringing it all the way down to the edge of the dash would force you to make a larger pod in order to conceal the wiring coming down from the clock port. Not that a large pod is bad...but just a little overkill if all it's housing is gauges. Or, I thought of doing something like this that is linear. Instead of gauges being side by side, they "stack" front to rear along the length of the pod (think of an A-piller style gauge pod, and invert it as a flush mount unit where you're talking about on the dash). Of course, it wouldn't look like an A-pillar gauge pod...it would have to be designed for the dash...but it was more of the linear idea that I'm trying to suggest. You could still use the clock port too.

Edited June 24, 2013 by NikoFab

[AustinTSI]

The clock opening was actually brought up buy someone else 3 years ago from a post I read today but I don't remember who.

 

I did see an example of your concept of a vertical dash pod that mounted to the right of the instrument cluster but I can't find it now.

 

I understand your point of not bringing the pod down to the edge of the dash but I'm also a short guy at only 5'8" so I wouldn't want anything that would be much higher than the existing clock opening or over the edge of the hood when looking through the windshield.