1g vent gauge bezel

[flaatr]

So as part of my reconfiguration of the center console I'm installing a vent bezel to mount 2 more gauges... one of these

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Now I've searched the forum and obviously there are several people who have done this but the one detail that's always missing is what to do about the air vent!

Just for fun I placed the bezel in place and no surprise there was very little air flowing thru the panel. I've come up with a solution and I've already started working on it, more on that later, but what I wanted to know is how others have addressed the problem of getting air to blow thru this vent.

-Raffi

 

[Tim_I]

I just put it in. I always run my heater on the def/floorboard. So it didn't bother me to block off this vent most of the way with guages.

 

[joescool2008]

I'd like to see installed pics and to hear how that works. Also where did you get that bezel?

 

[Tim_I]

I cant remember where i ordered it from. Ill get some pics and post them up in a lil while...

 

[flaatr]

They can be found on ebay for around $15...

 

[flaatr]

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[lotta hp]

Do those ebay gauge holders stay in place when accelerating or stopping?

 

[flaatr]

That's a real good question... I'm thinking not for long!

The serrated ends are supposed to hold it in but with the mass of the gauges I think the panel will pop out of place over a hard bump.

My idea is to tie this panel into the air duct for 2 reasons... 1, it will direct air thru the vent and 2, it will add mechanical strength to the panel holding it in place.

This is the prototype I'm making... I took the factory vent and cut off the part that mates to the duct in the car and capped it off... I will need to cut an opening in it once I have a better idea where that should be.

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Next I made a plenum behind the vent Bezel to direct the air thru the vents...

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The next trick is working out lengths and angles where these two parts meet... It's not done but getting closer.

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If you look closely you can see a hole in the plug I put in just for tests... This opening will be larger when I'm done.

The next problem is wiring. Since initially all I had to do was pop the bezel out and swing it out of the way I really didn't need long wires to the top gauges. Now that this gauge panel/vent assembly needs to slide out farther the wires are too short!

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I may connectorize this assembly so it can be removed and put aside instead of dangling it on the console.

-Raffi

Yes, it's ugly...
No, I'm not done...

 

[flaatr]

Completed proto...

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Side view...

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I may just spend some time sanding and cleaning this one up rather than making a new one... I was worried that piecing it together would make it flimsy but its very solid.

It fits solid in the dash too... No chance of vibrating out during a drive... Given how hard it is to dislodge once its installed I don't think the hardest bump will effect it.

-Raffi

 

[GSLENK]

great work man. I grabbed a JY vent to hack up a while ago and tried to make functional as you have done, It was an epic failure. I like this attempt. However if I do go gauges in the vent, I'm tempted just to do the 3 gauge and block it off all together. Its my least used vent.

 

[flaatr]

great work man. I grabbed a JY vent to hack up a while ago and tried to make functional as you have done, It was an epic failure. I like this attempt. However if I do go gauges in the vent, I'm tempted just to do the 3 gauge and block it off all together. Its my least used vent.

That will be easy... simply plug the vent behind the bezel.

One more thing, these bezels are painted and the paint is very shiny so the panels really stands out against the matte dash/console... if you scroll back to the pic of the center console I posted with the 5 gauges the bezel in that pic has been coated with black Plasti Dip (spray)... the plasti dip'ed bezel looks great and it blends in much better.

-Raffi

 

[lotta hp]

Looks great but it just seems like a lot of work. by any chance have you guys seen any of those bezels with the 2 clips that hold it in place.

like this one EXTREME PSI : Your #1 Source for In Stock Performance Parts

 

[flaatr]

Looks great but it just seems like a lot of work.

It was a lot of work... but it needed to be done otherwise I wouldn't have run the panel at all and just relocated the gauges somewhere else. This was the ideal spot but I wanted a working vent.

-Raffi

Update: still waiting for the RTV to finish outgassing its noxious fumes before I can install the part... Wow does it stink!!! Working on the harness the other day my eyes began to water and I began to feel ill... I think one more day should take care of it.

 

[Tim_I]

forgot to take pics but mine is just pressed into the vent area and hasn't moved once in spirited driving or hard bumps.

 

[flaatr]

forgot to take pics but mine is just pressed into the vent area and hasn't moved once in spirited driving or hard bumps.

I have two of these consoles and I've noticed that it fits tighter in one than the other... It's possible it *might* not pop out but it's still not the most solid mounting method.

It was a lot of work but I'm glad I did it. Gauges and panel fit securely and the vent works great! Wiring is done too so now all I need is time to install it.

-Raffi

 

[nelliott500]

That is very cool. Nice job on the custom mod. I tend to keep my air on floor/defroster as well so a gauge system like this is a great idea if I find myself needing the extra gauges.