A pillar Triple pod install question

[eclipse012]

I am looking at the triple pod from lotek. Bu the only thing i do not like is the fact i have to drill into my a pillar in order to install it. Has anyone, or know of anyway to install this unit or a simular qulity unit that you can install and have it secure, with out having to drill into your car? Is there not away to do this with a flat head bolt, and using a flat washer and nut with bolting it into a existing hole in the metal pillar?

 

[TSiAWD666]

There's no really easy way to do it without drilling. I've tried glue before and that just ended up failing on me since I couldn't use a super adhesive glue as you have to be able to pull it from time to time for work, so the pillar's glue would just let go after a while (usually while I was driving, very dangerous and embarassing).

Drilling really isn't that bad man... just get over it and you'll forget it ever happened. Trust me, I tried to find a way to get around drilling too

 

[TurboTsiThatFly]

Velcro strips are your friend... my friend They will hold it securely just make sure you use enuff for extra strength.

 

[4Lurker4]

I have to agree with TSiAWD666. I too didn't want to drill into the car and tried many different solutions to get it to work without. In the end, I ended up drilling because that's the only way that made it sit flush and secure on the A-pillar. I have 60mm Defi gauges (which weight quite a bit) and in the event of an accident, you don't want anything with weight to hit you in the face. If you drill just place it where it's planned on going mark your holes before drilling, check as many times as you like, drill once. Best of luck!

Edit: there does exist one that screws on your original A-pillar trim piece and uses the OEM brackets/clamps to set it back in. You could go that route if you wanted.

 

[eclipse012]

Yeah, i thought of using velcro before too. The fact that the summers get pretty hot here and my car being parked in the sun for half a day, or day mkaes me think that the glue will turn into a warm sticky mess and slowly fall off. I too have just ordered some defi gauges and can't wait for them to arrive. I'm just picky when it comes to quality, expecially on installs. Have seen some pretty poor work on my previous eclipse before. I do all the installs myself now and i don't like taking shortcuts. It pays off to take your time and do things correctly. As for the drilling. Has anyone that has drilled had any rusting problems after the fact?

thanks

 

[BurrowZ]

Velcro fails
Glue fails
Tape fails

I could never get it to stay or look as clean as the stocker so I switched to the bezel that goes around the cluster.

I actually wound up having to drill through the triple pod to get it to hold on the pillar. Did not look clean at all.

Hopefully you have better luck

 

[ed1380]

I drilled into the metal behind the pillar and use a couple drywall screws. They're black and they mount flush with the plastic.

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

I was in the same exact boat as the OP up until yesterday. I actually planned on JB welding it to an extra factory A pillar cover I had lying around, and clipping that in place with the stock clips. But quickly realized that will not work because: 1) it doesn't fit worth a shit like that, and 2) There is no room to run your gauge wires behind the pillar with the factory cover behind it. As stated, glue, velcro, and tape will fail. I bet the bullet and just drilled into the pillar, and it ended up looking pretty good actually.

 

[4Lurker4]

Yeah if you're picky on quality/detail/install, definitely drill and screw it in the A-pillar. It looks so much better when you do.

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That's mine, don't have a pic of it with the covers though (pillar came with tan covers for the screws so they aren't in view). It's flush on all sides and comes as close to stock as can be. I'm picky on detail as well. No rusting as well, doesn't happen often in the interior though. If you want to REALLY be sure nothing will rust you could apply a rubberized compound or paint the holes you made before you screw it in. I think that's overkill though.

 

[mike orlando]

i like using the stock screws for the 2g that have the plastic cover for the screw head.

 

[TurboTsiThatFly]

Velcro has worked for me. No problems so far. But the hottest it gets around here is maybe 100 if were lucky. And my windows are tinted. and yada yada yada... I guess it just depends on where you live and the weather there.

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

If you really, really don't want to drill it, you can always go with a different pod. Maybe the center vent pod of DIN pod would suit you better?

 

[AK Maniak]

Is there anyone that sells a complete replacement for the a pillar plastic with the gauge holes in it? That way you would just replace the whole piece, almost as if you molded the gauges into the stock interior piece.

 

[Eclipse2630]

Is there anyone that sells a complete replacement for the a pillar plastic with the gauge holes in it? That way you would just replace the whole piece, almost as if you molded the gauges into the stock interior piece.

i was wondering the same thing!!

 

[4Lurker4]

Well mine is a full replacement, your stock pillar trim goes out and this one goes in. Only difference is that instead of using those metal clips to hold it in (like the OEM pillar trim) it's 2 bolts which need to be drilled into the pillar frame.

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

Mine is the same as Lurker's.

 

[eclipse012]

yeah i tried looking for a diffrent pod tht could go over the stock plastic pillar. I don't have a problem drilling into plastic or cutting the stock piece away. I just don't like the drilling into my actual car part . I can find the pods that you just lay over and drill them into your stock piece but they are all only black or grey. I don't want to go to the extent of painting the pod as they start looking like shit a while down the road and it will be a pain in the ass to always have to re-paint. I might pick up the lotek and try and rig something up.

 

[Leonthefaded]

Lurker where did you buy your pod from?

 

[4Lurker4]

I got it used from a friend of mine (but he's as picky about being perfect as me so it was basically new; still is ). Took close to 2 years to find a tan colored one in good condition capable of 60mm gauges.

eclipse012, what color are you looking for? I figure Tan since you don't want grey or black.

 

[jpmxrider489]

Almost every cluster I seen you have to drill. Like my glowshift one. You can get black or grey screws to make it look stock. Or get those caps that cover up screws.

 

[eclipse012]

yeah i am looking for a tan pod. I will probably end up going with Lotek though as they seem to be the best fitting and looking. Color matching seems to be very close from what i hear too. Lurker i am guessing you have a lotek?

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

I got it used from a friend of mine (but he's as picky about being perfect as me so it was basically new; still is ). Took close to 2 years to find a tan colored one in good condition capable of 60mm gauges.

eclipse012, what color are you looking for? I figure Tan since you don't want grey or black.

Are those 52mm or 60mm gauges?

 

[bryanwheat]

Why are you so scared to drill a hole?

 

[jdodds]

If youre worried about how a screw looks in the pillar, try one of those push in trim clips.

 

[eclipse012]

Cause i think drilling holes into your vehicle to put something aftermarket in thats supposed to be a direct replacement, then its not really a direct replacement piece now is it? Kinda seems like a half ass way to install things too. Not trying to burn anyone who has drilled into there car. But you don't have to always drill new holes into your car everytime you intstall something. Just depends on how much you really care on the install and how cheap the aftermarket manufacturers are in penny pinching there products in install quality in order to save a couple bucks. I know i don't speak alone when i say i hate having to drill anything through paint or metal on a vehicle that your wanting to keep around. Long story short, I want to have a clean car with knowing that what you install, shouldn't even have to take any chance of creating problems with rust or body problems in the future weather it be cutting or drilling. Most of us work hard for our money, and most car people in general would rather take any other route possible to install parts on a car with out having to sacrifice potential long term damage. (exclude engine mods on this as i know lots of people have plans to run it till it breaks, then rebuild ) So do i think drilling into the cars metal a pillar is half ass and a short cut? Yes i do. But as from what i have been hearing the aftermarket companies have not left us very much other option as they have with other vehicles. Maybe i'm just too anal?

sorry about the rant. I just don't liek putting anything into my car thats not reversable. Jdodd i thought about that as well. When i get my pod, i will figure something out and i will make a post on here of what i did, for anyone who may be of interest