Complete replacement gauge pod A Pillars?

[justin0469]

Has any one seen replacement A pillar gauge mounts that actually replace the factory A pillar? I have only found screw on ones, none that actually pop into the frame like stock.

 

[kspharris]

Yeah you can find them on ebay or buy them from our vendors here at dsm tuners.

 

[daveyfx]

http://www.prostreetonline.com/store/gauges/gauge_pods/

Check the following:
Pro Pod Full Pillar Pods
Auto Meter A-Pillar Pods

 

[sk8shorty01]

i just recently bought one that was a replacement off ebay as well... it wasnt supposed to be though, the funny thing is that i couldnt find any replacement ones so i just bought a "universal" screw in one that said it was for the eclipse/talon 2g and it came in and the person accidently shipped me the wrong thing and i got the replacement one. Not only that but the person also sent me four gauges instead of three so i got a good deal on that one...


the persons name on ebay is <racingdimension> so you could email him and have them send you one probably... hope you find one they look awesome in the car... The one I got came with an air/fuel, boost, voltage, and oil pressure and the pillar for only 102$ shipped

 

[sk8shorty01]

The guys name didnt show up the name is <B> racingdimension </B> sorry about that

 

[Galaxy]

Not sure if you guys understand what he's asking or if only one of you is confused.

He's trying to find a direct replacement pillar,not a cover that needs work.Heres a direct quote from the non Autometer pillars on the last post: "Many, with some modification, can be used as complete replacements and are paintable." That would not be a direct replacement,but it would be a cover.

I didn't bother to look at the Autometer ones as thats what I have in my car and it is not a direct replacement but a cover that has to be fastened to the existing A pillar.

I have never seen any full replacement pillars for sale anywhere,for any car for that matter so I would answer no.

If anyone can prove me wrong please do,I'd love to find one.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

I have had similar experiences; I haven't been able to find true replacements anywhere, just the covers.

Right now, I have an Autometer pod that is simply a cover.

The pods in the link posted above are all covers.

 

[housegsx]

http://http://www.gaugepods.com/
These don't cover the existing A-pillar panel like the other, they replace them. They do not clip on, rather they use two screws and have matching screw cap covers. This what I have and I don't think the price is bad at all. Also the color matches very well.

 

[justin0469]

Not sure if you guys understand what he's asking or if only one of you is confused.

He's trying to find a direct replacement pillar,not a cover that needs work.Heres a direct quote from the non Autometer pillars on the last post: "Many, with some modification, can be used as complete replacements and are paintable." That would not be a direct replacement,but it would be a cover.

I didn't bother to look at the Autometer ones as thats what I have in my car and it is not a direct replacement but a cover that has to be fastened to the existing A pillar.

I have never seen any full replacement pillars for sale anywhere,for any car for that matter so I would answer no.

If anyone can prove me wrong please do,I'd love to find one.

Thats exactly right. The ones off eBay, LoTek, and autometer are COVERS that are meant to screw into the factory Apillar. They have no way of holding themselves there without it. Just because it is the "full pillar" doesnt mean that its a replacement.

 

[justin0469]

http://http://www.gaugepods.com/
These don't cover the existing A-pillar panel like the other, they replace them. They do not clip on, rather they use two screws and have matching screw cap covers. This what I have and I don't think the price is bad at all. Also the color matches very well.

I have a LoTek one right now, its just a cover. Like you said, they screw into the factory one, they dont take the place of it, which is what i want.

 

[housegsx]

I don't know what you guys are talking about??? I have the Lo Tek and no factory piece behind it. You pop out the original, toss it, set in the new one, and screw it into the A-pillar. Why would you leave the factory one behind it?

 

[justin0469]

you screwed the plastic piece into the metal frame?

 

[housegsx]

Yep, sure did. Drilled two little holes and screwed it right in. I wish I still had the directions for it. I was worried about buying one that just covers the original so that's why I bought this one. Everything fits perfectly.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

I don't know what you guys are talking about??? I have the Lo Tek and no factory piece behind it. You pop out the original, toss it, set in the new one, and screw it into the A-pillar. Why would you leave the factory one behind it?

I think you installed them wrong... You were supposed to screw it into the factory cover - instead, you just put two holes into a stuctural piece of your car. It's probably not a big deal, but that isn't how the pod was designed to be installed.

 

[housegsx]

Hmm..well it works just fine. Fits great and it's just two tiny holes. There are holes everywhere else. Beside, I think those screws would have been too long to go through just the plastic and not start pushing up against the A-pillar. Trust me, there is no need to keep the original behind it.

Edit: It is supposed to screw into the metal frame. That is what Lo Tek directions say and what a few searches have concluded. Plus it should sit more flush this way.

 

[Galaxy]

If it requires you to drill something it is not a DIRECT replacement.A direct replacement would utilize the 2 tabs and one hook that the stock one has and sit perfect.

I have the Autometer triple pillar in my Spyder but it was one that was made for a hardtop.The top edge of the Spyder pillar is not the same as the hard top version but I got it at a very good discount so I decided to make it work.What I did was cut both the stock one and the autometer in half,and splice them together so I could use the top tab on the stock one to hold it in place.I can't stand the idea of seeing 4 or 6 little screw covers and although it was way more work,its completly smooth from top to bottom and lines up perfectly.

 

[housegsx]

Oh it's a direct replacement and it does sit perfect. It just attaches differently because it's probably cheaper for them to make it that way.

 

[Attack Eagle]

lotek is as close as you are gonna get to a direct fit replacement. None of them clip on, because you have all the weight of the gauges on it.
As easy as the stock one comes unclipped even when new, I wouldn't want a clip one with 3 guages on it .

 

[MrBoxx]

Okay, I'll clear up a few things here: The Lo-Tek A-pillar gauge pod directly replaces the stock A-pillar cover. It does not sit on top of the old one. It is a full replacement. The reason that it requires screwing into the frame is because gauges tend to be heavy. You definitely want it secured. Two screw holes in the A-pillar part of the frame is not going to do anything bad to the structural rigidity of the car. Here is what the whole A-Pillar looks like:

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

The color-matching on this particular piece is so good, people ask me if the car came like that or if I had to put it in. It even comes with plastic "buttons" that cover the screw holes completely.

An A-pillar "Pod" or "Add-on" however, usually does attach to the stock A-pillar. I think the confusion some people are having is a difference in terminology. This is what some people may be thinking of:

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[Galaxy]

Gauges do not weigh a pound apeice so I really cant see weight being a factor if all 3 original tab and hook locations are used.You guys may have had great luck getting the Lo-Tek one to fit but its still not a direct factory replacement if it shows screw holes and does not use the OEM mounting.Maybe thats just my opinion.That pic of the Lo-Tek one does look pretty good,heres one of mine.....no screw covers. Also,notice the factory texture up top.

 

[PSId_OFF TSI]

Gauges do not weigh a pound apeice so I really cant see weight being a factor if all 3 original tab and hook locations are used.You guys may have had great luck getting the Lo-Tek one to fit but its still not a direct factory replacement if it shows screw holes and does not use the OEM mounting.Maybe thats just my opinion.That pic of the Lo-Tek one does look pretty good,heres one of mine.....no screw covers. Also,notice the factory texture up top.

Hey GALAXY, I have a question for you, I just ordered the 3 gauge full pillar pod for my spyder off of LoTek's site to replace my ugly fake carbon fiber 2 gauge thats got a bunch of ugly different screws holding it on... it was on when I purchased the car and I bought it for a more stock appearance... Anyways.....

How did you secure your gauge pod to the pillar without any screw holes??? thanks

 

[Galaxy]

What I did was cut both the stock one and the autometer in half,and splice them together so I could use the top tab on the stock one to hold it in place.

Let me begin by saying this is way more work than most people would even think of doing for the result,I'm just wierd and overdo things sometimes.It may also be a bit expensive but I had everything but the gauge pillar.

I have a Spyder but bought the Autometer one for a hardtop because it was $40 from a friend, unused and tan.

I removed the stock pillar and placed the autometer one in its place.

Figured out a good place to cut the Autometer which was about 1 1/2" above the top pod.

I took it back in the house and made a straight line perpendicular to the edge of the pillar. I used a thick piece of paper contoured to the pillar and a sharpie.

I then put it back in the car and marked the line with tape on the windshield and on the weatherstripping.

I put the stock pillar back in the car and marked eachside of it on the tape line with a sharpie...same line on the other one.

Cut them both in half and remember to cut on the waste side of the line,I ued a Dremel and cut off wheel.

I cut about a 4 inch section from what was left of the stock pillar,from the top,and used it to join the 2 halves with plastic weld on the back.

I sanded down the front to get rid of the excess glue and leave a slightly lower surface than the rest of it.

Filled in the gap with glazing and spot putty,sanded some more,repeated about 3x.

One thing I needed to buy was paint to match my interior...go find some and spray it down,I used about 4 medium coats.

Once again,way more work than most would want to do but my reason was to make the top line up but the top tab on the stock pillar holding it in with no screw holes was an added bonus.

One thing I noticed about the lo-tek one is how high the bottom guage pod starts.If you notice, the Autometer lays on the dash and kinda snuggles in there,the Lo-tek one has the 3 mounted in the center of it.I have room for another guage at the top and if I ever need a 4th one,I thought of molding in an add-on pod for a quadruple pillar.

 

[PSId_OFF TSI]

galaxy... I envy your craftsmanship

your gauge pod is beautiful, I already ordered the lotek... like $60 for the triple tan colored spyder so I guess I'll just stick with it now that Its shipping as we speak..., but regardless, you did an awesome job!!!

 

[RedTurboEclipse]

I use the lotek.. no complaints. I have used it in my GS-T and now my GSX. It is very secure, obviously because you have to screw it in. It does come with screw covers.

Maybe this still works,.. use DSMCLUB code on lotek's side for an added discount. or was it CLUBDSM. thats old school for you if you remember that.

 

[sk8shorty01]

well anyways the person that thinks i am confused, if you read my post i said that the auction was for a non replacement but i recieved one that replaced everything so i have one that has the clips and all, snaps right in... talk to that guy i posted his name earlier and maybe he will have some more...