Over the past few months, I have started designing and fabricating fibreglass gauge pods for the Nissan Skyline series and S13 series cars. I have recently finished a design for the 300ZX after some interest from a few guys with Z's. The single gauge pods are mounted in the corner at the base of the A-pillar (mounted with double sided tape) providing a clear view of eg. boost gauge without blocking a lot of forward/side vision like some A-pillar gauge pod designs. These pods are designed to fit any gauge up to 60mm (as indicated by the circle on the first pic below) and ~40mm depth. The pod will be supplied with undercoat & prepainted and ready for you to cut the hole for your gauge. I can get a small batch of these made. The pods for the other cars designs retail at $79-89 plus postage, but if I can get 10 people interested in these pods, I can supply them for $70 (+$5 shipping to anywhere in Oz) Once numbers have been confirmed, deposits will be taken and the pods will take ~3-4 weeks to be fabricated. GB will finish when numbers are reached or 15/12/06. Cheers! -Alan
look ok, but doublesided tape???????? Pods look neat enough,but doublesided tape,im not sure on that. I know the cops check these gauges now and where would the gauge go in an accident,WHO KNOWS ????????They need to be bolted down the way some of us drive these beasts!!
these pods dont even move without tape mate... whats the big deal? it's on the underside of the pod so you wont see it... better than "bolting" down... who wants to ruin their dash? Im in Alan
The heavy duty double sided squares that I provide with the pods (made by 3M and rated to vertically hold 1/2kg with whats provided) hold the pod down very well. If anyone is paranoid about the cops checking these and you want to put a small screw from the pod into the A-pillar or dash to secure it more, then so be it, but I have seen many of these pods fitted already to cars with just double sided tape/squares and they don't move. Even in my 305rwhp car. As for in an accident, I won't try and imagine how your head would fair against an A-pillar gauge pod rather than one this one which is mounted in the corner of the dash/windscreen/A-pillar. Of course at the end of the day it's your call whether you choose to be in for the GB, but the main features of this design is that it does not block forward/side vision like most A-pillar mounted gauge pods and that it sits in behind the steering wheel, which IMO provides a more subtle looking and safer alternative.
I'd be keen I'm keen on the Idea, Thats the best place to put the gauge IMO... but I would like to see a finished one to give me a better idea of the angle. I think you've got a good concept, but needs to be on slightly more inward angle and moulded a little differently so it fits onto the bottom of the A pillar a little more. At this stage though Count me in
In the next day or so, I'll get the pod painted in the same colour as the finished item and take some more pics to give a better indication of angles etc. The pod is actually shaped so that the gauge face is perpendicular to headrest of the drivers seat (ie. your head). The gauge face is not angled away from the drivers direct view.
Anyone? So is NO-ONE interested in getting one of these pods? I cannot persoanlly afford to get the mould (professionally made) and a small batch of them fabricated unless there is people who are going to say yes!
hey mate, i might be interested, still sussing out what gauge to get etc. will let you know soon, these come painted yeh? cheers Jay
Yes - when they are fabricated, I get them prepainted in a dark-grey/black colour and so the pods will be supplied prepainted. So all you have to do is drill a hole in the front for the gauge and underneath or side for tube/wiring.
drill a hole for the pod.....must be a massive drill.... anyways does anyone know how to go about it....... ill probably go for the ones either in the middle above my cd player or the 3 one on pillar defi-style.....
It's called a hole saw You mark the hole you want to drill out and you can either use a hole saw to cut the hole out in one piece, or use a small drill bit and drill consecutive holes around in a larger circle. I can send you install instructions for the R33 Skyline pod if you want - it's pretty much the same as the 300ZX one.
PICS here are the pics, Alan asked me to throw this in someones car to get some better shots from sitting in the drivers seat... sorry about the dodgey lighting, camera battery going flat so just a few quick snaps.
I'm out. I like the idea, but it just doesn't sit flush enough for my liking. If it cleared that little vent I'd be in 100% Fate... (PICKY BASTARD )
Due to a lack of interest, I do not plan to get these gauge pods fabricated. The prototype may be changed in the future to fit the A-pillar better but I can't guarantee it
