cheap gauge pod

[corax]

Here's another cheap project . . .

I've been wanting a vacuum gauge on the dash for awhile but could never figure out where to put it (didn't want to do an a-pillar pod). The gauge I got measured 2 1/16" which made it fit inside 2" PVC just right. Here's the gauge I'll be using
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk171/batardsalamano/cheap%20gauge%20pod/100_2707.jpg
and the PVC I bought in a 2" length (before cutting it down for the gauge)
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk171/batardsalamano/cheap%20gauge%20pod/100_2702.jpg
made a simple bracket out of aluminum to mount the PVC onto the side of the gauge cluster
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk171/batardsalamano/cheap%20gauge%20pod/100_2704.jpg
I made the rear of the bracket just a bit higher than the front to angle the new gauge towards the driver
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk171/batardsalamano/cheap%20gauge%20pod/100_2705.jpg
here's the bracket mounted
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk171/batardsalamano/cheap%20gauge%20pod/100_2706.jpg
next, the gauge got pushed into the PVC (after a little bit of sanding on the inside of the PCV to let it slide all the way in).
I used 2 stainless hose clamps to fasten the PVC and gauge to the bracket (to make it look nice I used my Dremel to snip off the excess clamp and also cut some black styofoam to hide the back of the gauge)
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk171/batardsalamano/cheap%20gauge%20pod/100_2708.jpg
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk171/batardsalamano/cheap%20gauge%20pod/100_2710.jpg
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk171/batardsalamano/cheap%20gauge%20pod/100_2711.jpg

Total cost (minus the gauge) was <$5

[Whitey]

Pretty clean.

Autometer makes guage cups that sell for about $16.
http://www.autometer.com/cat_mountsdetail.aspx?vid=84&sid=49&mid=8&pg=0

[Scuba]

Haha, The middle pic of it mounted looks more like an airplane cockpit then anything...
But looks good man !

[corax]

Pretty clean.

Autometer makes guage cups that sell for about $16.
http://www.autometer.com/cat_mountsdetail.aspx?vid=84&sid=49&mid=8&pg=0


Thanks and damn man! I knew about those, but thought they were more expensive than that :shake: - next time I guess I should actually check prices before I make my own (ebay has 'em for $10)

. . . anyway, I need to find something to occupy my time while I'm unemployed :wrenchin:

I also thought about ditching the inclinometer on the dash and making my own 3 or 4 gauge fiberglassed pod to cover that indent in the middle - maybe I'll resurrect this idea if/when it comes time

[corax]

update - this didn't work out very well. I thought my gauge was broken once I got it all together (needle would get stuck / not move). Turns out that the tight fit inside the PVC caused the gauge face (part with numbers on it) to bow out and contact the needle. I forced the gauge out and it works perfectly with ~1/8" between the needle and face. Looks like I'll be getting an AutoMeter gauge cup instead . . .

[Whitey]

Could you shave the inside of the pipe temporarily?

[corax]

Could you shave the inside of the pipe temporarily?


yeah, and I might just do that for now - but at this point it seems to have been a bit more work than it was worth (given the low cost of a pre-made gauge cup)

[corax]

one last update, being enemployed and whatnot, I decided to to try and make this work after all. About 2 minutes with my Dremel and a flap wheel taking off just a tiny bit on the inside diameter was all that was needed. Now the gauge still has a slip fit (secure, though not as tight), but also works without the needle being bound up against the gauge face -- success

[Whitey]

I take paypal.