Hi Folks, Did this mod quite some time back but never posted in the techi section and lost some links to photos.
Just got round to cleaning links back up and thought I would repost this.

A Pillar Gauge mod.

As I wanted to re use my drivers air vent and removed the SWG vent pod, i had to come up with another option. All the other options were not quite what i was after . I do like the triple center console mod but have a double din SAT NAV so that was out too.

So my preferred route was to make a Pillar gauge pod

First here is the gauge pod i bought. A bog std universal one from ebay.



I purchased a replacement A pillar (only £6 from Skoda) just in case i b*****ed up the original one.

I decided that I would trim back the pillar gauge pod to a more workable size to fit the pillar. This meant removing almost all the flat section. I left a bit behind to use as a bonding section and then heated up some of it and reformed it to fit the pillar better.

When I had the basic shape I cut a hole in the pillar just smaller than the gauge pod to allow wiring and hose to be connected.

Next pics are the pod tiger sealed to the pillar(left to cure overnight) and initial step in filling.





After that was cured I did a second layer of filler to form a better curve

Then that was sanded down including the gauge pod to look as if it was part of the main pillar. This took most of the time.




Again I re added filler were needed to finish the smoothing and final rub down




I managed to find a texture paint from a car body paint shop local that would hopefully give me the texture close to the std trim and also a plastic satin finish light grey paint from a craft shop that was the exact same color as the std trim



So I was happy with finish on pillar I started spraying the texture paint to the pillar in light coats, I actually sprayed this outside between snow as the cooler the temp the more texture it gives.

finished coats of textured paint done. Was quite impressed with texture





I gave the pillar at least a day to dry off then gave the pillar around 5 light coats of the grey plastic paint







dummy tested gauge in place



Std Pillar and modded one side by side



Wiring and hose routed from original vent gauge pod to pillar.



Rear of pillar showing gauge and where connection are to be made. Connecting the wires and hose was a little difficult as i lost the gauge bracket so had to tiger seal the gauge in place and hope that i had set the gauge in the correct place when fitted(thank god i did) Also i wish i had connected the hose and wire up first before fitting in gauge as it would of made life easier , certainly if i had the original bracket to hold it in place. but connected it up in the end



Finished item fitted and connected.





and illuminated




quite pleased with end result.

Edited 8 April, 201412 yr by Bowders1

looks really good i have been looking into either a pillar gauge or one that goes on the steeering cowling

Nice write up and good little project, got the same popcorn maker, is yours still in the box as well?

Nice write up and good little project, got the same popcorn maker, is yours still in the box as well?

Funny you say that , yes it is in the loft..

great write up im attempting this next week ive got a 3 gauge pod (vacuum volt and oil pressure)wasnt quite sure how to go about it this will help im getting it wrapped in carbon fibre at the end my mate wraps cars so ill get it wrapped free i aint great at painting.

That looks really smart, great job.

Bang tidy!

Love oem+

Looking tidy mate well done!

Is the bulb colour standard from that gauge? When I fit mine, I want to take the standard Amber bulb out and find a green one to match (as closely as possible) the standard Green interior lighting. I have seen various bulbs you cn find on ebay, I suppose it's just a case of trying them to see what the match is like.

Looking tidy mate well done!

Is the bulb colour standard from that gauge? When I fit mine, I want to take the standard Amber bulb out and find a green one to match (as closely as possible) the standard Green interior lighting. I have seen various bulbs you cn find on ebay, I suppose it's just a case of trying them to see what the match is like.

cheers.

In the boost gauge kit I got a std clear bulb that has a pack of rubber covers in various colours, red, green, blue and just fitted the green rubber one.

you can buy them on ebay like this

http://www.ebay.co.u...d#ht_898wt_1187

cheers.

In the boost gauge kit I got a std clear bulb that has a pack of rubber covers in various colours, red, green, blue and just fitted the green rubber one.

you can buy them on ebay like this

http://www.ebay.co.u...d#ht_898wt_1187

Ah quality, might give those a go! Cheers

Any chance you could stick a link up to the gauge you have used. I'm after one that looks as OEM as possible and it seems yours looks closest so far.

Any chance you could stick a link up to the gauge you have used. I'm after one that looks as OEM as possible and it seems yours looks closest so far.

Hi buddy sorry for late response. I think the gauge was made by auto gauge or auto meter. Yep i got it because it it matched my dash well and was green back light too.

if i can find the model number will post it up..