I know that it's nigh on impossible to get an A-pillar pod for 1 gauge, let alone 3. Hence I'm having a think as to what my options are now.

 

Obviously there's the vent pod, but I really like my driver's side vent!!! There's the 3 gauge holder underneath the stereo, but the current holder is ideal for my phone and is handy to have, plus visibility of the gauges is poor when driving.

 

I miss having 3 gauges in the middle of the dash like in my old Williams' Clio. I found the temp and pressure gauges handy.

 

So I'm wondering if anyone has fitted a tidy looking 3 gauge pod in the middle of the dash above the central vents? I don't want it to look out of place too much, but I would really like some extra gauges, especially the oil temp so that I know when it's safe to give it some. I found out from my Clio that the oil temp and water temp can vary massively depending on a variety of conditions when warming up the car...

 

I was thinking of getting a second hand dash, fitting say... an Imprezza type gauge pod, then having the entire dash flocked...

Never seen a tidy looking one I'm afraid maybe try making a custom A pillar pod?

I've been wanting to try something with the A pillar, I miss the boost gauge I had in my old Focus, was pretty cool!

I guess you could mould it on then fibre glass etc then sand it down then have it painted or get it flocked.

There is a flocking place in Wrexham and Chester too

Never seen a tidy looking one I'm afraid maybe try making a custom A pillar pod?

 

That's a shame....  I'd really like them central. Not going to do it if it'll look stupid though obviously!

 

There just doesn't seem to be a suitable option any way. I did think of the idea of the under-stereo pod, but switching that and the stereo about. I'd still be left without my storage cubby then though.... :-/

I've been wanting to try something with the A pillar, I miss the boost gauge I had in my old Focus, was pretty cool!

I guess you could mould it on then fibre glass etc then sand it down then have it painted or get it flocked.

There is a flocking place in Wrexham and Chester too

 

 

Getting it put into the dash properly and then flocked is the only way I could see it working and looking fairly factory'ish to be honest. Plus I think a properly fully flocked dash would look awesome :-)  My old Clio's dash top was flocked and it looked epic!

Getting it put into the dash properly and then flocked is the only way I could see it working and looking fairly factory'ish to be honest. Plus I think a properly fully flocked dash would look awesome :-) My old Clio's dash top was flocked and it looked epic!

Would look really good - bit like the Focus STs have. Half the dash comes apart anyway so the lower bit would be easy. Getting the rest out I'm not so sure.

I think it was MDA Motorsport in Chester that said they would do the dash in a previous car which included removing it all.

My only gripe with having the dash done is that the door cards etc would all need to be done too.

Yeah that's it - like the ST. I'm unsure what gauge pod would look best though. Have you seen the newer Imprezza ones? They have like a slight overhang to the pod which make it look a lot better than the usual ones you buy on eBay.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271238792811?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

What do you think? I don't even think you'd need to fibreglass it in - just get it glued in place and flush, then get the whole lot flocked.

 

I'd get a second hand dash if I decided to go ahead. I could take my time with it that way. Someone on here was selling one, so I asked about removal - he said it wasn't too bad, but wasn't brilliant either. The good part is that only the plastic comes away. Otherwise I don't think I'd bother at all, as pulling all the wiring out as well makes it a true nightmare of a job....

 

Yes I was thinking the same thing when I was looking at it in the car the other day. The door cards sort of follow on from the dash. I think it'd be mega cool if the lot was done though :-)  Plus I could just vacuum the dash in future ha ha!

That looks nice Alex! I would be sure that it will sit at the right angle though so that it sits perfect.

Love that eBay add! Location :- Factory in Asia. Lol!

I think it would be well worth giving it a go, it's not really a lot of money either for something that could look really good!

Yeah defo some careful fettling required before a final fit.

 

I think I will try it at some point soon. Oil temp and pressure senders may be a pain to fit though. The whole setup (extra dash, pod, flocking, gauges, senders etc...) would probably cost a reasonable amount....   More important things to spend money on at the minute, such as refreshing all the remaining front suspension components (ball joints, track rods & ends, drop links, wheel bearings...).

 

I'm definitely gonna give it a bash though :-)  May even be able to pick up a dash for cheap from the local scrappy.

 

 

Bought some handles the other week by the way Dan - I have literally finished spraying them this evening :-)   I've got a really nice finish on them too! Gotta finish off my fog light inserts and mirror covers, then wait a week for everything to harden before polishing it all up and fitting. Will look nice when it's done :-)

Yeah defo some careful fettling required before a final fit.

I think I will try it at some point soon. Oil temp and pressure senders may be a pain to fit though. The whole setup (extra dash, pod, flocking, gauges, senders etc...) would probably cost a reasonable amount.... More important things to spend money on at the minute, such as refreshing all the remaining front suspension components (ball joints, track rods & ends, drop links, wheel bearings...).

I'm definitely gonna give it a bash though :-) May even be able to pick up a dash for cheap from the local scrappy.

Bought some handles the other week by the way Dan - I have literally finished spraying them this evening :-) I've got a really nice finish on them too! Gotta finish off my fog light inserts and mirror covers, then wait a week for everything to harden before polishing it all up and fitting. Will look nice when it's done :-)

Ohh yea - I never thought about the cost of gauges and senders etc lol! That could be costly.

I'll probably stick to my A pillar boost gauge idea and see what I can do. Get the old man to help me he's good at pretty much anything!

There's a scrap yard I always used to go to in Wrexham, can't remember the place but everywhere I go the blokes are strange and like to come around with you. Normally I try get a few of us to go then they let us get on with it haha.

I've got a set of handles in the shed, you could of had those if I'd known. Will look good though, did you get the paint online?

Be careful when you are swapping them over! I dead locked one of my doors the first time :(