View Full Version : Ashtry gauge pod - work in progress.


1stgen8
12-02-2007, 07:35 PM
For those of you who posted in the original thread I'm sorry for accidentially deleting it. I will be happy to answer any questions if they are reposted in this thread.

I do recall Kane asking if there was a way I could make this so the cover would still flip up. I don't think that would be possible cause I tried to flip it up when I did the test fitting and it hits the bottom edge of the radio bezel. The finished cover will be glued to the lower half of the ashtray after it is painted.

Here are some of my original pics:

1stgen8
12-02-2007, 07:40 PM
Here are a few more pics

chetrickerman
12-02-2007, 07:42 PM
looks good

1stgen8
12-02-2007, 07:48 PM
I thought I was going to paint this thing over the weekend but I had a minor set back with the primer. It didn't dry the way I wanted it to and then I had a few imperfections in the cover. So I removed all the primer and added another layer of filler before sanding it again. I'm hoping to have this thing done sometime this week. I am going to check into having a mold made...but don't anyone hold their breath...cost is going to play a big factor.

1stgen8
12-03-2007, 07:42 PM
New coats of filler primer added this afternoon....much happier with the way it turned out this time. I should have used the filler primer to begin with. Very little to almost no imperfections this time. I plan on spraying it gloss black and clearing it tomorrow...will post pics afterwards.

heyarnold69
12-03-2007, 11:19 PM
gunna sell more? i'd be interested:) i love the 2 guages ! 3 looks crappy!

1stgen8
12-03-2007, 11:43 PM
Tomorrow I plan on calling a few places that my be able to make a mold. I wish I knew how to make molds then my answer would be "yes". My goal is to make a few others but cost is going to play a big factor. If I custom make these for other members I will need as many prosport gauge bezels and ashtray covers I can get my hands on. Now that I know exactly how to do it I can probably make 2-3 per week....would take about 6-8 hrs for each one not counting drying time.

I'm sure the next one will turn out better than the original but there is nothing like having the original....ha ha ha.

1stgen8
12-03-2007, 11:50 PM
I have a few more ideas that I'm going to be working on. They may take a bit longer to produce but I feel they will be worth the wait...for me anyway.

1stgen8
12-04-2007, 12:08 AM
One thing I wanted to point out is in order to install gauges in this pod you will have to modify (cut away) the center part of the ashtray bottom so the guages will pass thru it.....sorta like the lotek dash pod.

heyarnold69
12-04-2007, 12:28 AM
no prob!

1stgen8
12-04-2007, 06:41 PM
It's almost finished....just a few coats of clear and the gauges is all. Will be ordering the prosport water temp and possibly the exhaust temp gauge by weeks end. Enjoy the new pics.

altspace
12-04-2007, 07:58 PM
Very nice. I did the same thing for my Sirius unit.

http://www.altspace.com/rx8/su2.jpg

Revvittupp
12-04-2007, 08:00 PM
Who really uses an ashtray in a car anyways?

1stgen8
12-04-2007, 08:19 PM
Very nice. I did the same thing for my Sirius unit.

http://www.altspace.com/rx8/su2.jpg

Looks good...very different.

1stgen8
12-04-2007, 08:20 PM
Who really uses an ashtray in a car anyways?

Before I decided to change mine to a gauge pod I used to put my cell in it.

dznutzuk
12-05-2007, 04:40 PM
Well I kind of like mine better since I can hide them.

kinchu007
12-05-2007, 05:17 PM
keep us posted on prices

1stgen8
12-05-2007, 05:39 PM
Well I kind of like mine better since I can hide them.

I like mine a lot better......didn't care to hide the gauges. I read your thead awhile back and could have easily done the same thing but then I'd be copying you. My whole idea was to have the gauges positioned like the ones in my lotek dash pod.

I'll give you credit but you gotta admit mine stands out more.

1stgen8
12-05-2007, 09:27 PM
Applied a few coats of clear today and thought I'd add a few more pics. It looks like the pod is really scratched up in the middle pic...its not just reflections from the flash. Sorry about the clarity of the last pic but you get the idea.

1stgen8
12-07-2007, 02:31 PM
Anyone have an extra ashtray laying around.....got another idea I want to try.

Jedi54
12-10-2007, 03:57 PM
question: did you create this because you ONLY wanted 2 gagues or because you're using larger units then the 52's that go in the RB pod?

1stgen8
12-10-2007, 06:02 PM
question: did you create this because you ONLY wanted 2 gagues or because you're using larger units then the 52's that go in the RB pod?

I only wanted two gauges that were angled like the lotek pod. Three gauges would not work in my design plus I consider three in that location overkill as I already have three on the dash in the lotek pod.

1stgen8
12-13-2007, 10:46 PM
Here are some updated pics. I just installed a water temp gauge and blank in my custom ashtray pod. I was going to buy the exhaust temp gauge but decided to wait for Prosport's wideband A/F gauge that is due out next year....at least that is what they told me. After the holidays I plan on making a mold of my pod but first I'm going to make another one so I have a good smooth base to use for the mold. The back side of the current pod is a little rough so I gotta smooth it out a bit. I will keep everyone posted if I succesfully create a usuable mold....never done it before. Wish me luck.

BigRed
12-13-2007, 10:48 PM
looks great! if only i was fi.... i dont really have a use for these :(

1stgen8
12-13-2007, 10:50 PM
looks great! if only i was fi.... i dont really have a use for these :(

I'm not FI but I like them anyway. If I ever go FI then I'll already have them installed....less work to do.

09Factor
12-13-2007, 11:21 PM
FI'd or not its always good to have gauges that are gauges. Not ones that are ID10T lights..

They look good, and I always wondered if the amber prosport gauges matched the OEM red..

babohan
12-15-2007, 01:19 AM
sell me one:)

corytx8
12-15-2007, 04:46 AM
if the price is right, I'll be interested as I need to start buying gauages since I will be FI soon

zoom44
12-15-2007, 05:37 AM
he cant talk prices because he is not a forum sponsor/vendor. he may keep reporting his progress but may not collect orders or state pricing etc.

if you want to sell something check her for the rules http://www.rx8club.com/faq.php?faq=forum_rules#faq_vendor_conduct

1stgen8
12-15-2007, 10:51 AM
he cant talk prices because he is not a forum sponsor/vendor. he may keep reporting his progress but may not collect orders or state pricing etc.

if you want to sell something check her for the rules http://www.rx8club.com/faq.php?faq=forum_rules#faq_vendor_conduct

pm sent

1stgen8
04-13-2008, 07:50 PM
Just wanted to show everyone the custom gauge pod I made for my friends 06 Tiburon. Before making it I searched high and low.....seems noone makes a pod for an 06 - 07 Tiburon. I followed the same steps used to make my pod only I made a mold first.....those prosport gauge hoods come in handy. After I made the mold I just poured fiberglass resin over the original piece and let it dry. Once I seperated them I added several coats of fiberglass and bits of cloth for strength. From there I cut the holes and added a little bondo. It is not perfect but after all the sanding and painting was done I was suprised how well it looked. There are a few changes I'd make if I ever made another one but overall I'm happy with it.....enjoy the pics.


Not bad for my 4th time using fiberglass.......

1stgen8
04-13-2008, 07:56 PM
Once I bring my FC home from NC I plan on making alot of custom pieces for it. I will post those as well.

BigRed
04-13-2008, 07:56 PM
are you going to sell your 8 guages pods here soon?

1stgen8
04-13-2008, 10:12 PM
are you going to sell your 8 guages pods here soon?

I still haven't decided but I am going to try and make a mold of my pod.

altspace
04-15-2008, 07:29 PM
Interesting location on the Tib pods.

Reason I did not want to recess my Sirius unit inside the ashtray was finger reach. While my hand is on the shift knob I can quickly change presets.

http://www.altspace.com/rx8/radar_dash.jpg

1stgen8
04-24-2008, 05:00 PM
I'm still working on a mold for the astray pod. In the meantime I have repainted it to match my ride. Removing the old paint was a PITA but it came out good....enjoy.

HiTMaNN
04-24-2008, 08:14 PM
Looks sexy dude or you could have got two PLX Gauges which give you all your info instead of having 5 gauges....

dznutzuk
06-19-2009, 04:45 AM
Found some pics that I never put up...