DIY: Gauge on the A pillar
 

Decided to install my defi gauge to my A pillar since the velcro on the dash method wasn't stable.
Bought an attachment that Defi sells ($10) that allows the gauge to be installed onto the A pillar.

Installing an A pillar pod is similiar, except you'll have to secure the pod onto the pillar.

Several people were concerened that gauges would interfere with the side airbag when it deploys. It won't since the airbag is at the very top and it's not the inflatable portion just the connection point.

STEPS:
1. Do a test fit of where you want the gauge to be.
2. Peel away the rubber seal along the edge. Pull the pillar out and up.
3. Drill the 2 holes you marked and also another one for the wire to go through.

STEPS:
4. Run the wire through the hole
5. Reattach onto the a pillar and make sure it snaps in.
6. Put on gauge and tighten (careful not to drop the screw or bit in the A/C vent)

All done.
Overall impressions, it's much more stable and doesn't shake like it did on the dash. Plus it looks good.


The red led on the side is a warning led whenever the boost goes above my preset limit to warn me. It'll also flash whenever any of the other gauges go past the warning limit (still need to buy and install those.)

;) Getting about 17-18mpg. Light on at 220 and fill up around 240 (14gal).

I'm also in the process of getting a 3 gauge pod installed on the dash. I'll update this thread with DIY steps and also instructions on how to hookup the gauges.
It may take some time, since the gauges will not be in for about 1 month.
Also, the pod is for 52mm gauges and will have to sit at a slant, won't fit parrallel.

not bad, very impressive.. i love the 3 gauge pod in that spot... but what other solutions are there if people have the nav... besides a pillar... thats pretty much it?

lol i get 16mpg... N/A

Which 3 gauge pos are you using, and where did you get it? Thanks...

i like you guage on your a-pillar more than mine....haha but ouly b/c it's for boost :p

that's the warning light by defi isn't it (their first gen one)?

All the info on the 3 gauge pod is at this thread. Contact "fd3s777" to purchase.


yes, Defi 1st gen light. The 2nd gen is too big.

^cool that wha ti though...have never seen a warning light in person so i didn't get one incase it looked stupid..but that looks prety bad a$$...hmm now to deciede to get jsut one and use it as a master warning..or to get 3....oooo decisions decisions.

any thoughts?

those defi gauges match the stock 8 gauges perfectly! Damn you and your turbo!!

hehe even with out the gauge i say "damn you with your turbo" b/c i wish i had one...hehehe.

OK, so I know there have been discussion about the air-bag, and yes its not got the inflation point behind the gauges, but remember there is an explosive charge that forces the cover off upon inflation. The cover will swing towards the front window, and could (depending on how the gauges are postioned) shatter the windscreen.

I guess in the event of a side impact strong enough to set them off, thats the least of your worries. Wouldn't pass the MOT test we have in the UK.

Explosive charge that forces the cover off????

The attachment point is at the VERY top and there's no EXPLOSIVE charge there! Just a screw!

Take a look at the picture of this deployed SIDE AIRBAG and tell me if you see the A-pillar cover? Still on there? YES! (I know it's the psg side but it's the exact same on the drivers side.)

No idea what MOT is, nor do I care.

I like where you put your turbo timer. I may have to plaugerize your idea...;^)

It's actually the Profec B spec II boost controller. Also, I stole the idea from somebody else. ;)

did that cover over the gauge come with the gauge or did you purchase it seperately?

by anychance does anyone know where i can get a CF a pillar for 3 gauges? ive only seen the ones with 2...

anymore information on the 3-guage install??

yeah any info on where u wired everything? because im doing a similar install, with 3 gauges

That install is clean... I may do that soon...

I like my pillar install ;)
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...s/100_0429.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...s/100_0435.jpg

interesting, where did u wire everything for power, if you dont mind me asking. because i have a similar install

that looks great, and is it a scangauge11?

could you make me one.. i have a set of spare apillars i think i can recover. :)

send me a pm..

beers :beer:

Sure thing, it's actually pretty easy, I just cut off the last pod of the pillar pod and protected the lcd with some tape over it , then embedded the lcd with plasticweld first. then used some body fillar and sand shaped the pod. after I sprayed the whole thing with texturizer and painted it. let it dry, and removed the tape. came out really good. that's a 20x4 lcd module that I run off my carputer in the dash (that I also fabbed), but I'm sure I can do the same thing with a scanguage :)

here is some of the original stuff I modded..
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/rx8-project-nothing-like-youve-ever-seen-too-much-spare-time-lol-139984/

anything about where ya wired the apillar stuff?