Ashtry gauge pod - work in progress.
 

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:

Here are a few more pics

looks good

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.

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.

gunna sell more? i'd be interested:) i love the 2 guages ! 3 looks crappy!

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.

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.

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.

no prob!

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.

Very nice. I did the same thing for my Sirius unit.

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

Who really uses an ashtray in a car anyways?

Looks good...very different.

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

Well I kind of like mine better since I can hide them.

keep us posted on prices

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.

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.

Anyone have an extra ashtray laying around.....got another idea I want to try.

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.

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.

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.