Accessory Gauges in a GU??

Thanks Michael,
I did consider a roof console, but was hoping to do that a bit later on with a drop down DVD screen and UHF radio. I really wanted to have the gauges closer to the origonal gauge cluster.
Chaz

Michael,
Thats one very neat roof console you have there, and you make it look so easy.
I may have to reconsider.

Michael, love the roof console. Did you make it yourself, or is it basically a commercial one you are fitting out. If so, what brand. You must be a sparkie, given the hung amount of wiring you have done in your ride. Well done.

Thanks for the comments guys. It's a commercial one, made by The Department of the Interior, but it was customised to suit my requirements!
They made the storage part of my floor console to suit what I had already fabricated. For the roof console, I sent them one of the gauges, the speaker and the switch bank, they made the holes the exact size needed. It all went together perfectly. I was happy with the job they did with my floor console, and even more so with the roof console.
Department of the Interior gets a thumbs up from me!!
Check out the other folders here, they contain more photos of my radio installation project.
More Photos
I work in marine electronics (over 16 years now) at Port Lincoln which is the home of Australia's largest fishing fleet. I work on many things including substantial DC distribution systems, GPS navigation, computer based chart plotters, radar, sonar, sounders, sat phones, HF, VHF and UHF radios, scrambler systems, 3D seabed mapping, commercial FM transmitters, two-way radio systems, wireless data link systems, vessel and vehicle tracking technology, etc. etc. etc.

Hi Motherhen,
Not an option in my case I already have the PDA mounted there. I thought about a pillar mounted pod, but they only make them for the pocket rockets, no luck sourcing one for the patrol.

I'll fit the boost and pyro myself. The boost will go into the front steel flange that connects the rubber hose to the intercooler on the engine side. I'll weld a nipple onto it for the fitting to screw into.

I'll do the same for the pyro and fit it into the top pipe of the catalitic converter near where it bolts onto the turbo, not ideal, I know but I'm not too keen on taking off the exhaust manifold.
I bought VDO gauges, just over $400 the pair with all fittings.
Chaz

Hi Chaz,

If you don't mind me asking - where did you source your VDO gauges from? I have been quoted just under $500 for the 2 you mention.

Regards
David

Hi David,
I got them from VDO Auto Instruments in Adelaide. It pays to ask for trade price, I always do and usually get it, but that may be because the mob that I work for does a fair bit of business with them. (A government department in the transport industry)
Always worth a try.

Hi Motherhen,
I know it's been a while, but if your still interested, THIS is how I fitted the boost gauge tubing. I welded a steel fitting onto the turbo pipe going into the intercooler. It didn't take very long to do, I think it took longer waiting for the paint to dry.
Any mechanical fitter should be able to do this.

Chaz

I too would like to see the way in which you have laid out the guages but not being a memeber are unable to send you my details to receive your pictures. Any chance of providing a link so that we can take a look at your handy work.

Cheers,

Patrick

Browny,
I have a twin gauge pod that will go in front of the shifter, but at the moment my DVD monitor lives there. The other problem with the one I have is that it doesn't point up enough and I have to look down too far to see the gauges. I am familiar with your car and have seen pics of it in the past, when Chris was building it up. You picked up a winner there.

Patrick,
At this stage I'm leaning towards making some gauge housings myself because all the pods that I found today are too bulky and block off too much of the dash. After its done I'll post some pics on my Patrol web page for any one thats interested.

Cheers
Chaz

Nice truck mate!!! ;-)

Needs a lift but...

Hehe, G'Day Mate,

Just had the 40,000k service and going great,

On the boat to Tassie on Sunday, won't do a huge amount of off road stuff though as it's Jans 40th B'day gift B&B's and Vineyards and so on, but I reckon I'll find a wrong turn or two....:-)

Browny

Patrick,
I'm not computer smart enough to post a link, If I get time I'll put a pic in my members area, or you could give me your email addy here like this

joebloggsatwhereeverdotcomdotau !!!

Browny try patrick_k@qldnet dot com dot au. I'am looking forward to seeing your handywork.

Cheers and thank you in advance.

Patrick

Thanks Steve, I've only been checking out speed shops for them, but I guess it makes sense to try a 4wd shop. I'll do a ring around tomorrow.
Cheers

Steve,
I did manage to find one of those "A" pillar pods. Thanks for your input.
Cheers

Hi Chaz,

What business did you find them at? Are they of decent quality and did you buy one? Am very interested.

Cheers
David

David,
I took Steve T’s advice and went to TJM in Adelaide who are the local agents for 4wdmegastores. I couldn’t find them in their online catalogue, and even the salesman didn’t know they existed, but they had them at their warehouse.
I did order one and I assume it will be shipped over from Sydney, so if the quality is ok, I will buy it.

Thanks Roachie, I have checked out thier roof consoles and dash pods, and it looks like quallity stuff.
My main consern with the dash pod is where and how you run the cables? I would hate to have to drill through the top of the dash, or do you just hide them under the dash mat?
It looks like a good option for another radio also. These GU's weren't designed for accessories at all!

Cheers

Chas, I don't have any of these guages but have driven in car with several guages in a roof console, and I found them awkward to look at. I found that unless I was going in a straight line with no traffic around, I couldn't get more than a half second glance at one guage, but not both. Personally I would prefere them not far from veiw in normal driving position. IMHO

Muzzgit,
I agree with your comments completely and think that the roof console would be the better place for a radio or two, but after seeing the excellent job that Michael (above) has done with his, it could be a possibility.
It makes me wonder though, why the "Department of the Interior" roof consoles don’t have the option of roof mounted gauges. They only have them on their dash pods, which look good too. I think if an “A” pillar pod is available that would be preferable in my case, because there will be additional accessories to follow.

Cheers

G'day Chaz,
My dashpod was, at first, the only thing I had on the dash. The wiring to it is quite neat (unlike all the other wiring I've put in to the other gauges, which is a S H I T fight, but is covered by the dash mat). That original wiring (which includes the UHF aerial cable, earth wire, power for radio and a lead from the original battery so I can switch the voltmeter to check either battery), is all contained in a neat piece of split tubing which goes along the bottom of the windscreen and then down the passenger's side under the "A" pillar.
Note that there is a large "hole" under each "A" pillar once you remove the plastic trim, which is held in place by the 2 screws that hold the grab handle as well as a couple of press-fit plastic do-dads. These can be a pain to get off without damaging the trim. I've actually left both of those trims off mine now (I got sick of removing them everytime I wanted to add a bit more stuff).
I haven't seen an "A" pillar gauge pod advertised anywhere, but that would be a great idea too, so long as it was sleek enough not to cause a massive blind spot.
Cheers
Roachie

Thanks again Roachie, I did some running around this morning and asked at TJM in Adelaide about the “A” pillar pods. After getting some strange looks, the salesman said “I’ll ring the warehouse, you never know”, and guess what??? They do make them, only for the GU and they hold 3 gauges. Not cheap at around $120, but he’s going to order one in for me to check out.

Cheers

Thanks John, I would like to see a picture if it's not too much trouble.
chaz@bettanet.net.au
The pipe I was refering to is the bend where the cat bolts onto the turbo at the flange. The pyro would be no more than 2" from the turbo and in my case it is a solid pipe.

Cheers

Thanks Chris, I would love to see a pic of your set up if it's not too much trouble.
chaz@bettanet.net.au
cheers
Chaz

Chaz, what a neat job!!

I think I might look into this style of fitting myself. Thanks for providing the photos.

Bye the way, what price was the A Pod?

Cheers
Patrick

Hi Chaz,

Very nice mate. I rang a couple of TJM stores in Qld and asked them to follow up but both came back saying there is nothing. Could you provide the store name and contact number of the mob you got the pod through? Also part number for the pod would be handy.

Cheers
David

Hi guy's,
Thanks for your comments. I got the pod from TJM in Adelaide. Contact Michael Peters there on (08) 83446444 and he should be able to order one in for you. I think it came from the 4wd Megastores warehouse in Sydney and it cost me $125.
I also picked up a Boggard turbo timer while I was there for $195. They sell them for $220 on eBay.
The only negative comment I will make about the pod is that it faces the passenger and I have to lean forward a bit to see the gauges squarely, but thats a minor issue. I can read them ok while driving. Also the pod had to be painted (they only come in black).
Just as a matter of interest, so far max boost is 16psi. I havent connected the EGT yet.
Cheers