Triple gauge kit, Finally installed!! Options

[HorseHead]

Here is my latest modz, a triple gauge kit molded at the top of my head unit. I wanted this kit to be as close as "factory installed" as possible. I ask a freind to mold it to rough, and I finished it my self, including final adjusments and finish. Here's what it looks like:









For the "low gloss" finish, I've used the semi-gloss Krylon paint for plastic, and for the final molding, the famous Mighty Putty as seen on tv The gauge kit is the Equus 1½" mechanical gauges, that includes voltmeter, oil pressure and engine coolant temp. The engine coolant temp gauge is unused right now, cuz we already have one in our instrument cluster, I'm looking for a replacement gauge. Any suggestions welcomed about it.

Let me know what u think

[azian_advanced]

that looks great.. can you make me one?

[Slick]

Nice and clean fit!

[Legit94GT]

that looks great:) nice work, be expected to be asked to make more, many many more lol

[Seztor]

Looks very nice mate. OEM style ;-)

[HorseHead]

Thank u guyz Pretty easy to make in fact, the holes for the gauges are abs plastik pipes cut to an angle to have them driver oriented, and to make them hold to the trim, my friend used fiberglass. After many hours of sanding to make it smooth like it is, just paint it the color you want. I used semi-gloss but it's too glossy for my taste, I'd rather use flat black instead.

If you want to make one of your own, be sure tu use 1½" gauges, otherwise it won't fit into the second din!

Here's some more pics to help understand the process:









This is when it was ready to be painted to final finish:


And for the gauges connections, simply refer to installation guide provided with the gauge kit, be advised that you'll need some extra fittings and t's if you want to keep your instrument cluster 100% functional. Because this gauge kit is mechanical and not electrical, oil must be bring to the oil pressure gauge itself, and cooling temp sensor is a capilary type (tube filled with ether) to conduct heat. For the voltmeter, I simply connect it to my existing head unit power and ground wires. For lightning, I connected it once again to my head unit lights-in wire. Time estimated for molding: 20 hours of work, for installation: 3-4 hours. A hole week of work if you include drying times of the different steps involded. Total cost estimated: 40$ for the gauge kit, 50$-60$ of material for molding

This gauges kit from Equus is black faced gauges, but they are also available in white faced gauges. The bulbs used in this kit are #161, widely available. You can have them painted to match your lighting theme, if needed.

So who's next?

This post has been edited by HorseHead: Apr 13, 2009 - 11:03 AM

[HorseHead]

I've seen some gauges kit installed in the air duct holes. Then you can use larger gauges if you don't need the air duct.

Inside a MR-2 MKII JDM:





This car belongs to my friend----> http://mr2phoenix.monchar.com/

[BBoYRuGGeD]

crazy nice! job well done!

-bboy

[HorseHead]

Thanx bboy

However, I just learned today that the mechanical oil pressure gauge is not street legal and in case of accident this can leads to issues with your insurance company, especially if fire is involved. So I would not recommand the use/installation of this kind of gauge.

[95CelicaST]

I didn't even know you can buy a mechanical oil pressure gauge.

If you want to repaint it, look into what is called plasti dip. It gives a nice textured look without the gloss.

[petna]

Neat install 2" gauges do fit with a bit of work here is my old setup. You can't get them to a flush finish at this size though.

[Dragondog]

u should make a HOW TO.........great look

[petna]

just a thought, you say that you've connected to the stereo power, isn't this a regulated 12V supply?? so you will not actually be seeing what the true battery voltage is??

I ran a power feed from the batt to my volt gauge, and used the ignition lead to the stereo as the 'switch' for the gauges. This then gives the actual battery volts. Have you noticed this or is it not a regulated supply??

[TRDGT4]

man that looks great!!!

[HorseHead]

just a thought, you say that you've connected to the stereo power, isn't this a regulated 12V supply?? so you will not actually be seeing what the true battery voltage is??

I ran a power feed from the batt to my volt gauge, and used the ignition lead to the stereo as the 'switch' for the gauges. This then gives the actual battery volts. Have you noticed this or is it not a regulated supply??

No it's not regulated, I've take my readings with a multimeter right at the battery before installing my gauge and I had the exact same voltage on both the multimeter and the gauge itself.

BTW, to my knowledge, there's nothing that runs on regulated votltage on our cars, exept for some engine sensors.

[HorseHead]

Pretty nice gauges BTW petna

[petna]

cheers for the info dude. thats a good one to know

They were the only gauges that took my fancy that weren't too expensive lol

[Superaison]

Wanna make me one?