Latest addition to my ride, a new home for a couple additional gauges (Saleen pod, Autometer Nexus gauges)

Getting them installed was "interesting" but I'm really happy with the result:

 

Looks great, Real nice Job.

 

Nice looking job

 

Yeah it is!

 

Saweeet man. Tell us about the install.

 

Overall that part was pretty scary. The Saleen pods require 3 holes be drilled to locate it and secure it to the dash. Of course the windshield is in the way, and won't allow a regular electric drill be used. I managed to pick up a cheapie 90 degree angle air drill at the local Harbor Freight outlet. That worked perfectly for that part.

The next issue is Saleen uses really short gauges for their factory setup. If you want to pop other more standard size gauges in there, they're too long and the angle of the gauges puts their back end actually below the level of the dash surface.

With a little bit of work, I was able to make a cardboard template for cutting a couple recesses in the dash surface for the gauges to nestle in at the back. I made the required cuts with a Dremel and a little toothed circular saw blade I picked up for it. This is REALLY careful work, as along the left and right side of the pod the cut line needs to be within about 1/8" of the outside of the pod. Cut wrong and you have an ugly gap in a very visible and nearly impossible to replace dash surface.

I was either skillful, lucky or probably a little of both, and no mishaps occured and the gauges slipped in perfectly on the first try. From there it was just running the wires up to the gauges (I routed them behind the speedo/tach bezel from there you can snake through behind the center vents and up through the dash).

That's pretty much it. Slick and clean when complete, but scary as hell to actually do.

 

it's the little things that make a big difference. That looks beautiful!

 

Can you explain a bit about the sender units for your gauges? Where did you get them and what all did you attach them to? I've got a couple of similar AutoMeter Ford Racing gauges oil pressure, water temp, etc that I want to hook up but have never done before.

 

Well, I can't quite explain my gauges in a way that would be of use to you. The Nexus gauges are unusual in that they are run by a central computer/controller unit. All the sensor inputs go to the controller box, then all the gauge modules attach there too.

The Ford Racing gauges are more standard. You just need to install the senders and wire them back to the gauges. For one's like the oil sender it's typical to either find an available port on the block for the sender, or to add a "T" fitting to where the existing factory oil pressure sensor is.

 

That is one nice looking Torch Vert BTW!

 

Thanks

 

I think they are really nice, but decided to go for the SOS Gauges instead.

I always been a fan the gauges on the radio panel area.





Eduardo.

 

Definitely nice looking, but I can see mine while driving *cough* "briskly" without taking my eyes totally off the road

 

But the question is , can you see the road ?

Eduardo.

 

Easily, it's just a bit blurry because it's flying by so fast