Got all of my gauges wired up today and the cluster is installed as well as the pillar pod. As far as I know, everything will work(I haven't started the engine up yet with the gauges hooked up, but we'll try that tomorrow!). I only have 2 small issues, but I am going to creat a new thread for each one so this thread doesn't get sidetracked. Here is the picture...

 

Looks killer! How`d you get the fuel gauge in there without cutting up the top of the dash? is the face plate larger then the part that houses the original gauges, it looks like the the screws are kinda low? but nice no matter! how`s that 3 pillar fit..I want one

 

Well, all the gauges are in the custom dash panel that I made so everything would fit. The gauge just barely fits. As far as the pillar goes,what can I say? It doesn't want to fit right, and I had to take the dash pad off so that I could get access to the upper dashboard assembly nuts so that I could slide the whole dashboard back so that I could run the wiring down through. The fit is soooo tight, and they give you these little push in style clips to hold the pod to the original panel. I have about 5 clips holding this thing in, and it still wants to pop off. It is definitely some work to get it right, and right now it is in as best as I can get it.

 

Ahh... I was`nt knocking it, I just heard about that three pillar being tight against the dash pad, figures they have not done anything to correct the fit, maybe I`ll stick to the 2 pod. Looks fine anyway, do you have to look around it when driving?

 

Well, honestly, I haven't even driven the car yet so I wouldn't know, However, when I am just sitting in the driver's seat looking out, it really isn't that bad. You look out of the windshield like you normally would, and the pod is in your peripheral vision.

 

my question is how did u get the LEDs wired in did u just simply take out the bulb connectors and wire them to the wires? also ive never installed guages do u clip the connectors for he guages also and wire them or do these guages plug in? im going for this same look and i think this would be cheeper than buying the 800 dollar guage kit they make.

 

I don't know about doing this being cheaper. maybe, possibly, depending on how many guages and what kind. the only real difference between going this route and the digital route is that you can buy these guages at your leisure, rather than spending 800-900 at once for the digitals

 

I assume that you mean the Covan's Classics gauge set. If so, then they would probably end up being cheaper in the long run, as well as less of a hassle to install. You have to fabricate a plate that the gauges will go in to. Then you have to buy the gauges, in my case the speedo was $250 the tach was $200, the fuel level was $80, Coolant temperature was $100, Voltmeter was $80, and that doesn't include the pillar gauges. I chose to go with the electronic sender gauges becuse there was better isolation(all the fluids stay outside of the passenger cabin). I also am running full sweep electrical gauges where possible so that drives cost up even more. With my setup, you have to run your own wiring from the suplied senders to the gauges(or tap into existing sender wiring such as the fuel level), find and run your own power and grounds, and then illumination. I ran all of my gauge illumination in parallel with the factory dimmer switch so that the gauge light output can be changed when you turn the dimmer. The Covans unit is simply plug and play from what I hear so you are spending a little bit more money but getting a hssle free install in return.

 

guages look nice, i have all autometer phantoms in mine. Pricey but they're well worth the added accuracy

 

So does your dimmer work, do all the guages work? I am having a roll cage installed in my camaro, and It's going IN the dash and I don't know if I will be able to use the stock guages..