fattie92
01-19-2009, 07:40 PM
This "How To" was done with a $30 eBay Autometer knock off. Results may vary with different brands of cluster pods.
What you will need:
-Cluster Gauge Pod
-Sharpie
-Good scissors
-Two part Epoxy
-Plastic Bag
-Atleast one 60mm gauge
-Dremel tool
-Sand paper or Red ScotchBrite Pad
-Paint
Mark the bottom of the pod with a straight line, I used a Sharpie. Once you are happy with your line, its time to cut. Grab a good pair of scissors and cut down the line. You will want to go almost all the way down.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3317/3211795816_c481626606_b.jpg
Next, you need to take a dremel and remove the lip in the opening of the gauge pod.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3320/3210949355_0da17e34cf_b.jpg
You want to open it up all the way. Completely take the lip out.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3389/3211797060_719808f3ec_b.jpg
Now its time to test fit the gauge. If you can not get the gauge in, or its to tight then you either did not remove enough of the lip, or you need to cut the pod more.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3098/3210952921_6c0c355054_b.jpg
You can now either leave it as is and install it in the car or continue on with what I did.....
Now for the fun stuff!
Take your gauge and put it in a plastic bag. I found that a Subway bag works perfect! Now take the gauge and install it back into the gauge pod. Install it all the way in as far as it can go.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3469/3211799686_58dfe0fa96_b.jpg
Take some two part epoxy such as "Quick Steel" and fill in the gap and then some. You kinda want to pile it on for strength. Once done, let it sit to dry.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3520/3211800840_9dc1f071b3_b.jpg
Once the epoxy is dry, remove the gauge, and remove it from the plastic bag. You can now test fit the gauge to check the fit in the pod.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3336/3210956373_b0777f92a5_b.jpg
If you are happy with the way it fits, now its time to sand/trim the pod. Since you cut and stretched the pod out you will have to dremel the lip some in spots to make it so you get a even gap around the gauge. Also you can sand down the access epoxy to get a nice smooth look. I had to leave the epoxy kinda thick due to it wanting to crack when you put the gauge back in. I just smoothed it out some and called it a day. Its on the bottom pod the pod so its hard to see once installed.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3530/3211802736_2787e09dfd_b.jpg
Once you are happy with your work, its time to scuff the rest of the pod and paint it. I used a Red ScotchBrite pad to scuff it. Used Black sandable primer, and then flat black BBQ paint (had it laying around)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3133/3211803776_9b25691931_b.jpg
Let it dry and its time to install!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3534/3210959917_48a9b31ef4_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3319/3211806166_85766d7ba1_b.jpg
Enjoy! :banana:
What you will need:
-Cluster Gauge Pod
-Sharpie
-Good scissors
-Two part Epoxy
-Plastic Bag
-Atleast one 60mm gauge
-Dremel tool
-Sand paper or Red ScotchBrite Pad
-Paint
Mark the bottom of the pod with a straight line, I used a Sharpie. Once you are happy with your line, its time to cut. Grab a good pair of scissors and cut down the line. You will want to go almost all the way down.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3317/3211795816_c481626606_b.jpg
Next, you need to take a dremel and remove the lip in the opening of the gauge pod.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3320/3210949355_0da17e34cf_b.jpg
You want to open it up all the way. Completely take the lip out.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3389/3211797060_719808f3ec_b.jpg
Now its time to test fit the gauge. If you can not get the gauge in, or its to tight then you either did not remove enough of the lip, or you need to cut the pod more.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3098/3210952921_6c0c355054_b.jpg
You can now either leave it as is and install it in the car or continue on with what I did.....
Now for the fun stuff!
Take your gauge and put it in a plastic bag. I found that a Subway bag works perfect! Now take the gauge and install it back into the gauge pod. Install it all the way in as far as it can go.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3469/3211799686_58dfe0fa96_b.jpg
Take some two part epoxy such as "Quick Steel" and fill in the gap and then some. You kinda want to pile it on for strength. Once done, let it sit to dry.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3520/3211800840_9dc1f071b3_b.jpg
Once the epoxy is dry, remove the gauge, and remove it from the plastic bag. You can now test fit the gauge to check the fit in the pod.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3336/3210956373_b0777f92a5_b.jpg
If you are happy with the way it fits, now its time to sand/trim the pod. Since you cut and stretched the pod out you will have to dremel the lip some in spots to make it so you get a even gap around the gauge. Also you can sand down the access epoxy to get a nice smooth look. I had to leave the epoxy kinda thick due to it wanting to crack when you put the gauge back in. I just smoothed it out some and called it a day. Its on the bottom pod the pod so its hard to see once installed.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3530/3211802736_2787e09dfd_b.jpg
Once you are happy with your work, its time to scuff the rest of the pod and paint it. I used a Red ScotchBrite pad to scuff it. Used Black sandable primer, and then flat black BBQ paint (had it laying around)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3133/3211803776_9b25691931_b.jpg
Let it dry and its time to install!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3534/3210959917_48a9b31ef4_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3319/3211806166_85766d7ba1_b.jpg
Enjoy! :banana: