- Location
- Western Australia
- First Name
- Nick
- Drive
- Daily: 1998 Galant VR-4
Project: 1934 Ford Roadster
So I finally pulled my finger out and decided to restart my gauge pod development for the Galant.
From the start I wanted to replace the factory clock as it was a bit dickie anyway and my new (at the time) head unit has a clock on it.
My checklist was:
The intention of the long tab was to bend it to suit a potential mounting location and angle then make up a canopy on the back to suit, in the bin...
I hate working with fiberglass and ended up giving up on the idea for a good while (a suspected blown transfer case soured me on the whole car tbqh) and then I gained access to a 3D Printer.
Utilizing AutoCAD and a carpenter's comb (because screw paying $135p/h for someone to scan a 300x300mm area of the dashboard and develop a usable surface, quoted 20-40 hours work pffft jog on!) I started mostly fresh and came up with this:
Overall it is about 15 - 20mm shorter that the original aluminum plate and fits into the factory recess pretty well, by the time I wrap in it trimming foam and vinyl the gap will be practically nil. Might even get the mother-in-law to put some red stitching on it.
The faceplate is bolted in place with 4 bolts and can be removed to work on the gauges or any of the electronics inside without removing the whole pod itself. Behind the faceplate all the factory clock gear fit in well, has a cover over everything and I think (final test fit pending) I will not have to modify my clock cable length.
The body of the pod is bolted and then fusion welded to itself with a soldering iron just to make sure it won't come apart, I probably don't need the bolts but I'll leave them in.
It uses the factory clock mounting holes towards the rear of the pod to mount it to the dashboard, unfortunately I have to drill 1 (one) hole at the front of the dashboard to anchor it, otherwise it'll bounce around. I have an idea, just need to see if it'll work, or perhaps a Velcro strip or something?
I am very happy with how this turned out, after quite easily 80hrs+ of development and modeling, a few tweaks and it will be ready for the actual print. The prototype is made of PLA which will deform sitting under a car windshield on a 40 degree summer day, so I'll be doing the final run in ABS.
Printing time of all the parts is around 4-7 days (the rear pod halves are 49 hours alone).
Some extra photos of the prototype fitted on the dash:
Some extra information about what's in/going in it:
3x Defi Gauges, BF Series, Boost, Water and Oil Temp
Bluetooth microphone from head unit
Factory Clock/Circuit Board
Backlit "VR-4" logo (still working it out)
I'll update this post over the coming weeks, ABS is notoriously hard to print with, so might take me a while to get it going.
Also huge thanks to @Zaino for helping me out with a 2nd loose dashboard so I didn't have to awkwardly work it all out in the car!
***Note to self: update "My Ride" thread once the project is finished***
From the start I wanted to replace the factory clock as it was a bit dickie anyway and my new (at the time) head unit has a clock on it.
My checklist was:
- Had to look factory (or at the least factory "extra") without looking just thrown on or gaudy
- Be easily visible from the driver's seat
- Cheap and easy to make and install
- Easy to work on post installation (Gauge swap, wiring etc)
- NO HOLES IN DASH!!!
- Be no taller than the end of the bonnet, i.e., still be able to see the far edge of the bonnet over it (WA Law about "vision obstructions", on less thing to worry about being stickered for...)
The intention of the long tab was to bend it to suit a potential mounting location and angle then make up a canopy on the back to suit, in the bin...
I hate working with fiberglass and ended up giving up on the idea for a good while (a suspected blown transfer case soured me on the whole car tbqh) and then I gained access to a 3D Printer.
Utilizing AutoCAD and a carpenter's comb (because screw paying $135p/h for someone to scan a 300x300mm area of the dashboard and develop a usable surface, quoted 20-40 hours work pffft jog on!) I started mostly fresh and came up with this:
Overall it is about 15 - 20mm shorter that the original aluminum plate and fits into the factory recess pretty well, by the time I wrap in it trimming foam and vinyl the gap will be practically nil. Might even get the mother-in-law to put some red stitching on it.
The faceplate is bolted in place with 4 bolts and can be removed to work on the gauges or any of the electronics inside without removing the whole pod itself. Behind the faceplate all the factory clock gear fit in well, has a cover over everything and I think (final test fit pending) I will not have to modify my clock cable length.
The body of the pod is bolted and then fusion welded to itself with a soldering iron just to make sure it won't come apart, I probably don't need the bolts but I'll leave them in.
It uses the factory clock mounting holes towards the rear of the pod to mount it to the dashboard, unfortunately I have to drill 1 (one) hole at the front of the dashboard to anchor it, otherwise it'll bounce around. I have an idea, just need to see if it'll work, or perhaps a Velcro strip or something?
I am very happy with how this turned out, after quite easily 80hrs+ of development and modeling, a few tweaks and it will be ready for the actual print. The prototype is made of PLA which will deform sitting under a car windshield on a 40 degree summer day, so I'll be doing the final run in ABS.
Printing time of all the parts is around 4-7 days (the rear pod halves are 49 hours alone).
Some extra photos of the prototype fitted on the dash:
Some extra information about what's in/going in it:
3x Defi Gauges, BF Series, Boost, Water and Oil Temp
Bluetooth microphone from head unit
Factory Clock/Circuit Board
Backlit "VR-4" logo (still working it out)
I'll update this post over the coming weeks, ABS is notoriously hard to print with, so might take me a while to get it going.
Also huge thanks to @Zaino for helping me out with a 2nd loose dashboard so I didn't have to awkwardly work it all out in the car!
***Note to self: update "My Ride" thread once the project is finished***