Interest in gauge pods for bulls and bricks?

Gauge pod options?

  • Bullnose

  • Bricknose

  • Single gauge pod

  • Double gauge pod

  • Triple gauge pod

  • Quad gauge pod


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My1500DollarTruck

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I’m not trying to compete with the obs gauge pods, there’s already plenty of options for the obs. I’m trying to make options for the bricknose and bullnose trucks that have no options for drop in a pillar gauge pods. I do gauges on these trucks all the time, and although I’ve gotten good at modifying the obs ones for earlier trucks, they never fit right. Can you post the two gauge pod? I can’t picture the same a pillar gauge pod being able to work for 87-97, because the a pillar is completely different in 91 than in 92


This is showing 2 pod for 87 - 97 pillar :

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GlowShift-...7:g:92wAAOSwMl9aam3Y:rk:2:pf:1&frcectupt=true
 

jwalterus

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Everybody worries about plastic.
You know sometimes it's cheaper to stamp something from tin or even aluminum than to do an injection mold, right? :dunno
This MIGHT be an option for what it is.
As far as I'm concerned, if you did it that way, I'd buy one even if I had to cut the gauge face hole out myself.
 

IDIBRONCO

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Thewespaul

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That’s right, I want a clean setup that doesn’t look tacky, I think a properly fitted direct replacement can look like it was original with the right paint matching, that’s not really possible with the two pod thing, but it’s an option none the less.

The tin bashing idea is interesting, I lack the skill to make something like that, and I don’t know anyone local who would. I’ll do some homework on it, it’s been a wild week already, last week’s project snowballed and spilled into this week, pushing back scheduled work etc.
 

ShadetreeV

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While I'm not in the market for the parts your planning on making this peaked my interest. Wondering if you had considered 3d printing as an option? The resolution has gotten ridiculously good as of lately and once the pattern has been designed they can be made to order.
 

gfemling

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catbird7

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Showing my age, didn't think of 3D printer till shadetree mentioned it. I'm not familiar with associated "start-up costs" however equipment would offer many other uses as compared to singular use of a custom injection mold. Probably the best & most logical advice so far!
 

genscripter

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I was just about to mention 3d printing as well. Lol
Has come a long ways.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk


I've been doing a lot of 3d-printing testing with my VRV prototyping. I've scoured several 3d printing services, and most are not up to the par for automotive usage. Most 3D printers are only good for trinkets and doodads. I found a few plastics that have some decent thermal and fatigue resistance, but the vast majority of affordable prints are pretty unimpressive. Plus the finish is not up to automotive-interior grade. I'd expect any 3D print that is printed to be the size of a quad-pillar-pod trim would be about $200-400 just to print (with the cheapest plastics), and it would be really grainy (not smooth). It would likely get dirty easily, because the printing process leaves pits and porosity that make it easy for dirt and grime to cling to.
 

RDieselKid84

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Well I'm still waiting to see what you are going to do with the pods for the bricknose. They just didn't give us a option for the bricknose in the day. After 32 years the old gagues are questionable. I stop on the way home the other day to check the temperature with a infared gun. 178 at thermostat and 174@ the temp sender good to go. But stopping on the side of the road and and checking all the time when the dash gagues say it's hot gits old. Good luck on the pods will be looking for your findings. RK
 

Thewespaul

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Thanks, @theSHERPA set me up with a lead on an injection molding company and I’m working with them on some details trying to get ballpark cost estimates. Looks a lot more affordable than the previous business I was working with, but still a significant investment. Once I have more details nailed down, I may look into a group buy for the first batch to get the ball rolling.
 

Kiwif150

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Wes , if you had your mate make one from fibreglass and got it finished perfectly smooth you would be able to have it 3D scanned. You could then either have it printed and "shrink wrapped" with a thin vinyl which could be coloured whichever way you like ....this would hide the porosity and make colour choice easy.
Alternatively you could take the 3d scan and have it run through a cad program and then onto a mill to make your mould for injected plastic ..... i have a customer of mine who owns a plastic injection moulding company making agricultural parts who i could ask if this was possible if you like. There is also a local engineer here who has a $2 million dollar auto mill and lathe setup for "one off" machining deals that may have some ideas too if that would help you.
 

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