My take on fitting gauges

**alcashj94** · Sunday 2nd February 2014, 23:02

OK, so it's not a very big project compared to a lot of the things on here but I recon it still counts!

My son presented me with a boost gauge and oil pressure gauge at Christmas and I have finally got round to fitting them. Looked at a lot of solutions on various forums, don't like pods on the dash or A pillar and although I like the ones which have been built into the instrument surround I went for a simpler solution.

I decided to take the cup holder out of the dash and use that space for the gauges, cup holder is held in with two clips and 20 mins bending various shaped pieces of metal strip to reach them resulted in getting it out without removing the aircon unit and radio - might have been quicker to do so!

I made up a panel to fit the space and take the gauges from plastic sheet from the local model shop and then used the hoods as mountings to angle the gauges towards the driving seat.

Name: Gauge Panel 1.jpg
Views: 0
Size: 273.0 KB

Name: Gauge Panel 1.jpg
Views: 0
Size: 273.0 KB

Name: Gauge Panel 2.jpg
Views: 0
Size: 277.4 KB

Got the wiring in today, both gauges have electronic senders so only one cable needed into the cabin, the sender for the boost is fitted in the space at one end of the fuse box in the engine bay. Still need to fit the oil sensor tee piece but put a temporary power feed on and both gauges boot up, boost works and oil shows 0 as expected without the thing screwed into the engine!

Here is a shot of the installed panel, those silver rings will have to go and I might need to cut the taper mounts down as I feel they are too far out of the dash.

Name: Gauge Panel 3.jpg
Views: 0
Size: 209.4 KB

Name: Gauge Panel 3.jpg
Views: 0
Size: 209.4 KB

Hope to get a chance to finish it off next weekend.

**AndysR** · Sunday 2nd February 2014, 23:11

Innovative, not seen them fitted there before

**t5 pete** · Sunday 2nd February 2014, 23:11

Very cool nice idea on where to put them

**LiamT4** · Sunday 2nd February 2014, 23:13

Good idea, stick out a bit but i like them.

**Wobbly Dave** · Sunday 2nd February 2014, 23:13

I too dislike A pillar mounted gauges - good innovation deserves respect. Great work!

**WOODY T5** · Sunday 2nd February 2014, 23:14

Nice work done look great

**V70 Graham** · Monday 3rd February 2014, 05:26

It does look good and as has been said a different place to fit them.....I think it works.

**MoleT-5R** · Monday 3rd February 2014, 09:17

1 pillar mounted gauge is ok afaik, but I would say that, great thinking to pop them into the cup holder space, nice work

**stribo** · Monday 3rd February 2014, 10:07

Liking that, very good idea.

**M-R-P** · Monday 3rd February 2014, 10:13

Good use of the cup holder space there, the holder is invariably knackered after a few years.

Here's mine...

**jamesy12345** · Monday 3rd February 2014, 10:23

Good ideas gents, I just looked at mine (S70) no cup holders in the dash

.....missing the Volvo 480 Turbo boost gauge

**M-R-P** · Monday 3rd February 2014, 10:26

Originally Posted by jamesy12345

Good ideas gents, I just looked at mine (S70) no cup holders in the dash

.....missing the Volvo 480 Turbo boost gauge

Air vent?

Alternatively, I've been looking at doing something similar to mine with the P1 speedo cowl for Graham's car. Watch this space...

**jamesy12345** · Monday 3rd February 2014, 10:31

Originally Posted by M-R-P

Air vent?

Alternatively, I've been looking at doing something similar to mine with the P1 speedo cowl for Graham's car. Watch this space...

Air vent if I really have to......not too fond of that, I don't think the A-pillar stuff would go well on mine either. On the right car it's OK but......

Yours looks good although the Shark would need a black dial. Watching

**M-R-P** · Monday 3rd February 2014, 10:32

Mine will be getting a black dial at some point, I don't have much faith in the gauge that's in there.

**jamesy12345** · Monday 3rd February 2014, 10:38

Originally Posted by M-R-P

Mine will be getting a black dial at some point, I don't have much faith in the gauge that's in there.

There's plenty of space if I get rid of the standard radio!

Attachment 23723

No chance of that happening

but not many other places....fussy fudger I am

Attachment 23724

**V70 Graham** · Monday 3rd February 2014, 10:47

Dunno what all the fuss is about.....I don't have a boost gauge and have never bent a rod !

**jamesy12345** · Monday 3rd February 2014, 10:50

Originally Posted by V70 Graham

Dunno what all the fuss is about.....I don't have a boost gauge and have never bent a rod !

I'm trying to find a photo of my 480 turbo gauge from when it went into the red all the time. When you have a boost gauge you end up watching more than the rev counter/speedo/road......