howto - Different gauge install VR/VS

[rcnugget]

Now this isnt for everyone I know, because of the location I have chosen you will loose your centre air vent.

I damaged my AC in an accident and its not worth the cost for me to replace so I chose to use the space.

Stuff you need



Gauges ( I used 2 of the new calibre ones from supercheap they are 52mm for the silver + blue) $140
51mm holesaw + drill $25 from bunnings
Jigsaw $15 from bunnings
vinyl paint $16 from autobahn
grease remover $8 from autobahn
phillips screwdriver
measuring tape
marker pen
epoxy



This stuff is called Plinth, I get it from my work its supposed to sit underneath photocopiers to stop damaging the carpet, basically its 4mm flexible grey perspex, if you are after some I can get some for you in brissy for free.



remove the centre facia of the dash and remove the 3 screws on the rear that hold the vent on

I roughly measured 180mmx70mm of the plinth and cut it with the jigsaw, then cut 2x 51 mm holes in it with the drill. This gives me 1mm interference fit with the gauges.



Now I layed the cut out piece from the rear of the facia and you will find that the screw mounts for the original vent will stop it from falling into place, mark these spots with a marker pen, what I did was with the jigsaw cut 2-3mm slots into the plinth so it will locate and slide over these mounts perfectly. You can just see them in this pic ( 3 black marks on the edge )

I then used some nice strong epoxy on these slots I had cut put my new gauge mount in place and left for 4 hours



After testing for strength of the mount ( held the weight of my jigsaw on it lol ) I proceeded to clean the whole panel down with the grease remover



I used K&H Vinyl paint over the whole thing as it was going with my new interior.



after 6 coats and left to dry for a couple of hours I mounted the gauges in ( very tight fit )

Run all your wires for the gauges as per the manual and the put it all back into your car



no flames about the rice neons please :P

[r_i_d_a_h]

not a bad write up...though i love my a/c too much to even think about doing this :P

[roverman88]

l like this very much, l have always thought of either putting in 2 gauges there or putting in some sort of audio/video equip there (ie tv screen that pops out or someting l dunno?)
now the vents on the door l hate, l dont even think they work (or for the fact, if they do work. they dont work very well) so wat l am doing is covering up the bottom vent on both doors and putting a gauge in the top vent on either door. it should look good, hopefully

[DannyboyDS]

The thing is all the vents can work very well, each section of ducting has a seal, over the years the seal goes up the shit, go over the ducts and reseal it all, Electrical tape works well :P for a quick and nasty fix anyway.

[Leathal11]

i put a rev tacho in my vs ute as i couldnt be bothered upgrading my tacho, and just to be different

photo isnt great quality but you can see sorta what its like

[Raremetal]

Lol Rise Neons. D:

[axemurderer101]

lol just browsin some ricer vids on youtube and found a commodore pic lol

skip to about 2:30

YouTube - Say No To Rice (A guide to what is rice and what is correct.)

[Adds_05]

hahaha,ouch...