Gauge Pods

Vehicle modifications/repairs/rebuilds
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Michael
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Gauge Pods

Post by Michael »

Hi Gents

So I have installed a Madman EMS as well as a boost gauge on my Patrol but never had a place where I could mount them permanently.
I always wanted to get a pillar cover with built in pods, but could never find one so I decided to build my own.

So here is what I have done and I must say I am pretty pleased with the result. The gauges are not in my way at all and I don’t have to take my eyes off the road any more.... safety first.

Step 1 was to find the right spot for the gauges, I used 52mm irrigation hose to fit snugly over the gauges and used a glue gun to secure the pipes in the right place
Attachments
glued in the right spot
glued in the right spot
20150131_122911-1900.jpg (121.97 KiB) Viewed 8279 times
"The Just shall live by Faith" Rom1:17

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Michael
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Re: Gauge Pods

Post by Michael »

Step 2

Now that I had my pipes glued on the pillar cover I could start the process of making it look better.

I used a kitchen cloth and wrapped it around the pods to make it more round and fill the gaps a bit. I used resin then to secure the cloth to the pillar cover
Attachments
20150131_124429-1900.jpg
20150131_124429-1900.jpg (133.82 KiB) Viewed 8278 times
cloth resined
cloth resined
20150131_135117-1900.jpg (179.44 KiB) Viewed 8278 times
"The Just shall live by Faith" Rom1:17

Check out my build here My Patrol
And my engine rebuild here mostly engine related stuff
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Michael
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Re: Gauge Pods

Post by Michael »

Step 3

Once I cut off all the excess cloth I could start with the fibre glass and build the shape I was looking for.
I had to do three layers of fibre glass to get it the way I wanted. It took some time as you have to wait for the resin to dry between every layer and then you have to sand it down before you do the next layer.
I used one of those flappy sanding discs for my hand grinder to help me with the sanding...... saves hours
Attachments
20150131_143356-1900.jpg
20150131_143356-1900.jpg (201.28 KiB) Viewed 8278 times
20150131_152638-1900.jpg
20150131_152638-1900.jpg (138.34 KiB) Viewed 8278 times
20150131_152649-1900.jpg
20150131_152649-1900.jpg (130.74 KiB) Viewed 8278 times
"The Just shall live by Faith" Rom1:17

Check out my build here My Patrol
And my engine rebuild here mostly engine related stuff
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Michael
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Re: Gauge Pods

Post by Michael »

Step 4

So after I have done all the fibre glassing It started taking shape and I could now start finishing it off.
For this I used some automotive body putty. I used it to fill all the holes and even the surface out. I had to do two coats of putty to get it perfect
Attachments
20150131_153526-1900.jpg
20150131_153526-1900.jpg (157.2 KiB) Viewed 8276 times
20150131_153537-1900.jpg
20150131_153537-1900.jpg (133.5 KiB) Viewed 8276 times
"The Just shall live by Faith" Rom1:17

Check out my build here My Patrol
And my engine rebuild here mostly engine related stuff
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Michael
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Re: Gauge Pods

Post by Michael »

Step 5

This was the last thing I had to do that took some time. Sanding!!
Unfortunately here there are no short cuts and I had to sand it by hand. Luckily the body putty I used are high quality and they sand very easy.....quite pricy as well but worth it. After the body putty was sanded down I also used some spot putty to fill the very tiny holes as well to really make it smooth
Attachments
20150131_163702-1900.jpg
20150131_163702-1900.jpg (121.57 KiB) Viewed 8276 times
20150131_171711-1900.jpg
20150131_171711-1900.jpg (122.46 KiB) Viewed 8276 times
"The Just shall live by Faith" Rom1:17

Check out my build here My Patrol
And my engine rebuild here mostly engine related stuff
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Michael
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Re: Gauge Pods

Post by Michael »

Step 6

Now all I had to do was give it a coat of MS primer, sand it down and give it the final grey coat of paint to match the rest of the interior.

And that was that..... took me a Saturday for the whole job
Attachments
Primed
Primed
20150131_173221-1900.jpg (93.34 KiB) Viewed 8276 times
Primed
Primed
20150131_173348-1900.jpg (60.15 KiB) Viewed 8276 times
Final product
Final product
20150204_104653-1900.jpg (134.45 KiB) Viewed 8276 times
"The Just shall live by Faith" Rom1:17

Check out my build here My Patrol
And my engine rebuild here mostly engine related stuff
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Herrie
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Re: Gauge Pods

Post by Herrie »

Dis baie mooi :thumbup:
Herrie op Safari/Patrollie
1983 Safari
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BernardM
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Re: Gauge Pods

Post by BernardM »

Very nice job.

Did you sand the square edges off the Madman?
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Rudolph
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Re: Gauge Pods

Post by Rudolph »

Very nicely done!! :thumbup:
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ricster
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Re: Gauge Pods

Post by ricster »

Looks good mate !!!!
Regards
Cedric
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