FS: Double VDO Gauge Pods, Ashtray Mounted Options

[RTz]

The primary goal was to add a pair of VDO gauges without the need for drilling or otherwise modifying the car. This gauge pod slides into the ashtray rails, no fasteners or drilling holes required, as well as easy access to wiring. Designed for 52mm VDO gauges only.

I originally designed this for Fixer34 and it has since gone through a number of revisions, one of them being the early dash is slightly different than my later '72 dash. This latest version will fit both. Also printing methods have improved to print a much nicer final finish.

A couple of notes:

1) I think it's reasonable to describe these as "unfinished". 3D Printing is an imperfect process. There are minor blems in each one. Fine to use as-is, but If you want a truly finished part a modest amount of sanding/filing and filler primer/painting will be required for a flawless finish.

2) There is a limit to how hot you can allow the plastic to get before deforming. These are printed with PETG and is generally fine to around 130-ish degrees. If you live in a hot climate and keep the windows closed, the interior of a car can exceed 130.

I've made a total of 3, with one of them going to Fixer34, so I have two left that are available for purchase. $65 each plus $19 shipping anywhere in the contiguous US. PM if you would like one.

If there is sufficient interest I'll see about making a few more.

[Dynosoar11]

I would like one.
PM me with payment info please.
Thx

[RTz]

I would like one.
PM me with payment info please.
Thx

Will do.

[RTz]

One more available.

[bahnzai]

I’ll take the other one. PM the details to send funds.me
Thanks!

[fixer34]

Got mine yesterday, haven't had a chance to try it in the car yet. Finish on the exposed 'hood' is near perfect, maybe some slight sanding on the edges.

[PCA7GGR]

If you do more of those consider angling the gauges towards th3 driver.

[RTz]

Great Fixer34, thank you for the feedback!

Sergio, that was on the original "want list". However VDO gauges, when accounting for the length of the gauge body, studs, and bulb housing, are surprisingly deep. As Fixer34 will attest the pod is more tightly packaged internally than it appears. The only way I see angled VDO gauges happening while keeping reasonable symmetry are moving the gauges further out from dash and or modifying the studs & bulb housings.

The design intent was to keep things as compact as possible, while still fully functional, as well as no dash or gauge modifications.

These are all sold (thank you!). I'll print a few more and post when they are available.

[RTz]

Two more are available and am expecting to print a third on Friday.

[RTz]

Bump

[RTz]

Final bump

[Ron914]

Final bump

@RTz I might be interested in one of these if you make any more ,How much are you asking ? PM me if you do .Oh I see VDO 52mm gauges only ,will it except another brand 52mm gauge ?
Thanks
Ron914

[Nein For Teens]

I don't know if I have any credibility here . . . yet, because I'm not much of a poster (more of a lurker and a 'pm' buyer), but for what it's worth, I bought one of these, and the quality is excellent. RTz says they may need some finishing, but both the design and the finish first rate. I'm planning on using it just the way it came.

[Ron914]

I don't know if I have any credibility here . . . yet, because I'm not much of a poster (more of a lurker and a 'pm' buyer), but for what it's worth, I bought one of these, and the quality is excellent. RTz says they may need some finishing, but both the design and the finish first rate. I'm planning on using it just the way it came.

@Nein For Teens
Thanks for reporting on the 3D gauge pod. I was a lurker here too for many tears and I can tell you a lot of money and great information can be found here from the forum members , I lurked because I could not figure out haw to post pictures but finally got it down after several years .
I have a 2056 rebuild in my car and am trying to pass the CA smog test to get my tags
I have discovered with the help of members here that I have a bad MPS and will need to rebuild it. Because I will also need to now tune this for my motor to run efficiently I need to purchase 3 new gauges . An AFR ,CHT and a Vacuum gauge. I did not want to cut up my original center console to install them so this 3d printed gauge pod seemed like a good option. Thanks for reporting on the quality. Have you installed yours yet? I was wondering if the gauges are easy to read mounted this way?

[RTz]

@RTz I might be interested in one of these if you make any more ,How much are you asking ? PM me if you do .Oh I see VDO 52mm gauges only ,will it except another brand 52mm gauge ?

Hi Ron914, I would be very surprised if anything other than VDO gauges would fit. However, if you want to shoot me a DM with some basic measurements: diameter of the body, depth, stud spacing, etc, I will check to see if its close, and if it is, I’ll send you one to try out.

[RTz]

I don't know if I have any credibility here . . . yet, because I'm not much of a poster (more of a lurker and a 'pm' buyer), but for what it's worth, I bought one of these, and the quality is excellent. RTz says they may need some finishing, but both the design and the finish first rate. I'm planning on using it just the way it came.

Thank you Nein, the feedback is very much appreciated! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Ron914]

@RTz I might be interested in one of these if you make any more ,How much are you asking ? PM me if you do .Oh I see VDO 52mm gauges only ,will it except another brand 52mm gauge ?

Hi Ron914, I would be very surprised if anything other than VDO gauges would fit. However, if you want to shoot me a DM with some basic measurements: diameter of the body, depth, stud spacing, etc, I will check to see if its close, and if it is, I’ll send you one to try out.

I tried to check the size /specifications but my VDO vacuum gauge only says 52mm, My AEM AFR gauge also says 52mm and the Dakota Digital says 52mm/2 1/16 which is 2.0625"
The depth of the AFR is quite shallow, see photo .

The Dakota Digital specs

[fixer34]

I was the one that Ron initially made this for. Finally got around to installing mine yesterday (only been a month..) and it looks like a factory option.

Design point on it was to use the 52mm VDO gauges with the 2 long mounting scews attached to the back of the gauges (NOT centered), and allow access to connections/bulbs.
The 'sockets' are 30mm deep so I would think most any 52mm gauge would fit. The question would be securing it in place.

By the way, the gauges are easily visible just as they are; trying to make it a tilt mounting won't work due to the tight spacing of the ashtray opening.

I also have the prototype build. It is a little 'rougher' so needs some finishing, and fits '72 or later with the wider ashtray dash opening (something else we discovered-'70 & '71 are narrower). If anyone is interested, I'll mail it to you and then you send Ron something for it.
Pete

[RTz]

Thank you @Fixer34 , that is kind of you.


@Ron914 , if you’re going to put both the VDO Vac gauge and AEM gauge in the pod, I could probably work this out pretty easily. I have that same AEM gauge in my personal car, so I have the data I need. What I need from you is what side, left or right, would you want the AEM?

[Ron914]

Thank you @Fixer34 , that is kind of you.


@Ron914 , if you’re going to put both the VDO Vac gauge and AEM gauge in the pod, I could probably work this out pretty easily. I have that same AEM gauge in my personal car, so I have the data I need. What I need from you is what side, left or right, would you want the AEM?

@RTz
I would probably want it on the left side with the AEM on the right .