Read this topic first:


http://dieselplace.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2893&KW=guage+pod


I took it on over a month ago to see what it would take to get a direct replacement (not an overlay) pillar made with gauge pods. I purchased a spare oem pillar and sent it to Lo-tek. They responded stating that some of the curves (specifically, the one at the bottom and the one on the left side) could not be reproduced in the vaccuum forming process so they would have no way of making what we would like to have. They said they would also have problems forming the pins on the back of the pillar.


Apparently, for this type of project to be conquered we would have to have it done via injection molding. So, I started researching injection molding and it just wasn't good news. I contacted six companies that specialize in "small" projects (read no huge quantity requirements) like this and none of them had machines big enough to handle our project. Due to the length of the pillar it rules out most of the cost effective solutions.


Most of the injection molding companies I have contacted that actually have the ability to make a part of this size are larger and frown upon small projects (read 1,000 pieces or more required). No matter what, I have been told it would be at least $5,000 to build the mold. Once the mold is built, it's not terribly expensive to produce the parts, but we would still need several hundred to make these things at a fee that most of us would be willing to pay.


I am at a stand-still on this now so I offer all this information in hopes that someone has connections or thoughts on a company that may be able to take a project like this on. I would be more than willing to send my oem pillar piece anywhere needed to make this project happen. The pieces would not be less than $100 each and we would have to build either two pod or three pod as building both would double our costs. If we could find a company to build them at a reasonable rate it would save on the cost if a member could draw the design in CAD as well. This will save on the mold cost.


If anyone has ideas, PM me or just post here. I really would like to see this project accomplished.Edited by: sp33d

Have you attempted to see if any of the makers of the overaly type would take this on?

I have contacted Autometer and they were not interested since the overlay satisfies most and the added cost would make it harder for the full replacement to sell. I don't know of any other companies that make overlays...


I am however working on a pretty decent source for the injection molding option. They should have received the "demo" pieces today and I'll be talking to them tomorrow about our requirements and how everything is put together. Once they know what we want and have actually seen it, they will be able to give me an idea of cost for the mold, actual production costs, and any quantity requirements. I should have this information on Monday if all goes well so I'll be able to pass on a realistic "per each" price. He sounded very optimistic about the project and indicated that he didn't think it would be as costly as I thought it would be... We'll see.

I am a moldmaker sp33d. If you can find a place to make the mold for $5000, jump on it. I have looked at it in detail, and I would quote it at about $6000 if I made it out of aluminum (which would be a deal). Which wouldn't last very long. Then you need a 300 ton press (minimum) to pop them out. Thats where some more expense comes in. The CNC time is the killer. This will be a hard one. Would be a nice item though. Super Diesel

I remember talking to you about the molds Super... Didn't even think about it but this is right up your lane :)


I've found us an option, and I'm supposed to be getting the final details early next week for pricing.


The part would be identical to the stock pillar, with the addition of two gauge pods. The pin plastic pin on the back would not be part of the mold, but would be added during a secondary process and they assure me it will be on as good as if it was part of the mold. Doing it as a secondary process makes the difference between possible and impossible (for financial reasons).


Although I don't know the color details yet, I'm hoping we can have them color matched as they are molded. If not, I'll go with all one color (the light interior color as painting to dark is easier).


It looks like the pricing is going to be right at $100 per piece and that will be shipped to your door. This is assuming I can get sale at least 200. If I can get more orders/commitments before the initial production run, that price will go down.


I'll let everyone know the final details and if we can drum up enough interest, they should be ready in 4-6 weeks. I'm not interested in making money on these, I only want to break even so the more we can get on the first order the better.


If you're interested in one at $100, please post so that I can get an idea if I should continue with this project or not. Thanks!

I'm in

me too.

ditto

Jim

sp33d,
How many variations are you looking at having made?
2 - 3 gauge pods? Then there's the guys with the speakers on the pillars...
Thanks for spearheading this effort ...you gots lots of work ahead of you.
Count me in for a three gauge pillar.
Don't sell yourself short, factor in some profit margin for your time and efforts...

I have not seen the pillar's with speakers... Could someone pm me or post a picture of one so that I can get an idea of what they look like? Is it simply an extra hole, or what?


When I get the pricing I'm going to ask if it would be possible to design the mold with with three pods and see if there is a way to "cover" the extra pod to produce the two pod pillars with the same mold... I don't know 100% how the vaccuum forming process works, so I don't know if this is possible or not. It would be great if it this would be possible. If there has to be two seperate molds, we would need commitment of 200 for each....

Well you know I am in on this.

I think you would be better off making the two pod with a speaker than without. Everything I have seen in the last year has the speaker. However, you could have the back notched for a speaker so that it would fit any GM combo?


GREAT IDEA! I looked myself and could not find anything.


Burner---------------------> http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

I would want the two pod pillar for my pyro and boost guages, and would think most others would too. What's with the speaker mount? Imaging would be bad to have a tweeter mounted up there so far away from the driver.

Well you know I am in on this.


You're working on this? Or you want one too?? You were the person that initially started this, but it didn't look like it was going anywhere... If it is, let me know and between the two of us, I'm sure we can make it happen even quicker http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Rock On.gif(<-- this guy is just cool!)

If I could see a pic of one with a speaker, it would help... My mom has an '04 chev so I'll take a peak at hers tonight and see if I can find what you mean...

Any chance on a 4 pod???? EGT, BOOST, FUEL PRESSURE, NOS PRESSURE just in case you thought i was nuts.........aw too late http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif

How about the graining on the part? The original grain on the parts is a Monticello grain. Current grain house for the GMT800 was Melco Engraving.


Be careful about color matching... It's a bitch. Most can come close with the resin for mold-in-color, but if it is off a tad, you may really notice. Try to find the current supplier and pick their brains. I'll do some asking if you need.


As for the tweeter speaker, just have the B-side marked with the spot to cut out. If you have it, you would dremel it out and insert your speaker. If you don't have one, you'll never know!


Just my $0.02. Take it for what it's worth.


Nass.

How about the graining on the part? The original grain on the parts is a Monticello grain. Current grain house for the GMT800 was Melco Engraving.


Be careful about color matching... It's a bitch. Most can come close with the resin for mold-in-color, but if it is off a tad, you may really notice. Try to find the current supplier and pick their brains. I'll do some asking if you need.


As for the tweeter speaker, just have the B-side marked with the spot to cut out. If you have it, you would dremel it out and insert your speaker. If you don't have one, you'll never know!


Just my $0.02. Take it for what it's worth.


Nass.





Thanks for the info Nass. I will pass on the info about the grain to the mold company just to make sure we do this right.


Color is quite honestly the least of my concerns. If it doesn't match, we'll just paint over it. It took me literally ten minutes to paint my current pod and it looks identical to the rest of the interior.


I was hoping to hear that the speaker was something that could be drilled/dremeled out. I still need to see one to be sure, but I think that the speaker thing is an easy option.

Any chance on a 4 pod???? EGT, BOOST, FUEL PRESSURE, NOS PRESSURE just in case you thought i was nuts.........aw too late http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif





Four?!? Where in the hell are you going to put another pod?? Just get rid of the egt gauge... Never look at it any way http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Disapprove.gif Problem solved. Been searching high and low for a digital nos pressure gauge though...

you can count me in as well

There's 3 guage pod overlay's that cover the whole pillar for about $63.00 if your intrested in that. Don't think they have any type of grain on them though.


There's a 4 guage pillar out too. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


But it's for the Furd's Super Duddies http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif


Edited by: Diesel Dragon

I'm thinking about getting one going on the other pillar for the passenger to view ....





Mac http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif

Chad,


If you still need someone to do the CAD work let me know. My schedule at work is pretty busy right now but switching over to a 'GOVERNMENT' drawing every now and then would probably help take the edge off.


Here's the pictures you've also been asking for. I'm posting both sides so you can see how far the speaker should stick out. hope this helps.


Chuck


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/778_D-Side.jpg


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/A6B_P-Side.jpg

Thanks for the pics Chuck. That helps me out greatly. I do have a question - Is the speaker "popped" into the pillar, or is it actually molded into the pillar? If we were to drill a whole in the pillars that are made, could that speaker be popped out of the oem pillar and popped into the new pillar? I guess I need to know how it's attached...

Any chance on a 4 pod???? EGT, BOOST, FUEL PRESSURE, NOS PRESSURE just in case you thought i was nuts.........aw too late http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif





Here is my 4 gauge set. A couple of SPA. The top one is used for Boost/EGT. The bottom one is Fuel pressure/Intake air temp. But could be turned into a NOS pressure gauge later.


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/ZEA_Best1_SPA.JPGEdited by: Trippin

When/if you get this worked out and need a count, I'm in for qty 1, 2 gauge pod with speaker hole. Tan if that becomes an option.


Thanks for your continued efforts!!

The speaker is popped in. I don't remember the details of what it looks like but I have to remove it this weekend to run an extension so I'll snap a picture when it's off.

We are very close to starting this project. It's just taking a little longer than expected for the engineers to determine how the mold needs to be made to replicate a couple of the edges. Should have final pricing and quantity requirements some time later this week.


Chuck, thanks for the info on the speaker. If you managed to get a pic of the pillar/speaker this weekend would you mind posting it or emailing it to me? It doesn't look like it's going to be a problem to accomodate everyone with the speakers.

I'm thinking about getting one going on the other pillar for the passenger to view ....





Mac http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif





How about for the front side of the rear doors, so our kids can view? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gifEdited by: Deadeye

OK, it looks like these are going to be $130 a piece, which will get it shipped to your door. This will cover the costs involved in packaging and shipping and hopefully pay for the mold eventually.


I need commitment from at least 100 people before I have them start building the mold. The mold is *very* expensive and even if I sell 100 I won't break even so please tell anyone you know of this and lets see if we can make this happen.


These will be an exact replica of the stock pillar with the addition of two gauge pods. Pillars with the speaker holes will be $145. I am toying with color matching, but haven't decided if I want to or not. As it stands, all will come the light beige interior color (easier to repaint a light color than a dark color). If I do decide to color match, I'll most likely charge an extra ten. The colors should be very close, but there is no such thing as a perfect match in my opinion, which is why I hesitate on this... Making a three gauge pod would require an additional committment of 100 and I just don't think as many of them would be needed. If you would like one of these, please send me an email at gauge@simpersupply.com with "Gauge Pod" as the subject and your contact information. I won't ask for money until production starts which will happen when I have 100 of these committed.


Send me an email if you have any questions. I will probably have an LLC formed before I actually start taking any money...


I will also look at discounts for multiple pod orders, or large distributor order inquiries so send me those as well. This will be a very nice piece and once I get a production version, I'll post pictures. We are looking at about 8 weeks to delivery.


ChadEdited by: sp33d

How do you want us to express our commitment?


Thanks again for your effort!!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif

Seems like they should make the mold and then start marketing this thing on their own. Why wouldn't they want to do a joint venture with Auto Meter or some other gage company. Offer them through Mark Craig's or John Kennedy's or others (don't mean to leave anyone out) company. I would lay money on it the sales will roll in on their own.


Dennis

Shot me an email at gauge@simpersupply.com if you want one... Give me your name, email address, and username and I'll put you on the list.Edited by: sp33d

I agree Dennis... A gauge company should be selling these, but none of them will. They don't think there's enough market. I personally don't want to lay the money on the line, but I'm gonna have to lay out at least $10,000 to make it happen and hope that I can break even down the line. I think I will as it's something that a lot of people want... I just wish I could have kept the cost below $100, but it just wasn't going to be possible after everythig needed to produce and ship these.


Also, the companies that usually make this type of thing are not the ones to sell them... Selling is not their business, their business is the manufacturing. I'm not sure about this, but I doubt Auto Meter produces their gauge pod overlays... They probably have a company similar to this one manufacture it under contract to their specs and deal with marketing and selling it. I could be wrong, but that would be my guess.Edited by: sp33d

Will there be colors?

Sp33d,


It's too bad for us, but you are absolutely right. It still seems like SOMEONE should do this. There is obviously a big market for them. If I hadn't just (and I mean JUST) bought my pod, I'd be ordering one from you. I wouldn't mind spending $20 bucks more for the real deal, instead of an overlay, but now that I just ordered one, I can't justify another $130.00.


Good luck and if you make it to 99 and can't find your last taker, send me a PM, I might change my mind.


Dennis

If I can get my hands on each of the different interior colors (a sample of each) and replicate the paint than I may offer color matched pods for an extra $10. Haven't decided just yet.


Also, I've decided to offer them for $110 until July 31. That's shipped, but not color matched or with the speaker cut out. After the 31st, they'll be $130.


If enough interest is generated by the 31st, I'll start production which will take approximately six to eight weeks. I'll ask for payment from all committed persons by the middle of August to help with the overwhelming cost of the mold which I have to pay upfront. I will have paypal setup by than so you can pay by that method for an extra $5 (to cover paypal fees).

Sp33d,


It's too bad for us, but you are absolutely right. It still seems like SOMEONE should do this. There is obviously a big market for them. If I hadn't just (and I mean JUST) bought my pod, I'd be ordering one from you. I wouldn't mind spending $20 bucks more for the real deal, instead of an overlay, but now that I just ordered one, I can't justify another $130.00.


Good luck and if you make it to 99 and can't find your last taker, send me a PM, I might change my mind.


Dennis





baimpala,


I've only had mine about 9 mos and I can easily jsutify it. The overlays just don't lay all that well.


Sp33d,


Will the speaker hole be a punch out piece or must it be located and cut out with a dremil or similar tool?


If you color match will it be painted or will the molded plastice be colored itself like oem?


Thanks again!

"Will the speaker hole be a punch out piece or must it be located and cut out with a dremil or similar tool?


If you color match will it be painted or will the molded plastice be colored itself like oem?"


I have yet to finalize either of these yet. I'm hoping the color can be the molded plastic and isn't spray paint, but I haven't found out the details of the color options and what quantity is required of each just yet. Ideally, I'd like to see it the mold color, just a better finish in my opinion, though I would never know my painted pod didn't come that way from the factory if I looked at it without knowing.


The speaker hole is also up in the air also. I'm hoping it can be done at the manufacturing plant in a "punch" process that will leave a nice finish. I have located a truck that has the speaker option so I can see exactly what's involved in replicating the speaker hole.


Both of these things will be decided before the end of the month and you can decide at that point if you want to pay a couple extra bucks for each. For now, I really only need to know if you want one of the pods and we'll work on the extras toward the end of the month. I need to know for now that there is enough interest to move forward with production.

Got my E-mail in. This is the real deal, great work! I will spread the word on these....good luck with it.

I've seen these before, might have been a truck accessory website, choice of 2 gauges or 3, and with or without speakers/tweeters. Will try to find the link now.


I'm positive because I'm a brand new 2500HD owner with Duramax, and looking all over the web for goodies. :D Give me a little time to find the link. It was specific to the Silverado.Edited by: Keith

Here is the link. Lists up to '03, but if you look at some of the specific items it lists 04'. Not sure if this is what you guys were looking for or not.


http://www.rpmoutlet.com/gmgaugea.htm


Now I need to go do some more research on other goodies. :DEdited by: Keith

That is not the same thing that I am offering. That is an overlay, which goes over your oem pillar cover with plastic screws. It works, but doesn't look nearly as good as you can tell it's an overlay.


The part I am offering is a complete replacement for the factory pillar cover, and uses the same fasteners to hook to the metal body of the truck.


Both do the same thing, but the piece I am offering doesn't have to have plastic screws showing, and has a much better fit because it replaces rather than covers the factory pillar.


It's totally up to you what you do. I personally like things to be done right which is why I have pursued having a custom factory replacement made with the gauges.

I called RPM and confirmed that their's are indeed an overlay. I agree with sp33d, I'm looking for a much better fit. My overlay looks just fine to most everyone but the driver (that would be me). Also, if you take it off again after the initial install, it loosens up and neeeds new plastic rivets to get it tight again.

So how are these dudes coming? I was trying to get away with gauges but have decided I'm going to need em. Dual for me please. Prefer the charcoal interior color with no speaker hole needed. Finalized a price yet?


Edit: never mind on my questions. I missed some posts since i read it last, in bound email. Edited by: ratlover

Didn't know the others were overlays. Definitely worth going with the real thing.

So far I only have ten people interested... No where near the 100 I need to make this a reality. I am still waiting til the end of the month, but it doesn't look good at this rate. Let your Duramax friends know so that we can get these made... It's really an improvement over what's currently available.

Count me in for a tripple http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


In Charcol with a speaker cut out http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif

Be willing to take a double Dragon? Triples don't seem to be popular enough to get something going.

Sp33d


I need a triple with a speaker hole. keep in mind the speaker hole is not all round. It has a tab in to hold speaker in one position. I can paint my own. Simm makes most of the interior colors in a can and the match is close. You will see this week end.


Genohttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Hug.gif

Sp33d,


Did you talk to this guy?


This quote is from the following thread:


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=10694&TPN=4





That’s going to be an expensive billet piece let me know if you want to build a mold and make plastic molded parts I own a large mold shop in Ca. Once the mold is built the parts are very cheap to mold let me know. I can also help out with <st1:place w:st="on">SLA</st1:place> prototypes I can have parts made in a day.


Shaydog

I haven't talked to shaydog about this. I read that post earlier and wish I had known before, but I honestly don't think there is any way of cutting the costs down on making these pieces. I've talked to four seperate mold companies and all have given me the same information. I don't know what shaydog's capabilities are but I may still get in touch with him to see if he can do it and possibly get us a little better deal, though I just don't expect it much cheaper given I know what's going to be involved in making these correctly.

did you get my email? Am I on the list?

Yes Philip, you're down for one.

Good, just double checkinghttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif


so does this project still look doubtfull?http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Disapprove.gif

If double is all your going to make, then I'll take one of those

Put me down for one.


Sorry I haven't gotten you that picture of the backside.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Disapprove.gif


I'm interested in the speaker cutout of course and if you can do the colors mines the pewter. If you can't do te cutout I'll still take one.

It doesn't look like we have nearly the interest in this project that I thought we did. At this point, I don't have anywhere near the number of people interested that I need to move forward with building the mold and making these.


You can continue to email me if you are interested but I make no guarantees that this project will move forward and if it does, I really have no idea when it will as it's all dependent on getting enough interest.


If you were waiting on these I recommend proceeding with an alternate option.

Common Everyone http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cry.gif, Chad has put come effort into this. I know I want one. I can't believe, with the size of this forum, there are not 100 people who would want one of these. I would even take a wrong color and have it professionally painted. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif I'm a stickler for a stock look. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cool.gif

Chad, if it takes two years, I'm willing to wait. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Rock On.gif

I would but I need a 3 gauge pod, so that leaves me out .

Excellent idea Chad! I would take one, if it came in neutral 04 color. I would pay that (and assume you will not have a market) for something that is factory matched.


Just a thought as i am late into this. Anyone can cut a hole for a tweeter. leave out the hole. That way one could mount the tweeter in one of the holes pointed at the occupants (gauge hole) as it would correct the Bose incompetent imaging problem.


BTW, how does my sub box sound, you are not returning my e-mails. I lost 3 pounds boxing that thing uphttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Disapprove.gif

If this does get off the ground, Put me down for one. I'll pm you also. thanks

"BTW, how does my sub box sound, you are not returning my e-mails. I lost 3 pounds boxing that thing up"


Sorry, haven't been to work in the last three days so I haven't got the emails. Just went down and got the box today. Don't think I'll be able to get it in for a few weeks as some other things are taking priority this week and next week during my free time. I'll definitely let you and everyone else know what I think when it's in... I will say it's well built and if it performs half as good as it looks than I'll be very pleased. Thanks!

Update: I only have 20 interested people so far... At this rate, we may get the in time for Christmas http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cry.gif


Please let me know if you're interested still. When/if I receive enough interest I will let everyone know via email.