Whidh pillar pod is better Autometer or Pro Pods?

I ordered from Kennedy because I thought he sold Autometer...but instead I got a pro pods. The fit looks like it will be ok. The speaker hole is a little large and a little too far up on the pillar. The outside cut is only ok. It kind of follows the ridge down the side...not covers completely. It also doesnt match 100% on the top and the part towards the window doesnt sit like the other side. I am assuming this is all normal?
ac

Again, that is super nit-picking. Can anyone confirm that the Autometer is a better fit? pictures would be great!
ac

Further thinking...a nice picture album of installation comparisons would be sweet. Just a few pictures of each would be great:
1. Area around speaker
2. Line down the outside with door opened
3. Area around the top with headliner
4. Area near windshield/dashboard
5. Line down the windshield.
That would pretty much cover them all.
Thanks,
ac

The outside cut is only ok. It kind of follows the ridge down the side...not covers completely. It also doesnt match 100% on the top and the part towards the window doesnt sit like the other side.


I noticed this as well with the pro pod. I can't make it fit exactly even with some shaping. The inner edge next to the windshield won't lay flat. I've just ordered the Autometer pod, will see if any there is any difference. The Attitude pod I had covered the pillar completely, and fit better IMHO. I think it was an Autometer.

BLUE72CAMARO,

No question the Auto Meter is a better fit, in fact the history is that the parent company of Pro Pods used to be Auto Meters vendor. Quality and availability issues caused that to fail and Gauge Works has been the vendor for a number of years. The owner of Gauge Works is a "car/truck guy" and the products are more than just a money maker for him, he is "into it"!

The AM A pillar also has a snap over fit on the Duramax and some folks don't even use the push pins to install them. It's worth a few extra bucks. It's all we sell as we can't deal with quality issues on a $50.00 plastic part.

Mark @ DPPI

Lovette,
Would absolutely love a comparison photo shoot!

Mark,
I just sent you an email about possibly ordering an Autometer to compare with. Do you have any detailed install pics?
ac

Autometer and get the one with out the speaker hole and cut it out yourself . It will look stock then , not like a hole over the speaker. Look in my garage at the tweeter and the way I cut it to look stock .

If I told you I just finished mounting the ProPod yesterday, and today I already ordered the Autometer, do you still need pics?

CAP,
That looks great. How did you cut the hole so perfect? Did you still use it as an overlay or did you replace the pillar with it? Any details on your install are greatly appreciated!

Lovette,
Well...I guess not technically. I am currently working on ordering an Autometer. Did you order with or whitout the speaker?
ac

BLUE72CAMARO,

No question the Auto Meter is a better fit, in fact the history is that the parent company of Pro Pods used to be Auto Meters vendor. Quality and availability issues caused that to fail and Gauge Works has been the vendor for a number of years. The owner of Gauge Works is a "car/truck guy" and the products are more than just a money maker for him, he is "into it"!

The AM A pillar also has a snap over fit on the Duramax and some folks don't even use the push pins to install them. It's worth a few extra bucks. It's all we sell as we can't deal with quality issues on a $50.00 plastic part.

Mark @ DPPI

Mark,

Thanks for the info, well this pretty well settles it Autometer it is. Oh and thanks for the great service on the exhaust this afternoon, for anyone interested in dealing with a place with good customer service I highly reccomedn www.dieselperformanceparts.com (http://www.dieselperformanceparts.com) Mark went out of his way to take care of me on my exhaust this afternoon.

C.A.P.

How did you cut the hole. I havent had my a-pillar apart yet so I dont know what kind of hole would be needed to mount the speeker straight to the AM cover. Nothing else I will find out when I install one.

I need to touch up the scuffs on the dash paint, but I'm going to wait until I get the Autometer pod.

As you can see, ProPod doesn't cover all the way on the outer or inner edges of the A-pillar. I did not cut or sand either edge, only the bottom. This will not fit any tighter. Despite much encouragement with the grinder, can't get the crinkle out near the speaker cutout, even if I tuck the most forward part under the dash.

The little black circle near the bottom pod is a switch in the gauge lighting circuit. It does not interfere with the fit.

The pod I used to the Attitude fit way better, and covered the whole A-pillar.

Yikes, that looks terrible! I will have pics of my autometer pod soon. Looks just like CAP's. I ordered a pod without the speaker and then cut it out with a dremel like tool. I also expoxy'd my two pillars together, therefore no push pins. Looks just like stock.

Pics as promised!

That looks nice!

So what is the secret for getting the tweeter out of the stock A pillar? What did you use to cut the new hole?
ac

So what is the secret for getting the tweeter out of the stock A pillar? What did you use to cut the new hole?
ac

Use gentel persuasion with a pick or pocket screwdriver. Remove the speaker first and then the bezel. To cut it out, I used a dremmel like tool...(A Snap-On grinder that spins 21K RPM).

So does the speaker come out from behind the pillar and then the grill comes out through the front?
ac

So does the speaker come out from behind the pillar and then the grill comes out through the front?
ac
:exactly:

little Dremel is the ticket! with small hand file!

BLUE72CAMARO,

Great glad all is as you expected, we are like AVIS "We try harder"!! If you ever need anything else just call!

Mark @ DPPI

Replaced the ProPod with the Autometer Pod (thanks DPP!) First shot is a comparo between the two.
Notice it completely covers the stock pod along the outer edge, and along the windshield edge. Great fit.

Gotta paint that screw to match.

My Autometer is in...doesnt look perfect but it looks much better than the Propod did. The fit still isnt perfect along the top...or up the side.
ac

Looks much better lovette!

I just finished installing the autometer pillar pad, PERFECT fit !
:ro)