Boost Gauge now Fitted with Custom Steering Column Pod

jaf2212 · Sep 10, 2011

Finally after several weeks doing a few bits when I have had chance, I got round to fitting my boost gauge and custom steering wheel pod this evening

Lights off, nice and clear to read

At night with lights on, lights up Amber

Side view

I purchased a Newsouth Column Pod from Awesome GTI

before cutting it up to leave just the pod housing

I then cut a hole in the steer column cover

I then glued the 2 parts together after a few test fits and more cutting

jaf2212 · Sep 10, 2011

I then covered in filler and sanded back to hide the joints before covering the whole pod and smoothing

Once smoothed, i sprayed the pod with primer, sanded smooth again and then started on adding the black paint and lacquer

This was left for a few days before i sanded it back and polished back to a shine

G1NG3R · Sep 11, 2011

Nice mate well done looks pukka

jaf2212 · Sep 11, 2011

G1NG3R said:
Nice mate well done looks pukka

Cheers, wanted it somewhere different to the usual nomad pillar pod

cupra_r_ick · Sep 11, 2011

im guna be honest, im definately a fan of this

ReDBull · Sep 11, 2011

I bought one of these a few weeks ago and I'm going to be doing the same. I'll find this guild very helpful thanks. It's a shame that It does not fit with out cutting it, so close but so far away!
Did you get a good colour match when sprayed? I'm thinking about getting it flocked.
Looks great I'll have to get on with it now!

Deleted member 12147 · Sep 11, 2011

Looking good mate, I thought about doing this before I done my liquid gauge column pod. The best colour match for the smooth interior plastics is Plastikote Super Matt from B&Q its a perfect match.

jaf2212 · Sep 11, 2011

HY234v said:
I bought one of these a few weeks ago and I'm going to be doing the same. I'll find this guild very helpful thanks. It's a shame that It does not fit with out cutting it, so close but so far away!
Did you get a good colour match when sprayed? I'm thinking about getting it flocked.
Looks great I'll have to get on with it now!

Thanks, as JMS says, Matt black is a good match. I wanted a bit more protection so decided to lacquer mine but it still looks as good.

Even if it had fitted, I would have had to still do this due to the depth of the gauge face. Test fitted in it before I cut it and it caught on the steering wheel

JMS said:
Looking good mate, I thought about doing this before I done my liquid gauge column pod. The best colour match for the smooth plastic interior is Plastikote Super Matt from B&Q its a perfect match.

I do like ur liquid gauge one, when I saw it whilst searching gauges on here got the idea to make this

spoons86 · Sep 11, 2011

Good work! have visions of it moving left and right as you turn the wheel... haha! nice to see some home made DIY modding done properly.

ReDBull · Sep 11, 2011

Here's a few pics of how the Newsouth pod does not quite fit:

If you force it down it nearly fits. I may just trim the edges bond it on and then smooth with filler. Then flock it?

shnazzle · Sep 11, 2011

Nice setup!
I've been trying to find a nice way to get a boost gauge in. This is my fave so far.

jaf2212 · Sep 11, 2011

HY234v said:
If you force it down it nearly fits. I may just trim the edges bond it on and then smooth with filler. Then flock it?

If you are going to do that, check the depth of the gauge face 1st, as you see above there is very little room at the front. My gauge has a deep face so I had to move the pod back

Just remember if you bond it on you will need to cut a hole to feed the cables to the gauge

ReDBull · Sep 11, 2011

Thanks I'll check before I start. You gauge is very deep. Bet you can't take your eyes off it while driving can't wait to get it fitted.

jaf2212 · Sep 11, 2011

The gauge came with a holder to stick on the dash so the gauge has been in that on the column for a few weeks. Will be taking the car out this morning to see how it looks now its mounted better

I wasn't worried about the depth, tho it effects the steering wheel position slightly but not much. I wanted a gauge that was accurate instead of worrying about matching the standard dials

Mo Arif · Sep 11, 2011

That looks really nice mate, I wish they made these as a complete unit for our cars.

Well done

jaf2212 · Sep 11, 2011

Mo Arif said:
That looks really nice mate, I wish they made these as a complete unit for our cars.

Well done

It would have been so much easier had they made one that fitted the leon, I was thinking if finding somewhere to have a few copies made but not sure it would be worth the cost

ReDBull · Sep 11, 2011

It's more fun making your own any way!

jaf2212 · Sep 11, 2011

HY234v said:
It's more fun making your own any way!

I would agree it is, but with all the sanding required to ensure a good finish I would say this took me around 15 - 20 hours to get it perfect. I enjoyed doing it, the gf on the other hand didn't

ReDBull · Sep 11, 2011

jaf2212 said:
I would agree it is, but with all the sanding required to ensure a good finish I would say this took me around 15 - 20 hours to get it perfect. I enjoyed doing it, the gf on the other hand didn't

Wife's and Girfriends just don't get it do they

.
The time it's going to take to sand it properly is the reason I'm thinking of getting it flocked.
You've done a top job there. It's always good to have something original on your car.

jaf2212 · Sep 11, 2011

HY234v said:
Wife's and Girfriends just don't get it do they .
The time it's going to take to sand it properly is the reason I'm thinking of getting it flocked.
You've done a top job there. It's always good to have something original on your car.

Your right, they never do unless in to their car as well which is rare.

There was many a times i felt like giving up with it and even considered flocking it, but i want to spray the center console in a nice glossy finish so had to keep on with the sanding

Its a nice feeling to do the small changes to the car that are different to everyone else, esp when its a one off like this

Boost Gauge now Fitted with Custom Steering Column Pod

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Considering my options..

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