'mearcat' Gauge Pods For The Stagea

[MearCat]

Update : Three pod designs now available for purchase. See link below to see pics.

Prices : Single a-pillar pod $79, Single clock replacement $95, Single clock replacement $109

Shipping : $5 for single A-pillar pod, $8 for clock replacement pods - to anywhere in Australia.

As some of you may be aware, in the last few months, I have begun prototyping various fibreglass gauge pod designs for all the Skylines models, 300ZX, S13/14/15 etc. See my page at http://www.mearcat.com.au for some examples of what I have done so far. The R33 & S13 pods are currently being sold but more designs will be ready soon (due to lack of captial funds this has been delayed until early Jan).

Thanks to the generosity of Wildcat (owner of 2 very nice Stageas) allowing me to use their cars, I will soon start a prototype of a single and double gauge pod for the Stagea.

I will be developing the gauge pods for the Stag (to fit both Series 1 & 2) no matter what, but I was wondering how many people would be interested in gauge pods for when they will be ready (early in Jan I hope). I will post pics of the protoypes which should be ready in a few weeks. Final prices will be $79 for a single and maybe ~$110 for the double. Each pod will be undercoated & prepainted.

-Alan

[GoldZilla]

Wouldn't mind one, depending on where it will go. If you can give us an indication of where it will fit, then I'm pretty certain there'll be at least a few sales.

I've had a quick look at the ones on your website, and personally I'm not too keen on having something in the corner of the A-pillar and windscreen.

[MearCat]

All the gauge pods I am prototyping / designing are done so to fit at the base of the A-pillar up against the dash/windscreen. The two main reasons are that it's a subtle position that lessens the chance of getting defected (according to VicRoads, it's a legal design) and that forward vision is not obstructed like some of the ones that screw into the A-pillar.

The overall Stagea single pod design will look similar to the R34 pic on my website.

[fergo308]

You already know that I'm interested Alan.

since you're doing prototypes,would you be able to do a double pod that'd fit into the clock location in the centre of the dash?

I'm picking up three defi bf gauges in a week or so and would like to put one on the pillar,and the other pair in the centre of the dash in a pod where the std clock is supposed to be. there's enough room there to get two 60mm gauges,with minimal protrusion,and good sight angle.

if you could make something to fit into this location also,I'd be happy to pay the extra production costs of the second unit,on top of the normal price for a pillar model.

Justin...

[humble]

Woudl be interested in the pods... would like to see how the dual one will look first

fergo308 - a home made version of the clock position gauge hold has been done by a mate of mine its not for sale but im sure he could give up is hood techniques. ill "try" and get some pics

[MearCat]

...

since you're doing prototypes,would you be able to do a double pod that'd fit into the clock location in the centre of the dash?

I'm picking up three defi bf gauges in a week or so and would like to put one on the pillar,and the other pair in the centre of the dash in a pod where the std clock is supposed to be. there's enough room there to get two 60mm gauges,with minimal protrusion,and good sight angle.

...

When I first sat in a Stagea, I did look at the centre clock "pod" and wonder whether I could fit 2 x 60mm gauges in there or not. I haven't actually got the cars as yet but when I do I will certainly look into it. Do you have to take the dash apart to remove the clock "pod"?? Or is it a simple case of pulling up and unclipping it?

[Ska]

Yeah it pops out from the top I _think_ a couple of the guys here have poped them out I remember reading it somewhere, a search'll find it

[MearCat]

Yup - got it HERE. Easy as to remove from the sounds of it.

[Wildcat]

Guys had a up close look these the other night..they are quite funky

Alan always willing to help out so no dramas about using the car

[GoldZilla]

You already know that I'm interested Alan.

since you're doing prototypes,would you be able to do a double pod that'd fit into the clock location in the centre of the dash?

I'm picking up three defi bf gauges in a week or so and would like to put one on the pillar,and the other pair in the centre of the dash in a pod where the std clock is supposed to be. there's enough room there to get two 60mm gauges,with minimal protrusion,and good sight angle.

if you could make something to fit into this location also,I'd be happy to pay the extra production costs of the second unit,on top of the normal price for a pillar model.

Justin...

That's exactly what I was thinking of doing, with one 60mm Defi BF in there, and three 52mm gauges in the dash below/above the stereo...

When I first sat in a Stagea, I did look at the centre clock "pod" and wonder whether I could fit 2 x 60mm gauges in there or not. I haven't actually got the cars as yet but when I do I will certainly look into it. Do you have to take the dash apart to remove the clock "pod"?? Or is it a simple case of pulling up and unclipping it?

I've since had a look and can confirm you can just pull it out from the top, and I assume (and hope!) you can just feed wiring through from behind the vents/stereo/HVAC section of the dash. If you were to do a pod for this area, I would most likely be keen, as long as it looks as close to factory as possible (including the "grain" effect in the plastic), which is what I hope to achieve if I do my own.

[Ska]

Yeah I am not too keen on the bottom of the A Pillar look and at the moment only have 1 boost guage, but depending on the look of the 3 gauge from the clock, I might be interested........... would have to buy 2 more guages to fit in there then

[fergo308]

the clock pod just pops out,pull it up and forward,and it'll come straight out. I've had mine out a couple of times,checking out stuff like this.

Alan,I'll try and take a couple of pics of it this arvo and will send them over to you.

Justin...

[qikstagea]

HMMM im in but yeah. Ok lol count me in. If cy is in lol

[MearCat]

I have started the gauge pod design of a single pod (which mounts at the base of the A-pillar) and a double pod (which replaces the clock in the centre of the dash).

The designs so far have only been done in plaster but represent the shape and size of the final product. Each pod in the pics is marked with a circle representing a 60mm gauge bezel. I intend to also make a single gauge pod which replaces the clock, but I only had time to complete these two today. This should give all those who wanted to see how they will look a good idea of the look of them.

Pics can be found at http://people.aapt.net.au/~mearcat/Pod/

-Alan

[GoldZilla]

Not bad at all.

[Ska]

Hell yeah the clock one looks nice, but needs to face the driver a bit more I reckon, and is that going to be deep enough to hold 2x60mm guages?

[MrGTST]

Hazzzah my car is now famous!!!

I think the dual pod holder that replaces the clock is probably more angled towards the driver then the pics show... well at least when I sat in the drivers seat and was looking at the pod it didnt feel like it was pointing away from me to much...

[fergo308]

I'm in for one of each. top work mate!

Justin...

Edited December 1, 2006 by fergo308

[qikstagea]

Would look nice covered in a black vinyl, to suit the dash. If you can get them looking pretty much like a factory fit, ill be in. Looks better than just a cup mount.

[MearCat]

Hell yeah the clock one looks nice, but needs to face the driver a bit more I reckon, and is that going to be deep enough to hold 2x60mm guages?

Sorry - The pic doesn't show it that well, but the double pod has been angled to directly at the headrest of the drivers seat. It has also been designed to fit 2 x 60mm gauges with a depth of up to ~40mm