PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA
Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: 65ShelbyClone on January 06, 2023, 08:36:28 PM
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I'm getting nearer the point of addressing my Pinto's interior and one thing that has been on my mind for a long time is that there aren't a lot of places to put gauges. I'd like to keep a speedometer in the dash and maybe put a tach in the left hole, but that leaves nowhere to really locate temp, oil, fuel, boost, and a wideband O2 display up in easy view.
Then I got to thinking...doe s anyone here know of an a-pillar gauge pod that might kinda fit a Pinto? It's alright if I have to tweak and fit it. Everything else has been that way. I'm thinking three to four gauges.
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I can't answer about the pod but the Pinto does have a windshield rake similar to modern cars so hopefully you can find something.
There was a Pinto mini console (or better said, a large sunglass holder) that housed the heater controls below when the in later years an optional gauge cluster was used in the heater control position. It likely won't free up space for all the gauges you want, and the opening might not be large enough for your gauge type, but it is an option to consider. I maneuvered the T/C tach along side the speedometer but it came at the expense of the gas gauge. I used the T/C gauges and cheaply housed them in a piece of wood under the dash. Never liked it, but never did anything about it.
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An A pillar pod would be a cool addition. Maybe when it warms up here in Wisconsin I could try to create a fiberglass version. Does anyone know if the A pillar is the same for all years of Pintos?
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I'm weighing all the options. One is to have a tach and speedometer in the stock cluster and put everything else somewhere else. The speedometer is going to stay where it is. My original idea was to make an aluminum gauge console to go under the radio.
I'm also considering other things like marine multifunction 4-in-1 gauges to replace the stock fuel level with fuel/oil/water/volts. The tough bit is finding one with a similar style to the old Stewart Warner Stage III speedometer I want to use.
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I also like the idea of putting extra gauges where the heater controls are. Does anyone know if moving the control panel to the "console" area requires cables specific to that configuration?
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Sorry I don't know about the cable length being long enough. It would probably depend on the slack in the cable and if the connecting end at the heater box/valve are mounted high or low. I'd go and look but as we both know it is raining now.
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Someone on here yeas ago was making them. Try the search to find it ?
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I mounted 3 2-1/16" gauges where the heater control was. The control cables were disconnected and then reconnected when the control panel was remounted to the right. The hole in the dash for the heater control panel right mounting screw hole became the left with a new new hole drilled in the dash for the right mounting screw. A rectangle hole for the control panel was also cut in the dash. The cables "stretched/bent" enough for it to work but the cables were tight. At the time, my 71 was only 3 years old so the plastic cable sheaths were still pliable (your results may be different). I made a patch panel to cover hole from the old control panel location and to mount the gauges, see attached photos. The speedometer cluster covered left edge and the heater control panel covered the right edge.
This link may be what Reeves1 was referring to:52mm 3 Pod Gauge Cluster, Column Mount (fordpinto.com) (https://www.fordpinto.com/your-project/52mm-3-pod-gauge-cluster-column-mount/?PHPSESSID=24e081b10c2b4658eda71a0c211db3b3;topicseen)
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I found these images of the lower mounted heater control in the console (don't like the gauges so far over). Also saw this other image where the gauges were mounted where the radio goes and then a new radio mount was configured. I thought it came out decently.
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I MOUNTED MY OIL PRESSURE & TEMP GAUGE HERE. I CUT AN ALUMINUM KICK PLATE TO FIT AND CUT HOLES WITH A HOLE SAW.
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I left my heater controls as is but replaced the radio with a cb and made mounts for a couple of old smart phones that i use as gps, radio via bluetooth, and gps speedo mounted on heater panel screws.
Added a panel to stashbox on console and mounted 3 gauges ads some switches there.
Also added a mini digital temp gauge that reads temp at both top and bottom radiator connections
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I think it was MAP351 that made the a-pillar pods. I bought one to use on my 73. It is a nice piece.