MS3 Gauge Pod Options? Opinions Please...

[Slim]

Looking for opinions on gauge mounting options for my MS3 (like I need to ask...)

I've got the Lotek pod which would be sweet and similar to the setup in my old 6. However, it's far more costly in an MS3.

To install the pod requires cutting of the stock center dash piece. So I'd need a second stock one for back up ($120). It holds 3 gauges and I have a Boost gauge so far (Thanks Jesse) so I'd have to buy two more. (Roughly $150 total for matching ones). Then, in order for it to look good I'd have to do some custom work to mold the lotek pod to the stock dash piece. This doesn't scare me, I like a challenge, but I've never worked with fiberglass, epoxy, etc to do something like that. Plus it would be some minor additional costs ($30).

Option #1 - Grand total of $300 more than I've already spent plus some significant labor. But this is what it would look like...


http://gallery.mac.com/crazyitalian041/100112/DSC00027/web.jpg


Another option is modifiying a Roush vent pod to fit the MS3 one. Requires cutting the stock vent a bit so I'd have to buy another one (guessing $50ish). This vent pod allows for some use still of the vent as air can flow around it. This pod costs $30.

Grand total - $80ish and minor labor to install. Would look decent but not as nice as the center pod...see below.


http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i210/mooserov/FinalFit.jpg


Or this fills the whole vent with a 60mm gauge...


http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff234/lidokrantz/IMG_0236.jpg


Another option would be a plate that can be installed where the ashtray/cigarette lighter is. Requires only removal of stock parts and purchasing a plate with the proper holes cut ($30ish) or make one myself. Then, I would have to buy 1 or 2 more gauges depending on the plate used.

Grand total - $30w/o gauges and 100-180 with 2 or 3 gauges. Nice fit and finish but the gauges are not really in line of sight. Which is important depending on the gauges. See below...


http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c44/Nismo311/srtparts089.jpg


Let's hear it!

[Workdawg]

My vote goes to option #4...

http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=102007.0

[Slim]

I thought of that exact thing. Cuz you can actually buy the pop-up nav piece without the navigation. A little different route than that guys. It would still require a lot of modification however. So, that still leaves beau coup bucks for something that still requires a serious amount of fabrication to work.

If YOU build it, I'll buy it.

[Workdawg]

We shall see how that guy gets it done and what kind of work is actually required.

[Big Nate]

I like number three out of what I see there.

[cosmicspd3]

option 1, looks stock, in good view and you dont lose a vent.

[Jesse MS3GT]

You know what my option would be lol.

I just didnt have the patience or funds to do it. If not the lotek option I would say the vent.

[mndsm]

I say pull the pillar airbag and put them there.

[Workdawg]

I'm pretty sure you can put a gauge pod on the A-Pillar and it wont affect the airbag. There were pics on M3F of a wrecked MS3 with all the bags deployed and the A-Pillar cover was still on...

[mndsm]

You have a pic for that? I'd like to see it.

[Workdawg]

I'll see if I can dig it up.

Discussion, and a pic a few posts down.
http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=104159.0

[mndsm]

Well done. And it kind of looks like it would work with a pillar pod.

[Slim]

Off topic:

I've seen posts on the airbag issue, but here's my take.

Look at the pic. I'll agree the pillar doesn't completely fly off. However, look at the full length of where the curtain drops from. Part of it has to come out from behind that a-pillar. So, it's gotta pop open somewhat (maybe it's hinged somehow?). Therefore, any gauge pod attached would get pushed against the windshield and impede the airbag from deploying properly.


http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o32/damianfaye/096b1bd5.jpg


On topic:

mndsm: I could remove it and put in a a-pillar pod, but come on, choosing looks over safety...FAIL!

[Workdawg]

I think the top of the A-pillar just comes open to let the airbag out. How else would the whole thing have gotten back into place?

[mndsm]

I can't imagine that the thing swings out that much, let alone enough to impede deployment of the airbag.

[Slim]

I think the top of the A-pillar just comes open to let the airbag out. How else would the whole thing have gotten back into place?

You may be right. However, that's the problem for me. I think, I can't imagine, and you may aren't good enough for me. Speculation works for meteorologists and sports talk radio, but not for automobile safety.

The velocity at which airbags deploy is great. Therefore, the only way anyone will know how far and how much the a-pillar pops open is to use motion video capture and play it back in slo-mo.

When that happens and I can see FOR SURE with my own eyes, then maybe I'll consider it. But until then I'm not playing with my own safety. Especially not based on online conjecture.

[Workdawg]

I would do more research on M3F... I'm sure there are people out there with gauge pods on the a-pillar, and I'm sure one of them has blown their air bags.

[mndsm]

I agree wholeheartedly on the safety thing, but then again, i'm not all that smart.

[Slim]

I would do more research on M3F... I'm sure there are people out there with gauge pods on the a-pillar, and I'm sure one of them has blown their air bags.

I've looked before. Not that many people blow airbags. And there's even less chance the ones that do have a-pillar gauges. Mainly because everyone steers clear of them due to the airbags.

If there was one, that thread would be front and center and LOTS of people would be getting a-pillar gauges installed. It would be simple, easy, and cheap. But there isn't and that's why you see people coming up with all sorts of other creative options.

[Workdawg]

Well, in any case. I really like the idea of popup gauges.

[mazdamn02]

I think they look dandy on top of the vent aka the lotek solution, and I'd go that route but I have navigation.

[Slim]

Thoughts on this option...

Combine this...


http://i16.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/e6/70/9253_1.JPG


With this...


http://www.glowshiftdirect.com/ProductImages/GS_RadioFace.jpg


Just the DIN part which I could much more easily fab into the nav piece. Otherwise the lotek route will require more serious fab/fiberglass work, sanding, painting, etc.

What do people think?

P.S. Josh, is this the nav panel you have?

[Workdawg]

The pop up gauge pod the guy on M3F is working on is starting to come together pretty well. Still no word on if he will be doing any work to help people make them or not though.

[mazdamn02]

Thoughts on this option...

Combine this...


http://i16.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/e6/70/9253_1.JPG


With this...


http://www.glowshiftdirect.com/ProductImages/GS_RadioFace.jpg


Just the DIN part which I could much more easily fab into the nav piece. Otherwise the lotek route will require more serious fab/fiberglass work, sanding, painting, etc.

What do people think?

P.S. Josh, is this the nav panel you have?

I have nav in the factory location, haven't you seen it? It pops out of the dash board above the vents 'n stuff.

[Slim]

Thinking of pulling the trigger and buying this option with the angled single DIN gauge mount:


http://i16.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/e6/70/9253_1.JPG


I'm figuring I can try it this way and if I don't like it, I can just cut it and mount the Lotek over it like I would with a regular dash peice anyways. And I could potentially play around with my own pop-up gauge setup too.

That guy on M3F's custom one is interesting, but he's just using wood which anyone can do and he has no real plans of selling something that wouldn't require some modification anyways.

C'mon Josh, just sell me yours...

[mazdamn02]

C'mon Josh, just sell me yours...

Sorry Tim, I may decide to sell my nav screen someday or trade my car in, you never know!