BT50/Ranger Gauge Cluster Pods

[Fordboy351]

Hi Guys,

I'm a newbie to the forum, first post actually but i have found some really helpful advice on this forum so far, not only in the BT50 section but across all the different makes.

Anyhow as it happens i have worked at a plastics company for over 7 years that specialises in thermofoming covers etc (this will be a personal job though). Looking at the current cost of the Wildtrack binnacle cluster nearly gave me a heart attack! It looks really mint where it sits but for around $1k without all the sensors i just can not justify the price.

I was wondering how many people would be interested in a unit that fits similarily to the wild track unit but allows the flexibility of putting any style guages you like in it? You cut whatever you like out, square, round or rectangular. I am also thinking about making a custom housing in the same location for my 7" GPS as i don't want to butcher the dash or have wires dangling everywhere, my OCD demands that they be hidden behind the dash!!!

I may just have a crack at the unit myself (bit of work in the tooling, will all be CNC cut) but if there was some interest i might get a few more run at the same time. They will be black with a slight grain but they can even be painted the same colour as the existing dash with the right paint. Haven't worked out the cost yet but it would be under $100 for a low run and if there were 20+ that price would probably 1/2 i guess whilst looking factory. I am not going to make a cheap flimsy unit, i want it to sit snuggy on the dash and stay there.

So what do other forum users want? What size guages will the unit(s) be taking? Is there any things that you can advise i.e. what depth does the unit need to be? Do you want the guage cluster angled so it works towards the drivers vision not just straight facing like the Wildtrak unit?

Thanks,

Garriss

[gecko270]

Great idea mate and glad to have you on board. I'd be keen to have the option of fitting anything I liked and I think having the gauges ect would be good enough facing forward rather than at the driver.

Keen to see what you come up with

[Rip'n'Shred]

Will be watching this one with interest

[fred99999au]

I'd be in for one, maybe two depending on the price.

[JBird]

Could be the go for a scangauge, would have to be front facing for that I guess

[BFT RANGER]

Welcome aboard Garriss.
I looked into this about 2 years ago and the cost to get them made was out of the question after the setup tooling etc etc.
So have managed to get hold of a few of the factory pods complete and have stripped mine and fitted my scangauge to.


Running 52mm Intercepter scan gauge's. the factory holes needed to be inlarged from 48mm.

would be good to see these on the market and I would be more than happy to stock some at The Uteshed.

Millsy

[Fordboy351]

Hi Millsy,

Thanks for the feedback. Those 2 pics have given me the inspiration i needed. I don't get to mix work with my own personal quests very often! Working here gives me the option of doing some of it in my own time. The director has given me the thumbs up.

From a user point of view would you want the dash pod as 1 piece? Or would you want it like the gauge cluster is in pic 1 where there the black abs is a seperate insert? (Is this correct?) It will be cheaper in 1 part as there will be less trimming. I really like the dash carpet covering any of the flange etc underneath. They look really clean.

Millsy do you think your customers would want it in black or pre-painted the same as the dash colour? I've got a lot of idea's going in my head at the moment but to keep the part cost down i need to make it as simple as possible. The less machining after forming the cheaper it will be for people on the forum. I will PM you before i put any prices up to give you a heads up.

Could you also tell me if the Ranger has exactly the same dash? I know the stereo unit looks the same.

Thanks for your help.

Garriss

[vaughnbt50]

Sounds like a definite seller to me ford boy. I would get one without a doubt.

[Jaytee7]

You can put me down as a yes please at the right price.

Jaytee.

[bozo21]

Yeah the dash's are the same.

Count me in for one of these also.

Will be following this very closely, may just put off mounting my volt metre till this happens.

[Fordboy351]

Thanks guys it sounds like you are all in the same boat as me with the gauge setups...they are just too expensive and restrictive. I will start work on programming the tool this weekend so i can mill it out after work on mon/tues. Fingers crossed i will have the first prototype ready by next weekend. I will keep everyone updated with pics and if anyone has any advice or suggestions send them through both postive and negative. Just bare in mind this is being done on a tight budget!

Garriss

[bt50li]

depending on price will be keen too. love to get an inclinometre and compass set up like the older toyotas

[BFT RANGER]

Garriss.
Were abouts are you located?. I'm heading down to Tassie after xmas and would be great to catch up with you if at all possiable. The dash in the 2007 through to 2011 Ranger and BT50 are both the same.
I would say that most would go for a one colour ( Black ) pod as the factory Pod is Grey (same as top of dash) and this would look funny as the face colour against the silver of the center stack. I just cut my standard dash mat to allow the mat to drop over the binnical, The Wildtrak dash mat covers the pod but doesn't have the carpet strip in front of it.
My fascia in the pod was a seperate piece that I cut out of some black textured abs plastic the cut out the hole for the scangauge11 before gluing inn. I also have some and Aluminized Heat barrier stuck to the inside of the pod to help with the sun's heat belting down on it.

Drop me a email or pm any time.
brendon@theuteshed.com.au

Millsy

[Msbavn]

Definitely could be interested if they look good and the price is right.

[TRACULA]

+1 i'd be interested also.
Cheers Bloodnut