3rd Gen General Discussion The place for non-technical discussion about 3rd Gen RX-7s or if there's no better place for your topic

FD Steering Column Gauge Covers

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-10-19, 03:50 AM
  #1  
94' SingleTurbo

Thread Starter
 
xXBrendanXx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Canada, B.C
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
FD Steering Column Gauge Covers

Hey everyone! I have been away for quite some time, however I come back with a potential idea.
I'll keep it short as I just basically want to gauge how much interest there would be if I continued with developing these.
I have seen the expensive and cheap ones online but nothing in-between that doesn't require some sort of a janky way of mounting it.
So I present a fully 3D printed version complete with mounting pins and ledges for tabs to clip onto!
Please let me know if you have any suggestions, its still a very early version of what I want it to be.


Old 06-10-19, 08:20 AM
  #2  
RX-7 Bad Ass

iTrader: (55)
 
DaleClark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 15,399
Received 2,437 Likes on 1,508 Posts
Looks nice!

FYI there is a difference between RHD and LHD steering column covers - the holes in the side for the wiper stalk and turn signal are reversed. If you model it after one style know that it won't work the other way.

Also typically the gauge is sunken into the surround and at an angle. That helps not block the tach and also angles it towards the driver.

Dale
Old 06-10-19, 11:59 AM
  #3  
Boilermakers!

iTrader: (157)
 
ZE Power MX6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 3,685
Received 359 Likes on 263 Posts
Are there clips to hold it in place to the bottom half? Maybe create a full set top and bottom and make the opening universal so it fits both RHD and LHD, then folks can tuck away their good condition OEM one till they want to put the car back to stock.
Old 06-10-19, 02:02 PM
  #4  
94' SingleTurbo

Thread Starter
 
xXBrendanXx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Canada, B.C
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by DaleClark
Looks nice!

FYI there is a difference between RHD and LHD steering column covers - the holes in the side for the wiper stalk and turn signal are reversed. If you model it after one style know that it won't work the other way.

Also typically the gauge is sunken into the surround and at an angle. That helps not block the tach and also angles it towards the driver.

Dale
Thank you for your input! I wasn't 100% sure if they were the same or not, I will work on a rhd version this coming week. I will post some photos soon with how it looks in it's current form installed, I think it will be a bit tall right now. This one was basically just a rough test to see if it could be printed at all, pretty stoked to see how it evolves!
Old 06-10-19, 02:07 PM
  #5  
94' SingleTurbo

Thread Starter
 
xXBrendanXx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Canada, B.C
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by ZE Power MX6
Are there clips to hold it in place to the bottom half? Maybe create a full set top and bottom and make the opening universal so it fits both RHD and LHD, then folks can tuck away their good condition OEM one till they want to put the car back to stock.
Yes there are! I ran into some issues with designing the bottom half with how it would print, decided to scrap it and make a fully oem spec top half. Also, by only printing the top half it decreases build time by about 12hours. I love the idea of having a universal top half, I just don't know how it would look installed. I will print one out and try it this coming week. Thank you!
Old 08-20-19, 02:31 PM
  #6  
94' SingleTurbo

Thread Starter
 
xXBrendanXx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Canada, B.C
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Alright it's been too long since I posted an update. I basically completely redesigned the original column cover to be more universal. I also quickly made up a cup-holder and would like some feedback on it! (It can also hold up the e-brake boot which always falls in!)



Old 08-21-19, 03:52 AM
  #7  
Urban Combat Vet

iTrader: (16)
 
Sgtblue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Mid-west
Posts: 12,012
Received 862 Likes on 611 Posts
It's cool that you're able to do things like that, especially since I can't fab a ham sandwich. In the picture it's hard to see exactly how fitment and visibility is with the rest of the gauges, especially with your aftermarket wheel. But the surface texture and hard edges of the piece doesn't look right and combined with the pod attachment design, looks unfinished. Especially compared to the Pettit design. ---> https://pettitracing.com/products/co...b93d68dc&_ss=r

Last edited by Sgtblue; 08-21-19 at 03:58 AM.
Old 08-21-19, 08:08 AM
  #8  
Rotary Enthusiast
 
Testrun's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: South FL
Posts: 1,455
Received 252 Likes on 191 Posts
I have a Pettit gauge column. I like that cupholder! What are you final plans??
Old 08-21-19, 08:21 AM
  #9  
Urban Combat Vet

iTrader: (16)
 
Sgtblue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Mid-west
Posts: 12,012
Received 862 Likes on 611 Posts
Old 08-21-19, 11:32 AM
  #10  
94' SingleTurbo

Thread Starter
 
xXBrendanXx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Canada, B.C
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Sgtblue
It's cool that you're able to do things like that, especially since I can't fab a ham sandwich. In the picture it's hard to see exactly how fitment and visibility is with the rest of the gauges, especially with your aftermarket wheel. But the surface texture and hard edges of the piece doesn't look right and combined with the pod attachment design, looks unfinished. Especially compared to the Pettit design. ---> https://pettitracing.com/products/co...b93d68dc&_ss=r
I will get some more photos of fitment! I ran into an issue with material and need to switch to abs, as you can see the corner through the wheel started to deform. This was the first rough design that went in and didn't block out the tach, it still needs a lot of refinement. The only problem I have with the Pettit is that it requires the use of silicone to mount to the lower half. It's also taller than the factory cover so the gauge can be moulded in. I want the least amount of tach blocked as possible.
Old 08-21-19, 11:53 AM
  #11  
94' SingleTurbo

Thread Starter
 
xXBrendanXx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Canada, B.C
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Testrun
I have a Pettit gauge column. I like that cupholder! What are you final plans??
As of right now I am trying to get both designs to a point I am happy with. I want to make both something that myself and others would want, any suggestions or feedback is welcome! I am very happy with the cupholder so far, I just need to widen the top hole a bit and refine it. When all that happens I will make a poll to see who wants what and start production!
Old 08-21-19, 12:46 PM
  #12  
needs more track time

iTrader: (16)
 
gracer7-rx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Bay Area CA
Posts: 9,182
Received 507 Likes on 349 Posts
FWIW, Drake did a really nice column pod that i bought and haven't gotten around to installing yet...
https://www.draklore.com/shop/fd-column-pod-52mm
Old 08-21-19, 02:37 PM
  #13  
94' SingleTurbo

Thread Starter
 
xXBrendanXx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Canada, B.C
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by gracer7-rx7
FWIW, Drake did a really nice column pod that i bought and haven't gotten around to installing yet...
https://www.draklore.com/shop/fd-column-pod-52mm
He makes some badass parts! I honestly started designing for the local community as we don't really have anyone affordable up in Canada. The current dollar isn't very nice to get parts from the states lol....
Old 01-22-23, 10:17 PM
  #14  
Junior Member
 
Cloveh's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: California
Posts: 40
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I was wondering if you ever finished this project and if you were willing to sell the model. I'm trying to make a power fc commander mount that's integrated into the steering column cover, and 3D scanning the original model is proving slightly more challenging than initially anticipated. I'm in the process of upgrading my 3D scanner from a Kinect to something more robust but would like to move forward in the mean time
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ericwarren
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
21
11-06-05 09:06 AM
rotarynemesis
Interior / Exterior / Audio
6
07-03-04 11:10 PM
Saner
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
2
02-11-04 07:56 AM



Quick Reply: FD Steering Column Gauge Covers



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:55 AM.