Protege Dash gauge bezel pods?

[Leadfoot]

Has anyone found gauge pods similar to the type I have linked here? I'm trying to find this type, and only find them for Hondas(big surprise). Check out the link...I think most would agree that this is a hot item if it is made for the protege/MSP

http://www.optauto.com/webstore/product_information.asp?number=GW-20-010&variation=&aitem=1&mitem=15&back=yes&dept=3728

[Aaron]

this would be awesome if they do make these to fit protege's

[Leadfoot]

yeah..so far I have found them only for WRX, Honda Civic, Acura Integra, Ford Mustang and Mitsubishi Eclipse...this sucks!!!! How come no-one makes any shit for the Mazda fans....then when they do, it's for 2nd & 3rd gen RX7s only (I also have a 1st gen RX7, but needless to say, I can't find shit for that either!).

[II-Savy]

This is close:

http://www.protege5online.com/For_Sale_Page/Guage_Pods/guage_pods.html

I ordered it...I'll take pics when it comes and maybe a how to.

[Leadfoot]

Originally posted by II-Savy
This is close:

http://www.protege5online.com/For_Sale_Page/Guage_Pods/guage_pods.html

I ordered it...I'll take pics when it comes and maybe a how to.

Yeah..I checked that out too, but when sittin in my car, I looked & it would definitely eat some visual space up...plus it's only one...I want two (A/F ratio & Boost). Thanks though.

[RyanJayG]

go with an A-pillar pod cluster

[II-Savy]

Yea it does eat up some space, looking at the odm. will be tough but I decided I wouldn't need to see it that much...and it is only one. I do like the two small ones on the sides.

[Leadfoot]

I emailed Autometer (www.autometer.com/hp)..this is what I said to them (they produce the Instrument Bezel Cluster):

To whom it may concern:

I am a memeber of a large group of Mazda Protege/Mazdaspeed Protege/Protege 5 owners. I have learned that you currently carry Instrument Bezel Clusters that house 2 - 2&1/16" gauges. Unfortunately, they are only available for Subaru Impreza WRX, Honda Civic, Acura Integra, Ford Mustang and Mitsubishi Eclipse. I am sure that myself and many of the members of my group would be highly interested in purchasing said product if it was produced for the latest Mazda Protege models. If you could please send me any information (hopefully on the production of the Gauge pod mentioned) regarding this potential product I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if this product was produced, I would be more than happy to notify other Protege owners of it's availability & location. Thank you very much for your time & consideration of this matter.

Anyway...I'm sure the more people we get emailing them about this....the more they'll get the picture that there's a market, and maybe they'll start making it. In other words..email them & bug the shit out of them!

[Leadfoot]

Originally posted by RyanJayG
go with an A-pillar pod cluster

A-pillar pods are ok too, but I'd feel like I'm takin' my eyes off the road (look at tach...then to A-pillar....back to MPH...Oh shit..stopped traffic(attn)) thanks for the input.

[yourworstmemory]

i have been looking for the same exact thing...i have not found anything...in the next few days im gonna email some people too and see what i can do...if nothin happens im gonna go to the junyard and pick up an old guage bezel from a protege and see if i can make something like that...hey, why not...

[Leadfoot]

I was actually thinking the same thing if I couldn't get anyone that makes it...email autometer...we'll see what happens. I'd like to have it look OEM if possible, but I'm willing to do the same thing.

[NRRfrogmanP5]

im not a fan of the single pod ...

[yourworstmemory]

yeah me either...i would really like one of those with the pods on either side...im going to email some places...autometer and such, and tell them that there are at least a few people who want these and see if they will make something up for us...i would like to look just like the ones we have now but with 2 pods molded into each side...just like those civic ones...thats what you are all lookin for too right?

[CruzinAltitude]

Not that I would be getting one, since I dont need it, but the civic pod set up is just plain Sweet. I think it is the best looking guage pod set up I've seen.

http://www.optauto.com/store/images/GW-20010.GIF

[Leadfoot]

Originally posted by yourworstmemory
yeah me either...i would really like one of those with the pods on either side...im going to email some places...autometer and such, and tell them that there are at least a few people who want these and see if they will make something up for us...i would like to look just like the ones we have now but with 2 pods molded into each side...just like those civic ones...thats what you are all lookin for too right?

Exactly....CruzinAltitude posted the pic up....THAT'S what I want...nothing like that comes up on any search for the MSP/P5/Protege.

[CruzinAltitude]

Leadfoot I actually posted the same pic in the "Other CF accesories" thread, so we will see if something can be fabricated.

[Leadfoot]

Nice...good call...hopefully we'll be seeing this made for the Protege's yet!

[CruzinAltitude]

Hey, anything I can do to help.

[ahb11m]

australia the damn a pillars are illegal because you have to look away.. ripped off so yeah i'm just interested to find this type of mounting!!! (i have no mods worth gauging!!)

have a look over the mini australia site.. the interiors look ugly coz of that ruling saying you can't have the speedo in the middle

blah, damn rules, damn pink slips... this country bites... wannna buy it off me?

[ping]

I like the salvage yard idea - get one black dash bezel, then get some gauge bezels (the cylindrical ones) and dremel 'em into the corners... hmmm... sounds like a good winter project an, if done carefully, will look jus' fine...

[Leadfoot]

Dear Sir,

At this current time, we have no plans at developing the cluster bezel for those vehicles. We haven't researched the vehicle enough to determine if it is feasible. I will pass on your suggestion to GaugeWorks for further consideration.


Thank you,


Auto Meter Products Inc

Looks like we're not gonna get them yet...but I still think we should flood them with emails about making them...the more they hear from us, the more they'll consider the mazda Protege market.

[YellowSpeed1229]

whats their email addy and ill hit them up.... i know a few peeps in the show scene (was once there with my truck).. ill see what i can pull.....i have contacts at many companies in the import scene... just as an example.... i can get the magnaflow full cat back exhaust for the MSP fr 197.00 they wont be out until january.... but if interested let me know....

[therizzzo]

Originally posted by Leadfoot
Dear Sir,

At this current time, we have no plans at developing the cluster bezel for those vehicles. We haven't researched the vehicle enough to determine if it is feasible. I will pass on your suggestion to GaugeWorks for further consideration.


Thank you,


Auto Meter Products Inc

Looks like we're not gonna get them yet...but I still think we should flood them with emails about making them...the more they hear from us, the more they'll consider the mazda Protege market.

Here's my suggestion. Make some phone calls and find out the names of some designers, marketing people, VP, etc. Try to talk them directly. Go to the top if you have to, just make sure your suggestions get past the flunkies. E-mails are good and all, but phone calls go MUCH further. And don't forget snail mail.

Good luck in your quest.

Brainstorm: How about a petition we could shop around to various aftermarket companies complaining about the Mazda neglect, and how we'd buy the parts, free word-of-mouth promotion(best kind anyway) and such.

[Leadfoot]

Originally posted by YellowSpeed1229
whats their email addy and ill hit them up.... i know a few peeps in the show scene (was once there with my truck).. ill see what i can pull.....i have contacts at many companies in the import scene... just as an example.... i can get the magnaflow full cat back exhaust for the MSP fr 197.00 they wont be out until january.... but if interested let me know....

I got their email addy from the website (posted on first page)...I just emailed them from their "contact us" link. When I get home, I'll double check my inbox to see if they left a direct link, and then if so I'll post it up. Thanks!


Originally posted by therizzzo to talk them directly. Go to the top if you have to, just make sure your suggestions get past the flunkies. E-mails are good and all, but phone calls go MUCH further. And don't forget snail mail.

Good luck in your quest.

Brainstorm: How about a petition we could shop around to various aftermarket companies complaining about the Mazda neglect, and how we'd buy the parts, free word-of-mouth promotion(best kind anyway) and such.

Good suggestion...I might just do that...although I think that hittin them up in numbers (petition idea) might be a stronger statement. Maybe even combining the two...we get a petition, and I'll start making phone calls with petition in hand. Thanks for the input!

[ping]

I have to find a salvage yard with a bezel, and get the Dremel out... it'd be faster and would look pretty decent, methinks...

[flat_black]

One reason why this idea may not be entirely feasable is due to the location of the various lights on the gauge cluster that it would block. I'm not sure which ones it would, but I beleive it would be the battery light, e-brake light, SRS warning light, CEL, and/or ABS light. I'd have to look to be sure, but this type of mounting sure would be cool if it could work. =)

[yourworstmemory]

im going to be emailing places today...
ill probly try the salvage yard idea...but i want parts for the protege's im sick of looking for shit and seeing every other fuckin car and not ours...

[flat_black]

Here, try this;

http://www.car-part.com/

That's a good place to look for nearly any part for a car. =)

[Mazdaspd035]

I would buy one of those double gauge pods if they make them. Another one I was thinking about looking into was a gauge pod to fit 2 or 3 gauges in place of the pocket under the stereo. If it was made with the carbon fiber look it would match the center bezel real nice, since our center bezels have some carbon fiber looking pieces already.

Anyone know where I could get this possible made or does anyone know if someone makes this already?

:D

[Kauai Dave]

why not custom your own? buy like the single pod holders and some how fit it in there. that's what i'd do. but like someone else said go with the a-piller mounts.

[L8R]

instead of bugging them, tell dg to develop one since they want suggestions for new cf products ;) - chris

[Leadfoot]

L8R...good call, and thanks to CruzinAltitude for giving me the thread name.

To anyone viewing this thread, RODSCALIP4 has a thread in "Protege's - What other CF accessories would you like produced"...plenty of peeps have already mentioned the instrument gauge bezel, so hopefully we'll be seeing one soon! I think with as many people expressing an interest as we have, it's a no brainer for DG to make one. If you haven't already, let him know you're interested too!

[Captain KRM P5]

wow - never even saw this thread until someone pointed it out! Protege Garage will have these cluster pods ready by the week's end : http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55759