GI - Leadfoot's Instrument Cluster Gauge Bezel

[Leadfoot]

OK...I've received some messages from a few people now that expressed an interest in me fabricating more of these Instrument Cluster Gauge Bezels. These would fit the MSP, MP3, P5 & 3rd Gen Protege's. Right now, since interest is there, I am entertaining the idea of making more of these. There are, however, some things for you "potential buyers" to consider before you say "yeah...make me one". Here you go:

1) There is cutting involved behind where the stock bezel sits in order to allow the gauges to slide down smoothly & allow for hook-up. This would have to be done by you, the buyer (or a buddy of yours)...I could only do this if you were in the area, and I'd probably ask for a few dollars more if that were the case.

2) I don't have any stock pieces lying around, so I don't know what kind of costs I would incur to buy these things up from a junkyard. Nor do I know how many I can get my hands on just yet. This is why I'm doing this GI...if there's enough interest, I can investigate & get back to you guys & gals.

3) If I start these up, then you would have to be patient....It took me a week to make mine & I rushed the job. If I were doing it for customers, then I would want the product to be better than mine. The flaws in mine can't even be seen unless I take it out (it's just some rough areas from sanding and a few small "pores" in the epoxy). Needless to say, I would want to give you guys & gals a product worthy of putting in a car show. I would estimate probably 2 - 4 weeks for a batch of say 5 clusters (bear with me here...I really don't know what time frame....I can only estimate)

4) This is the toughest part...the price estimate. I could only take a guess & say that they would cost around $100 a piece. Mind you, these would be 100% hand-fabbed and I'm doing this after my normal 9 - 6 job.

5) The wiper & light stalks may slightly block the lower portions of the gauges depending on how you sit. For me, they only block the slightest bit, and I still have complete visibility of the entire 270* sweep on both of them. Once I have a good head-on pic, I can show you what I mean. The pic on the bottom is actually slightly exagerated from what I see daily.

OK...now if you can say "I can live with this" to the first 5 items, then here comes the good part:

The cluster's that I would be making would NOT BLOCK ANY LIGHTS. That's right, my cluster does not block any lights at all (see last pic), and would come to you painted in a satin black that looks like a nicely Armor All'ed stock piece. To give you an idea, here are some pics (they're shitty pics, I'm working on getting better ones)

http://www.msprotege.com/members/Leadfoot/Scan16.JPG
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Leadfoot/Scan15.JPG
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Leadfoot/Scan14.JPG
Now for one so you can see how no lights are blocked:
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Leadfoot/Scan8.JPG

Well....let's hear it. Is there anyone out there that would want this in their Protege?

[Leadfoot]

OK...here's my fabrication page w/ some more pics.
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60046&page=1&pp=15
You can see that just the stock A-pillar piece costs me $32, plus whatever the cluster surround goes for, and you can see what my estimate is based off. Plus there's some good "reviews" in there from some people that got a chance to see it & some from the forum.

[SNike05]

I don't need one right now but say in a year or a year and a half I would want one. In this case, would you make me one at that time or is this GI for now?

[Leadfoot]

No....it's good. Like I said, I just wanted to get an idea of how many people would be interested in this. I can't really do alot at a time anyway. When you want to have one made drop me a line & I'll see what I can do. I am trying to get the idea out to those that would like to see one of these being made now too.
I don't need one right now but say in a year or a year and a half I would want one. In this case, would you make me one at that time or is this GI for now?

[y0sky]

I'm interested, I could send you my bezel to fabricate one, that would make it easier on you than trying to find one at a junk yard.

[Leadfoot]

That's something I was thinking about too...either sending the stock one to me or to do an exchange deal. It would definitely reduce the # of bezels I would have to buy out of pocket thats for sure! :D I'll definitely keep you on my list of interested, and if I get about 5 people, I'll research a bit more into what the costs would be to you guys.

Also, so everyone knows, I've already contacted Antoine in regards to getting AMM status...so if the interest is there, then I will "officially" become an AMM.

Starting a list of definitely interested:
1. y0sky
2.
3.
4.
5.


I'm interested, I could send you my bezel to fabricate one, that would make it easier on you than trying to find one at a junk yard.

[LapisBlueProteg]

LapisBlueProteg!
all the way that thing is sexy!

[Leadfoot]

Starting a list of definitely interested:
1. y0sky
2. LapisBlueProteg (thanks for the compliment)
3.
4.
5.

[Yello-MP3]

..... beautiful from what i can see. Count me in for interested.
Zane

[jersey_emt]

(werd) count me in buddy

[Leadfoot]

List of definitely interested:
1. y0sky
2. LapisBlueProteg
3. Yello-MP3
4. jersey_emt
5.
(thanks for the compliments)

[II-Savy]

List of definitely interested:
1. y0sky
2. LapisBlueProteg
3. Yello-MP3
4. jersey_emt
5. II-Savy


Looks like I'm 5th....I can't swing 80 for this either.

[Leadfoot]

OK...I got 5 "yays" so I'll do a bit more research. I'll call around to some junkyards to get an idea of what a stock instrument bezel piece would cost me. Once I get it all sorted out, I'll post up w/ a "more accurate" price estimate.

Maybe I should separate the list....for those that can live w/ all 5 items in the first post, and those that have "certain reservations"? (shrug)

[LapisBlueProteg]

I Can Live 5 Times
I Can Live 5 Times
I Can Live 5 Times
I Can Live 5 Times
I Can Live 5 Times
Ur Thing Is So Damn Sexy Better Than The A Pillar!
Cant Wait!

[Bijou-MP5]

Dealer price for bezel is only ~$25, but I'm sure dealer will rip you off more.

[Leadfoot]

Sorry about the delay here gang....I've been busy all week at work, and I don't get a chance to give any junk-yards a call around here. I'm probably going to go for a ride down Passyunk Ave. tomorrow (ton of junk yards out there) w/ my buddy to see what prices I can get for the stock cluster bezels. Once I know, I'll come up w/ a better price estimate for you all. If the price is realistic, I may do a "deposit" deal where the deposit would be equal to the bezel. That way I don't get hammered w/ 5-10 extra bezels with no $$$ in my pocket to show for it....plus I know I would have a commitment as well. I'll let you all know what's up tomorrow night. Thanks for being patient!

[II-Savy]

Sorry about the delay here gang....I've been busy all week at work, and I don't get a chance to give any junk-yards a call around here. I'm probably going to go for a ride down Passyunk Ave. tomorrow (ton of junk yards out there) w/ my buddy to see what prices I can get for the stock cluster bezels. Once I know, I'll come up w/ a better price estimate for you all. If the price is realistic, I may do a "deposit" deal where the deposit would be equal to the bezel. That way I don't get hammered w/ 5-10 extra bezels with no $$$ in my pocket to show for it....plus I know I would have a commitment as well. I'll let you all know what's up tomorrow night. Thanks for being patient!
Leadfoot -
I would send you my bezel to do mine ... maybe people can do that...just send you their own bezel.

[Leadfoot]

This is definitely another option that I've considered. I think what I'm gonna do is offer it both ways....i.e you could send me yours, or I could buy one for $X more. Obviously, shipping to me would be the other consideration. I just figure that way should work best, since there may be some people that want to keep the stock one just in case of dealer visits, etc.... You know, just pop off the new one w/ gauges, plug the vacuum lines, pop in old one & bring to dealer.
Leadfoot -
I would send you my bezel to do mine ... maybe people can do that...just send you their own bezel.

[LapisBlueProteg]

works for me !

[Demonic-Speed]

You can drive without the bezel right? I would be interested, but doesn't another place already make them for like 65 bucks?

[Leadfoot]

Well, I must have called at least a dozen Auto Salvage yards today, and it seems like no-one has any '00 or newer mazda protege's on the lot, so here's my thoughts:

Those that are interested can send me their stock bezel piece and I can make the gauge pod for you...it seems that many of you were leaning this way anyway. Since I can't get any stock cluster bezels, and taking into consideration all of my other needed supplies, I'm gonna set the price as follows. These prices include shipping back to you (in lower 48):

$85 each for the dual pod cluster bezel

I can also do a single pod (you specify whether you want it in right or left hand corners) for $75 each.

Please read through my first post again so that you understand what needs to be done once you got this back from me (cutting involved...you'll need a dremel) as well as the fact that you may experience slight gauge view blockage from your wiper/light stalks, based on how you sit & your steering column height (I'll probably adjust them slightly up more to take this into consideration)

Start a list, and then once I get the AMM status, I'll start another GB thread & transfer your names to it. Once I start the thread I'll also ask those that want one for a $20 deposit so that I can get the supplies needed to make these up for you.

Also, please take into consideration that these will all be individually hand made to order, and started once I receive deposit & the cluster bezel. Therefore, there is no minimum or maximum # of people, and no set time limit either. However, I can only do so many at a time, so it will be a first come-first serve basis. If it gets too crazy, then I'll suspend the GB at that time so that no-one is waiting too long.


MODS...I've emailed Antoine again & requested the official AMM status.

[Leadfoot]

Yeah..you can drive w/out the bezel. It just sits in front of the gauges...I did it for a week. As for someone else making it, the only one I know if is Captain KRM P5, and he's currently holding new orders. His originals were set at $80 each, and he's mentioned that once he catches up he may raise his prices a bit.
You can drive without the bezel right? I would be interested, but doesn't another place already make them for like 65 bucks?

[y0sky]

1.y0sky (I'm ready to send money and bezel now)

[y0sky]

Hey leadfoot are you still planning on doing this? I haven't heard anything about in a few days.

[Leonardo]

i want one if you are still doing this.

[Jeph]

I want one NOW, but could you custom make one for a 60mm EGT gauge, and move them up a little even if they block the lights? I just want them in plain sight, and i don't care if my seatbelt light gets blocked.

[Leadfoot]

Sorry about the delay guys....although I was beginning to wonder if I should go ahead with it...this thread was kinda dead for a few days. (I've been busy as hell here at work, and @ home too the last few days). When I get home tonight, I'm gonna PP Antoine w/ my AMM fee, then start the GB thread. For all those interested, I am definitely going to go forward with this. Since there isn't too many of you, I'll drop you all a PM letting you know when the GB thread is up, and then you can all put your names in a list there. Since the AMM fee is like $10/ month, I'll probably only run this deal for a one month period, and then if interest generates again I'll renew at that time.

Zooooooooooom - I'm not so sure about the 60mm ones, since I've never seen the generic a-pillar pods that I start with in 60mm. If you know for certain that these pods can fit a 60mm gauge w/ some adjustment, then I'll make you one. However, I don't have any 60mm gauge to test fit with, so you would have to do the final fitting once you got it. It's up to you....just let me know. I'm limited with how much I can vary, since I'm not actually working with a mold but doing these the same way I did mine.

OK...so look for some PM's tonight, around 9pm EST or so....I should have things set up by then. If you've expressed interest to me in this thread or via PM, I'll drop you a line. Thanks again! :D

[aftershock63]

I just ordered so Stewart Warner Guages myself. but I didn't have to pay for them ;-) I think they are definatly the best guages out there espeshally after I toured the factory. I got the speedo GUS A/F and Vac/Boost wiht the Blue LED kits

How do you like yours? I think side by side with the autometers they definatly look better.

[Leadfoot]

I love 'em...the silver is ever so slightly a different shade than the stock MSP's, but overall the match is awesome, and at night it's a dead match. I'm really happy w/ the accuracy & response of them too....You won't be disappointed!
I just ordered so Stewart Warner Guages myself. but I didn't have to pay for them ;-) I think they are definatly the best guages out there espeshally after I toured the factory. I got the speedo GUS A/F and Vac/Boost wiht the Blue LED kits

How do you like yours? I think side by side with the autometers they definatly look better.

[Jeph]

I know autometer pods can be fabricated to be 60mm gauage pods, cause people have A pillars with them in it. Its just a matter of sanding out the inside a little til it fits. If you could sand it to about 58 mm diameter i could do the rest to ensure exact fitment.

[GAspeedProtege]

I'd like one.

[yashart_mp3]

IM definately interested!!!! (dance)

If you could PM tonight as well leadfoot that would be great! Im from philly as well so maybe i could pick up so that i dont have to pay shipping charges? Just a thought....

Thanks
Yashar

[REAL-OC]

How do you fix the gauge pods on the IB? Do you glue it?

[S.A.MSP]

interested!!!!!

[Jasonboy]

You guys do know this is 3 years old ?

[S.A.MSP]

meh, still interested though, maybe i'll just make mine myself

[theEZV]

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=82871

[REAL-OC]

Yes, i know that the thread is very old, but i want to do this by myself. There for i asked, how he fixed the both things.