Author Topic: Installing DDM Pillar Pod, and AreoForce Gauges (Read 12241 times)

badbird · « **on:** March 15, 2009, 03:26:28 AM »

Ok my friends. First of all thanks to Dave and Randy at DDM Works...

Tools needed, T-30 torx bit and rachet, Power drill and 3/8" bit, sandpaper, tube of black silicone.
Directions that follow, are a synopsis of those provided by DDM. (they make life easy)
First off, removed negative battery terminal. Then put the top down.
I began by removing the driver side visor. Then pull down the center trim piece until the two metal spring clips pop loose. Then pull the a-pillar down. There are two spring clips located in the center of the pillar. Be careful as there are wires runing to the stock tweeter speaker and if equiped..the on star mic. Once down, you will be able to drill out the plastic "spot welds" holding the speaker and mic. Now is the tricky part. I suggest taking the speaker and mic to a level surface, dont try and do this while sitting in the car.

Using the black silicone adhesive, adhere the speaker and mic to the new pillar pod. Getting them in the right place is a PITA. Then the waiting begins while the adhesive sets. I took this time to go and run the wires from the OBII connector up through the panel to the pillar. Once the adhesive is set, Reverse the procedure. Intructions provided by Dave and Randy indicate that trimming may be necessary, but I didnt find that to be the case with mine. Once the pillar is back in place, it was just a matter of plug and play.....Now comes the hard part....deciding which of the MANY parameters I want to display, currenlty I have choose A/F Ratio, Boost, Oil Temp..and ambient temp. These gauges will also allow me to program a shift light....So I can perfect my no-lift shifts, when the GM upgrade is installed.....WHAHOO....thanks for reading!!! Good luck, I think they look Fantastic. Once again, a great product brought to you by the boys in South Carolina. (by the way, went on a club run...and everyone was envious!!!!)

wegman · « **Reply #1 on:** March 15, 2009, 05:05:17 AM »

sweet install man!!! ill be doing this one day i hope.

spicy3480 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 15, 2009, 10:33:19 AM »

Great install. I watched Randy do a bunch of these at the NY Mod Meet. It seemed really simple and straight forward.

PubliusE · « **Reply #3 on:** March 15, 2009, 10:51:07 AM »

Yeah, that does seem alot easier than I thought. Might have to do that myself some day. One question, it might be the picture but how is the color match?

badbird · « **Reply #4 on:** March 15, 2009, 01:36:12 PM »

The color match is alot closer than it appears in the photo....I really like the look and functionality.

Sean

spicy3480 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 15, 2009, 04:49:15 PM »

I found the same thing...in a photo the colors looked off, but in person (I have one) they match really well.

PubliusE · « **Reply #6 on:** March 15, 2009, 06:56:36 PM »

Quote from: spiky3480 on March 15, 2009, 04:49:15 PM

I found the same thing...in a photo the colors looked off, but in person (I have one) they match really well.

I'm now wondering if I should have gone this route. I bought the Dashawk and am now trying to find a good place to install it without messing up the interior of hte car.

PubliusE · « **Reply #7 on:** March 15, 2009, 07:06:09 PM »

I can see that you put the OnStar components back in but what about the tweeter? Do you keep that as well. Where does it go, I can't see a spot in the final installation picture.

Critterman · « **Reply #8 on:** March 15, 2009, 07:16:49 PM »

Tweeter goes right back in the same spot. I have the DashHawk and the gage pods

spicy3480 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 15, 2009, 07:25:18 PM »

I tried to find a spot for the Dashhawk, too...but there was no place that I liked how it looked.

Critterman · « **Reply #10 on:** March 15, 2009, 07:29:50 PM »

I have my mounted on the steering column, DBG has his in the speedo gauge.

toolibus · « **Reply #11 on:** March 15, 2009, 09:57:51 PM »

The install and instructions were very easy to follow when I did mine. The colors are not the same, but you won't notice it unless you are really worried about exact matches (its close enough). When you use the silicone to put the tweeter and mic back on the new pillar pod I used electrical tape to hold them in place while waiting for the silicone to dry. I would be prepared to leave the top down for a week or so after you get done. If nothing else you will need to leave the windows down, because there is a pretty strong smell from the silicone for a little while. I love having the gauges you can read so many things, simple stuff is awesome, like reading how fast you are going and ambient air temp. The first reason I started looking into gauges was because it was so hard to read the speedometer at a glance. I highly recommend them.

Lucy'sDaddy · « **Reply #12 on:** March 16, 2009, 07:34:24 AM »

We use the AeroForce gauges all the time. EASIER to read than the deep in the dash gauges. Tempted to set one to fuel level, cuz the gas gauge is the hardest one to see of the bunch, especially with sun glasses on.

Go-N Def · « **Reply #13 on:** March 16, 2009, 11:57:04 AM »

You could use the pod gauges for everything and just rip out the stock guages. It would make a nice glove box and really freak out your passengers!

toolibus · « **Reply #14 on:** March 16, 2009, 09:35:34 PM »

Good one DEF...Conversation - passenger: how fast are we going? Driver...I don't know. passenger: how much gas do we have left? Driver: I don't know. passenger: do you know anything? Driver: I sure am having fun driving this car!!!

Marc's Carbon Flash · « **Reply #15 on:** April 30, 2009, 03:48:34 PM »

What is the procedure for hooking up the gauges? Do you need to run anything through the firewall? And finely what do you mean by plug n play? been burned by that one in the past.

Ceeker · « **Reply #16 on:** April 30, 2009, 11:18:33 PM »

The gauges plug into the ODB port, no other connections.

Blizzard · « **Reply #17 on:** May 01, 2009, 05:56:07 AM »

On the Solstice you also need to run switched power to the gauge.

2kwk4u · « **Reply #18 on:** May 01, 2009, 01:22:20 PM »

Quote from: Ceeker on April 30, 2009, 11:18:33 PM

The gauges plug into the ODB port, no other connections.

Gotta love funny typos

OBD = on board diagnostics
ODB = old dirty bastard

KWhale · « **Reply #19 on:** May 01, 2009, 01:54:36 PM »

I do the same thing with the OBD and ODB...for some reason I always want to type or say ODB....I would really like to blame it on dyslexia, but you know, sometimes we just do things wrong because we're stupid

Blizzard · « **Reply #20 on:** May 02, 2009, 06:25:13 AM »

I just installed and Aeroforce gauge. It is awesome.

For those of you who have the gauge, what are your favorite scans??

badbird · « **Reply #21 on:** May 20, 2009, 12:38:20 AM »

Quote from: Blizzard on May 01, 2009, 05:56:07 AM

On the Solstice you also need to run switched power to the gauge.

No...I have a solstice....just plugged the connector into the diagnostic port. No switched ower needed.

And to answer your other question, currently monitoring AF, Oil Temp, Ambient Temp, and boost, which does bring up an interesting question, as the boost on the gauge is does not reflect boost reading on the DIC....wonder which one is correct?

snaponbob · « **Reply #22 on:** May 20, 2009, 08:52:51 AM »

Quote from: badbird on May 20, 2009, 12:38:20 AM

No...I have a solstice....just plugged the connector into the diagnostic port. No switched ower needed.

And to answer your other question, currently monitoring AF, Oil Temp, Ambient Temp, and boost, which does bring up an interesting question, as the boost on the gauge is does not reflect boost reading on the DIC....wonder which one is correct?

OH !!!! REALLY ?!?!?!?! Is it higher or lower? Have to called either DDM or the vendor?

Critterman · « **Reply #23 on:** May 20, 2009, 08:56:23 AM »

I pull boost off of a tee at the supercharger, it reads less vacumn and more boost than my dashhawk which is getting the information from the ODBII port. About a pound/inch difference.

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Author Topic: Installing DDM Pillar Pod, and AreoForce Gauges (Read 12241 times)