Here's a first look at the dual gauge pod prototype I've commissioned from Lo-Tek. I'm not happy with the position of the pods. IMO, they're too high, so I've instructed them to make a second prototype with the tops of the gauge pods flush with the top of the OEM speaker grill. Take a look and let me know what you think:
NOTE: THE PIECE PICTURED ABOVE is a PROTOTYPE, so it is very rough...the production piece would be have a much nicer finish, with the same type of surface as their A-pillar pod (I have one, and it is VERY nice).
Lo-Tek makes these using a vacuum forming method. As a consequence, they cannot make a piece with the necessary mounting pins that come on the OEM speaker grille. This means that their units would require the pod to be epoxied onto the speaker grille, so your OEM speaker grille will need to be sacrificed. It also means cutting the center out of the speaker grille to make room for the gauges. What I want to know is this:
Are you willing to sacrifice your speaker grille for the gauge pod?
Also, Lo-Tek requires a MINIMUM order of 40 units, at an entry price ~$50 per piece, no discount structure available for group buy pricing. So question #2 is:
Would you be willing to spend $50 for such a gauge pod that requires gluing and cutting of your stock speaker grille?
The other option I have yet to investigate is injection molding. I have a couple of Detroit-area contacts that purportedly do short-run injection molding, but I haven't pursued them yet. The advantage would be they could injection mold the entire piece with the mounting pins and everything, meaning that the speaker grille would not have to be used as a mounting piece. I have NO IDEA on cost of this approach yet.
Feedback please!