DIY: Evo 7-9 steering column gauge holder install to CE

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EVO 7-9 Autometer steering column gauge pod Install to CE

What you need:
- 1 X complete CH VRX steering column cover upper & lower.
- 1 X Autometer gauge pod holder. Part# 20024
- 2 X 52mm gauges 52mm or 2 1/16" of your choice
- 1 X dremel
- Masking tape

The idea of this is that the Autometer steering column pod, fits over the top of your factory steering column.
It would go in a CG/CH or a Evo 7-9 with relative ease, But I wanted this to work in my CE Mirage and found reference to it mirageforums.
But what I found on Mirage forums was no help and no one there was willing to help, So I helped myself knowing its been done before.

First up, Remove your CE steering column cover and cluster surround.

Get out your Dremel and trim it down like pictured as the CH VRX steering column cover will knock into the bottom of the cluster surround.
I trimmed to just next the bottom lugs of the cluster surround as pictured.

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It should then clear the back of the steering column cover as below.

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I also cut two U shapes out for the back of the Autometer cover to clear as well.

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The CH VRX top cover then needs a hole cut in the top for the gauges wiring to run, I could have done a small hole or two, but I went big. More for illustration purposes.
I did widen it out a bit more to make access to the gauges a bit easier. no one will see it after anyhow so it doesn't matter how big or small the hole/s is.
So I masked up the size hole I thought I'd want then used the Dremels cutting wheel to open it up... like a knife through butter. :mrgreen:
Bottom picture shows the underside access in to the Autometer cover.

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You'll also need to do a little bit of trimming out of the indicator and wipers holes as the CH VRX one is slightly off. Once again the Dremel makes light work of it.
You may also want to trim the back part of the indicator/Wiper holes of the Autometer cover a little too.
Make sure you test fit it, for obvious reasons.

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While I was at it, I also cut the back off along the taped line both the VRX top half and the Autometer cover for more clearance.

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Replace your modified OEM cluster surround.

Then fit the CH VRX bottom half to your CE steering column, the front to screws are the same and screw in and the hole in the right side fits to your ignition key barrel.
Hopefully at this point you have your gauges wired in and you can run the wires through the top of the CH VRX top half and through the hole.
At this point you can plug in the gauges and make sure they are working.

You can see from the below picture, its a little tight with the steering cover, slightly rubbing against the dash panels but once its up and locked it doesnt move.

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Now you want to secure the Autometer cover to your CH VRX top cover, you can do with with the supplied double sided tape or the push in lugs(with which you need to drill some holes for).
Alternately you could use some super glue, Sikaflex.... What ever floats your boat. Depends how permanent you want it to be.

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The picture doesn't really do it justice, you still get a good view of the fuel gauge, you still see 95% of the tacho and past 180km/h on the speedo.
As I said, the photo doesn't do it justice.

After that, enjoy your finished product.

Some of my hack job cuts with the Dremel may look untidy, but 90% of it you wont see.
I'll probably go back later and clean up a few bits here n there, but for the moment it works.

The only thing I haven't worked out at the moment is the steering wheel slightly rubbing on the Autometer cover as the steering wheel turns.
I'm guessing I might be able to put a washer big enough in diameter and approx 1-2mm thick over the wheel shaft to bring it forward a tad.

If I run in to any issues, I'll edit and bump the post.

Enjoy if you decide to use. :thumbup:
 
Re: Evo 7-9 steering column gauge holder install to CE

The bonus to this is it covers your engine light, so you dont have to worry about it flashing at you ;)

Nice work, please tell me youve hooked up the gauges!!!?
 
Re: Evo 7-9 steering column gauge holder install to CE

Thanks, No not hooked up yet I ran out of day light, but all the test fitting is done.

Hopefully tomorrow if the Mrs doesnt interfere with my day :think:
 
wow, sticking by the 'if its not OEM, then i will make it OEM' approach!
I like it
 
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