After a test fit, it looks like I will be able to install my Autometer gauge pillar over the factory A-pillar without having to remove the A-pillar at all. Autometer designed their gauge pillar to fit over the oem pillar as a cover, but the instructions suggest that I would have to remove the A-pillar in order to do the install. My question is, is it worth it for the wires? I can't tell yet how much space I will have between the gauge pillar and the oem A-pillar for the gauge wires (three gauges in total, so plenty of wires but nothing out of control). If there is a lot of space to run wires behind the oem pillar, I'll remove it to run the wires back there. But, if there isn't, I'll save myself the trouble of removing it and drilling extra holes in it. Does anyone know/remember how much room there is behind that pillar? Thanks!

 

Anyone? Surely someone has removed this thing before.

 

You will have to remove the factory piller cover. I have the triple gauge panel on my R and I had to remove the factory cover. The gauges slick out about 1/4"-1/2" outside the autometer panel. Just pull the facotry cover off. Its really not that hard. Just about 2-4 clips I think.

 

Do you mean I will have to remove the factory cover for good, or just for the install? It doesn't bother me either way, but I don't have the time to experiment. Thanks for the info!

 

You can run as much as 5 wires back there easily... thinking 1 for each gauge, ground and illumination.
I would put an extra layer of tape over the wires as there might be some sharp corners by the meta; chasis.
Like Rboosted said, peel off the A-pillar cover carefully to see for yourself.


[Modified by Kamil, 5:01 PM 9/22/2001]