CowlgaugeConcepts.com 2 gauge cowl

[WaltM]

I needed a quick way to mount a mechanical fuel gauge on my car without drilling holes into the hood and found that www.cowlgaugeconcepts.com has a resonably priced solution.

The company has both two and three gauge pieces available in ABS or in ABS with billit trim. I opted for the two gauge, 2 5/8 model without billit.

The cowl takes the place of the stock wiper transmission cover and requires a hole be drilled into the firewall to pass the appropriate lines and electrical connections to the gauges; then routing the lines to their proper electrical or mechanical connections. These units are designed to accept Autometer products, this includes Ford Motorsports.

In addition to a hole in the firewall, they require that the stock wiper arms be "modified". This is necessary to read the gauges. Their tech support representative offered to modify mine at no cost.

At this moment, the gauges are installed and functioning. I havn't had the wipers modified, but with some effort, I can read the gauges.

-BTW-
If you plan on installing any Autometer gauge that is mounted outside of your car, a liquid filled unit will be the only unit that will not fog or gather condensation. Aside from the liquid filled units, none of their (Autometer) gauges, mechanical or electrical, are waterproof.

[SVOhNo]

Ive seen those online, lookin to install 3 gauges outside on mine, but it seems like they point to the sky and not the driver. Could you take a pic of them from the driver seat so we can see what its really like? I love the way it looks, just seems like they dont sit high enough to see. Thanks
Matt

[silversvo]

two gauge mounts

I got gauges mounted on the cowl of my car. They are auto meter. You can buy the bracket from autometer. $15.00 for the bracket and the cups is what I paid for them about four years ago. The pic doesnt show the gauges very good, but they look really nice on there.

[silversvo]

oops

I forgot to attach the pic.

[svocudd]

Subtle look

I like the more subtle look of the replacement cowl panel set up vs the pods mounted to the cowl. I think that ruins the clean look of the car unless it is a drag car.

My .02 cents

Cudd

[silversvo]

personal preference

It is all personal preference... I like the pods on the cowl, like my set-up. I think the gauges in the cowl are cheap looking, but it is all personal preference. I would have to see the car with the cowl setup as shown in the link above on a car. Then I could give you a better opinion, but from the pics they look cheap

[WaltM]

Re: Subtle look

Originally posted by svocudd
I like the more subtle look of the replacement cowl panel set up vs the pods mounted to the cowl. I think that ruins the clean look of the car unless it is a drag car.
Cudd

I went with it for the same reason. I like the "racy" look of a hood gauge, but I don't care to have a gauge "perched" on the hood of a street car, not to mention the lines and wiring exposed and running into a hole. It's just my personal preference.

By the way, I'm not selling it. I'm simply passing my experience on to those that are looking for an easy way to mount a gauge on the outside of their car with little aggravation.

To see what they look like on a car with the modified wiper arms, go to page two of this PDF...

http://www.cowlgaugeconcepts.com/Install/83-93Install.pdf

[Gator]

Sorry I missed this here, but I bought one of these and returned it.

Just my opinion here....But for some reason they look a whole lot better in the pics. For guys that dont wanna screw around making brackets and stuff, its great.

I went to a bone yard, picked up a cowl, trimmed it up, made a bracket and sunk my gauges inside the cowl.

Like I said, if you dont wanna screw around, this is a pretty decent piece. Just wasnt for me.

[WaltM]

I went to a bone yard, picked up a cowl, trimmed it up, made a bracket and sunk my gauges inside the cowl.

I'd like to see the finished product. Post a pic when you have the chance !

[Gator]

Not the best pics, but you get th picture ( pun intended.)

http://www.mustangmods.com/data/9616/mvc218s.jpg

http://www.mustangmods.com/data/9616/mvc217s.jpg

[lonchair]

I've got one of thier rejected pre-production pieces (it had too much flashing at the mold seams on the underside). I've yet to install it on the car, but it doesn't look bad to me.

[WaltM]

Not the best pics, but you get th picture ( pun intended.)

Very nice. I like it and it has a "stealthy" look too.

What did you use to cut the plastic? A Dremel? Which model gauge are you using?

[WaltM]

I've got one of thier rejected pre-production pieces (it had too much flashing at the mold seams on the underside). I've yet to install it on the car, but it doesn't look bad to me.

After having it a few months, my biggest complaint is the lack of adjustability. The gauges are in a fixed position; there's no way to raise, lower, or tilt them, but that is the nature of the product. I also haven't messed with the wiper arms yet which would make a difference.

But right now? It works well enough for my needs and overall, I'm happy with the setup.