I put my gauges, especially for oil pressure on subaru powered vanagons in
pods on top of the dash, just to the right of the instrument cluster, pretty
close to the windshield.
I want them in line of site nicely, especially a critical one like OP.
I've done a console panel across in front of the shifter area - that works
well.
Nice space there for a  thick black plastic plate about 4 inches wide by 14
or so inches long, 
For 2 1/8 round gauges.
But the gauge pods up on top ......black plastic pods......no making round
mounting holes either, very nice. 
Scott
www.turbovans.com 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Wesley Pegden
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 4:40 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Idea for gauge placement

I've been interested in installing some after market gauges in our
westy.  Probably oil pressure, oil temperature, and maybe the "air fuel
meter" gauge described here:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=479384

I'm really not excited about the options for dash placement, however.
One idea I had, however, was to use the slots right below the idiot
lights.  If you forget what your dash looks like, here's a picture I
found in an ad: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=479384

In this one, there appears to be some sort of digital readout taking up
the bottom two slots?  I guess maybe that's a clock?   In any case, I
don't have that.  All the slots are available.

What I'm wondering, is whether anyone knows of any good candidates for
gauges to go in these slots: rectangular, and of an appropriate size.
I'm assuming this restricts me to digital gauges, but maybe not?

-Wes
'83 1.9l westy