Re: Aux. gauges in '84 Ur-q

[steveb@falcon.kla.com (Steven Buchholz)]

> Would really like a bit more info than just the stock fuel and boost gauge
> gives me.  Would like to add at least a temp. gauge and a real Boost gauge,
> would'nt mind oil pres. either.  Has any body done this in a nice clean
> fashion that does not require drilling holes in the dash.  I know ABT has a
> console but I was told that it will not work on the '84 and it also costs
> $325.00 with out gauges.  I was thinking about using the cubby hole to the
> left of the steering column but the gauges would not very easy to read there.

... I don't know if this will work on an '84 ur-q, but I really like how it
works on my '83 so let me describe my mod to you ... I installed two standard
VDO gauges in the diff lock panel on the console.

I purchased a replacement panel from Audi without the "fancy" graphic panel 
that mounts in it.  The replacement is basically a flat panel that includes 
the molded mounting for the diff locking switch and the two lock lights, with 
the lock switch mount being centered in the panel.  I cut out holes for the 
standard gauges on either side of the lock switch and drilled holes to mount 
the lock lights above the switch.  To provide some level of charging system 
status I bought one of those "charging system analyzers" that are meant to 
plug into the cigarette lighter socket and have 3 LEDs [I got mine at Radio 
Shack for ~$5].  I took the analyzer apart and drilled 3 holes for the LEDs 
in the panel below the lock switch.  To finish the panel off I obtained a 
small sheet of adhesive backed black plastic that had a finely pebbled 
finish which I used as a fascia.  Purchasing a replacement panel makes it 
easy to return to stock if I ever decide to do so.  

Another possibility is to get a catalogue from VDO.  I have been meaning to 
do this myself AAMOF.  Some time back Mike del Tergo and I were talking 
about a 3 gauge clamshell mount that VDO sells, and installing it on the 
shelf to the right of the standard instrument cluster.  

HTH!
Steve Buchholz
s_buchho@kla.com
San Jose, CA (USA)