The sPod Power source and AeroForce Tech gauge are probably the priciest small components I've ever put into a Jeep. Period! I first heard of sPod from a random guy in a '12 Rubicon that I parked next to near a U-Haul parking lot to talk Jeeps. At the time, mine was bone stock with new car smell wafting out the windows, but his had a few goodies on it. One piece that really caught my eye in particular was his collection of switches above the rear view mirror. So neat and tidy and oem looking! My Jeep obviously needs this. He told me about the sPod set up, what it was, and why he thought it was good. Coming from a man who is a professional electrician, I took his view on the subject with more than a grain of salt. I did a little research online and after dragging my feet for a few weeks at the cost, I pony'd up for an sPod w/ pod gauge cut out and an AeroForce Tech gauge.
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Everything un-boxed and laid out for install. The concept isn't too hard to wire. The AeroForce Tech gauge is one cable that plugs directly into your OBD II port, while the sPod is one wiring harness that you'll run through the firewall. One thing to keep in mind if you get the AeroForce Tech gauge, (wish I knew this) make sure you ask for the LONGER cable. I ended up having to extend my wiring.
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Please do yourself a favor and cover your a/c vents with a little painters tape. If you don't, be prepared to watch a washer or a screw take up permanent residence in your hvac system.
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This is what the bare metal and that top panel looks like from behind. Take note of where the little metal clips live so you can slide them back when you are wrapping up the job.
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To make the system fit nice and flush, you'll have to notch out that top panel just a smidge. A hand saw should do it, or if you have one, a Dremel will probably do the trick too. Once the piece is notched out, refit it LOOSELY back into position around the sPod mounting bracket.
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The AeroForce Tech gauge is simply a pod gauge and is held in place with the bezel ring. Tighten everything in and prepare to pop it into the Jeep.
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Lining everything up, tucking the wires in, and getting it all buttoned up can be a bit of a pain. May I suggest zip-ties?
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2 screws later, the whole thing is in position. Now you just need to run your wiring through the firewall.
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Under the hood, the sPod source is attached on the driver's side directly behind the CPU using OEM bolts and an included bracket. You'll want to run the wiring around the edge of the engine compartment, on the firewall and connect it to the battery. But that's pretty much it for wiring.
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Don't worry about your hard top or soft top, there's plenty of space to close everything. Here's a shot with the top on, the jeep idling & all 6 switches flipped on. (No, nothing is connected to them... yet!) The AeroForce Tech gauge is displaying battery volts (14.2) up top and engine load (33%) on the bottom. If your ECU tracks it, then the AeroForce Tech gauge can probably display it. I usually run mine on instant MPG on the bottom and battery volts on top on the road and adjust to a different set up when I'm wheelin'.
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The finished product looks like it came with the Jeep from the factory and is, overall, a great product. True, it's a little on the pricey side, but if you plan to run a bit of lighting, electric lockers and/or a compressor, it's very easy to fill up six switches. It's great to get all that wiring done at once AND basically have a standalone electrical system which makes connecting new goodies to the sPod actually very, very easy.
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