1989-1995 (pre-Tacoma)
Toyota truck and 4Runner gauge pillars


Pillar mocked up in 1991 4Runner. (Thanks, Alfred!)


Another view

Some important notes about these pillars:

If you are interested in one of these pillars, read the pricing information, then please read the FAQ. If you're still interested after reading the FAQ, use the PayPal button below, or send an email to mosk@well.com, and I will send you the ordering info (sorry for the extra step, but I don't want to post this info directly on the web). When writing to me, please include the year of your truck or 4Runner, and indicate the pillar in which you are interested.

Thanks for your interest!

Jeff


Pricing and payment details:

United States:
Pillars are $74.50 when paid via money order, which includes shipping via US Priority Mail. (Money orders are strongly recommended; personal checks may delay your order up to 14 days until the check clears your bank.)

Pillars are $77.50 when paid via PayPal, which also includes shipping via US Priority Mail.
US purchasers can use the button at right to purchase a pillar.

Note: California residents will be charged sales tax of 8.25% by PayPal upon checkout.

Triple pillar
PIL-B-3

Canada:
Canadian orders are US$79.50 when paid via international postal money order.

Canadian orders are US$82.50 when paid via PayPal.
Canadian purchasers can use the button at right to purchase a pillar.
Triple pillar
PIL-B-3
ALL Canadian and international orders must be paid via international postal money order or via PayPal!


Some FAQs:

Why do the pillars cost so much?

The pillars are expensive because I am not having thousands of them produced. This is a special order item, made in small lots. Unfortunately, that raises the per unit cost.

Do you take PayPal?

Yes, I can take PayPal, but I need to add an additional $3 to each pillar paid for with PayPal to cover my costs. To ensure that I have pillars in stock before you order, please check with me before guessing my PayPal address and blindly placing an order.

Are these full replacement pillars or merely gauge pods?

For the PIL-B pillars, the truck pillars are direct replacement, as explained above. The second generation 4Runner pillars fit over the stock pillars (the stock pillars curve over the door and meet up with the B pillar trim, and this curve would have been too expensive to reproduce). Look at the photo for these pillars and decide if you like the look. You can obtain a better fit (and free up more room for wires and gauge plumbing) if you cut the stock pillar just below the point where the two pillars overlap.

Do they look good?

Hell yes they look good! (Or at least I think they look good.) They look about as good as one of these is going to look in this location, which is to say they are clean and functional. The fit and finish is good: all gauge faces are clearly visible, and you shouldn't need to take your eyes off the road (or trail) to see them at a glance.

Do they come with any gauges?

NO, you need to provide your own gauges :-) Hey, someone actually asked me this once, so I want to be clear. These pillars come precut to accept 2-1/16 gauges, which is a standard gauge size. (2-1/16" Auto Meter gauges are shown in the above photos.) They will NOT accept 2-5/8" gauges. Gauges with electrical sending units are easiest to mount, but some people have squeezed mechanical gauges into these spaces. I recommend electrical gauges for the easiest fit/installation.

Most gauges come with 2" long mounting studs. These will need to be trimmed to allow the gauge to sit flush with the front of the pillar.

Are you making them?

No, I'm contracting with a company that specializes in making gauge pillars and pods. The manufacturer is slow but the quality is excellent.

What if I want one and you don't have any left?

Contact me. I have to pay up front to have these made, and I'm not a business, so I don't want to have 50 pillars sitting in boxes in my garage. I had the initial production run made because I wanted one, and I've had subsequent production runs made because there was interest, people were patient, and it wasn't too much of a hassle. As long as there's interest and people are patient, I don't mind nursing this process along. So, if you want one and there aren't any currently available, just let me know, and be patient! :-)

If you don't have any more pillars available, and I want one from the next run, do I need to put up a deposit?

No. I don't accept deposits, because I don't want to be holding anyone's money waiting for a shipment to arrive from the manufacturer. But I do need an accurate head count, so let me know if you want one and intend to order one. You're on the honor system...

How do they attach to the actual A-pillar? Do they use the stock mounting points?

No. These pillars attach via two or three countersunk sheet metal screws, which are included. The screws are fairly inconspicuous, but you will need to drill a couple of small holes in the stock metal pillar to mount the new gauge pillar.

Are they a good fit?

They fit very well when used as a replacement to the stock pillar, but the fit is not as good when they are installed over the stock pillar. However, some people are uneasy cutting the stock trim piece, so you will need to decide for yourself which is more important.

What colors will they come in?

They are black, which means that you will have to paint yours to match your interior. I've found that they paint up very nicely, and you can get good coverage with two light coats of spray paint. An acrylic paint seems to offer the best coverage and protection.

I would recommend using the SEM acrylic sprays, as they have colors that appear to closely match the Toyota interiors. As far as I know, there is no "master color sheet" of Toyota interior colors, so you will need to match your stock pillar to the color on the cap of the spray paint can. If you can't find something from SEM that you like, Plasti-Kote also makes some goods acrylic spray paints in a variety of interior colors. Like any painting project, the more surface prep you do, the better your results will be.

Will they fit both pickups and 4Runners for the years listed?

Yes.

Can I return it if I don't like it?

I'm sorry, but no; all sales are final. These are a special order item, and I am not a business. Ask as many questions as you like before placing your order, but please, only order if you are sure you want one of these pillars.

Do the gauges obstruct the view to the left?

Maybe a little, but certainly not a lot, as you can see in the photos. The two gauge pillars are less intrusive than the three gauge pillars.

I'm interested, but my Toyota was made in a year other than 1989-1995. Will it fit?

No, these pillars will only fit the years listed -- trust me.

How do I remove my old pillar? Is it difficult?

It's not hard. I will post updated info on this as soon as I can.

Why are you doing this?

Well, I have a good job, and this definitely isn't a substitute for it ;-) I guess I'm doing this because it seems interesting, I feel there's a need for these, and having gone through the process once I know what's involved. I'll do this as long as it's interesting and not too much of a hassle. At some point, it will no longer seem like a good idea, or my interest will move on, or I'll have too many real responsibilities pulling on my time... For the moment, though, I'm willing to ride herd on this process.

How much is shipping to Canada?

All orders shipped to Canada cost US$5.00 more, due to higher shipping costs. International orders will probably be somewhat higher still. All payments must be made in US funds.

* * * * *

If you have any additional questions, or if you're interested in adding your name to the list, please send me an email. Any remaining pillars are available on a first come, first served basis, based upon when I receive your funds. Again, please contact me for more information if you are interested.

Thanks!

Jeff Moskovitz

email: mosk@well.com

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