I've had the parts and pieces to upgrade the SLE'* speakers/amp to the fullblown SSEi system (with bass amp, gain control, dual voice coil rears, and rear tweeters including speaker covers) because I can't stand the sound difference in the cars when they both have the same JVC head unit.

My problem is the bass gain control. I have a boost gauge in that location now. So do I relocate the boost gauge (I don't want a pillar pod in this car, but I could get creative) or relocate the bass gain control to somewhere else? I have the dash trim bezel I need for the OEM location on that.

For those than need pics, here'* the way the SLE sits today (remember the SLE never had a factory boost gauge in spite of the L67 engine, and the SLE now has an identical head unit to the SSEi pictured below):


Here'* the OEM location (my other car):


The parts going in after re-painting the mesh on the covers:


My extra trim bezel:

(keep in mind this will leave an extra hole where I don't have the HUD controls on this car)

What bezel? I don't see a bezel

To be honest, I don't know how you can live with that boost gauge there. It'* way out of your line of sight and it looks like a potential distraction... So I'd try mounting it somewhere else and use the stock location for the gain control...

Ok, for that option, what do I do with the hole for the HUD control on the bezel?

how hard would it be to fill the hud hole with fiberglass?

or how about putting the boost gauge where the hud controls would be? is there enough room behind there?

edit* can we get a better pic of the trim piece

There'* no room there for the gauge, and it'* out of view.

The part of the bezel in question is just to the right of Danica'* left nipple. See that square opening?

I'm not willing to fiberglass and have to paint the WHOLE piece, but I might be willing to 'spot' repair it assuming I could find an EXACT match for the paint.

Exactly what I was thinking. Put it there, it should be a better location than what you had before. Or, if you want to be REALLY creative, try making one of these...

(the gauge pod on the steering wheel)

You don't have to 'make' one of those.

http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=...t-340&ei=UTF-8

http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=...t-340&ei=UTF-8

The problem we have is that I'd like the SLE to remain as stock-looking as possible. I generally don't like the column mount gauge idea. It used to be old-school-muscle, but is now new-age-ricer.

Is it okay to cut holes that aren't normally there?

What does the bass gain control look like? Is it a slider like the SSEi?

Do you want the bass gain to be visible? I would consider a **** instead of a slider and locate it under the dash to the left of the console (this may not be appropriate since I don't know what things look like with pre 2000 Bonnevilles). Back in the '70s, Ford had their fader for some cars in a similar location (I think it was with a dealer installed upgrade). It was just a small **** with the shaft pointing toward the floor. You had to know it was there or you wouldn't know how to adjust the front/rear fade.

It IS the SSEi slider. Same one.

One small problem with location of the slider/**** I didn't mention. Katie insists it be within her reach in the passenger seat. She'* for relocating the boost gauge for that reason, but I'm not real excited about the idea of that gauge being an eyesore elsewhere.

Now you see why I asked for help.

I have a crazy idea...

maybe try mounting the Gain between the ECC and the vent. Making it a vertical slider. It'd fit and is in reach/sight.

Or move the boost gauge a bit to the right and fit the gain slider down there next to the boost gauge.

Just thinkin' (rarely do)

Heres a bad paint job to get my idea across