im scared to cut my dash for HUD

[jamesblonde82]

first of all, i've spent about an hour researching b4 i posted, and noone has a write up or answers for this....i've recently installed the digital cluster, but didn't install the projector assembly yet, because im just too darn scared to cut my perfectly good dash. when you do it can create weak points where cracks may form.

besides that i have no idea where to cut the hole, and how exactly the projector mounts. i've seen a picture looks like the hole it countersunk and theres metal tabs to screw in the projector unit.

if anyone has done this....please come forward, im going to pick your brains.

if not....anyone got a good HUD dash in FL?

[DeXteR]

I have an HUD dash and have plans for installing the cluster and dash in my vert. If you'd like, I can try to get some pictures for you of what it looks like underneath and the location of the projector from the factory... It might be a few days though.

[jamesblonde82]

that would be pretty cool. ultimately would be great to just get the right dash. pics would be nice, or a template of some sorts.

[DeXteR]

I'll be in the shop tomorrow night working on my in-laws' Camry. I'll try to get some pictures for you if I can remember to put batteries in my digital camera.

[94_240sx]

Haha!! I just installed digital cluster on mine too. I was going to cut the hole, but I chickened out. How hard it is to swap the dash? I still have the analog cluster, so I might go back. I just wanted to try something different. It's going to be cool from the outside with a top down at night.

[DeXteR]

A dash swap is no big deal. It's just a little time consuming. You need to be patient and make sure you've got everything disconnected and unbolted before you go yanking away to pull stuff out.

Perhaps when I get around to it, I'll do a write up. But it won't be till it warms up and I can make some room in my shop.

On a side-note. I don't know why they didn't put the HUD in the vert... It's such a sweet option. It's just another one of those things Nissan dropped the ball on for this car.

[madcowvert]

if it help's i have a template of the dash that you can use. i had a hud dash cut it was in reallt bad shape so i cut the hud area out and kept it as a template. but i still havent done it because i haven't had the time.

[hakosuka86]

Thats soo Nice!Booo my stupid digi numbers dont come up till i drive the car for 40+ Mins wth! did something burn??

[onosqv]

Thats soo Nice!Booo my stupid digi numbers dont come up till i drive the car for 40+ Mins wth! did something burn??

search, it's probably the capacitor needs replacing.

[jamesblonde82]

if it help's i have a template of the dash that you can use. i had a hud dash cut it was in reallt bad shape so i cut the hud area out and kept it as a template. but i still havent done it because i haven't had the time.

template FTW! that could be useful!

94_240sx.....how hard is it for you to see the speed with top down? i find it just a little difficult....perhaps this is why it wasn't an option. when i look at your picture, yours seems brighter than mine. heres a pic of mine installed... full sun top down


Modified by jamesblonde82 at 4:21 PM 3/5/2008

[whoflungpoo]

My digital was a bit tough to see when I didn't have my dash in, as it didn't have any shade at all, but I haven't had a problem since.

[94_240sx]

94_240sx.....how hard is it for you to see the speed with top down? i find it just a little difficult....perhaps this is why it wasn't an option. when i look at your picture, yours seems brighter than mine. heres a pic of mine installed... full sun top down

I have no problem under the sun. Yeah, I went out for test drive to make sure tach and speedometer work with top down. Only problem is speedometer doesn't dim down at night when I turn on the lights on my car, so it's kinda bright. On the other hand, JDM cluster speedometer dims down at night. Next time, I'll take picture when I drop the top during the day time.

I can see that you have a tachometer from an analog cluster.

[whoflungpoo]

if you have your dash-lights all the way on high, the speedo won't dim at all.

I thought I had the same problem until I d!ck with it.

[jamesblonde82]

I have no problem under the sun. Yeah, I went out for test drive to make sure tach and speedometer work with top down. Only problem is speedometer doesn't dim down at night when I turn on the lights on my car, so it's kinda bright. On the other hand, JDM cluster speedometer dims down at night. Next time, I'll take picture when I drop the top during the day time.

I can see that you have a tachometer from an analog cluster.

yea you gotta tap the dimmer button a couple times for it to dim the speed when u got the lights on. i can see mine fine in the daytime but yours seems super bright. yea i got the tach out of my old cluster because the HUD came with a SOHC one. one other thing i noticed is HUD cluster doesnt have a light for low washer fluid, i liked that.
Modified by jamesblonde82 at 5:53 PM 3/7/2008

[jamesblonde82]

does anyone have the nissan part number for the wiring subharness for this?

[94_240sx]

You are talking about harness for the HUD unit, right? Harness is soldered on to the HUD unit. It won't come out. Part number for the HUD unit and harness attached is 24941-40F00.

Pls correct me if I'm wrong about harness being soldered to HUD unit.

[onosqv]

You are talking about harness for the HUD unit, right? Harness is soldered on to the HUD unit. It won't come out. Part number for the HUD unit and harness attached is 24941-40F00.

Pls correct me if I'm wrong about harness being soldered to HUD unit.

I think he's talking about the wiring harness for the cluster.

[S13xCrazy]

I have no problem under the sun. Yeah, I went out for test drive to make sure tach and speedometer work with top down. Only problem is speedometer doesn't dim down at night when I turn on the lights on my car, so it's kinda bright. On the other hand, JDM cluster speedometer dims down at night. Next time, I'll take picture when I drop the top during the day time.

I can see that you have a tachometer from an analog cluster.

Yours doesn't dim when you turn on your lights? Mine (in my 1991 SE Coupe) has a sort of 'memory' to where i last had the dimmer switch on. So when the lights are off its one setting, and when i turn on my lights its another setting.

[DirftKing102]

I also tried it myself. I was going to get the paint shop to do it for me. I bought it and all of that and when i was going to the paint shop so they can show me where it was. They told me that I needed to cut a hole into my dash. After a long time of thinking, I told them no. I am glad that I did tell them no. You can do that on a normal 240sx since there are so many of them out there. But I would not recommend doing it on a 240sx vert. Those are really rare.

[jamesblonde82]

You are talking about harness for the HUD unit, right? Harness is soldered on to the HUD unit. It won't come out. Part number for the HUD unit and harness attached is 24941-40F00.

Pls correct me if I'm wrong about harness being soldered to HUD unit.

no i meant the cluster, i should be more specific. sorry. its the subharness that plugs into the digital cluster. mine has been spliced and i don't like that so i'm going to get a new one. and did you try the dimmer switch for the digital?

[DeXteR]

OK!

I found my HUD dash. I'm sorry, but it's all ready in the car - I completely forgot that I installed it all ready.

[94_240sx]

I think I can make a template for you guys. I'll try to make one this week and let you guys know.

[94_240sx]

Alright, I failed to make a template, but here's the close up shot for you. You will have to eyeball and cut the hole. You don't have to cut it precisely since you will use a HUD trim to cover up the hole. GOOD LUCK!!!

[amolao]

I have been thinking about also doing this mod but I'm also worry about creating cracks by cutting into my perfect dash. I have really good close up pics of the location of the hole and a template. I will post them when I get home. Maybe I can scan the template and you guys can print it in real size..(??), no sure of how will that work.

Also, no offense 94_240sx, your location for the reflector is a bit off. No offense, just a heads up for other people out there. It needs to be higher and leaning towards the right, kind of parallel to the door pillar.
Modified by amolao at 7:14 PM 3/21/2008

[amolao]

I got a hold of the pics sooner, the template might take me a day or so to scan and post.....

[94_240sx]

Also, no offense 94_240sx, your location for the reflector is a bit off. No offense, just a heads up for other people out there. It needs to be higher and leaning towards the right, kind of parallel to the door pillar.

Oh! That's not mine. A friend of mine bought an s13 and a previous owner cut it that way. Yeah, your pic loks much better.

[amolao]

Ohhh, ok. Looks like he went at it with a dull steak knife.......

[94_240sx]

I think problem is there's not much space from the top. Best way is going to be taking the dash out.

[amolao]

True, but there is enough space for a dremel/cutting wheel. This is my plan:

By using the template, I'm going to outline the hole with a white grease pencil, after making sure that everything is perfectly aligned. Cut the hole very carefully, specially the vinyl outer skin of the dash. You don't want to disturb it and start new cracks or weak areas. Then continue cutting thru the inner hard shell until completely done. I was thinking of drilling all corners of the hole to stop any future cracks (look at your friends pic, you can see what I'm talking about...). But it will be hard to get the dremel straight down to drill the holes, not enough room. Whatever you do make sure you don't end up with sharp corners, do not disturb the foamy middle layer that supports the outer skin (around the hole) and use a new sharp cutting wheel while cutting the hole.

[zeppy180]

hey bro well i want to install the digital speedo/tach on my S-13 hatch but i cant find anyone that will do it for me so i guess i will have to do it my self is it possible for you to send me the steps that you took so I can install [email protected]