Need tips for installing digital gauge

[DirftKing102]

I just recently bought a digital gauge for my 240 vert.



And i am wondering. It says i have to take out 7 bolts in the bottom of the dash by the steering column. Then it says drop the steering column and remove 2 more bolts to get closer then remove the stock gauge.

What i was wondering is will this completely take out the dash or just the left side? Also I don't know if it is working but it is in very good condition and if it does work how long will it take to install the gauge ? The guy said 1 hour is that true?

zerothread?id=222897

Sorry i ask so many questions about installing things. I am a super noob and i am just learning about my car. So any advice would be good Thanks

[USDM240]

that will allow you to drop the steering column down and away from the cluster and also let you remove the plastic trim panels with out breaking them, or cracking them. ive actually removed the cluster without dropping the column and let me tell you: it is a PITA! luckily i didnt break anything.

to install that cluster, you will either have to cut a hole in your existing dash, or purchase a HUD dash and swap them out. i personally would swap dashes. the hole is already in the HUD dash, whereas if you mess up your current dash, you will have to purchase another one anyways and be out the money you could have made by selling your old stock dash. make sense?

as far as the cluster install, it shouldnt take you more than 30 mins. its just plug and play.

hope that helped some. :

[biggie]

You have to drop the steering column to be able to remove the cluster, its a tight fit. And no it won't be removing the dash at all, just the cluster.

I'm not sure about the wiring so I can't say how long that will take (have heard its just unplug the old and plug in the new one though). Just swapping out clusters won't take hardly anytime though.

And if you are putting in the HUD you will have to cut the dash (not sure if that can be done without removing the dash).

[USDM240]

Quote »And if you are putting in the HUD you will have to cut the dash (not sure if that can be done without removing the dash).[/quote]never done it myself, so i cant say for sure. but im pretty positive you would have to remove the dash for that. i had to pull my dash just to remove the HUD display. there wasnt enough space for me to get a screwdriver in there.

[DirftKing102]

What i was going to do was see if it would run without the HUD unit and if it did i wouldnt need it but if it doesnt run without it then i would drill a little hole in my dash for the wire to go through and mount my HUD unit on the Dash instead of cutting a huge whole into the dash. That would be better. Anyone ever though of that before? The dash would still be in really good condition and you can always fill the little whole back up when if you want to put the regular gauge back in and just unmount the HUD unit.

[biggie]

I have heard if you are just swapping the cluster to digital that all it is, is plug and play. Only need to swap the wiring if you want to use the HUD. Have not confirmed but heard it from a couple people.

[DirftKing102]

So it works without the HUD unit is what ur telling me? Cuz i dont want to use the HUD unit if i dont have to.

[biggie]

Yes, it is supposed to work without the HUD.

[DirftKing102]

sweet! Cuz that i dont want to have to cut a whole in my dash. Thanks for all the info

[Florida240sx]

That some interesting information I'm goign to look for a hud cluster now

[DirftKing102]

That some interesting information I'm going to look for a hud cluster now

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW

Bid on it now!!! This is a full one! Comes with everything!!!! Even the HUD unit which are hard to find! Florida240sx bid on this one or get your dad to if you don't have an ebay account!

[USDM240]

it was my understanding that you must have the HUD hooked up for the unit to work. it wont complete the circuit with out it plugged in. but i could be wrong. might want to do some research on that first.

[kamikazestorm420]

it was my understanding that you must have the HUD hooked up for the unit to work. it wont complete the circuit with out it plugged in. but i could be wrong. might want to do some research on that first.

you do NOT need the dash unit to make it work. just unplug the analog cluster and the subharness and swap them. how do i know? i run a hud cluster without the dash unit.

[DirftKing102]

I don't think you need the HUD unit to make it work. But if i am wrong then i will cut a little whole in my dash and mount it onto my dash board, then cut some plastic from an unkown source thats black to cover over the wire so it doesn't look like it has a whole in the dash. I don't plan on selling my 240 vert ever because it is a really rare car in WA.

[Loki]

I don't plan on selling my 240 vert ever because it is a really rare car in everywhere.

Fixed

And you should be fine without the HUD. I think you need some kind of thing applied on the windshield to make the HUD display readable though (if that hasn't been mentioned)

[DirftKing102]

Ok, Thanks for all your advice guys Yet another successful thread.

[Florida240sx]

Want to put it in my hatch... because it's got boost so now i know how fast i go when a certain thing stops reading.....

[DirftKing102]

haha cool so you have a hatchback and a convertible?

[kamikazestorm420]

Fixed

And you should be fine without the HUD. I think you need some kind of thing applied on the windshield to make the HUD display readable though (if that hasn't been mentioned)

just tint the section lightly and youll be set.

[Florida240sx]

Actaully I have 2 hatchbacks, a convertible, and a 95 zenki

[USDM240]

you do NOT need the dash unit to make it work. just unplug the analog cluster and the subharness and swap them. how do i know? i run a hud cluster without the dash unit.

i stand corrected.