OMG! I did it!

Yesterday afternoon i stripped apart my whole vette to install a HUD unit. Once i pulled the dash off I realize that i have a NON-HUD gauge-cluster.

So what do i do? Go buy a HUD Cluster right?? WRONG!!!

Instead, i take apart the whole gauge cluster, buy some parts at Radio Shack and start poking around trying to convert it to an HUD cluster. I end up getting my soldering iron out of the basement and soldering 8 wires onto the circuit board of the cluster, added some wire connector clips, and put it all back together.

Then at about 2AM i plug in the cluster, HUD projector, and HUD switch..... I look up and I see the HUD display!!! HOLY BATMAN!! then i fumble with the HUD switches and EVERYTHING WORKS!! The motorized display adjuster, on/off, brightness, page button and all!!!

So I did it! I figured out how to convert the NON-HUD clusters to be compatible with the HUD display! I even took pics all along the way, so later.. once i get my car back together.. and catch up from all the work i missed.. ..I can post a step-by-step, "How-To" Guide for everyone else to follow when they embark upon the incredible journey of installing their own HUD display.

I didn't know if it would work or not when i started. I just bought my Vette 6 months ago, all cash, with some money i was saving for about 2 years for it. Then i take the whole thing apart, rip open the electronics and start soldering away at the circuit board. I thought i had about a 50/50 chance that it would work, errr, maybee like 15% chance, err 8%, anyway... i figured i had nothing too loose. I figured, worst case senario i gotta buy a new cluster, and i would need to buy a new one anyway for the HUD unit, so i went for it! AND IT PAID OFF!!!

Total cost or HUD Projector, HUD switch, HUD bezel, 11 Pin Harness, & HUD converted cluster = $308.25




.....1 more thing... Just woke up this morning and my battery is dead :o Must have left something on last night when i was hooked up the HUD for its test run. LOL...

 

Congrats on your handiwork!

 

Very cool and impressive. Good job

 

 

some got an A in shop class huh - tight work

 

You are the man!!!

 

And, "then at about 2AM..."

I love it !!! Congratulations, my friend !!! You are simply amazing. And, more power to you for attempting this very involved modification. It still makes my hair stand up on end when I see the entire interior of a C5 including the massive dash out and teetering like an insulting Teeter Totter with every frigging electronic connection known to humanity hanging and dangling about. I am proud of you.

Great Job,
Eden

 

, did you take it on a teast drive?

 

Great Job....

 

I just went to test drive it this morning, but the battery was dead :o .. I left the light on when i tested the HUD last night before bed. ..I was tired.. ..it was almost 3AM at that point.

BUT.. I should be getting it jumped in the next hour, so the official test drive will occur shortly after.

 

Being that I am into doing my own mods, I am highly interested in what you did there. Pleeze let me know when you post the how to. I know my cluster is not a hud cluster as I have an early 98 rag top. I always admired the huds.

Kudo's on the great work!

 

Great job. Can't wait to see those pics.
BTW Don't you need special glass to view the HUD

 

great job...
...that definitely should be shared with others..

 

 

We're not worthy!! We're not worthy!!

 

Nice work! You'll love having the HUD. I miss it when I drive my dd.
jeff

 

 

Great job on the instal. And no special glass needed.

 

 

this has gotta go STICKY - insane work!

eager to hear your detailed review

(can you include tools also? and where you got them if they were specialty ones at all...) cheers!