Thinking about installing a HUD
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 3
From: Lost in the Pine Barrens with only ketchup and relish packs, New Jersey
Thinking about installing a HUD
I am thinking about putting a HUD into my 99 and I found a few great how-to's here and I first want to determine if my cluster is HUD capable or not. Does anyone have a picture of a cluster that is HUD capable versus one that isn't so when I take off the dash, I know what to look for?
Oops... I just found this one thanks to an awesome how-to by "stingray4me":
Oops... I just found this one thanks to an awesome how-to by "stingray4me":
Last edited by 99magredcoupe; Sep 28, 2006 at 09:47 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 1
From: Bradenton, FL
The HUD compatable cluster has a small female plug about 1 inch long and 1/8 inch wide molded into the top front section of the cluster. If this plug is missing, it's not HUD compatable. Sorry, I don't have a picture, but it will be obvious if the plug is there. 
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 3
From: Lost in the Pine Barrens with only ketchup and relish packs, New Jersey
Now the question is: Do I gamble and buy the parts for the job as I take off the dash in hopes I don't have to buy a new cluster??? My car is a daily driver so I don't have the luxury of leaving the dash off while I order a cluster...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 3
From: Lost in the Pine Barrens with only ketchup and relish packs, New Jersey
What was the deal in '99, I know it was the first year that the HUD was available, is there a pattern with the VIN that at some point in the year all cars came with HUD enabled clusters? I would think that at the time GM introduced the HUD as an option, all clusters installed after that were HUD capable- the only difference would then be if the final build included the HUD or not...
My VIN ends in 21828 so I am guessing that I have a "late model" '99 and I am hud capable. Or I could just stop overthinking it and take the damn dash off and find out the hard way!!!
My VIN ends in 21828 so I am guessing that I have a "late model" '99 and I am hud capable. Or I could just stop overthinking it and take the damn dash off and find out the hard way!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 23,234
Likes: 4
From: All that glitters is Gold - Hockey Is CANADA'S game
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Also I was just thinking why would GM make two different Speedo Cluster?
If they made just one that with the connection the cost would be lower.
If they made just one that with the connection the cost would be lower.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 12,466
Likes: 886
From: Fort Wayne IN
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C5 of the Year Finalist
2016 C5 of the Year Finalist
2015 C5 of the Year Finalist
Originally Posted by Zilla
Also I was just thinking why would GM make two different Speedo Cluster?
If they made just one that with the connection the cost would be lower.
If they made just one that with the connection the cost would be lower.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 3
From: Lost in the Pine Barrens with only ketchup and relish packs, New Jersey
Originally Posted by Fastbird93
Only the 99's are the ones you need to check. After the inception of the HUD in 99, the 00+ all got the HUD compatible clusters. If you're a 97-98 you WILL need a new cluster, and from what I've seen is that MOST of the 99's DO NOT need a new cluster.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 789
Likes: 0
From: Centerville Ga
Thanks
Hey thanks for the kind words. Here is the whole project & some other ones I did too.
http://members.***.net/corvette/hud.htm
http://www.corvetteclubcentralga.org...embersproj.htm
while your clickin on links check out my band. We play Fri & Sat at the GA State Fair in Macon.
http://www.2fingerjester.com
http://members.***.net/corvette/hud.htm
http://www.corvetteclubcentralga.org...embersproj.htm
while your clickin on links check out my band. We play Fri & Sat at the GA State Fair in Macon.
http://www.2fingerjester.com
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,976
Likes: 24,709
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I ordered my '99 in November '98 and it was delivered to me in January '99. I was able to order with the HUD so it was at least available back in November. I would imagine that the cluster is HUD compatible.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 3
From: Orland Park Illinois
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Pull the cluster out and check it for the female receiver. It'll take you 20-30 minutes to do so. Then you'll know what you need to start your project. BTW, I installed a HUD in my '98 about 2 years ago----it's a real great add on and you'll love it. Good luck w/ your project...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 3
From: Lost in the Pine Barrens with only ketchup and relish packs, New Jersey
Originally Posted by connecticut
99% chance your OK, all the 99's I've seen are good to go
HUD installed for $449, we also have some nice casinos in CT
HUD installed for $449, we also have some nice casinos in CT
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,266
Likes: 156
From: Galloway Twp. NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
chances are you probably have a HUD enabled cluster.
it's real easy to check, the cluster can be removed fairly easily.
you're probably about 5Min from me, if you decide to do it yourself let me know.
I did mine myself, and I have helped another forum member do his.
it's real easy to check, the cluster can be removed fairly easily.
you're probably about 5Min from me, if you decide to do it yourself let me know.
I did mine myself, and I have helped another forum member do his.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 3
From: Lost in the Pine Barrens with only ketchup and relish packs, New Jersey
Originally Posted by RPOZ4Z
chances are you probably have a HUD enabled cluster.
it's real easy to check, the cluster can be removed fairly easily.
you're probably about 5Min from me, if you decide to do it yourself let me know.
I did mine myself, and I have helped another forum member do his.
it's real easy to check, the cluster can be removed fairly easily.
you're probably about 5Min from me, if you decide to do it yourself let me know.
I did mine myself, and I have helped another forum member do his.
I will let you know when I decide what I am doing...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 807
Likes: 0
I Thought You Needed A Special Ws With Hud ? Does It Work Ok With Standard Ws? I Have Hud In My 04 Vert And In Bright Sunlight And The Top Down It Is Useless. If I Was Buying A New Car I Wouldn't Pay Extra For It.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,266
Likes: 156
From: Galloway Twp. NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Originally Posted by fatboytc88
I Thought You Needed A Special Ws With Hud ? Does It Work Ok With Standard Ws? I Have Hud In My 04 Vert And In Bright Sunlight And The Top Down It Is Useless. If I Was Buying A New Car I Wouldn't Pay Extra For It.
Mine looks fine with the "standard" windshield.
I compared mine with a friends '03 HUD and there was no difference.
It depends where the sun is, but even with the top down in bright sunlight it looks good, of course my polarized sunglasses make it harder to see it, but I can still see it just fine.