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Hud install this weekend...

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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 12:09 PM
  #1  
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Default Hud install this weekend...

Its funny that when I was buying my car, I test drove other vettes that had the HUD and didn't think much of it at the time. I guess I was just punch drunk that I was finally getting a vette. Then came my membership to this forum and the uncontrollable urge to MOD the car in any way possible. Well anyway, over the last month, I started putting together all of the neccessary tools and parts involved to install a HUD in my 99 that was not so equipped. I use my car as a daily driver so all of my projects start on Friday night and must be done for the Monday commute. This one was pretty easy compared to the exhaust and the oil pressure sender among other projects. I took my time and was done in about 4 hours.
I do have to say that I never took off the dash to see if I had a "HUD capable" cluster before I started the project so I rolled the dice and was VERY EXCITED when I saw the jack on the back of the cluster. Install went smooth and the toughest part of the job was cutting the dash. Everything works just as it should and I am happy I did it. For those of you who are considering this project, it is not as bad as it may seem and is a really cool new toy!
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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 12:45 PM
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I curious. I have the factory installed HUD on my vette. I know many people have done this mod but........ I also know Corvette uses a different windshield on cars w/HUD installed at the factory because if you must replace your windshield on a HUD car, they are more expensive than a non-HUD windshield.

How does the non-HUD windshield affect the visual display (reflection)? Is it harder to see in daylight?

Just curious.
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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 01:16 PM
  #3  
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Originally Posted by rickko
I curious. I have the factory installed HUD on my vette. I know many people have done this mod but........ I also know Corvette uses a different windshield on cars w/HUD installed at the factory because if you must replace your windshield on a HUD car, they are more expensive than a non-HUD windshield.

How does the non-HUD windshield affect the visual display (reflection)? Is it harder to see in daylight?

Just curious.
From what I've read in the past the non-HUD windshield does the job. Have not seen it with my own eyes.
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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 03:10 PM
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I have the stock windshield with the HUD display and it works fine. The only mistake I made was when I was burring out the holes for the mounting grommets I accidentally touched the windshield and put a tiny scratch on it. Otherwise he install went well.
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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 03:14 PM
  #5  
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That's a great mod! Congrats!
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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 03:26 PM
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Originally Posted by rickko
I curious. I have the factory installed HUD on my vette. I know many people have done this mod but........ I also know Corvette uses a different windshield on cars w/HUD installed at the factory because if you must replace your windshield on a HUD car, they are more expensive than a non-HUD windshield.

How does the non-HUD windshield affect the visual display (reflection)? Is it harder to see in daylight?

Just curious.
I guess I would yield to an expert on glass who could explain the difference but I will tell you that I was driving directly into the sun today and could still see the display without any problem. Also, I was testing it out at night and noticed that when I have the HUD on the brightest setting, there is a blueish background that appears almost glaring the vision ahead. When I turn down the brightness, it is perfect. I wonder if those who have the HUD windshield notice this issue?
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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 03:40 PM
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The HUD is great - I've come to really rely on it while driving. Congrats on getting your's installed.
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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 03:50 PM
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Originally Posted by jwg2
I have the stock windshield with the HUD display and it works fine.

Me Too. No problems with the Non-Hud windshield.
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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 05:02 PM
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How about the dash removal...for some reason this bothers me the most as i tend to break interior parts that are snapped in?
advise appreciated!
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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 06:19 PM
  #10  
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Default Here is a webpage I made too.

I made this webpage when I installed my hud for those thinking about doing it yourself too.

http://members.***.net/corvette/hud.htm
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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 07:54 PM
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Congrats!!!
I did it to mine a year or two ago.
The non HUD windshield works just fine.

And the dash is attached with screws so there's no breaking anything.

I don't have my HUD turned up very bright and I typically only use the two digit speed so I haven't noticed the blueish hue. There IS a blueish hue to the dash lighting if you paint (or add) the bezels around the gauges.
While I was doing the HUD I went ahead and painted the gauge bezels with a silver leafing pen from Michaels.

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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 07:55 PM
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Great!! thanks a million! just kidding i don't have a million...anymore...lol Got a vette tho!!
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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 09:03 PM
  #13  
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Got the HUD kit from Josh at Carolina Corvettes last week and put it right in with no problems (thanks Josh, the instructions were dead on!). The toughest part is cutting the dash for the bezel but if you take your time, it's no problem at all. As for the windshield, it's just a reflection and the non-Hud glass works perfectly. An excellent mod! Very happy I did mine!
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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 09:04 PM
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I've done a few of these, all '99 and newer cars I've seen have the HUD cluster
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Old Oct 31, 2006 | 09:11 AM
  #15  
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From: Lost in the Pine Barrens with only ketchup and relish packs, New Jersey
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Originally Posted by Z06PDX
How about the dash removal...for some reason this bothers me the most as i tend to break interior parts that are snapped in?
advise appreciated!
I thought the dash removal was the easiest part of the job. It came right out fine and went back in very easily. The toughest part of the job was cutting the dash. I started by using a dremel to cut it but I didn't feel that confident with it so I ended up using a very sharp utility knife with a long blade that cut all the way through. I traced out a line and went very slow. Since this was the first time doing it, I probably could have done a better job if I started out with the utility knife but luckily, the bezel will hide any minor strays I made off of my target line... Drove in this morning with it and now I don't know how I ever drove the car without it!
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Old Oct 31, 2006 | 09:14 AM
  #16  
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From: Lost in the Pine Barrens with only ketchup and relish packs, New Jersey
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Originally Posted by Sundevil
Got the HUD kit from Josh at Carolina Corvettes last week and put it right in with no problems (thanks Josh, the instructions were dead on!). The toughest part is cutting the dash for the bezel but if you take your time, it's no problem at all. As for the windshield, it's just a reflection and the non-Hud glass works perfectly. An excellent mod! Very happy I did mine!
I didn't know about the kit until I started trying to locate all of the parts. I saved a few bucks than the price of the kit but it took alot longer trying to find the 11 pin harness. I got a great deal finding it on that auction site for $35... I had some quotes as high as $100 for it! If I had to do it all over again, I would highly recommend just buying the kit, especially for a first timer!
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Old Oct 31, 2006 | 10:23 AM
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Congrats. You know it is funny I had heard about hud but personally always said I wouldn't want to spend the extra on it. When I test drove my car (used) it had it and I fell in love with the HUD I don't think I would buy another Vette without HUD unless I was going to do it myself.
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