Okay.. so, I was really feeling good about my ability to retrofit my 98 with Heads Up Display. I had it on the 2000 I used to have.. and really enjoyed it. Got the new cluster in.. YES, Got the Projector and switch in -- YES YES.. got the harness on.. YES.. got the airbag light moved over.. YOU BETCHA..

Cut the hole for the bezel. and umm.. did all that was suggested.. cut holes for the posts first.. it fit pretty well.. but, before quick welding it.. I put the dashpad back in and.. the bezel kept popping back up on the right side.. It just wasn't fitting right.. So, I had two choices..

1. Move the projector to the left 1/2 to 1 inch.. Oh yeah.. can't do that.. it fits where it fits..

2. Cut the bezel hole bigger to the right.. but, wait.. the bezel already fit in the hole pretty well.

WTF? I trimmed it to the right a little more.. as much as I could with the bezel still covering all of the cuts.. and I'm going to quick weld tomorrow.. and pray. but, if it still doesn't fit right.. my biggest fear will come true.. the dash pad will be screwed... and I'll have to get another one. Now I remember why I didn't want to do it... CAUSE I WAS AFRAID I'D SCREW UP THE DASH PAD!!

Okay.. done yelling.. please say a prayer tonight that it works..

or, please tell me where I might be able to pick up (of course hoping the whole time that I wont' need it) a HUD ready dashpad for a very reasonable price.. my wife is already ready to leave me when she saw that car pulled apart like that.

thanks
jp

 

When you say that it is popping back up on the right side, do you mean that the bezel wont fit flush to the surface of the dashpad?

I assume you were following the writeup I did? If so, did you trim down the thin wall of plastic that spans between the posts (it sounds like you did)? It sounds like you only have the holes drilled for the posts...is this right, or have you started the large hole for where the projector projects through? After you drilled the holes for the posts the bezel should be able to sit flush with the dash surface. If bezel pops up still, enlargen the holes that the posts go though. The posts have a slight taper to them so if the holes are too close or to far apart, when the posts are inserted, the taper forces the bezel to "stretch or compress". I had a similar problem with one of the posts, after enlarging the hole it went away. Then proceed to trim the posts down so that when a screw is put in, it "sucks" the bezel down towards the surface of the dash.

 

couple of things..
I did NOT get those clips for the holes in the bottom of the bezel. Also, it's clear to me that I have completely screwed up the dash and will need another.. and finally.. This sucks.


jp

 

Can you post picture of what you did? The dash pad cutout lines do not quite align with where the HUD is. Mine installed with the bezel about 1/4 to 1/2 inch to the left of where the HUD was centered. I have read other posts that said the same thing. I used 5/8 #8 screws to hold mine down. If you cut where the dash pad lines are you should be OK. Also, there are two tabs on the bottom of the HUD flange facing the driver. Make sure that they grab the bottom oof the dash pad.

 

I just took the bezel to ace hardware, found four screws that fit in the posts and four of the largest diameter washers that fit over the screws...

 

It would just verify that I'm an idiot. I cut a big honking hole out of the dash.. and it's at least 1/2 to an inch too far to the driver's side. I just got the quick weld and will try to make it work.. chances are I'm ordering a new dash.

jp

 

Rememger that you will either have to trim the side flanges down so that the bezzel fits flush or cut the dash pad large enough so that the hole is big enough for the flange to fit through. I cut my dash pad smaller than the flange size so I had to trim the side pieces. This left me some wiggle room if I made a trim error and also a good screw connection to the dash pad. Do NOT trim the front (towards driver) bezzel plange because it has the front tabs, which must grab the bottom of the dash pad to hold the front (drivers end) down.

 

Did you notice the lines on the back side of the dash? If you are close to these (actually towards the driver side more) then you are probably spot on...is the big honking hole bigger than OUTMOST bezel dimensions? If the big honking hole is smaller than the bezel and close to where the gm lines were...you might be OK

we need pictures to confirm anything!!!!!! Besides dash pads are ALWAYS floating around ebay some with HUD holes already in them...

you will want to try to make things work since new are expensive...show us whats up
Do a search on ebay for the following itemnumber 8038603376

 

I did NOT read the part about cut the trim. That would have made a WORLD of sense. Of course hindsight is 20-20. I cut the hole big enough for the bezel to fit. And, it does. but, when I put the dash back in.. the trim piece was hitting the edge of the projector... so, took it back out.. and I cut a little more out toward the passenger side.. and I've now jb kwik (stupid spelling) welded it. It's setting now.. but, I don't feel good about it working. Yes the projector projects where the bezel is.. but, the trim is a problem. I guess I could still cut that trim out on the passenger's side.. they may help.. I just wish I'd known some of what I know now, then (isn't that a song?)

jp

 

just checked out the ebay item number.. ummm... the last thing I think I'd ever want to do is buy another dash that I had to hack up. If I buy another .. it will be HUD ready.


jp

 

Do you know that the windshield is also different in a HUD vs. non-HUD car? Discovered this on my Bonneville, but it's the same for all HUD cars. The glass is different to stop the multiple images that regular safety glass causes from HUD projectors.

 

I actually had a 2000 Corvette with HUD.. and that's why I want it on this one. I have the new cluster, projector, and harness in.. and lit it up --- damn, it looks as good if not better than it did in my 2000. So, the functionality will NOT be a problem.. I just (oddly enough) would prefer to actually have a dash in the car when I put it back on the road.


jp

 

what part of the bezel is hitting the projector?

 

the passenger side trim between the screw holes..

 

you mean the really thin wall of plastic that stretches between the posts? Cant you just cut it off with a dremel?

 

got it curing on the dash now. It's covering the hole now.. it will probably still hit the projector.. although I moved it as far right (passenger's side) as I could. I do NOT have a dremel.. If this doesn't work.. I'll go buy one.. and trim the trim... It may be too far gone, however. I'm hoping to salvage it.. but, again, it's looking like I may need a new dash.

jp

 

Well if all else fails, I have a complete Dash Pad in black with vents, hazard switch, and center grill etc that I bought over Ebay for a project that I never got around to do. Its in very good condition and no rips/tears etc. Its got HUD hole and HUD bezel already on it so you dont have to mess up another one

 

I know -- you and I PMed yesterday about it. Check your PM..

jp

 

Oops never mind, I think we have already exchanged PMs. I will have the pics for you over the weekend if its decent out. Its freakin freezing right now