Adding HUD
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 463
From: Raleigh/Cary NC
Adding HUD
One of my coworkers here, complimenting me on my new-to-me car, told me that he too has been looking for a C6. He's a bit more budget-minded than I am, so has been looking at higher mile cars than I was.
You can skip these two paragraphs except for context, if you wish.
You can skip these two paragraphs except for context, if you wish.
Anyway... he suggested that it may be possible to buy a HUD off of eBay or a breaker, and just plug and play. I know in my car (2008) there is a cutout for the HUD in the dash, so it's physically ready for the unit, but I doubt that you can just plug it in and it's going to work without telling the car's computer than it has the module. Of course, I could be wrong. It's happened before. 
Has anyone done this? Added HUD to a car that did not originally have it? And if so, was it as easy as just plugging it in? And can you do it from above, or does it go in from underneath? Either way seems like a tight and perhaps challenging fit.
UPDATE: OK, it appears that I cannot delete a post. Since I wrote the part above, I discovered that yes, it is plug and play, but you have to also buy the harness, splice it into the existing harness, buy a new IP surround, modify the HVAC ducting, and in short, it's probably not worth the bother and expense for me. So, you know, never mind, sorry.
Has anyone done this? Added HUD to a car that did not originally have it? And if so, was it as easy as just plugging it in? And can you do it from above, or does it go in from underneath? Either way seems like a tight and perhaps challenging fit.
UPDATE: OK, it appears that I cannot delete a post. Since I wrote the part above, I discovered that yes, it is plug and play, but you have to also buy the harness, splice it into the existing harness, buy a new IP surround, modify the HVAC ducting, and in short, it's probably not worth the bother and expense for me. So, you know, never mind, sorry.
Last edited by yeller z06; Jan 24, 2024 at 02:22 PM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 547
Likes: 153
My understanding is the Windscreen is special glass in order to reflect the HUD properly.
Doubles the replacement cost if it ever gets smashed. But i dont think an aftermarket HUD will work on normal glass. Also the install would be beyond awful, id assume the whole dash would need to come out.
Doubles the replacement cost if it ever gets smashed. But i dont think an aftermarket HUD will work on normal glass. Also the install would be beyond awful, id assume the whole dash would need to come out.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 463
From: Raleigh/Cary NC
My understanding is the Windscreen is special glass in order to reflect the HUD properly.
Doubles the replacement cost if it ever gets smashed. But i dont think an aftermarket HUD will work on normal glass. Also the install would be beyond awful, id assume the whole dash would need to come out.
Doubles the replacement cost if it ever gets smashed. But i dont think an aftermarket HUD will work on normal glass. Also the install would be beyond awful, id assume the whole dash would need to come out.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 706
Likes: 265
From: Jyväskylä, FINLAND
Yes, you can add it afterwards. Yes, it will work just as it was installed at the factory. Easy? Well.... maybe, maybe not. I got the unit with couple of wires connected wrong and it took quite a bit of time to find out, which ones were right and which ones were wrong. Also, there was one fault with the installation/connection instructions... But I got it working.
At least with automatic, DIC will behave a little differently (=better), if you'll have the HUD "coded" to BCM options with Tech 2.
At least with automatic, DIC will behave a little differently (=better), if you'll have the HUD "coded" to BCM options with Tech 2.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 547
Likes: 153
Good to know. i have a chip in my windshield and looked up a replacement seemed reasonable at first then i saw the other option that included "Hud" Maybe it some some UV/non-UV option upsell but i thought i had heard it was needed for the HUD.
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,918
Likes: 2,322
From: Etobicoke (Toronto) Ontario
My understanding is the Windscreen is special glass in order to reflect the HUD properly.
Doubles the replacement cost if it ever gets smashed. But i dont think an aftermarket HUD will work on normal glass. Also the install would be beyond awful, id assume the whole dash would need to come out.
Doubles the replacement cost if it ever gets smashed. But i dont think an aftermarket HUD will work on normal glass. Also the install would be beyond awful, id assume the whole dash would need to come out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,912
Likes: 2,058
From: Cypress TX
Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 706
Likes: 265
From: Jyväskylä, FINLAND
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,574
Likes: 1,651
From: Pearland / Houston Tx
I installed a HUD in my 07 almost 14 years ago. here is what I remember:
- Back when the parts were plentiful, you could get the HUD projector, the dash bezel and the left side switch pod for $300. And a custom harness for $75. I made my own for $30.
- The parts are very scarce now. Not sure anybody offers the kit anymore and the switch alone if you can find it is is $250. And good luck finding the bezel.
- You do not need a HUD windshield, Can see it fine without.
- It is not hard to add a HUD either with dash removal or cut the AC duct method....I have a write up on here somewhere.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,386
Likes: 689
From: Boise ID
I installed a HUD in my 07 almost 14 years ago. here is what I remember:
- Back when the parts were plentiful, you could get the HUD projector, the dash bezel and the left side switch pod for $300. And a custom harness for $75. I made my own for $30.
- The parts are very scarce now. Not sure anybody offers the kit anymore and the switch alone if you can find it is is $250. And good luck finding the bezel.
- You do not need a HUD windshield, Can see it fine without.
- It is not hard to add a HUD either with dash removal or cut the AC duct method....I have a write up on here somewhere.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,574
Likes: 1,651
From: Pearland / Houston Tx
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 12,747
Likes: 10,639
From: Prosper TX/Austin TX
2020 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
How awful can it be? According to this https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1606150563 all you need is the help of a 10 yr old, and you can R&R the dash in 3 1/2 hours
I also installed the HUD projector into my '12 GS 1LT using the "cut the duct" method. I think R&R the dash was easier. That being said, I don't think it's worth it to add it to a C6.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 495
Likes: 210
From: Wisconsin
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
After my windshield was damaged this past summer , I had it replaced with the standard non HUD glass and I think it is better. The HUD works the same and there is less glare off the dash. There were times when it was hard to see past the reflection of the dash on the windshield, that is much improved with the standard glass.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,441
Likes: 370
From: Maryville TN
St. Jude Donor '06-13,'16-'17, '19
After my windshield was damaged this past summer , I had it replaced with the standard non HUD glass and I think it is better. The HUD works the same and there is less glare off the dash. There were times when it was hard to see past the reflection of the dash on the windshield, that is much improved with the standard glass.
Tom