HUD Dash Trim - 1LT HUD retrofit
 

Can somebody with a 2LT or 3LT trim package confirm that the section of the dash with the HUD window is a separate trim piece from the adjoining pieces? The C7 was difficult to justify retrofitting the HUD because the HUD dash was entirely different than the non-HUD dash. It required removing the entire dash and either replacing it at a $1000+ cost or modification of the removed dash to create a clean window.

If somebody can confirm that this is a single trim piece, I will work to develop a parts list for HUD installation similar to those used for the C6 Corvettes. The C6 HUD retrofit could be done in a couple hours and was a very popular modification.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...1cded2e136.jpg

UGH! Too much work for little reward, if you can do it at all.

You can try stuff like this but in the end, the one time I used HUD in a C7, I hated it. This "solution" will mess up your dash and if you have to add that plastic viewing screen to the windshield, forget it.

Does the 1LT come with a HUD compatible windshield? It may be easier for GM to source only one windshield, so it might, but if not....

The windshield should be labelled with "HUD" in one of the bottom corners if it is.

The non-HUD windshield on the C6 worked just fine. It was a very popular mod for the C6's.

:lurk: Curious about this too.

I love HUD on my C6 and am on waiting list for the C8. I’m planning on getting a 1LT and the things I’ll miss the most from 2LT is the HUD and homelink.

It was pretty easy adding a HUD to the C5, but not sure how difficult it would be to add it to a C8. Good luck if you give it a try.

If it is like the C7, forget it. I believe it was about $2K in parts (example you will likely need to replace your windshield for a HUD supported one) and your probably looking at another $1-2K in labor unless you are comfortable tearing the car apart by yourself and working on electrical.

It would likely make more sense to sell your car, make a profit, and order a 2LT car for MSRP and wait for it.

The aftermarket HUD systems look cheesy and cheap for such a nice car.

In the old days you could purchase a car and replace/add factory components fairly easily.
These days, with on-board computers and everything intertwined, it is very difficult and not practical to add anything with electrical connections in most cases.
Figure out what you want and purchase a car with that configuration.

Agree. Tried adding (more like enabling) the cooled seats to my 1LE gen 6 Camaro. PWM (pulse width modulation) controlled by body control computer, not just simple 12V for the fans already in the Recaro seats (same seats in ZL1)...gave up and bought the ZL1 lol.

There are some things I can see trying to retrofit, like a (pricy) homelink sun visor, or seeing if you could get blindspot monitoring with a new mirror... But this seems like way too much trouble. It's probably not something that would work with the 1LT BCM, the wiring would be rough, and then finding a spot to put it into the dash where it doesn't look tacked on will be a pain. You'd probably be a pioneer in attempting it since I'm sure most other 1LT owners are thinking like me - too much trouble to implement. I do have the HUD in my C6 and I think it's really cool there, but I'm very happy with the instrument panel customization on the C8 so I really don't miss it.

If you don’t miss HUD in your C8 after having in your C6, then hope I’ll feel the same 😃

The HUD works fine on C5, C6 & C7 non-HUD windshields

I can’t guarantee with the C8, but I believe with the C6, the wiring harnesses are already there for the HUD. I could be wrong though as I have a 3LT C6.

I wouldn’t be trying to splice into the BCM No way

As to the OP original question: I looked at my hud area and it looks like the surround is a separate piece but I cannot be sure.

If the HUD ends up being too costly or too much work, a possible alternative could be replacing your steering wheel with one that displays the speed and has shift lights.

Here is one I was looking at - https://carbonsteer.com/collections/...steering-wheel

These seem interesting:

Thank you. I have been able to find the piece on line. The cheapest I have found it for thus far is $156 for black/red. Other colors are about $120 more. The projector is $416 and the control switch $75. I suspect the harness will cost up to $200. Net cost should be about $850 or so. Not too bad. All I really need now is photos of the disassembled dash to understand how the projector can be installed. There was a HVAC duct that needed to be cut to install the projector on the C6's. Hopefully the C8 is the same or better.

You are still risking the BCM won't recognize the HUD. The HUD interacts with the steering wheel controls and driving modes, get's it's data from the other car systems, etc. Somehow the car will need to be told that the HUD is there. I'd look into how that can be done before purchasing the parts.
There was a lengthy post in the C7 section of someone that attempted to add HUD to their car but I don't remember the outcome. See if you can find it for some guidance.

Check with Gene Cully at Cultrag Performance, great guy and a long time forum vendor.