Just finished HUD install
11-20-2018, 06:40 PM
#1
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Just finished HUD install
I just wrapped up installing a HUD unit in my 1LT Grand Sport. I purchased a used unit off eBay that came with the bezel and switch as a package. I ordered a custom wire harness also off eBay & all totaled I saved a little over $100 than buying the parts new.
There are plenty of write-ups on how to install this & I did cut the air duct to get it in. Now the unit I purchased you could tell had seen a good amount of sun. The plastic lens had some fine cracks and was pretty brittle & the black anti-glare material was also full of cracks.
I purchased a 12” x 12” piece of 0.03” thick Lexan for $5.70 & free prime shipping off amazon to replace the plastic lens covering. I also scraped off the black anti-glare material and sanded the area smooth. I then picked up a 8” x 12” piece of black felt from Walmart for $0.23. I cut it to shape & used some spray adhesive to attach it. New 3M double-sided tape and I attached the new Lexan lens. The unit looks good as new. Got it all installed today & works perfectly.
Last edited by JABCAT; 11-20-2018 at 06:42 PM.
11-20-2018, 07:00 PM
#2
Melting Slicks
Granted you never know anybody's financial situation or know whats in their pocket. But isn't saving $100 on a part of this delicate nature penny wise dollar foolish when you could have bought it all new? You said yourself it's a little beat up from the sun and isn't the sun this parts worst enemy? I would have thought $100 bucks more for new would be total piece of mind on a part of this nature.
11-20-2018, 07:09 PM
#3
Safety Car
Granted you never know anybody's financial situation or know whats in their pocket. But isn't saving $100 on a part of this delicate nature penny wise dollar foolish when you could have bought it all new? You said yourself it's a little beat up from the sun and isn't the sun this parts worst enemy? I would have thought $100 bucks more for new would be total piece of mind on a part of this nature.
11-20-2018, 07:29 PM
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Granted you never know anybody's financial situation or know whats in their pocket. But isn't saving $100 on a part of this delicate nature penny wise dollar foolish when you could have bought it all new? You said yourself it's a little beat up from the sun and isn't the sun this parts worst enemy? I would have thought $100 bucks more for new would be total piece of mind on a part of this nature.
PCMusicGuy, I'm not one to spend more money on something than I have to & $100 is $100 which just covered 2/3 of my custom seatbelts that I'll be installing tomorrow. And let me re-phrase, if you can find a new HUD unit as two dealerships's parts departments told me they were not being produced any longer & they couldn't get one. Most of the kits being sold online are refurbished units (from what I can tell). That being said, the unit I purchased had free returns so if it didn't work I would have just sent it back. It's like paying $1k to have your door panels covered in leather from one of the forum vendors or ordering the leather from J-F Customs in England for $300 & doing it myself; I'll save the $700 & have the satisfaction to say I did that. 
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JABCAT (11-20-2018)
11-20-2018, 07:47 PM
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Looks good Jabcat!And I am right there with you on saving money where some ingenuity, and your own labor make the finished task that much more enjoyable, and memorable!
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JABCAT (11-20-2018)
11-20-2018, 07:49 PM
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Lots of stupid stuff added time like removing the lower air duct & then trying to get the little pushpin on the back side of it to seat in the hole when I put it back. I have pretty big hands & arms so I kept dropping that stupid push pin & having to fish it out. The custom wire harness I purchased seemed almost too short so I had to keep messing with that after I put the gauge cluster back in (remove gauge cluster several times) so I could get the wires to clip into the HUD switch. If I were to do it again, I would estimate I could get it done in about 2 hours give or take.
11-20-2018, 07:55 PM
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Powelltc1 (11-20-2018)
11-20-2018, 08:32 PM
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They're supposed to arrive tomorrow so I'll post a review & pics. So far I have been impressed with the communication from Safety Restore. I shipped my OEM belts out Friday, they received them yesterday & shipped them back out to me yesterday. They've been great with email communication & even sent me an email update yesterday when they were finishing up the new belts.
11-20-2018, 08:33 PM
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11-20-2018, 08:42 PM
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Granted you never know anybody's financial situation or know whats in their pocket. But isn't saving $100 on a part of this delicate nature penny wise dollar foolish when you could have bought it all new? You said yourself it's a little beat up from the sun and isn't the sun this parts worst enemy? I would have thought $100 bucks more for new would be total piece of mind on a part of this nature.
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JABCAT (11-20-2018)
11-20-2018, 10:15 PM
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I actually agree with this if the savings was only $100 and if he could of found a new one. I'm not a fan of buying used or refurbished unless there is a significant savings. In todays markets, I see many used items going for almost new prices. Or even used items being listed for new or more than new prices. And then they sell. Makes no sense to me.
11-20-2018, 11:10 PM
#16
Race Car Tech
Congrats on the new addition. you will love the HUD
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JABCAT (11-20-2018)
11-21-2018, 09:43 AM
#18
Team Owner
Cool upgrade. I added one to my C5 years ago. I had a 98 with not 'quite' the right cluster, so mine didn't work 100% at the start, buttons didn't work, etc. Mine was a 98 and obviously must have been when they were working on the firmware for the HUD but didn't have it working yet. I found a newer cluster with almost exactly the same mileage as mine and stuck it in, everything worked perfect. Back then, Gene Culley (forum vendor GM Partshouse) was selling them here NOS for a deep discount. I think I had $230 or so in the unit new from GM including shipping. Sorta like buying the leftover LS1 crate motors, if you were asleep at the time (like me) you didn't get one. I think they were like $1200 or $1500 or so. I didn't find out till they were all gone. 
