Flat dash owners and HUD install (info and pics) - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

The_Wraith · 06-22-2008, 03:13 PM

There is has been countless topics of installing a HUD into a thirdgen. But nobody seems to have done it. Now I have swapped over to 4thgen dash but after looking into things and gathering a mixed batch of GM parts , if I had a flat dash this would already be installed and working. I plan on installing this under my 4thgen dash top though its going to be tight I think it can be made to work. I made this topic for info so people with stock dashes can attempt this with the best fitting parts found in the scrap yard.

First goto the yard and find a 91-94 cutlass supreme and pull the HUD out of it. The reason you should find one from this car is because it has a flat dash. It also has the lowest profile HUD cover. The 88-93 grand prix hud has a sloped cover but you can interchange all parts.

Here is a pic with some cutting of a spare dash there should be plenty of room for this. Best of all it "seats" in and looks factory with the cover. The cover also removes so it can be painted black with ease.

Now you need the pigtail and HUD switch/dimmer. The cutlass switch setup is recessed into the cutlass dash and isint very nice. I chose to pull the HUD/dimmer setup from a 91-93 grand prix simply for its easy of mounting and the fact it lights up in red (keep in mind these parts are all interchangeable). Here is a pic with everything you need. Noice the extra plate? the cable attaches to allow the projector to move up and down on your windsheild. I dont plan on useing the whole mouting bracket but I do plan on cutting the part that holds the cable in place and just bonding it to the bottom on the HUD. This saves space, though you would probably just use it anyway since you stock dash owners have more space to work with then me.

and a pic of everything.

Now the diagrams , all wireing is compatible unless you have a cable speedo , then your HUD speedo will read zero.

91-93 GP HUD SWITCH Connect to:
A BLK ground
B PNK/BLK switched ignition (feeds from cluster)
C WHT display dimming HUD unit D
D BLK ground
E GRY gauge backlighting (variable interior)
F BRN/WHT switched source HUD unit A

HUD UNIT grand prix/cutlass (identical)
P/N ?
(1st row)
A BLK or BRN/WHT switched ignition from HUD switch E
B BLK ground
C GRY/BLK or BRN parking light (constant exterior)
D WHT display dimming from HUD SWITCH A
E --- not known to be used, fuel if equipped (more data below)
F LT BLU left turn signal
(2nd row)
G BRN check gauge
H LT BLU english metric, grounded = metric
J DK GRN vss
K DK BLU right turn signal
L LT GRN high beam
M --- not used

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compuwiz1937 · 06-24-2008, 08:26 PM

No pics of it installed? You may have a little problem getting it to work well though. I know for a fact that the new Corvettes have a special windshield that lets the HUD reflect better, but I don't know if these older cars do though.

VAN454 · 06-24-2008, 09:29 PM

Very interesting, I look forward to seeing it up and running

The_Wraith · 06-24-2008, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compuwiz1937

No pics of it installed? You may have a little problem getting it to work well though. I know for a fact that the new Corvettes have a special windshield that lets the HUD reflect better, but I don't know if these older cars do though.

The windsheild dosent matter. I have a HUD installed in my grand prix which didn't come with one. My friend has a the same car with HUD windsheild you can't notice a difference. If there is any its very very small. All the electronics are compatible with thirdgens, the funtions rely on the cluster feed on these older HUDs. They don't reqire ODB1-2 etc like the vettes have. The main issue is fabing your dash you house it. I no longer have a stock dash But i plan on getting this into the 4thgen dash (without the HUD cover) and then make a custom cutout in my top pad.

Apeiron · 06-24-2008, 09:59 PM

I had a HUD in my 92 Cutlass, and the difference between the coated HUD glass and the non-HUD glass was substantial.

Bobby_80s · 06-25-2008, 02:10 AM

i've read this thread can someone exaplin what the hud is i never heard of it. then again im not familiar with any cutlass models. jsut curious to what your trying to do

HCR13 · 06-25-2008, 03:59 AM

subscribing. I always wondered if this was possible (as in HUD on a vehicle) and here I find the technology was available since the early 90's!

Bobby: H.U.D. Heads Up Display...information reflected on your windshield (inside)... like speed and such...

The_Wraith · 06-25-2008, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apeiron

I had a HUD in my 92 Cutlass, and the difference between the coated HUD glass and the non-HUD glass was substantial.

I disagree , actually im gonna get some comparison pics possibly this weekend.

But as I said you can get all this stuff and it will work properly its just doing the fab work to your dash.

no1kicker · 07-15-2008, 11:21 PM

Bump because I'm one who has talked about it and not done it.

Any progress?

HCR13 · 07-16-2008, 04:51 AM

as a matter of fact, I went to the junkyard on Monday to actually do this project but I did not find any Grand Prix's or Cutlass Supreme's (about 20cars total) that had the HUD. I was so disappointed. I'm extremely interested in doing this to my car... I just don't have the parts! Gnarley_Border, want to get rid of those HUD components!?

RSstar rider · 10-19-2009, 07:42 PM

Any progress on the HUD install?

HCR13 · 10-20-2009, 11:26 AM

Eventually I did find the HUD components from an OBD1 car at the junkyard, but I think it must of been defective because I couldn't get them to come on, the HUD wouldn't even light up or anything. So I still have an eye out for another "donor" HUD set because I'm still extremely interested in doing this...

omnipotentgoku · 10-22-2009, 03:29 PM

.. digital dash, plus HUD.... yeah im gonna make this happen

3rd gen Will · 10-22-2009, 03:40 PM

What all shows up in the HUD? Speed obviously....Does RPM, any gauge readings?

no1kicker · 10-22-2009, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HCR13

Eventually I did find the HUD components from an OBD1 car at the junkyard, but I think it must of been defective because I couldn't get them to come on, the HUD wouldn't even light up or anything. So I still have an eye out for another "donor" HUD set because I'm still extremely interested in doing this...

What was your HUD out of? As far as I know, the HUD you use doesn't need to be from an OBD1 car. It just needs to be from a car that gets a 4000 ppm signal from the vss like ours. I was thinking one from a mid 90's Bonneville or Grand prix would work. They are flatter than the one in the picture above, which will require cutting into the dashpad (hopefully a junk one).

Depending on the HUD, it displays speed, high beams signal, turn signals, low fuel. Some display the radio station if you have a radio that has a data line output. Wiring is the easy part, making it look like it's supposed to be there is hard. You don't need a HUD windshield.

no1kicker · 10-22-2009, 07:29 PM

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulle...install-58665/

more info

HCR13 · 10-23-2009, 01:27 AM

I forgot what car it was from, I think a Grand Prix Turbo, I can't remember the year or any other details. The problem wasn't hooking up the unit, its the fact that the unit just did not turn on at all. Not even when properly grounded and energized. I prefer the OBD1 because alot of the wires are similar color (tach wire, speedo wire, etc)... But I still have an eye out...