'94 non HUD to HUD dash conversion

[George]

HUD dash conversion.

 

Last spring I found a mint non HUD dash and converted it a HUD dash.

 

NOTE: The defroster duct is different between the two dashes.

 

Remove HUD dash, turn upside down and with a medium straight blade screwdriver pry the plastic support / defroster duct off dash. Retain dash top for hole location reference.

 

Turn non HUD dash upside on towels or something to protect it, pry the plastic support / defroster duct off dash. Discard non HUD defroster duct as it is not reused.

 

Sand / grind the glue / epoxy off the back of the non HUD dash and off the HUD defroster duct. Remove staples as well, or cut them off or grind them flat (some are buried in the factory epoxy glue).

 

Measure and cut hole for HUD (cut the plastic fiber backing the same size, but cut the vinyl part approx. 1/8" smaller than hole on all sides).

 

Test fit the HUD defroster duct on the new dash (there is an aluminum plate that goes in the HUD hole and the vinyl will need to be trimmed more in this area).

Test fit HUD in hole and trim as needed.

 

With new dash upside down use blocks under the towel to position dash as natural as possible.

Apply adhesive glue to back of non HUD dash and attach HUD defroster duct.

I used Loctite construction adhesive.

 

Still holding strong.

 

Clamp / tape as needed to hold the two pieces together until adhesive dries. Small short screws could be used as well, as long as they don't poke through the dash, of course.

 

Remove clamps, tape and screws, install new HUD dash.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited December 12, 2014 by George
Added photos, didn't paste.

[Crazy K]

Excellent work!

 

Cutting a hole in a normal dash has been tried successfully by others as well, but this is a step further for anyone who likes their stuff right even where not seen. It is a good point that the vent under the dash is differently shaped. In a pinch cutting the needed HUD clearance into a dash board without having a ruined HUD dash to cannibalize can be accomplished, as long as the vent are sealed firm with a suitable sealant such as rtv...