'94 Altima SE - Heads Up Display (HUD) Retrofit
I first want to give special thanks to HUD Daddy - stealthmode20 - for the inspiration in proving you can add HUD to a non-HUD Altima. And secondly thank y'all for the willingness to share information on so many great topics.
Well, I finally was able to complete a HUD add-in to my '94 Altima SE. I initially started the project like stealthmode20 had done but took a slightly different approach because of a few things I encountered along the way. But here is a synopsis of the project in case anyone decides to goes down this road.
I bought most of the HUD components from eBay; the dashboard with the display unit hole, the HUD display unit, the HUD instrument cluster, and the entire wiring harness for a '93 GLE. It will cost you from $200 - $400 depending how you shop around.
My first problem became the dashboard. It was a bear to take the original one off and the one I bought didn't come with passenger side air bag. So I decide to make a template off the one I bought and cut the HUD unit hole into my original dash using a razor blade and a Dremmel tool. This is delicate surgery.
After closely reviewing the FSM wiring diagram I came to the realization that I can keep the wiring in place and tap it for the required HUD signals. This allows me to interchangibly connect a HUD or non-HUD instrument cluster in the car. So all I needed from the '93 wiring harness was to add in and wire the plug label M45 for the HUD display controller. I cut about 1/4 inch off the wiring insulation to tap for the signal wires and soldered the electrical wiring. Finally, I used electrical tape to protect it from electrical shorts.
I noticed that the display unit shines nicely on the windshield without any shaded plastic film on it. It just has a slight ghost image but otherwise looks very nice. I didn't take any pictures during the project but let me know if anyone needs any info on the stuff and I will try to help you out.
EDITED 9-30-04
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This reference is for those with manual transmission.
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One other detail I forgot to mention is, if you decide to go along and make this project a HUD on a non-HUD system, you will have to remove the Overdrive (OD OFF) bulb because it messes up the VSS signal. Otherwise you will get a CHECK ENGINE light with DTC code 14. In addition, the regular speedometer gauge, HUD speedometer, odometer, trip odometer, and ASCD will not work. So it is safe to say that the VSS signal is the most important thing that should be checked carefully.
Cheers.
I first want to give special thanks to HUD Daddy - stealthmode20 - for the inspiration in proving you can add HUD to a non-HUD Altima. And secondly thank y'all for the willingness to share information on so many great topics.
Well, I finally was able to complete a HUD add-in to my '94 Altima SE. I initially started the project like stealthmode20 had done but took a slightly different approach because of a few things I encountered along the way. But here is a synopsis of the project in case anyone decides to goes down this road.
I bought most of the HUD components from eBay; the dashboard with the display unit hole, the HUD display unit, the HUD instrument cluster, and the entire wiring harness for a '93 GLE. It will cost you from $200 - $400 depending how you shop around.
My first problem became the dashboard. It was a bear to take the original one off and the one I bought didn't come with passenger side air bag. So I decide to make a template off the one I bought and cut the HUD unit hole into my original dash using a razor blade and a Dremmel tool. This is delicate surgery.
After closely reviewing the FSM wiring diagram I came to the realization that I can keep the wiring in place and tap it for the required HUD signals. This allows me to interchangibly connect a HUD or non-HUD instrument cluster in the car. So all I needed from the '93 wiring harness was to add in and wire the plug label M45 for the HUD display controller. I cut about 1/4 inch off the wiring insulation to tap for the signal wires and soldered the electrical wiring. Finally, I used electrical tape to protect it from electrical shorts.
I noticed that the display unit shines nicely on the windshield without any shaded plastic film on it. It just has a slight ghost image but otherwise looks very nice. I didn't take any pictures during the project but let me know if anyone needs any info on the stuff and I will try to help you out.
EDITED 9-30-04
-------------------------------------------------------------------
This reference is for those with manual transmission.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
One other detail I forgot to mention is, if you decide to go along and make this project a HUD on a non-HUD system, you will have to remove the Overdrive (OD OFF) bulb because it messes up the VSS signal. Otherwise you will get a CHECK ENGINE light with DTC code 14. In addition, the regular speedometer gauge, HUD speedometer, odometer, trip odometer, and ASCD will not work. So it is safe to say that the VSS signal is the most important thing that should be checked carefully.
Cheers.