IHADAV8.com - Turbo Buick Tech, and Nonsense

Tech Area => General Buick Tech => Topic started by: Spoolin' on April 24 2011, 11:40:57 AM

Title: Am I nucking futs? Digital to analog dash conversion.
Post by: Spoolin' on April 24 2011, 11:40:57 AM

My GN has a digital dash. The cluster does not dim down when you turn the headlights on, but it does work properly. Obviously it will need fixing at some point, but I've also never liked the look of it and prefer the analog cluster.

I got my hands on a pretty prestine analog cluster the other day. I emailed John Spina  @ Caspers and he tells me that I will need to change out the dash harness for the new cluster to operate (lights, etc.) correctly, and change my MAP sensor so that my boost and tach LED's work. I do have a complete interior harness from a hard top car in my selection of parts for sale. I didn't look at it closely, so I'm not sure if the dash harness unplugs from the bulkhead or not.

Am I opening up a can of worms here, or is this a common swap? I want everything to work correctly, and I'm not one to do a shitty conversion or repairs. Has anyone else ever done this kind of swap?

Title: Am I nucking futs? Digital to analog dash conversion.
Post by: Steve Wood on April 24 2011, 12:39:18 PM

never done it but it should work with some time and patience.  John gave you the right info

shop manual will show you all the connector locations

Title: Am I nucking futs? Digital to analog dash conversion.
Post by: daveismissing on April 24 2011, 02:36:51 PM

As long as you don't decide you REALLY wanted a GNX dash a week after.

Title: Am I nucking futs? Digital to analog dash conversion.
Post by: SuperSix on April 24 2011, 07:12:49 PM

Yeah - how about something aftermarket? Custom? It's waaaay down the list of priorities, but I would love a custom dash. One day..

Title: Am I nucking futs? Digital to analog dash conversion.
Post by: Wrecked Em on April 24 2011, 08:08:35 PM

I would go GNX-ish instead, but that is me.

Title: Am I nucking futs? Digital to analog dash conversion.
Post by: Spoolin' on April 28 2011, 10:54:34 PM

I've done some more research, and yes - I'm nuts.

To do this right, I'll have to practiaclly re-harness the whole car. If I go GNX style, Caspers makes a $250 harness to go from digital to GNX. Just have to drop the $1000 on the GNX dash....

For the time being, I'll use my digital dash.

Title: Re: Am I nucking futs? Digital to analog dash conversion.
Post by: gordyzx9r on April 28 2011, 11:10:40 PM

If you buy a pre-made GNX style dash just be careful.  If it's one of the Poston's ones that float around ebay stay away from it, they're crap.

Title: Re: Am I nucking futs? Digital to analog dash conversion.
Post by: Spoolin' on April 28 2011, 11:13:23 PM

Quote from: "gordyzx9r @ Thu Apr 28, 2011 9:10 pm"

If you buy a pre-made GNX style dash just be careful.

Title: Am I nucking futs? Digital to analog dash conversion.
Post by: daveismissing on April 29 2011, 12:12:57 AM

World of motorworks too.- you'll wait years for all the parts.

 We are getting close to the point where the most cost effective dash will be a LCD(s) run by a Linux/QNX/WinXX all in one box.

RIM recently bought QNX to specialize in Dash/entertainment_communication integration in OEM vehicles.
The next trend.

Title: Am I nucking futs? Digital to analog dash conversion.
Post by: gordyzx9r on April 29 2011, 09:00:23 AM

Quote from: "daveismissing @ Thu Apr 28, 2011 11:12 pm"

World of motorworks too.- you'll wait years for all the parts.

I've heard the "wait" can be long for a WoM unit, but their quality is supposed to be top notch.  I want to say that there is someone on the tb.com board that will put one together too but it costs a pretty penny.  I bought mine from GNX Performance Instruments/Tom Houser years ago...very good quality, but he disappeared.

Title: Am I nucking futs? Digital to analog dash conversion.
Post by: daveismissing on April 29 2011, 09:17:41 AM

It aint rocket science ( I'm surrounded  by rocket scientists-I'm the dumb guy).
Just takes some time...

Title: Am I nucking futs? Digital to analog dash conversion.
Post by: TSM Girl on April 29 2011, 11:04:40 PM

Quote from: "Wrecked Em @ April 24th 2011"

I would go GNX-ish instead, but that is me.

I would love to have the GNX dash, I think those look cool. Hey Wrecked, Mother's day is coming up or our 15th Wedding Anniv.  Hint hint.

Title: Re: Am I nucking futs? Digital to analog dash conversion.
Post by: Steve Wood on April 29 2011, 11:17:05 PM

LOL...as they say, You go, girl!

Boy, it seems the cost of the gauges alone continues to go up

Title: Am I nucking futs? Digital to analog dash conversion.
Post by: daveismissing on April 30 2011, 01:07:47 AM

Quote from: "TSM Girl @ Fri Apr 29, 2011 10:04 pm"

Quote from: "Wrecked Em @ April 24th 2011"

I would go GNX-ish instead, but that is me.

... or our 15th Wedding Anniv.

Title: Am I nucking futs? Digital to analog dash conversion.
Post by: TSM Girl on April 30 2011, 02:10:52 PM

[/quote]Warning- on the 30'th they expect the whole car