Digital dash, possible to change colors!
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Ex-pat f/Melbourne, Au. Now in
I used to have the HUD on my (old) 2000 C5 Corvette.
To tell you the truth, it was a huge waste of money. I had mine switched off most of the time. A novelty for the first day, you get bored of it after that. Besides, your eye is trained to look down at the gauges anyway, so this is exactly what you end up doing.........looking at the dash and ignoring the HUD. Despite the HUD being on, you actually look right through the HUD and it doesn't even register. It may as well not even be there. Like I said, total waste of money (IMHO).
To tell you the truth, it was a huge waste of money. I had mine switched off most of the time. A novelty for the first day, you get bored of it after that. Besides, your eye is trained to look down at the gauges anyway, so this is exactly what you end up doing.........looking at the dash and ignoring the HUD. Despite the HUD being on, you actually look right through the HUD and it doesn't even register. It may as well not even be there. Like I said, total waste of money (IMHO).
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Joined: Feb 2001
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From: MD
Can someone tell me how I can take out the dash??? I need to somehow take it out because a white bug got stuck inside mine. The dealer told me how much it would cost to do it and from what I remember, it was crazy.....
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: South Jersey
Here is the stock dash in my GTI:
If this is the look you guys are going for, be warned that it is nearly IMPOSSIBLE to get this color with filters/diffusers. We over at VWVortex.com have been trying to get other interior lights such as boost gauges, etc. to match the stock VW lighting for some time, and it comes down to this: in order to get the true deep blue that looks so good, the diffuser/filter needs to be too dark to provide adequate illumination.
The only way to do it is with blue LEDs, and even then it does not match exactly. Good luck trying guys, looks like a cool project.
-Nick
If this is the look you guys are going for, be warned that it is nearly IMPOSSIBLE to get this color with filters/diffusers. We over at VWVortex.com have been trying to get other interior lights such as boost gauges, etc. to match the stock VW lighting for some time, and it comes down to this: in order to get the true deep blue that looks so good, the diffuser/filter needs to be too dark to provide adequate illumination.
The only way to do it is with blue LEDs, and even then it does not match exactly. Good luck trying guys, looks like a cool project.
-Nick
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Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Washington
Since I'm one of the yahoos that put this thought into Randy's mind, I figure that I'd better throw in my .02.
As others have stated, I am also interested in switching the color from amber to violet/blue. Like others, I wanted to do this in order to match the V-AFC and the possible blue 4IG shifter. I have never liked the digital dashboard - it was one of the least appealing features of the cars in my opinion and reminds me of a mid-80's Subaru XT. I must say that I think the dash layout and design of the 350Z and RX-8 are very, very nice.
I would have much rather perferred to get "traditional" chrono gagues like the Lexus IS and others. My other complaint is that I think the tach is a bit slow as compared to the actual engine speed. While I have no empirical prove on this, it is my seat of the pants feeling.
BUT - I thought about it long & hard while I was out driving the other evening. This will only work if all the other illuminated pieces are matched. For example, the HVAC controls, radio controls, and other associated pieces that currently glow amber. Unless those matched the primary coloring, it will not look good at all. Now, it wouldn't be that bad if you dimmed all the lights down using the factory controls. That way you would only see the dash and the other indicators would not show.
Nevertheless, this is an interesting exercise and Randy should be applauded for taking the time and effort to explore this most intriguing possibility.
As others have stated, I am also interested in switching the color from amber to violet/blue. Like others, I wanted to do this in order to match the V-AFC and the possible blue 4IG shifter. I have never liked the digital dashboard - it was one of the least appealing features of the cars in my opinion and reminds me of a mid-80's Subaru XT. I must say that I think the dash layout and design of the 350Z and RX-8 are very, very nice.
I would have much rather perferred to get "traditional" chrono gagues like the Lexus IS and others. My other complaint is that I think the tach is a bit slow as compared to the actual engine speed. While I have no empirical prove on this, it is my seat of the pants feeling.
BUT - I thought about it long & hard while I was out driving the other evening. This will only work if all the other illuminated pieces are matched. For example, the HVAC controls, radio controls, and other associated pieces that currently glow amber. Unless those matched the primary coloring, it will not look good at all. Now, it wouldn't be that bad if you dimmed all the lights down using the factory controls. That way you would only see the dash and the other indicators would not show.
Nevertheless, this is an interesting exercise and Randy should be applauded for taking the time and effort to explore this most intriguing possibility.
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,892
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From: Southern Cali
Now that the digital dash is opened, would you guys think it would be possible to put in a faster processor that would make the speedo read faster, like Knight Rider? Sometimes the lag annoys me when slowing down. Just a thought 
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,598
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From: Torrance, CA
Unbelievable. I'm inactive on the board for a month and THIS is the post I miss! I've wanted a bluish dash since before I got the car. This is exactly the information I've been looking for! I thought there were a whole bunch of LEDs in there! What a relief!
Thanks 1Randyc! When you have time to work on the project, can you keep these questions in mind?
1) Are the bulbs that provide the illumination yellowish when lit, or white?
2) Are these standard bulbs that can be easily replaced? Any soldering necessary for this?
3) Are the bulbs very bright? I think a blue replacement film will allow less light to pass, due to the nature of blue light. We may want to consider putting brighter lights behind the LCD.
Again, thanks. Keep up the good work!
Thanks 1Randyc! When you have time to work on the project, can you keep these questions in mind?
1) Are the bulbs that provide the illumination yellowish when lit, or white?
2) Are these standard bulbs that can be easily replaced? Any soldering necessary for this?
3) Are the bulbs very bright? I think a blue replacement film will allow less light to pass, due to the nature of blue light. We may want to consider putting brighter lights behind the LCD.
Again, thanks. Keep up the good work!
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 402
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From: pearland
well, MDs2k should be able to tell us how much it will cost to have it done professionally. 15min is way too optimistic. it might be possible for an experienced person, but how many of us have ever taken apart dash boards, steering wheels, airbags and other associated parts. for the daring and experienced, it's probably an easy job; but for the average home mechanics, i think they should wait till the pros have done the trials. jsut my 2 cents.