The Dash/Cluster swap/conversion thread - Page 3 - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

irax · 06-28-2011, 12:53 AM

BTW for those who haven't seen the PlusONEten build

Quote:

Originally Posted by donandal

Ok,
Here is the next update… this is the interior progress.
The dash from the Z was disassembled and the two bigger pieces of the dash were loosely mocked up over the 240SX steering column and old steel dash support.

It looked like everything would fit with a little trimming. We could use a “cut” line in the dash at each side and would end up with a clean look…perhaps. The steel sub-frame for the dash was mocked up and it looked good as well. At the proper distance for the steering column used from the Z, there would be a gap at the front of the panel at the windshield, but the curves looked natural and we could fabricate an aluminum filler strip and cover it with black vinyl. We will also fabricate two end fillers that transition to the door panels for a clean look.

Next we looked at all of the dash components for air and heat and checked their fit also. It was very tight but would work with some modification. The heater core was located more near the middle. The A/C would work also if we added some clearance and modified the air intake plenum.

We made these collars to fit the firewall and allow the heater hoses to pass thru. They are recessed to allow more clearance between the engine and firewall.

This is what they look like installed. The big hole next to this collar was added for one of the main harnesses from the Z that goes to the gas pedal and steering column.

The other holes that weren’t needed were welded up.

The steering column was also moved toward the frame rail to give extra clearance at the starter. This collar and bearing piece was made, and uses the original studs in the firewall.

Everything fit pretty well, so we fabricated the 350Z steel dash support into the 240. The center support lined right up with the tunnel as well. Once the steel support was in, everything else just snapped into place.

The inside primed… the flanged grey bracket will hold the front of the dash and trim strip

Primed with epoxy

These brackets are gusseted at both ends. When it’s all bolted up and bolted to the tunnel it’s quite sturdy.

The center fit nicely. We built a custom lower dash panel that transitions to the center console and everything fits…. more of that later.

The dash support is in and stuff is going back into place. There are a lot of wires!

Here’s Allen, checking out the steering wheel position.

The 240 center console didn’t line up with the new Z dash, so we built a center console from .060 aluminum. The three hole A/C control cluster bracket is made from .080 aluminum.

The hardware from both the Z and 240 were used.

The grey pieces have been black wrinkle powder coated. The trim ring and shifter boot are from the Z .

This panel had the airbag. We made a plate to cover the big hole where it was,and skimmed it with bondo and recovered it in black vinyl

That’s about it for the front part of the interior.
More to come ….

kornmanz · 06-28-2011, 02:04 AM

Wow that Z dash looks too sick. If only I had the money to pay those guys to do that to my car. That's seriously very very nice work.

iLagX · 08-31-2011, 11:01 PM

wow love the z33 dash on a s13!! how much would you charge!

conrad_s13.5 · 09-01-2011, 07:57 AM

ive got EVERY wire traced down and labeled, prolly wouldnt be too hard to go for something crazy eventually!

Broadfield · 09-01-2011, 08:21 AM

I must say, those old OEM digital clusters are some ugly mugs.

Matthew Murphy · 09-01-2011, 04:42 PM

^^^if you change the back light it would make it look better though

namawon · 09-01-2011, 05:43 PM

Not to jack the thread.
Ive gone through about 5 Speedometers/Gauge clusters for my 90' hatch. We tested everything, it was the speedometer not my connections. Ive heard swapping to a 93 gauge cluster would be better..? any idea?

tapdeznutz · 12-19-2011, 12:26 AM

wow that Z33 dash definitely looks awesome.

upsdude · 12-19-2011, 12:38 AM

with the exception of the top tab, the s15 cluster fits into the s14 dash; so just cut/break it off. you have to cut your cluster bezel to make it fit ontop. i was happy after that step but if you want it to look factory or whatever you can fab something up. i might get an s15 cluster bezel and mess with it...just have to find one :P

Mishkin_707 · 12-19-2011, 04:07 AM

Damn, this reminds me, I can't remember what model Infiniti car had a digital tach, I was thinking of swapping the analog tach on my car so it would be digital like the speedometer.

I remember I did a 2000 Honda civic SI cluster into my friends 90 civic hatch, had to get a digital speed sensor because the 90 civic's speed sensor was cable driven, it was a fun swap to do, only reason my friend wanted me to do the swap is because he sanded the back of the SI cluster so when he turn on the light the little "SI" emblem would light up

John1006 · 01-25-2012, 08:11 PM

Customer’s S13 Cluster w/Speedhut Gauges « Broadfield's Blog
I love this look.

conrad_s13.5 · 01-26-2012, 07:57 AM

always thought a g35 or 350z cluster would look dope

DenkiMan! · 01-26-2012, 11:39 AM

that y33 dash would be nice

killer240 · 01-27-2012, 09:20 PM

its smaller but F* it

IMG_3169 by d_2jzgte, on Flickr

IMG_3170 by d_2jzgte, on Flickr

edit: so heres how its going to sit, the bezel is lifted up a little bit in the middle due to the cluster trim on the bottom. I didnt want to cut it yet, but it looks like i will have to. I will try to fit in a boost gauge and something else on the sides, i dont want to waste the space, besides it will look better.

pics with the bezel on

IMG_3178 by d_2jzgte, on Flickr

IMG_3181 by d_2jzgte, on Flickr

irax · 01-29-2012, 01:29 AM

keep us updated, post wiring info and show us what it looks like when its done.

Trinidrift3 · 01-29-2012, 08:02 PM

please, if you get the ap1 cluster to work, let me know!!!! ive been wanting to do this for months but i just cant figure out how to do it

XxHybridx · 01-30-2012, 02:44 PM

hows the NX1600 look like in the daytime. looks cool in the night and all but id imagine it doesnt look that good in the day..

95KA-Turbo · 01-30-2012, 03:58 PM

I am thinking about doing one of these Dakota Digital clusters. I wish they were a little cooler looking (more then one color or at least available in white), but for the price and the gauges it comes with its unbeatable.

They're 575 bucks and come with all of the sensors and I've read nothing but great things about Dakota Digital.

qwerth · 01-30-2012, 04:37 PM

that digital cluster doesn't look that bad actually

atom · 01-30-2012, 06:13 PM

Have you seen them in person? I thought it looked OK in pictures too then I saw it in person and thought yeah..........thats a clock radio in your dash. Not for me, but I agree the price is good for all you get with it.

95KA-Turbo · 01-30-2012, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atom

Have you seen them in person? I thought it looked OK in pictures too then I saw it in person and thought yeah..........thats a clock radio in your dash. Not for me, but I agree the price is good for all you get with it.

Is there anything else that is comparable feature wise that looks a little better but isn't significantly more expensive?

ShakotanGazelle · 01-30-2012, 07:03 PM

I <3 the way my S12 V6's gauge cluster looks, hella 80s.
shouldnt be hard at all to get it to work either since people have been swapping KAs/SRs/RBs and shit into them too.

atom · 01-30-2012, 11:32 PM

Not really. Maybe VDO Viewline 6 gauge kit? You can find them on ebay once in a while for like $625. It's nothing more than a package of gauges to make your own Broadfield-esque cluster.

The thing I like about the Dakota kits though is that they have the central junction for the wiring, and the only other gauges I know of that do that are way more expensive than the Dakota stuff.

killer240 · 01-31-2012, 12:14 AM

well i just got the wiring done, all i need to do is the fun stuff, matching up the wires. I got like 10 wire done just to get this light up. Im retired for the night though, hopefully tomorrow i can get the rest of it done, except; the speedometer, tach(not sure if i can get away with not having a converter), water temp(not sure either).

by the way, my cluster was cheap but it didn't come with pig tails. I wish i should have just spent more and got the pig tails, its a bitch to make your own harness. You can see in the pic which ones arent wired up yet.

i dont know if i will be able to remember the matching up, its easy, just takes time.

IMG_3226 by d_2jzgte, on Flickr

IMG_3225 by d_2jzgte, on Flickr

IMG_3230 by d_2jzgte, on Flickr

IMG_3229 by d_2jzgte, on Flickr

edit: if your wondering why i did my wires like that, its because i cant find connectors where i live, and im just so excited

so ghetto kicks in

Quail · 01-31-2012, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killer240

edit: if your wondering why i did my wires like that, its because i cant find connectors where i live

You have heard of the internet, right?!

Will be cool to see it up and running though.

nathanong87 · 02-04-2012, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killer240

edit: if your wondering why i did my wires like that, its because i cant find connectors where i live, and im just so excited

so ghetto kicks in

s2k clusters are cool. not trying to troll u at all, but will all the functions work? as i know from the honda dudes they need like converter boxes and stuff when they do s2k cluster swaps for non s2k motors.

killer240 · 02-05-2012, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanong87

s2k clusters are cool. not trying to troll u at all, but will all the functions work? as i know from the honda dudes they need like converter boxes and stuff when they do s2k cluster swaps for non s2k motors.

you need a speedo converter box, im not sure about tach and water temp since i havent tried it yet, been busy lately.

so far signal lights and high beam are the ones that i have tried. the seatbelt light went off after a while, not sure if its because of my S14 belts. i matched up 98% of the wires i could, i just need to slap it on the car and try it out.

those Z gauges would look nice, but then it takes up all the space, gauges too big? i like it though and would like to see it done

buentellomma · 01-31-2012, 03:11 AM

^^ it would be awesome if you would post a wiring how to on converting the cluster once you work out all the bugs

killer240 · 01-31-2012, 08:46 AM

no internet is not in my dictionary, but like what i said i got pumped up and said f it.

can i borrow your kouki just for a one night? i wana sex it

i will post where i got all the info to match up the wires as soon as i get this working properly.

s14unimog · 01-31-2012, 11:40 AM

Not that its the most exotic conversion but its easy as hell and you don't have to deal with Kmh's and get a correct redline for the SR20

Zenki UK spec 200sx is direct plug and play for the Zenki USDM 240sx. This is in my car with some LED's in place of the factory bulbs (Ignore the turbo timer).

08-31-2011, 11:01 PM	#3
iLagX Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: 626/714 Posts: 2,940 Trader Rating: (40) Feedback Score: 40 reviews	wow love the z33 dash on a s13!! how much would you charge! __________________ PARTING OUT S13/S14 NEED PARTS PM ME!

09-01-2011, 07:57 AM	#4
conrad_s13.5 Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: STL Age: 37 Posts: 1,533 Trader Rating: (6) Feedback Score: 6 reviews	ive got EVERY wire traced down and labeled, prolly wouldnt be too hard to go for something crazy eventually! __________________ cONtRol FReAkS

09-01-2011, 08:21 AM	#5
Broadfield Zilvia.net Advertiser Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Normal, IL Age: 51 Posts: 2,946 Trader Rating: (163) Feedback Score: 163 reviews	I must say, those old OEM digital clusters are some ugly mugs. __________________ Follow Along For My Latest Work My Portfolio Please Share Check Out My Builds

09-01-2011, 05:43 PM	#7
namawon Zilvia Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Psl, Florida Age: 33 Posts: 161 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Not to jack the thread. Ive gone through about 5 Speedometers/Gauge clusters for my 90' hatch. We tested everything, it was the speedometer not my connections. Ive heard swapping to a 93 gauge cluster would be better..? any idea? __________________ I'd walk a thousand miles with a broken spine before i'd change my mind.

01-26-2012, 07:57 AM	#12
conrad_s13.5 Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: STL Age: 37 Posts: 1,533 Trader Rating: (6) Feedback Score: 6 reviews	always thought a g35 or 350z cluster would look dope __________________ cONtRol FReAkS

06-28-2011, 02:04 AM	#2
kornmanz Leaky Injector Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: New Mexico Posts: 52 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Wow that Z dash looks too sick. If only I had the money to pay those guys to do that to my car. That's seriously very very nice work.

09-01-2011, 04:42 PM	#6
Matthew Murphy Leaky Injector Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: houston Age: 33 Posts: 87 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	^^^if you change the back light it would make it look better though

12-19-2011, 12:26 AM	#8
tapdeznutz Nissanaholic! Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach Age: 45 Posts: 1,801 Trader Rating: (50) Feedback Score: 50 reviews	wow that Z33 dash definitely looks awesome.

12-19-2011, 12:38 AM	#9
upsdude Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fontana (the good part) Posts: 2,721 Trader Rating: (46) Rides Gallery: upsdude Feedback Score: 46 reviews	with the exception of the top tab, the s15 cluster fits into the s14 dash; so just cut/break it off. you have to cut your cluster bezel to make it fit ontop. i was happy after that step but if you want it to look factory or whatever you can fab something up. i might get an s15 cluster bezel and mess with it...just have to find one :P

12-19-2011, 04:07 AM	#10
Mishkin_707 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: everywhere Age: 43 Posts: 732 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Damn, this reminds me, I can't remember what model Infiniti car had a digital tach, I was thinking of swapping the analog tach on my car so it would be digital like the speedometer. I remember I did a 2000 Honda civic SI cluster into my friends 90 civic hatch, had to get a digital speed sensor because the 90 civic's speed sensor was cable driven, it was a fun swap to do, only reason my friend wanted me to do the swap is because he sanded the back of the SI cluster so when he turn on the light the little "SI" emblem would light up

01-25-2012, 08:11 PM	#11
John1006 Leaky Injector Join Date: May 2010 Location: Enid, OK Posts: 119 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Customer’s S13 Cluster w/Speedhut Gauges « Broadfield's Blog I love this look.

01-27-2012, 09:20 PM	#14
killer240 Post Whore! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Pair of dice, Norcal Age: 34 Posts: 2,621 Trader Rating: (24) Feedback Score: 24 reviews	its smaller but F* it IMG_3169 by d_2jzgte, on Flickr IMG_3170 by d_2jzgte, on Flickr edit: so heres how its going to sit, the bezel is lifted up a little bit in the middle due to the cluster trim on the bottom. I didnt want to cut it yet, but it looks like i will have to. I will try to fit in a boost gauge and something else on the sides, i dont want to waste the space, besides it will look better. pics with the bezel on IMG_3178 by d_2jzgte, on Flickr IMG_3181 by d_2jzgte, on Flickr Last edited by killer240; 01-29-2012 at 10:25 AM..

01-29-2012, 01:29 AM	#15
irax Post Whore! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: San Diego Age: 41 Posts: 4,249 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	keep us updated, post wiring info and show us what it looks like when its done. __________________ Drives a BRZ and is building a V6 S12 coupe.

01-29-2012, 08:02 PM	#16
Trinidrift3 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NY (845) Age: 32 Posts: 951 Trader Rating: (11) Feedback Score: 11 reviews	please, if you get the ap1 cluster to work, let me know!!!! ive been wanting to do this for months but i just cant figure out how to do it __________________

01-30-2012, 02:44 PM	#17
XxHybridx Zilvia Junkie Join Date: May 2010 Location: Inland Empire Posts: 301 Trader Rating: (17) Feedback Score: 17 reviews	hows the NX1600 look like in the daytime. looks cool in the night and all but id imagine it doesnt look that good in the day.. __________________ http://upsidedownsideway.tumblr.com/

01-30-2012, 03:58 PM	#18
95KA-Turbo Post Whore! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: LA Age: 39 Posts: 3,402 Trader Rating: (19) Feedback Score: 19 reviews	I am thinking about doing one of these Dakota Digital clusters. I wish they were a little cooler looking (more then one color or at least available in white), but for the price and the gauges it comes with its unbeatable. They're 575 bucks and come with all of the sensors and I've read nothing but great things about Dakota Digital. __________________ Instagram - SJKnoop

01-30-2012, 04:37 PM	#19
qwerth Nissanaholic! Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: あなたのお母さんの家 Southern Cali Posts: 1,619 Trader Rating: (25) Feedback Score: 25 reviews	that digital cluster doesn't look that bad actually __________________ DarkMagician Instagram

01-30-2012, 06:13 PM	#20
atom Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,196 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Have you seen them in person? I thought it looked OK in pictures too then I saw it in person and thought yeah..........thats a clock radio in your dash. Not for me, but I agree the price is good for all you get with it.

01-30-2012, 07:03 PM	#22
ShakotanGazelle Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 514 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	I <3 the way my S12 V6's gauge cluster looks, hella 80s. shouldnt be hard at all to get it to work either since people have been swapping KAs/SRs/RBs and shit into them too.

01-30-2012, 11:32 PM	#23
atom Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,196 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Not really. Maybe VDO Viewline 6 gauge kit? You can find them on ebay once in a while for like $625. It's nothing more than a package of gauges to make your own Broadfield-esque cluster. The thing I like about the Dakota kits though is that they have the central junction for the wiring, and the only other gauges I know of that do that are way more expensive than the Dakota stuff.

01-31-2012, 12:14 AM	#24
killer240 Post Whore! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Pair of dice, Norcal Age: 34 Posts: 2,621 Trader Rating: (24) Feedback Score: 24 reviews	well i just got the wiring done, all i need to do is the fun stuff, matching up the wires. I got like 10 wire done just to get this light up. Im retired for the night though, hopefully tomorrow i can get the rest of it done, except; the speedometer, tach(not sure if i can get away with not having a converter), water temp(not sure either). by the way, my cluster was cheap but it didn't come with pig tails. I wish i should have just spent more and got the pig tails, its a bitch to make your own harness. You can see in the pic which ones arent wired up yet. i dont know if i will be able to remember the matching up, its easy, just takes time. IMG_3226 by d_2jzgte, on Flickr IMG_3225 by d_2jzgte, on Flickr IMG_3230 by d_2jzgte, on Flickr IMG_3229 by d_2jzgte, on Flickr edit: if your wondering why i did my wires like that, its because i cant find connectors where i live, and im just so excited so ghetto kicks in

01-31-2012, 03:11 AM	#28
buentellomma Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Goodyear AZ Age: 39 Posts: 480 Trader Rating: (6) Feedback Score: 6 reviews	^^ it would be awesome if you would post a wiring how to on converting the cluster once you work out all the bugs

01-31-2012, 08:46 AM	#29
killer240 Post Whore! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Pair of dice, Norcal Age: 34 Posts: 2,621 Trader Rating: (24) Feedback Score: 24 reviews	no internet is not in my dictionary, but like what i said i got pumped up and said f it. can i borrow your kouki just for a one night? i wana sex it i will post where i got all the info to match up the wires as soon as i get this working properly.

01-31-2012, 11:40 AM	#30
s14unimog Nissanaholic! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: In a place, near a river, over a lake Age: 38 Posts: 2,415 Trader Rating: (22) Rides Gallery: s14unimog Feedback Score: 22 reviews	Not that its the most exotic conversion but its easy as hell and you don't have to deal with Kmh's and get a correct redline for the SR20 Zenki UK spec 200sx is direct plug and play for the Zenki USDM 240sx. This is in my car with some LED's in place of the factory bulbs (Ignore the turbo timer). __________________ Fuking ginger bread man stole my wallet... SHIFT*lock_slide to side d3m3rs0n: if i have a baby im naming it Brandons Fault Emerson