Thread: HUD install in base 2007 Grand Prix

While visiting my local junkyard today I happened to find a 2005 GP that had a factory HUD. I was able to get the dash trim piece and HUD assembly out without breaking any of the plastic or clips and also ripped out the wiring harness from the HUD connector all the way to the center console connector and data bus splitter thing which wasn't easy. Unfortunately the center console itself was destroyed by someone else ripping out the back seat like a gorilla but I was able to get the HUD control switch and harness.

I believe I have the wiring part of it figured out since I unwrapped all the tape from the center console connector up and separated all the HUD related wires and taped them up neatly into a new harness. I'm going to de-pin the data wire and center console wires and insert them in my cars connectors which I think should work. Then I just have an orange and black with white wire which I believe are power/ground and I'm going to tap off the DIC which according to the wiring diagram I found is the same circuit and I'll be running right by it anyway.

My biggest concern is actually cutting in the HUD into the dash which kinda scares me. I wasn't able to find any detailed tutorials anywhere on here with pictures preferably showing the best way and best tools to do this in a 04+ GP. I took some pictures of the hole left in the car I harvested from and I can only guess that none of that will be in my car under the dash foam that covers that spot. I should be able to just carefully trace out the trim piece and cut the foam layer with a utility knife making sure to leave as much as possible as there ain't no going back if I mess it up. I'm really concerned with removing the hard plastic that I'm assuming will be under that. does anyone have any tricks to getting this done? also once the dash is cut will the mounting points for the two HUD bolts be in there? It sure would be nice if I could take the windshield out lol

How important/ what is the purpose of the foam weatherstrip/gasket that runs between the HUD dash trim piece and the windshield? When removing the trim it tore on me and I'm not sure if its worth trying to replace or not. I tried removing that same trim piece in another GP without the HUD and it tore on me again but in a different spot so maybe I could keep trying cars until I get one that doesn't rip and swap it onto my HUD trim.

I plan on pinning and splicing my harness I made in tomorrow and testing the HUD before cutting anything.

Did you have luck getting this done? There is a thread but the pictures do not work anymore. Going to be doing this myself here soon.

Originally Posted by mainecrab

Did you have luck getting this done? There is a thread but the pictures do not work anymore. Going to be doing this myself here soon.

I did manage to get it working but not completely the way I originally intended. I got the wiring part done as I said in the first post and tested it outside the dash and everything worked properly. I did however have to fix the spring inside the HUD which I understand is a common issue and a quick google/youtube search will show you how to fix it because it will most likely be broken on any used HUD you find.

When it came to cutting the dash, I quickly realized it was way to awkward for me and the crappy $20 dremel tool I had to get it done nicely and easily because you have to be quite precise or the HUD wont fit or worse you will see where you cut because you need to cut about 1/4" in from the trim piece which isn't much room for error. you also need to cut two slots, one on each side for the trim piece clips to snap into or it wont sit right. All that while working over the steering wheel (which could have been removed) and trying very hard to not damage the windshield. With a lot of patience and time I did manage to get it cut out and got the HUD in and it did work however I wasn't happy with it because while cutting the edge closest to the steering wheel the chuck of the dremel tool touched the surface of the dash and just like that there was a scar the wouldn't be covered by the trim piece and being the perfectionist I am that would bother the hell out of me.

I decided after all that to explore the option of just getting a new (to me) dash from the local junk yard and this is the the way I would strongly recommend going about this after doing it. I found a GP with a mint condition dash with the front speaker option but no HUD and decided to pull it out since at the same time I was exploring doing the OEM monsoon upgrade as well and felt confident I could easily cut the hud in myself with the dash out of the car.. Its a little time consuming to pull the dash but not that hard, you basically only need a 10mm socket and ratchet, a trim clip tool, a flat screwdriver to pull the airbag, a #2 Phillips screwdriver and whatever size socket it was to pull the steering wheel (19mm I think) took about an hour and a half not knowing at all what I was doing. the dash cost me $25 and as I figured I was easily able to cut the HUD opening out using the chunk of dash I cut out of the car I originally pulled the HUD from as a template (last pic) I was able to get it near factory cut being able to work at it from any angle. The removal of my dash and install of the new one took me about two hours. I unfortunately didn't take any pics along the way since I wasn't planning on doing a tutorial. things to note are:

-when taking the old upper dash trim piece off be careful with the daylight sensor and the LED next to it, they don't have very long wire leads and break easily, you have to pop the trim piece up and carefully lift it enough to get two fingers in there and twist them out.

-once you get the upper dash trim out you will see plastic Christmas tree fasteners poking through that hold the dash to the sound proofing material behind it. I couldn't find a good way to get them out and just pulled on the dash once everything else was free and managed to get them to break or pop out. just keep them in mind because they will likely be the last thing holding the dash in once all the bolts are removed.

-be very careful taking out the two bolts on the very top of the dash below the windshield on either side once the upper dash trim is removed as there isn't much clearance between the bolt and the windshield to get a socket in there. if you put any pressure on the windshield by forcing a long socket and ratchet in there or back out the bolt and get the ratchet jammed against the glass, I'm sure it will crack.

-when removing the ignition switch at the junkyard I just snapped off the black ring that sits around it to get it out but when you are doing your own car be very careful because if you break that ring your car wont start and you will need a new one. to remove it you need to put your key in and turn it to I think it was the "on" position then you need a pick or something to reach in the little access hole next to it and push the release pin in and the whole thing will pop out. the pin will only work if the key is in the right position. I used a pick with a 90 degree bend on the end.

-in general be careful that you don't forget to unplug/ unclip any wires/ connectors attached to the dash and when you start pulling it and feel some resistance make sure you check you didn't miss anything before pulling to hard.

other then that its basically just popping off trim pieces, undoing a few screws and unbolting a bunch of 10mm bolts and remembering where everything goes. I really wish I would have just decided to get a new dash or pull my dash out before going through all the stress and frustration of trying to cut it in the car and wasting all that time and effort on a result I wasn't happy with but I guess I wouldn't have bothered to begin with if I didn't enjoy doing these things somewhat. In the end I am very happy with it now and if your wondering you can see it just fine on a non-HUD windshield

Thanks for the reply! This will definitely help more than just me so really appreciate your giving a detailed response and update! It does look good

Also meant to ask did you purchase the compass and temp sensor as well?

Originally Posted by mainecrab

Also meant to ask did you purchase the compass and temp sensor as well?

I upgraded my driver information center from the base three button unit to the five button unit which displays temp and direction when I first got my car, I just grabbed one along with the compass and temp sensor from the junkyard for around $20. its a super easy upgrade that is all plug and play since all the harnesses and connectors are in all models. So I already had all that ready when I tackled the HUD

Do you still happen to have that dash template piece? Could possibly sell it or send if I pay shipping?