Check out my custom installed gauges in the NX
I just finished installing some custom gauges in my NX(VE),and I thought I would share with you guys.I have put alot of thought into this setup to improve it from similar setups.
Most of the ideas I used came from the members of the forum,so I wanted to give back since I have made some changes and did some things differently to suit my needs/tastes.
Big thanks to @Chriscar for the basic ideas/parts used.He has done some writeups in the past that have inspired me.
This is not a how to,but theres some pics,and I am pretty proud of the outcome.
I kinda just made this up as I went,and I could not easily duplicate the setup exactly.This is just a basis for anyone who wants some ideas on what can be done with the right tools and alot of patience.
I feel like this is as clean of an install as can be done.Enjoy!
I am not gonna go crazy with every little detail,but feel free to ask any questions.I am including all the pics I took along the way.
A quick list of what I am installing,and parts,etc.
* NOTE* I had a OEM Nissan optional CD player in the NX,so thats what gave me the idea and chassis/ parts needed to do this.The relocation brackets can be ordered from Gspec or just modify your original radio brackets.
-AEM wideband gauge
-VDO water, oil temp,and oil pressure gauges,and appropriate senders.
-42 Draft Designs triple gauge DIN panel in radio location(MKIV VW golf)
-Radio relocation brackets(came with the OEM optional CD player that I used as a chassis for the gauges)
-Oil filter sandwich adapter for oil temp/pressure senders(Ebay/China)
-Any DIN radio to disassemble for the chassis
-Any radio harness for quick disconnect.
Special Tools,etc
-Multi-meter
-Dremel
-Hot glue gun
-Grinder and cutoff wheels
-Files
-1/8 NPT27 tap
-Blue painters tape
-zipties
-Misc electrical wire and connectors
So heres where it gets fun.
I had a few things I wanted to be different than what others have done. Below are my preferences...
1.)Clean ,and as factory looking as possible.
-I like the VDO gauges because they are accurate,simple,cheap,and match the OEM gauges nicely.
-The VDO gauges recess into the 42 Draft designs panel for a sweet flush look.
-Serviceable
2.)Easily serviceable,and/or the ability to take apart the dash,radio/vent bezels easily if needed.
-For the AEM gauge,I made it so you can unplug it easily.I really wanted it to be out of the way,not distracting,but still easily visible to the driver.
Since my car is a 93 and has no cruise,I was able to move the dimmer over where the 91-92 foglight switch is.This left room to sink the AEM in.
-For the Triple DIN panel,I wanted the gauges to be able to remain in the dash if I remove the vent/radio trim.So I tore apart a CD player and attached the gauge panel to the front with hot glue so it would look factory.I used the radio brackets on the chassis to bolt it in. This way,the gauges can remain in place when you remove the front vent/radio trim pieces.I used the CD players brackets to lower the radio down to where the pocket was.
-I also wanted to have a quick disconnect so you can unplug all the gauges and remove them...just like a radio harnes...A-HA! Behold where the idea came from!!
Alittle creative repinning colors,female spade connectors,zipties,and loom...
3.)I wanted a better/different way to mount the senders.
-For the water,I just tapped the water outlet.Works perfect.
-For the oil,I used a sandwich plate adapter kit that lets you mount the senders in it.This allows you to leave the stock ones alone,instead of installing a "T" or a Nissport adapter block.
This was an ebay part that I bought based on measurements and price.It was not a direct fit,mas I had to shorten the fitting for it to work properly.Basically I cut a 1/2 inch off because it would bottom out before the plate was tight. Not a big deal,but with the right fitting,it would be pretty sweet.
I put some RTV between the orings,but ultimately only the inner oring seals anyway.
Pics installed...everything can be reached from the top or bottom,and it clears everything nicely.
I put some LED in the gauges to match my cluster,and here is the result.
OK...HERES the kicker.
WARNING!!!!!!
The oil filter mount on the VE is made of shitty potmetal,and apparently I overtightened it the first time installing the sandwich adapter plate.
So....as I was installing the filter ,it snapped off!!!!
I had a spare filter mount(go figure) but I was not happy having to swap it out,and re-install everything.
Lesson learned,no problems with the second one so far after a 15 mile test drive...no leaks!! yay!.
Heres a pic of the first one...Yikes,glad that happenned here,not on the road,or worse yet...the track!
Most of the ideas I used came from the members of the forum,so I wanted to give back since I have made some changes and did some things differently to suit my needs/tastes.
Big thanks to @Chriscar for the basic ideas/parts used.He has done some writeups in the past that have inspired me.
This is not a how to,but theres some pics,and I am pretty proud of the outcome.
I kinda just made this up as I went,and I could not easily duplicate the setup exactly.This is just a basis for anyone who wants some ideas on what can be done with the right tools and alot of patience.
I feel like this is as clean of an install as can be done.Enjoy!
I am not gonna go crazy with every little detail,but feel free to ask any questions.I am including all the pics I took along the way.
A quick list of what I am installing,and parts,etc.
* NOTE* I had a OEM Nissan optional CD player in the NX,so thats what gave me the idea and chassis/ parts needed to do this.The relocation brackets can be ordered from Gspec or just modify your original radio brackets.
-AEM wideband gauge
-VDO water, oil temp,and oil pressure gauges,and appropriate senders.
-42 Draft Designs triple gauge DIN panel in radio location(MKIV VW golf)
-Radio relocation brackets(came with the OEM optional CD player that I used as a chassis for the gauges)
-Oil filter sandwich adapter for oil temp/pressure senders(Ebay/China)
-Any DIN radio to disassemble for the chassis
-Any radio harness for quick disconnect.
Special Tools,etc
-Multi-meter
-Dremel
-Hot glue gun
-Grinder and cutoff wheels
-Files
-1/8 NPT27 tap
-Blue painters tape
-zipties
-Misc electrical wire and connectors
So heres where it gets fun.
I had a few things I wanted to be different than what others have done. Below are my preferences...
1.)Clean ,and as factory looking as possible.
-I like the VDO gauges because they are accurate,simple,cheap,and match the OEM gauges nicely.
-The VDO gauges recess into the 42 Draft designs panel for a sweet flush look.
-Serviceable
2.)Easily serviceable,and/or the ability to take apart the dash,radio/vent bezels easily if needed.
-For the AEM gauge,I made it so you can unplug it easily.I really wanted it to be out of the way,not distracting,but still easily visible to the driver.
Since my car is a 93 and has no cruise,I was able to move the dimmer over where the 91-92 foglight switch is.This left room to sink the AEM in.
-For the Triple DIN panel,I wanted the gauges to be able to remain in the dash if I remove the vent/radio trim.So I tore apart a CD player and attached the gauge panel to the front with hot glue so it would look factory.I used the radio brackets on the chassis to bolt it in. This way,the gauges can remain in place when you remove the front vent/radio trim pieces.I used the CD players brackets to lower the radio down to where the pocket was.
-I also wanted to have a quick disconnect so you can unplug all the gauges and remove them...just like a radio harnes...A-HA! Behold where the idea came from!!
Alittle creative repinning colors,female spade connectors,zipties,and loom...
3.)I wanted a better/different way to mount the senders.
-For the water,I just tapped the water outlet.Works perfect.
-For the oil,I used a sandwich plate adapter kit that lets you mount the senders in it.This allows you to leave the stock ones alone,instead of installing a "T" or a Nissport adapter block.
This was an ebay part that I bought based on measurements and price.It was not a direct fit,mas I had to shorten the fitting for it to work properly.Basically I cut a 1/2 inch off because it would bottom out before the plate was tight. Not a big deal,but with the right fitting,it would be pretty sweet.
I put some RTV between the orings,but ultimately only the inner oring seals anyway.
Pics installed...everything can be reached from the top or bottom,and it clears everything nicely.
I put some LED in the gauges to match my cluster,and here is the result.
OK...HERES the kicker.
WARNING!!!!!!
The oil filter mount on the VE is made of shitty potmetal,and apparently I overtightened it the first time installing the sandwich adapter plate.
So....as I was installing the filter ,it snapped off!!!!
I had a spare filter mount(go figure) but I was not happy having to swap it out,and re-install everything.
Lesson learned,no problems with the second one so far after a 15 mile test drive...no leaks!! yay!.
Heres a pic of the first one...Yikes,glad that happenned here,not on the road,or worse yet...the track!
Last edited by eggman
on 2013-04-28
at 15-29-22.
Originally Posted by Scrildo 
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