MFD Install In Non-Turbo R34 Dash

[JarrettL]

For starters, I'm not wanting to put an MFD in my dash to monitor my RB25DE. However, the cover is an intriguing concept for the housing to a front/rear camera display I'd like to install. The covers are still available from Amayama, it seems, and the power/video switching of my project is fairly straightforward.

I have an ENR34, which came with the RB25DE. This means that the dash is solid, and does not have the removable insert the GT-R, GT-t, or GT-X have. Likewise, my dash would have to be cut in order to install the MFD cover. A search on this topic hasn't yielded any actual experience from those who seem to have done it, so would anyone here care to offer anything up? I can buy a GT-t dash here in the US, but with additional $500ish it would add to what's effectively a camera project, it's difficult to justify so far.

Open to ideas.

Edited February 10, 2021 by JarrettL

[Unzipped Composites]

It's super easy, just cut the dash. Go slowly and keep trial fitting, don't take heaps out in one go. But it's quite obvious once you start cutting where you need to end up.

[JarrettL]

Have you done this? Just seems like a big leap given that there's no going back. And the cutting isn't really what gets me, so much as the method of attachment once the foam is cut. I would seriously doubt it has the tabs in place, right?

[JarrettL]

Alright, so a year and half later I've finally done this to my car successfully! It really is nearly as straightforward as it sounds, but necessary to keep some considerations in mind when doing so. Pictures are in the process of uploading now, and I'll start writing out a step-by-step for others who want to attempt this. The purpose of this installation for myself was not to run the OEM MFD, but I do want to use the OEM cover to adapt a monitor of some sort inside. Back-up camera is the primary reason, but I'd like to think of more things to add, as well. The cluster is being replaced with an AIM display, so I'm not too concerned with any motorsport data, or critical systems monitoring, but suggestions are welcome!

Instructions incoming!

[JarrettL]

Alright, so here's how you're going to put an OEM MFD cover (and potentially the aftermarket enclosures that utilize factory provisions) into your non-turbo dashboard. Some NA cars had the pop-up navi display and are treated just like GTT cars. But if your dash just has a blank spot, read on.

Set the enclosure roughly into place on the dash see where the outside edges will fall on the vinyl surface of the dash. Make some marks on either side about 10mm in from that imaginary line. 10mm isn't gospel, and we'll be adjusting as we go, but it will give you a decent starting point. Cut full depth through the foam along these lines making sure the cuts in the back corners touch, and then remove all vinyl and padding within this boundary.

 

As you can see on the different edges of the MFD cover, there is a vertical surface that will help to tuck the vinyl down so that your cut line cannot be seen. When we purposely cut 10mm in from the true outside edge in the last step, we did that so that we could take advantage of some extra material, and not have our cut exposed.

 

To make this work well, we'll need to "undermine" the foam layer from underneath the vinyl surface around the perimeter. With the MFD cover in hand, repeatedly try to fit it and then adjust the cut line until you think you have it perfect.

 

The brown tape in the back is covering two slots that the MFD cover will slide into. Stick a flathead screwdriver through those to expose the slots. Continue with the test-fitting process. The side I found that gives you the most grief is the side closest to the gauge cluster. You really need to make sure that your cuts have the foam undermined there as that's the side of the MFD cover with the tallest vertical edge.

 

Lastly, one small relief area that I needed was at this point where there's a dimple in the vinyl. I took a 6mm drill bit and drilled a hole into the plastic surface where the plastic protrusion on the MFD cover wants to sit. Don't drill into the vinyl, but next to it. You'll see it when you're test-fitting. I thought my picture was much more self-explanatory when I was taking it, but looking at it now, that's certainly not the case!

 

Obviously at this point you can cut through the entire plastic panel, or you can cut just what you'll need for whatever your application is. I suppose you could even just upholster it with some felt carpet and store your sunglasses in there!

 

I hope this was helpful to someone! It made me nervous to attempt, but in all honesty I was finished in about 25-30 minutes.

Edited August 6, 2022 by JarrettL
Photos