Sorry to hijack your thread but how did you find upgrading your dash to a caprice dash. Im looking to replace a vr s pac ute dash with a statesman dash from a vs as id like to update to central locking and power windows. Also will prob upgrade climate control while im going. do you have any advice for someone who hasnt done one before?
Only advice I have is DONT! Haha nah the dash was a piece of cake. If yours was column shift like mine it can complicate it a little.
Install was bolt out old dash and loom and swap with caprice dash and loom. Everything should plug straight in with a couple other wires requiring a bit of work. I think dte and speedo require an extra wire to the ECM. I haven't done that wire yet but my speedo is functioning but 20km/h out. I did just add 19inch rims at same time though.
I'm also having issues with backlighting and a faulty cluster led. I would recommend giving the new cluster a good looking over as the green wiring panel thingo at the back can snag and break wires. Once again if you're column shift, the cluster will be a nightmare to squeeze in above the pnd123 area above wheel. Even with all this removed it was a very tight fit.
I did have to cut four wires that I'm yet to figure out their purpose. You shouldn't have to cut any wiring as I have heap of aftermarket crap that was integrated.
Heaps of other factors come into play which I'm unsure about. You'll need correct top loom if you have options like ac or fog lights etc.
I jumped in head first with little research so I'm only really familiar with my model dash and ute.
Worthwhile upgrade as it looks a million times better. You will also need different door cards or at least the top section to match the height of the dash. If you have manual external mirrors, the statesman door card will not fit (can be easily modified).
Climate control looks like another headache I am not willing to attempt just yet. Power windows I am also unsure about sorry.
Hope something above may help in someway, apologies for the vague info.
Below is dodgy diagram I did of my old loom with the wiring I had to cut. Posting it in hope someone knows what these wires are.
Brakes are coming along beautifully. Still only running the hsv four pot fronts and standard rear but she handles perfectly. Master cylinder keeping up well (1 inch bore standard it urea apparently - bonus). Rang brake specialists and no one can give me a clear answer why the bolts are different on my diff housing preventing the rears to fit.
Gave her a bath and new set of tyres. 19s kinda growing on me but only because they came free on a car I bought for parts.
Painted windown surround piece. Scored a free oil catch can but fairly pointless on a "new" engine apparently. Might install and run for a month to see if any action.
