ive decided to make a complete fiberglass from scratch (for the most part)

it will be shaped completely different, and my door panels will be glassed to flow with the dash. not sure exactly how its gonna look yet, but im going to do it either way. with the wall and everything else, might as well do the dash so thats not the only stock piece left lol. i even ripped the headliner out and im glassing a custom headliner as well.

with that being said, im thinking i would like the smaller speedo (like the one that mounts next to the RPM tach in factory R53's with factory nav)

the RPM will be relocated to the center of the dash as well as the new smaller speedo gauge. is the wiring the same? has anyone swapped to the smaller one able to give me some info on this?

i like the bigger gauge, but if i move the rpm to the center, i think 2 gauges the same size will look nicer than 1 small gauge and then the big gauge. i will also have the 2 really small oil and voltage gauges placed in the center somewhere too, if not, those will be in the console (also getting custom made lol)


i sorta have a picture in my head of how i want this to look, and if i can make it look like i want, its going to be really clean looking.

my mini is not a daily driver anymore, so i have time to tear it apart completely and get everything like i want.


edit:

what precautions do i need to take to safely remove/disable the airbags when removing the dash?

im going to leave the airbags out of the dash, its not a daily, the seats have been disconnected for ever, and i WISH i had taken the curtain bags out before i built the wall, but oh well, thats already done. ive heard if the airbag light is on, that the whole system is disabled anyways. any input on that is appreciated as well.

please no comments about leaving the airbags out on the dash rebuild. its NOT a daily driver, i havent driven it more than 4 times in the last 3-4 months, theres also no seatbelts. rarely gets driven.

 

bump.. anyone?

 

anyone?

 

Study the wiring diagrams: http://www.bmw-planet.com/diagrams/release/en/

The electronic module that controls all the gauges is inside the center unit (center speedo, chrono, or Nav screen). You'd still need to keep the center unit around and relocate it somewhere.

 

If the airbag light is on all the airbags will go off as normal if they are still plugged in. TO take them out just disconnect the battery and be careful. Shouldn't be too hard.

 

is there a main sensor or module that controls ALL the airbags, that i can unplug/remove to disable the entire system permantely? (im posting on my cousins account)

 

but I don't know where. Check the link that rkw gave you to find all that stuff out.

Man Pimped, this one ever gonna be done?

Matt

 

Hey Matt...he is gonna be sure it is a classic when he is done !!!

 

haha yea i havent done anything on it lately. in a few days ill scan and post some drawings my friend at work has been sketching up for me, for ideas on how to make the new doors, dash, and center console.

 

im confused by that wiring diagram...lol

anyone have a pic of the harness behind the small speedo?

 

It uses the same harness as your tach.

 

Good to know!

now, will the ECU somehow display the same mileage reading, etc, on the new tach?

 

found a small speedo gauge for $75 locally

good deal?

 

these dont look similar

small:

http://cas07.businessflow.ms/Current...2-364f90497efc

dash mounted cluster:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/08-BM...Q5fAccessories

 

You misread my post. You asked about the harness for the small speedo and I said it is the same as your tach (which it is).

Anyway, you might be interested in this thread: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...n-nav-car.html

 

yea i did misread, lol.

so wiring should all be there, just need to get the computer re-programmed for this?