Newbie question: Can I switch different Prelude models' dashboards? - Honda Prelude Forum

rcallison · 04-20-2009, 04:04 PM

If I were to get a '92-'96 Prelude without an "Electroluminescent" speedometer, could I switch it over to one? As far as I know, the digital version comes only on Si/Vtec models.

If this is possible, how much would it cost for labor and parts?

Non-digital dash--'95 Prelude S:

Digital dash (unsure what year or model):

Thanks

spin_r_g · 04-20-2009, 04:07 PM

Gauge swap FAQ

rewiring the electro guage swap

rcallison · 04-20-2009, 04:15 PM

Thanks!

S-LudeDan · 04-20-2009, 06:17 PM

everything 4th gen S, Si and vtec are interchangeable.

spin_r_g · 04-20-2009, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S-LudeDan

everything 4th gen S, Si and vtec are interchangeable.

They may bolt in but it's not a direct swap.

S-LudeDan · 04-21-2009, 05:14 PM

^ true for some of the specs

spin_r_g · 04-21-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S-LudeDan

^ true for some of the specs

Doesn't matter. We're talking purely electroluminescent vs analog here. NONE of them are a direct swap. Take an analog set and put it in a car that originally came with electroluminescent. You can't just plug it in. Take a car that originally had analog and put electroluminescent in. You can't just plug it in. It won't work.

Don't make some generalized statement that everything is interchangeable.

S-LudeDan · 04-21-2009, 06:20 PM

wow. ok man. no problem.

minilogoguy18 · 04-21-2009, 09:58 PM

Try to get the complete dash harness from a 94+, it'll make the swap much easier.

petern101 · 04-21-2009, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S-LudeDan

everything 4th gen S, Si and vtec are interchangeable.

There are good pieces of advice / fact...

This is not one of them. Please do not post something unless you are for sure.

This could easily confuse the OP.

I know what you are trying to say but that is way too generalized a statement.

S-LudeDan · 04-22-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petern101

There are good pieces of advice / fact...

This is not one of them. Please do not post something unless you are for sure.

This could easily confuse the OP.

I know what you are trying to say but that is way too generalized a statement.

yes sir! anything you say! I am wrong like always.

dakyone · 04-22-2009, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S-LudeDan

yes sir! anything you say! I am wrong like always.

hahaha!! i know the feeling. it seems like some people are just on here all the time to leave witty remarks and contradict people

petern101 · 04-22-2009, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S-LudeDan

yes sir! anything you say! I am wrong like always.

Well as long as you know

Quote:

Originally Posted by dakyone

hahaha!! i know the feeling. it seems like some people are just on here all the time to leave witty remarks and contradict people

No there is a difference in telling someone misleading info and then leaving witty remarks at that particular person giving the misleading information.

But I'm all for witty remarks except the fact that when I contradict someone, I'm usually right (for the most part)

MLBZ521 · 04-24-2009, 12:52 PM

^^Correct.

There is WAY to many people spitting out incorrect information.. And the maybe it seems kinda harsh to people when they're corrected, but it gets really old when you have to correct someone in almost every thread on each and every forum, because they're giving false info... The people that actually know their stuff get tired of it and just quit coming..

MLBZ521 · 04-24-2009, 12:53 PM

By the way, almost every model and each year has a different Wiring Harness Part Number. Just to let you know.

minilogoguy18 · 04-24-2009, 08:35 PM

I wasn't sure by the way whether it was worth it to bump the faq'd thread on the EL swap but they all say that you can't use your original dimmer switch but mine works just fine, dims everything and doesn't stay on full bright like all the write-ups say, just thought I'd get that out. I think it has something to do with the fact that I swapped the entire harness rather than trying to rewire mine to work like I've seen others do.

S-LudeDan · 04-25-2009, 12:16 PM

What I meant by interchangeable is that they are bolt in. GFYS!

petern101 · 04-25-2009, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S-LudeDan

What I meant by interchangeable is that they are bolt in. GFYS!

What does it matter if it just "bolts" in? You would want it to work right?

Patient: I lost my arm!
Doctor: Well I'll just grab another arm because we are all humans so everything is interchangable....err I mean I can sow it on you...but it might not work right out of the box...

bboixtc · 04-25-2009, 11:37 PM

None of the 92-93 trims or S model trims in all years came with EL gauges.

Only 94-96 trims above the S model came with them.
This includes the:

94 4WS
SI, SE, and VTEC's

**edit**

You can use your stock dash harness to do the conversion, but you'll have to extend each wire by about a foot and rearrange the order of the wires. You'll also need to get a constant (some people tap into the radio constant) wire for the trip meter to retain memory. And I do not recall if the dimmer worked properly or if you needed to switch out the dimmer box on the harness.

You can also use the EL dash harness from any of the above trims that had it. (grounding the passenger side ground wire from the harness is necessary to fix the blinker issue.

minilogoguy18 · 04-26-2009, 06:31 AM

You need the box behind the driver tweeter or else only the needles and odo will light up and not the numbers. Your old dimmer will work if you swap the entire harness with the box.