DIY - Nav System Conversion
 

DAMAGE DISCLAIMER: By using this DIY, the User assumes all risks associated with the use of this DIY, including any risk to User's vehicle, ECU, BCU and any other electrical system, which might be damaged by the owner attempting to make a modification to his or her vehicle. More specifically this a modification that I did to my vehicle, and I am sharing what I did to make my system work, I am not in any way shape or form telling you to do this modification, this is solely on YOU. I shall not in any event be liable for any direct, indirect, punitive, special, incidental, or consequential damages, including, without limitation, lost revenues, or lost profits, arising out of or in any way connected with the modification to your vehicle, through the use or misuse of the information or lack of information on the 370Z forum Web site or with the delay or inability to use this web site, or from any information, documents, services, software, or other material obtained through this web site, or otherwise arising out of the use of this web site, whether based on contract, tort, strict liability or otherwise, even if you the owner has or has not been advised of the possibility of damages or any unseen damages that occur from this specific modification. I shall not be liable for any loss or injury caused in whole, or in part, by its actions, omissions, or contingencies beyond its control, including in procuring, compiling, or delivering the information, or arising out of any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the information regardless of how caused, or arising out of any user's decision, or action taken or not taken in reliance upon information furnished.
So this is my first DIY (Do it yourself) and I hope it will assist those of you who want to change out your Nissan factory Navigation Systems to an aftermarket solution.
I come from the American muscle scene, more specifically a 2007 Pro-charged Mustang GT producing 465RWP and 440 Torque, this being my first Japanese import.
I have read a lot of posts within this forum about people despising Nissan’s navigation system. My experience is that it has major issues with finding its way and it’s just overall a bad design. The upgrade costs in itself are way too costly.
I have read many posts that say that this modification is not possible, and supposedly many of those who tried have epically failed in attempting to do so. I can only share with you my modification which did work. Now whether or not my Z is different than other’s I do not know. I know when I ran my VIN, according to Nissan Production stats it is a rare build so maybe this is why this modification does work. Again, this is my mod and solely the information on what I did. If you do this - anything you attempt to do is on you guys. I wish you all the best and please provide feedback. I hope it helps
I have been approached about how to go to the Nissan Navigational system from the Non navigational system, however I really don’t have an answer for you on that respect since many of us all want out from the Navigational unit vs. installing the Nissan one. I am sure that this is possible but I have not broached that topic yet.
With that said my solution, one with which I had originally had within my Mustang is a fully integrated Apple solution. I am running a fully integrated IPad along with Apple Car play. I was trying to complete this in my Mustang however Car play being the final missing piece was not yet available.
If you like my solution and want to clone it, yes we do fabrication work. The dashes run $875-900 apiece (Tablet not included). They will take around 2 weeks to finish pending the amount of work that resides in front of yours. They are guaranteed for life, of course if you break it, this would not be covered, the lifetime warranty is on the fabrication work ONLY. You would be required to send me the dash pieces and tell me what tablet you have. They are fully powered so your option would be to include the cable to charge it or we would charge you for the costs of the charger, meaning the Lightning cable, etc. since this is fabricated into the dash. Lastly the cost to ship it (to us and back to you) would be a separate charge. We can make dashes for any vehicle.
Through my Tablet conversion on my Modification I have not only those options but a massive amount of finer control over the 370Z, all in real time that the factory Nissan Navigational system did not provide. You can reach out to me for a live demo of what my conversion does and its advantage(s).
So now down to the question at hand, the Navigation System conversion. It is pretty straight forward and not complicated:
Parts Needed:
1. Pigtail from the Standard HVAC Controls
2. Standard HVAC Controls (3 Dials)
3. HVAC Amplifier (White box under the radio)
4. Double Din Conversion Kit.
5. Some basic Wiring knowledge.
6. Imagination and Creativity

There is no difference between the Nissan Navigational system(s) and the Nissan Non-Navigation System(s):
They all include A/C setting(s) of:
• Automatic mode
• Temperature range(s)
• System blower speed(s)
HOWEVER (THERE IS ALWAYS ONE) being that the Nissan Navigational system(s) all have the ability to display on the screen the luxury options such as:
• Fuel Economy
• Maintenance Stuff (Alerts)
• Where am I
• Traffic Info
• Weather Info
• Navigation Version
• Other Info


Conversion of the Navigation to Non-Navigation:
The HVAC system:


Step 1:
1. Part 1: Pigtail from the Standard HVAC Controls: The M67 is the connector going into the back of the Non-NAV Controller, it differs from the Navigational System(s).




Pin outs for the two plugs/connectors you would need to work with are on the diagram (Definition: H.S. means harness (wire) side of the connector)

You will be splicing the M67 connector into the M66 harness:



You will need to PIN any addition wires that aren’t on your harness, follow the diagram, all the information is there. You can pull additional wires from the other harnesses if need be. For example, your illumination wires can be from any harness that has illumination.
DONE. You M67 is fully functional.

Step 2. Connect your M67 connector to the Standard HVAC Controls (3 Dials)

Step 3. The HVAC Amplifier - The HVAC Amplifier(s) ARE NOT the same between the base models and the Navigational system(s). These boxes act as is the central intelligence unit of the HVAC system, again they are different, and depending upon the option you chose with your 370Z. The difference is how the controller for each system will talk or translate its commands to the HVAC Amplifier.
You need to replace this box. The connectors are the same, it’s a plug and play unit. Once you connect this the system will know what unit you have (NAV or Non-Nav).

THAT’S IT……ENJOY
If you are looking to have a build out like mine, let me know.

Tokugawa
If you meant to have the pics show up in your write up, they don't.

A few suggestions:
Say which pin to which pin.
Maybe include a wire diagram. (Feel free to borrow mine out of my album)
Better description (or pic) of where the A/C Auto Amp needs to be installed/swapped out.
You talk about wiring in the illumination, say which pin(s) is the illumination on M67. (BTW I updated my M67 pinout pic in my album)


When I did my research I completely missed the fact that each system requires a different A/C Auto Amp. After looking again I realized my mistake. I confused the look up code with the part#. I hadn't looked up the illumination yet but, I knew it was a factor.

So, for those who want to know:
Non-NAV A/C Auto Amp part # 27760-1EA0A
NAV A/C Auto Amp part # 27760-1EA1A

BTW good job figuring everything out! :tup:

Posted this in Tokugawa's other NAV conversion thread. Figured I would post it here too. Same info just presented differently.

me love you long time :icon23:

You're such a tease. :yum:

this is how i wired it, i went over it twice and looks good but doesn't work...seems that i'm missing something unless the ac amp or controls are bad, i got them off ebay.

http://www.the370z.com/members/scope...1-19-01-30.jpg
http://www.the370z.com/members/scope...1-19-02-46.jpg

Based off your pic, you wired it in wrong. For starters the control signal wires that go to pins 6 and 7 require you to add pins to connector M66. Hopefully you didn't fry anything considering you wired the control wires (pins 4 and 5 of M67) to pins 10 and 11 of M66. Pin 10 is "LAN Signal" and pin 11 is "Each Motor Door Power Supply".

Why did you wire in to 10 and 11 instead of 6 and 7? :icon14:

Yea, ok i fixed it and it works great, i wired it wrong because instructions said pin 6 and 7 but they were missing so i thought that it maybe you meant 10 and 11...should have asked

I did mention in my disclaimer that you needed to add pins to a connector. Also I included the pin outs and wire diagram so you could check where to wire in yourself. :tup:

Yea, i'm sure you did, i'm just special like that :icon14:

OP, any chance of shipping internationally to UK?

The customised dash I should specify. Lock icon & Start Buttons on opposite sides as well (RHD).

What are you looking to buy? This is a DIY thread not an item for sale thread.

Sorry, wasn't sure which thread to post on and if I've missed an obvious one for selling than I'm more than happy for you to redirect me.

I'm looking for all the components required to carry out OP's DIY - you can appreciate that there is no information available in the UK because to my knowledge no one here as carried out this install before.

The only parts I have been able to potentially source are HVAC AMP and Dials respectively;

2009+ NISSAN 370Z AC AMPLIFIER CONTROL MODULE UNIT 27760 1EA0A | eBay

and

2010 NISSAN 370z 3.7 V6 CLIMATE A/C HEATING CONTROLS MODULE | eBay

Thanks

The fabricated dash kits & necessary components that the OP has mentioned in his original post.

P.S Am aware that it's not an item for sale thread, could not find one on which to post - if you have a link then will be more than happy to switch.

if you're looking for a turn key solution then you will not find one, if you're going from oem nav to cubby for tablet install then you have to get your parts from ebay, i went from oem nav to android tablet following these instructions and it works fine, at some point i may buy a 3d printer and make some bezels for sale

http://www.the370z.com/members/scope...8-16-04-00.jpg

Yes I'm wanting to go from OEM NAV to Cubby - have found parts on ebay but they haven't got the m67 pigtail.

I've only managed to find the 3-knob climate controls and non nav AC amp.

I like your setup, especially the minimalist look.

Most of the parts needed you can get of off Ebay. Like the controls, lower bezel, AC Auto Amp, and the oem cubby. The only thing that is hard to find is the plug for the controller but Navster found a source. NH-025 (second one down)

Brilliant - appreciate the help! Now time to fiddle :stirthepot:

Possible to get it done from non navigation to navigation ?
 

Hi and thanks for the amazing info regarding the climate control
Just wondering will it work reverse as well ? I own a 2011 Z Roadster with Bose system no navigation i bought a used navigation set from a 2009 Z
as far as i saw everything fits except the climate control of course as you said its doesn't communicate directly as the old one but with Can BUS. So i am wondering would be possible to rewire the connector to the AC/ECU to make it happen ? or can i just forget about that dream and get rid of it? if anyone has any info about it would really appreciate it :)
Thanks a Lot!

Just saw this. Sorry for the delay. I responded to someone else asking the same thing. Here is the post:

Just want to breathe some new life in this thread. I'm having a go at this DIY in Australia in a RHD. For those looking to do the same, the auto amp and AC controls are different part numbers, likely due the direction the center console faces. Looking at photos, the mounting points are differently. Unfortunately for Aussies, there is no option for the base model so all parts relating to it must be sourced overseas. I have bought these directly from Japan.

However this makes getting the connector very difficult as there are no local wrecked base models. Luckily I have found the exact plug for sale in the US for a couple of $$ and will be able to make my own. I can link the seller for those interested, however I'm new to this forum and not sure of the rules.

I have everything ready to go except the extra pins for the ac amp connector. What have others done to make these new pins? At a guess, most people have pulled the new connector from a wrecked car so the pins would have been on there already. I don't have that luxury. I'm trying to buy the whole AC amp harness and pulling two pins out to add to my new connector but I'm out of lucky again, the Z isn't a big seller in Australia and theres no local wrecks for me to cut it out of, and I'd probably have more luck explaining the thermodynamic cycle of an IC engine over the phone to a wrecker than getting them to cut one out for me and post it.

So any suggestions where to source these pins from? Is anyone able to confirm they are the same pins as in the controls connector? I have a few spares of them I could use, I'm just not sure if the pins will sit in the plug correctly.

You can buy pins at your local electronics store, here i get them at Fry's its like 5 bucks for a pack of shitton, you can find them online too just goggle connector pins, just need to get the right size, if i remember right, it was the smallest ones.

Do you know which pins they are? They are sumitomo connectors, but there's a lot of different options for the 0.6mm pins. I'm not sure if they will all fit in the plug properly.

i'll see if i can find some when i get home, but if i remmeber rigth all i did was look inside the connector to see how they looked and bought ones that look the same, the only problem was that first ones were too large so i had to get smaller ones

In your album you have a wire between the BCM and the A/C amp highlighted, the one for defogger coms. Is this in the harness already or is the wire omitted entirely for navi models and something that needs to be added to get the defogger working?

Pin 26 and 27 are the defogger pins on the ac amp connector, the manual states 26 is rear window defogger feedback signal and 27 is rear window defogger on signal.

i've done the conversion up to this point. everything works except for the rear defogger, next weekend i'll investigate further and check for this extra pin

Connector pin extraction
 

I obtained a donor 40 pin AC amplifier (M66) connector to add pins 6 & 7 to this connector in my 2016 Nismo-Tech. Removing these pins is a bit tricky because of their locking features; but I was able to do so.

The first step is to make yourself a pin extraction tool. I took a straight pin, cut off the tip, and hammered the end to flatten it.

http://www.the370z.com/members/ltull...-extractor.jpg

Next, release the locking feature on the top of the connector by prying up on the ends.

http://www.the370z.com/members/ltull...ck-release.jpg

Finally, the connector pin you will be removing sits in the square hole, and you will need to insert your pin extractor in hole just above (or below) the square hole as indicated by the arrow.

http://www.the370z.com/members/ltull...in-removal.jpg

I recommend that you push the wire into the connector to relieve any tension on the pin locking feature as you insert the pin extractor, and then gently pull the wire out. This should pull out easily; so if it doesn't, the pin extractor is not positioned correctly.

Finally, when you go to transfer these pins into your NAV system connector, you will need to lift the release tab and make sure the pins are oriented in the hole the same way they came out.

How did the install go on an Australian model?

I'm also from Australia and I am looking at doing this install as well.

My god the red color for that cubby is hideous. It looks like a cheap red box movie kiosk. Should have been black, not red.

IIRC that was not the final product.

Yes, the orange leather was a bit much...here is the final product, copper carbon fiber:
http://www.the370z.com/members/scope...4-10-16-21.jpg

is this still the only way to do this conversion?

Anyone have any luck sourcing the M67 pigtail?

What about 3D printing one?

Follow the link in the post above.
"10 Position .025” NH Connector"
That's what I used to make my own pigtail.

Yes, as far as I know. Once you have converted the HVAC controls you can do what ever you want to the center console. You can go extreme and make something like what scope22 did or just install the standard cubby and a 2din radio.

Got it! Thanks!

There is another option that I have been playing with, but it is still in its infancy. It involves using a microcontroller and some code to communicate on the CAN Bus. There is a very nice install that is demonstrated in this video which shows an Android app overlayed on the screen that provides the AC controls.

The above install requires an Arduino programmed to communicate to an MCP2515 CAN to SPI interface. The firmware project is here and the Android app project is here. Currently, the niscan project only works for the 370Z (:tup:) but can be modified to support other vehicles.

Going this route, you can keep the CAN based AC amp and use the above firmware project to mimic the CAN based AC controls. This eliminates a bunch of splicing and opens the options for custom mechanical controls. I believe that this will lead to much more flexibility in custom moves away from the stock Navi. My only concern is if playing with the CAN Bus and potential corrupting traffic needed to properly operate the vehicle. Perhaps this isn't something to be worried about. I am still wrapping my head around the technical details and going over the code.

Is this still necessary? I have a 2018 NAV NISMO, i want to down convert to a non-nav, do I need to buy that amp? if I"m adding a new head unit (and possibly amp) what does this do diffrently that the nav auto amp doesnt?

I can't find mention of the ac temp amp Auto Amp part # 27760-1EA0A in anything related to the 2015+ (I have a 2018) do i need this part for this conversion in the 2018?

really appreciate the help.

if you're converting from nav to non-nav then yes you need a new AC box, you need one for base model/non nav and the model number you have is correct, you will also need AC controls for non-nav model.