The Philosophy Behind This Design
When the ZN8/ZD8 first launched in Japan in 2021, I assumed it was game over for Indicator. A fully digital display? No analog needles? I figured there was nothing left for us to work with.
Fast forward to 2023, and everything changed. I happened to start driving a GR86 regularly—and day by day, as I stared at that digital gauge, something clicked. “Wait a second… this might actually work.” That was the moment this project quietly began, and over the following year, I poured myself into development behind the scenes. Now, I’m finally ready to show you what came of it.
For those of you who reached out saying things like, “I loved the Indicator on my ZN6, but I’m switching to the new one—please make something for the ZN8 too!”—this one’s for you. Thank you for waiting.
What follows is a deep dive into the design details of this ZN8/ZD8-specific product. I hope you’ll take your time exploring the options and find the perfect setup for your car.
1.Choose Your Finish
The Subtle Art of Stainless Steel Shine
The main difference between the Standard Edition and the Premium/Limited Edition lies in the surface finish.
The Standard Edition features a semi-gloss finish that retains the fine, beautiful texture created during the press-forming process. It offers a refined metallic feel without excessive shine—ideal for those who appreciate subtlety over flash.
In contrast, the Premium/Limited Edition features a mirror-line finish that has long been a signature of Indicator’s NN6-series products. Its sleek polish catches ambient light at night, giving it a subtle yet captivating glow.
Both versions are made from high-grade SUS304 stainless steel—never downgraded or simplified just to cut costs.
2. Precision Micro-Perforation
Tiny Holes, Big Impact
The most distinctive feature of this product is the mesh processing—an extremely fine pattern created by precisely placing 0.3mm perforations with incredible accuracy. It’s the kind of meticulous work that would make any craftsman cry.
Everyday icons take on a completely different look when viewed through this mesh, giving them a nostalgic, pixel-art feel that’s both charming and unexpected.
Each of the countless holes is checked before shipping to ensure there are no blockages, no matter how tiny. It’s painstaking work, but we gladly do it so that every customer can fully enjoy the character this detail brings.
To give you a sense of just how small 0.3mm is—it’s narrower than the tip of a standard mechanical pencil.
3. Top Display Section
Mesh or Pilot Lamps
For the upper indicator area—where turn signals and high beam indicators are located—we offer two configurations. The Standard and Premium Editions use a mesh finish, while the Limited Edition features individual pilot lamps.
The reason the pilot lamp version is limited production is due to its complexity. Each stainless steel lamp base must be hand-applied, dried, and then fitted with a lens—also by hand. Every lens must be inspected individually under light to ensure it’s free from fogging or scratches. While we added this configuration in response to strong demand from users outside Japan, we’ve determined that ongoing production is not feasible and will offer it as a limited-edition only.
Note: The lens portion of the pilot lamps can be optionally configured with colored lenses for a more vintage, retro look. The standard version comes with smoked lenses.
4. Backlight Color
Crafting Your Ideal Cockpit
This color layer system allows you to change the backlight color without modifying the LEDs themselves—a feature that quickly became legendary among NN6 users. Naturally, it’s now available for NN8/ND8 as well.
Each color brings its own character. Red provides a sense of unity with other illuminated controls and evokes a focused, performance-driven atmosphere.
Blue leans into a cool, mechanical aesthetic that gives off a distinctly masculine edge.
Green—unavailable in the NN6 version—pays homage to the nostalgic glow of ’80s-era Japanese sports cars like the AE86, bringing that retro charm into the modern age.
Best of all, reverting to the original factory color is as simple as swapping the layer again. It’s the easiest way to give your dash a fresh new vibe—try it out and see what suits your style best.
⚠️ Please note: When using the blue option, some red-lit areas (such as red zones on the tachometer) may visually cancel each other out and become harder to distinguish.
🔧 Since both the main and sub-displays use the same layer, you’re free to mix and match colors as shown above. Use the images for inspiration and create a setup that feels uniquely yours—your own perfect cockpit.
5.Chrome Gauge Bezel
Where it all began
When I first saw the ZN8/ZD8 cluster in person, two things stood out immediately.
First was the silver-colored plastic trim—it looked more like a children’s toy than a performance car. Second was the overly obvious cutout around the LCD, almost as if shouting, “Look! There’s a screen here!” I couldn’t help but wonder if there wasn’t a more elegant way to handle it.
These two frustrations became the starting point for this product’s development.
To elevate the look and feel, we’ve introduced three chrome finish options: the mechanical feel of Chrome, the Red Chrome that echoes the BRZ STI cluster trim, and the much-requested Blue Chrome. Each unit uses an OEM bezel as the base, with the new upper and lower liners already mounted for easy installation—just swap it in.
6. Installation Notes
No Need to Remove the Needles — A Major Plus
With the ZN6/ZC6 model, removing the needles required a bit of courage and precision. But on the ZN8/ZD8, there are no needles to worry about—making installation much simpler and more beginner-friendly. Just remove the hood and follow the instructions (with QR-linked videos) for a smooth process.
When I first saw the fully digital display, I was skeptical. But the moment I realized, “Hey, no needles to deal with!”, I found myself oddly impressed. While traditional analog gauges have their charm, this clean and practical setup feels like a thoughtful nod to the user experience. It’s all about perspective—sometimes, a perceived downside turns out to be a strength.
