Interior Semi-Tech General discussion of interior for the Ford Ranger.

Instrument Cluster Swap Question

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Old 07-27-2008
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Instrument Cluster Swap Question

Ok. I am wanting to put in the tach set-up in my 99 Ranger. It did not come with one. Is my truck pre-wired for it? I don't have the pre-wiring for anything else. What years will swap in? Is it just me generation? How about the mileage, can I take mine out and put it on a different one or do I need to find one that is close to mileage? White face, how hard is it to put in aftermarket ones on the clusters? Thanks everyone
 
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Old 07-27-2008
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Everything is there that you need......simple simple swap. When you plug everything in, turn on the truck, everything will work...including the tach.

imo....get an explorer cluster. white faced w/ orange neetles and white odometer. I'm not positive on years...but definately 98-03, possibly 95-03. 03 rangers had a silver face w/ orange neetles too. Mazda's have black face and orange neetles(COOL imo). Explorer up to 01, Explorer Sport or Sport Trac up to 06?

Here's a how-to to roll the odometer.....i used it to roll mine....or you can just swap odometers from your old cluster to the new one.
http://www.rangerpowersports.com/tech/?p=131


Oh....and don't bother with overlays. i've had three different ones and they all suck imo.
 
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Old 07-27-2008
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Old 07-27-2008
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yea...you could. but i find all the overlays don't quite match up with the idiot lights.



here's what i suggest...

gone britches!

Usually on ebay, clusters are listed also as "speedometer"
 

Last edited by Fx4wannabe01; 07-27-2008 at 06:11 PM.
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Old 07-27-2008
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Ya, I will buy that one. Thanks for the post.
 
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Old 07-27-2008
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yeaaa buddy. no probs. And make sure to goahed and replace all them bulbs. Also...auto cluster/manual cluster.....nobiggie. that shift indicator comes right now no problem, and your stock black filler piece fits into where the shift indicator used to be.

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Old 07-27-2008
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Looks awesome. Ya, I figured about the auto selector. Is that yours? Looks awesome. I am pumped now about buying it. Hopefully I won't have anyone bidding against me on here.
 
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Old 07-27-2008
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Yup...that's mine. not current though. i'm full blown blue led now.

btw....i hope you saved that link..i just edited my post so no one else can link it.
 
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Old 07-27-2008
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Originally Posted by Fx4wannabe01
Yup...that's mine. not current though. i'm full blown blue led now.

btw....i hope you saved that link..i just edited my post so no one else can link it.
why?
 
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Old 07-28-2008
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Anybody know how hard it would be to put in the tach? My gauges don't have one either and I would want it functional obviously if I attempt to tackle this mod.
 
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Old 07-28-2008
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Thanks for getting rid of it. Its in my ebay. I am on vacation right now and we fly home the day that it ends. We should be ok as long as we don't get delayed. If I do, I will be really ticked. I have my laptop but don't want to have to buy internet for $24 a hour. I will have my dad bid just in case.

I know this sounds stupid but I am pumped about hopefully getting it.
 
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Old 07-28-2008
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hey question for all you guys talking about clusters. My odometer stopped working in my truck, I pulled it out and changed the bulbs. When I put it back in it worked for a little (like a week) then just stopped working. Did i put something in badly or did the gears just break on me?
 
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What is the chip on the back of the cluster? I do not think the one I have in my truck now has one.
 
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Old 07-28-2008
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Fx4wannabe01,

I've got a 2000 Ford Ranger XLT, 3.0 V6 4x2 Sport Bed (the old Splash) and I'm wanting to switch my instrument cluster for one with a tachometer as well. I've found a few auctions on eBay but can't get a straight answer from Ford on whether a cluster from a 4x4 or other vehicle with a tachometer will fit. Here are the auctions...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA:IT&ih=009

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA:IT&ih=020

The 2nd link is from a cluster that is Canada. I spoke to this guy and he has an additional one from a 2000 Ranger which I was considering. I bought my truck in March 2000 and it was manufactured in mid to late '99.

Ford told me that my truck wouldn't match certain parts, including several instrument clusters from 4x4 models, since it was made before March 17th 2000. I also asked him if he had an instrument cluster that would fit my truck and he said no.

So...am I stuck with what I have or is the guy at Ford wrong.

Thanks...EWB
 
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Old 07-28-2008
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My understanding is, all 98+ will defiantely just swap right over. Plug and play. From no tach, to tach. I could be wrong in this, but I'm almost positive because my buddy Casper98 installed an expo cluster in his 98 with no issues. His dad did the same to his ranger too.

All the indicators might be in slightly different spots, but it will still light up what should light up(4x4 hi when in 4x4 hi, etc). Now...there might be some differences between PATS vs. non-PATS vehicles...but i have no clue.



In regards to the speedo stop working.....it happens. I don't think you did anything to hurt it at all...but you never know. I've had my clusters in and out more than probably 15 times with no issues. Might just be an old part that went. ford will sell your a brand new cluster. They do not sell individual gauge components. Best bet is to swap the odometer gauge unit itsself and change your mileage on the odometer. RPS has a how-to...i'll see if i can find it.
 
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Old 07-28-2008
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98+ should just swap over with no problems
 
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Old 07-28-2008
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That's what I need to know. Thanks guys...EWB
 
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Old 07-30-2008
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I am not gonna get it now. It is to high. I will just get a regular explorer one here locally for cheap. It is at $50 right now plus shipping and handling.
 
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Old 07-30-2008
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outch! you can alwyas just keep an eye out you know? I got mine for $30 shipped from the same seller on ebay!!
 
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Old 07-31-2008
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Ya, it went for $66 plus $12.50 shipping. I will just keep looking at the junkyard.
 
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Old 08-02-2008
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I am gonna change the mileage. How do you get the speedo out of the cluster?
 
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Old 08-02-2008
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Take the clear "cover" off the cluster. pop off the two outer gauge pods. pull the speedo needle. pull center pod out. theres 3 screws that hold the odo onto the pod.

it should all be in that links i posted above.
 
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Old 08-02-2008
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Ok, I got the cover off. I got it figured out.

Ok, I found a sport cluster at the junkyard today, but the car had been under water. Could I take the sports' overlays and put it on the regular explorers? They come right off I just don't know if they will fit. I bought a regular one today.

I plan on just taking my number set from my old one and put it on my new one. That will work right?
 
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Old 08-02-2008
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Sorry, I did not realize that the front panel pulls off of the white part.
 
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Old 08-02-2008
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you can however, swap all the gauge equipment themselves from the good cluster over to the sport cluster's white faces that was submurged....just gotta set all the needles again.
 


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