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04+ Cluster question.

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Old Mar 30, 2010
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sonicbluestx's Avatar
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From: Dover Delaware
04+ Cluster question.

hey guys, i really dont know how these things work with the digital odometer.
im looking at getting a second cluster to do the LED mod. my cluster now has like 72xxx on it if i get one with say 56xxx is will the digital display update from the ecu?

or do i just look for one with similar milage on it?

any info helps! thanks in advance!
 
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Old Mar 30, 2010
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The cluster is programmed to work specifically with your SJB and ECU. The truck will not start if you change in a different cluster. I suggest that you get a second cluster to take apart and learn with, and then modify your original cluster. Or - you can modify the non-essential parts of the spare cluster, and just use your original board in the new cluster body. I have quite a few posts about my cluster conversion, and I basically invented this mod with these. I hope you will find all of my posts and videos useful.
 
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Old Mar 30, 2010
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ok, so best bet would be just buy the second cluster, mod it the way i would like on the bench and then transfer it to my cluster.

say i get a cluster with the white faces can i swap that over to mine with the black faces?

ive looked long and hard at your thread, and i finally feeling kinda froggy and wanna give it a shot.
 
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Old Mar 30, 2010
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ok, so best bet would be just buy the second cluster, mod it the way i would like on the bench and then transfer it to my cluster.
Exactly. Once you get her apart I strongly suggest that you start planning to add LEDs that are not plugins. Plugin LEDs are very disappointing and if your going to be doing a nice retrofit I suggest going with custom placement and get factory-quality looking results. I strongly suggest you join HID Retrofit Parts Projectors Ballasts D2S Bulbs and visit the LED section. There are some very talented retrofitters (who make me look like a n00b) and very sexy retrofits.
say i get a cluster with the white faces can i swap that over to mine with the black faces?
Faces are 100% interchangable. You need not worry.

ive looked long and hard at your thread, and i finally feeling kinda froggy and wanna give it a shot.
Removing the needles is by absolutely far, the hardest part of this task. In exactly 87.5% of my removals on 2004+ clusters I've had no problems at all. You can actually see me do it in my videos. You MUST watch and follow these. One needle (the tach on my original cluster) took me 4 hours to get off because it was pressed on harder for some reason. However I've taken apart probably 20 or so Ford clusters of the same exact needle design without problems, so my method I feel is very tried and true. Remember though - if you like blue lighting (like I chose) the stock needles on the white face will NOT show through. If you get into an emergency, do not hesitate to break a needle off by cutting it up with sidecutters. There are plenty of replacement needles around.
 
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Old Oct 25, 2010
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Did any one find a replacement for the light bulbs in the 2004 instrument cluster the dealer here wants 25 dollars each for them.
 
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Old Oct 25, 2010
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Originally Posted by mbauerle
Did any one find a replacement for the light bulbs in the 2004 instrument cluster the dealer here wants 25 dollars each for them.
I have plenty of them if your looking to purchase some. PM me.
 
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