Some of the instrument panels in the Exploer Tru trac or maybe Edge have a couple of additional gauges over my XL model. I did some reading and it seems its not that simple to change clusters they hae to be sinked to the computer I am gathering. Can somone substitue one of these nicer instrument clusters and if so what would have to be done to make it work.

I found some "rebuilt clusters on Amazon or somewhere that said they could sink the clusters to my vehicle. I am thinking stock to stock application but maybe the panels can pick up the other two functins or maybe do the white faced cluster with existing wiring?

 

For many many years Ford vehicles had a bad reputation when some used vehicle sellers would swap in low mileage clusters to high mile vehicles to get a better price

In 2004 Rangers got the HEC Clusters, these have a computer inside, a digital dash, and yes it is "married" to the engine computer and both have odometers that must match or you get a no start
Ford's answer to odometer tampering

As far as I know only Ford can do an HEC cluster replacement, and from what I read they have to order a new cluster from Ford with the odometer info from engine computer, Ford then programs the new HEC Cluster with odometer reading then sends it to dealer, dealer then installs the cluster and hooks vehicle up to the Ford Security data link, which then "marries" the new cluster and engine computer

And all that aside, do you know if the sizes are the same?
And then there are the "extra gauges" you want to add, most gauges on digital dashes get their info from the engine computer or other modules in the vehicle, if your Ranger computer or modules do not send out data to support the extra gauges then they wouldn't work anyway

 

So if you swap both the insturment gauge and the computer from a donar car assuming you have the sensors needed and wiring might that work since they are sinked together? I assume you would have to find something from a similar time period, gear ratio, engine size and transmission?

 

It would be a stretch to try and match that up, but yes, and also the PATS keys matched to that cluster

You can get face kits to change the look of the HEC cluster, $200

 

Ron, you said the IC was tied to a specific vehicle starting in 2004? So, my 2001 Ranger should be able to swap out clusters with no problems? I need to replace a bulb anyway in my cluster, so I figured I'd get a new one from RockAuto with white facing. How can I set the odometer to read the correct mileage? RockAuto makes a note saying that they need your current mileage, so I assume they set the cluster from the store, but between the time I order the cluster and receive it I'll put on some miles--it's a daily driver.

 

Yes, up thru 2003 model year the cluster are swap-able, starting in 2004 they are not, well not without involving Ford

 

So, can I adjust the odometer myself?

 

No, RockAuto will set it.

How many miles do you think you'll put on your truck from the time you order the IC, to the time you receive it ?

On a 19 year old truck, a difference of a couple hundred miles isn't going to make a difference.

 

K. I'm good. I'll probably put 50 miles on it, maybe 75, from the time I order it to the time I install it.

I just thought of something: I could add miles to what I tell RockAuto. Kinda guess what I'll drive between now and then and add it into my report to them.

Boom.