I searched the forums and did not seem to find an answer to this swap I would like to try..

I have a 1997 Ford Ranger, 3.0l, 2wd long bed and want to switch out my dash cluster. I have a standard guage cluster, without a tach. I would like to add a dash cluster with a tach, if possible.

Here are my questions:

Can I swap a 1997 dash cluster from a 1997 ford explorer? If so, what are the years from an explorer that will work?

Can I swap a dash cluster with a tach from a 1997 ranger even though my cluster did not come with a tach? If so, will the tach work? If the tach would not work, will the rest of the guages work on the cluster? Is there a way to get the tach to work?

What Year guage clusters will work in my ranger?

Thanks....

 

I believe you can swap it in and it will work. The tach signal is already at the harness.

 

A 97 Ranger or Explorer tach cluster will be plug and play in your 97 Ranger. Clusters that will fit are 95~2003 Ranger, 95~2001 Ex 4 door, 95~2003 Ex 2-door and 2001~2003 Sport Trac.

NOTE: The clusters from the above models will fit and the 6 gauges will work. However, a cluster from a different year or model may have a different layout and assortment of indicator lights - this is especially true of the later clusters compared to your 97.

 

I pulled a cluster out of an Explorer and put it into my 96 ranger with no problems what so ever. It's quite easy to do, just a few bolts have to be undone to get to it.

 

Greaqt, thanks for all of the replies. I will look for one on ebay... They have so many to choose from...

 

junk yard is a good place to find them too

 

Forgot to ask: Do I need to get a cluster that was only from a 3.0 l engine? Will a 4.0l cluster work? I have the 3.0l engine....

thanks again for all the help..

 

no u can use any of them

 

I have been looking to do this to. I want to see how this turns out before I do it.

 

Another quick question: Can I switch/swap the odometer? How hard is it to remove/re-install the odometers? d like to keep my mileage consistant. I would I have repalced others in the past (on other autos), but I know all are different. Since mine is mechanical, it should not be that bad.

 

Not sure if it's in here or over at RPS, but there is a cluster swap How-to that explains EVERYTHING you need to know from pre-installation to post-installation.

Give the How-to section a try or SEARCH.

Good luck.

**EDIT**

Consider this me being nice.

LINKY -->https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...ad.php?t=74062

 

Thanks for the link, it is exactly what I need. Excellent write up. I guess I should have used more key words and searched in the How-To section.

 

I've got a '97 2.3- 4cyl, 5speed and would like to swap out the existing gauge cluster (w/o tach) with one that does.

Am I limited to using a cluster (with a tach) from another 4cyl/5sp or will one from a 6cyl/automatic work?

 

I once tried to pull my cluster out to change the bulbs and had a hard time getting it out since my wheel isn't a tilt wheel. Any suggestions?

 

tweak the main plastic some more. to get it out. also...the cluster has to pivot forward, then out between the dash pad and the wheel. I hsould be swapping clusters tomorrow in a non-tilt truck.

You could even drop the culumn if you wanted to. I believe it's 4 bolts and the column would be lowered.

 

Fx4wannabe01 please let me know I had one heck of a time!

 

FX4Wannabe01 did you do it in a non tilt truck?

 

97 ranger can I put a 2003 ranger cluster in my ranger ? Does it have to be 4x2 or can be 4x4??

 

Yes, up to 2003 will work
For a 2WD it can be either a 2WD or 4x4 cluster, for a 4x4 it should be a 4x4 cluster but sometimes the bulbs are just missing for the 4WD lights so they can work

If you have a V6, 3.0l or 4.0l, and new cluster is also from a V6 then its plug and play for the tach
If you have a 4cyl and cluster is from V6 then you will need to change 1 wire and visa versa to make tach read correctly

 

Question, I replaced a bulb in my instrument panel and now the voltage, oil and speedometer don't work. I double checked all the connections and they are good. Any suggestions?


Thanks!

 

What YEAR Ranger?

 

97

 

Hey there,

I have a 2011 Ranger 2WD Sport, I'm trying to find the bulb number for the instrument cluster but having no luck. I came across 2721 Bulb, but not if this is correct. Any suggestions?

 

Yes, 2004 to 2011 Ranger's use the HEC instrument cluster(full digital) and they do use 2721 bulbs

Replace all 6 bulbs at the same time

 

I'm also looking to swap out a cluster on a '97 manual 4X4. My question is: will a cluster from an automatic ranger/explorer work, as long as it has a tach, or do I need a cluster from a manual?