Lariat Cluster in My XLT
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cluster swap instructions
Can you please send me these instructions? I just got an XLT Screw and hate the cluster.
Thanks, took me a couple of hours to find this thread.
JC <jc1999@earthlink.net>
Thanks, took me a couple of hours to find this thread.
JC <jc1999@earthlink.net>
Originally Posted by caimakale
I wanted to let share this info with the users here.
I successfully put a Lariat Cluster in my XLT this weekend and it works great.
I replaced my stock XLT cluster with the lariat cluster. We had to read the programming off of the old cluster and transfer it to the new one. This is standard anytime they are changed. Your A/C, 4WD, and other functions run through the cluster, so getting the settings off of your old one is vital to everything functioning properly with the new cluster.
We couldn't get it programmed by reading the old data off of the old cluster. We had to use the as-built data for my truck. The dealer needs your VIN #, then they need to access the ford service website and it will tell them the as-built build for your truck. We then pushed that build into the cluster and everything went fine. Before the upgrade my A/C wouldn't work at all with the lariat cluster. But now that we programmed it properly, everything works.
So that's one thing down, one to go. Now I needed to get the message center switch installed. Not even knowing if this would work, I tried anyways. I ordered the part awhile ago, the part # for the switch is 2L1Z 10D996 AAB. To get this working I needed to add two pins to the top-right harness on the cluster. Pin 1 & 10, didn't have anything there. Your local dealership should have pins, with about 4" of wire in them, and they will slide right into the harness making life easy. The actual pin/wire that I used was D100. I bought six of them. Two were used to hook into the cluster, the other 4 I hooked into the message center switch. The message center switch has six pins, only the first 4 are used. The other two don't go to anything, I confirmed this in the wiring diagram. So looking at the back of the switch, from left to right, pin 1 went to the LB-RD wire on the left side instrument cluster harness. Pin 2 went into slot 1 (one of the wires you have to add to the harness) of the right side instrument cluster harness. Pin 3 went to slot 10 (the other wire you had to add to the harness) of the right side instrument cluster harness. Pin 4 went to the Black wire on the left side instrument cluster harness. I made my own harness by putting heat shrink tube around each pin w/wire to cover the the metal, after all 4 pins w/wire were in place (pushed onto the message center switch pins), I labeled them, and then electrical taped them all together and then wrapped the tape around the plastic on the switch where the factory harness would plug into(you will understand what I mean when you see the switch). This should prevent any moving and keep everything snuggly in place.
After hooking everything up, I checked to see if it would work, and sure enough, I was able to get the tripometer, avg mpg, miles left until empty, etc...
This wasn't the easiest thing I have done, but if you get those pins with the wire from your local dealer, it makes this a million times easier.
For me this whole thing ran around $300. $250 for the cluster, $50 for the switch and pins w/wire. Unless you have a contact like I have, you can expect to pay between $75 & $125 to have your cluster reprogrammed. The switch and pins w/wire will run you about $80 - $90 dollars. Find the cluster on ebay, it's alot cheaper that way.
If anybody decides to try this, and needs more help, let me know, I know my instructions are probably as clear as mud, so don't hesitate to ask.
Hope this helps a few people.
I successfully put a Lariat Cluster in my XLT this weekend and it works great.
I replaced my stock XLT cluster with the lariat cluster. We had to read the programming off of the old cluster and transfer it to the new one. This is standard anytime they are changed. Your A/C, 4WD, and other functions run through the cluster, so getting the settings off of your old one is vital to everything functioning properly with the new cluster.
We couldn't get it programmed by reading the old data off of the old cluster. We had to use the as-built data for my truck. The dealer needs your VIN #, then they need to access the ford service website and it will tell them the as-built build for your truck. We then pushed that build into the cluster and everything went fine. Before the upgrade my A/C wouldn't work at all with the lariat cluster. But now that we programmed it properly, everything works.
So that's one thing down, one to go. Now I needed to get the message center switch installed. Not even knowing if this would work, I tried anyways. I ordered the part awhile ago, the part # for the switch is 2L1Z 10D996 AAB. To get this working I needed to add two pins to the top-right harness on the cluster. Pin 1 & 10, didn't have anything there. Your local dealership should have pins, with about 4" of wire in them, and they will slide right into the harness making life easy. The actual pin/wire that I used was D100. I bought six of them. Two were used to hook into the cluster, the other 4 I hooked into the message center switch. The message center switch has six pins, only the first 4 are used. The other two don't go to anything, I confirmed this in the wiring diagram. So looking at the back of the switch, from left to right, pin 1 went to the LB-RD wire on the left side instrument cluster harness. Pin 2 went into slot 1 (one of the wires you have to add to the harness) of the right side instrument cluster harness. Pin 3 went to slot 10 (the other wire you had to add to the harness) of the right side instrument cluster harness. Pin 4 went to the Black wire on the left side instrument cluster harness. I made my own harness by putting heat shrink tube around each pin w/wire to cover the the metal, after all 4 pins w/wire were in place (pushed onto the message center switch pins), I labeled them, and then electrical taped them all together and then wrapped the tape around the plastic on the switch where the factory harness would plug into(you will understand what I mean when you see the switch). This should prevent any moving and keep everything snuggly in place.
After hooking everything up, I checked to see if it would work, and sure enough, I was able to get the tripometer, avg mpg, miles left until empty, etc...
This wasn't the easiest thing I have done, but if you get those pins with the wire from your local dealer, it makes this a million times easier.
For me this whole thing ran around $300. $250 for the cluster, $50 for the switch and pins w/wire. Unless you have a contact like I have, you can expect to pay between $75 & $125 to have your cluster reprogrammed. The switch and pins w/wire will run you about $80 - $90 dollars. Find the cluster on ebay, it's alot cheaper that way.
If anybody decides to try this, and needs more help, let me know, I know my instructions are probably as clear as mud, so don't hesitate to ask.
Hope this helps a few people.
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Originally Posted by caimakale
the dealership can send it out to be programmed or if you buy from the right guy on ebay, he will program it for you.
An update on the pins, they are still sold out. I checked yesterday when I bought my leveling kit and still nothing.
An update on the pins, they are still sold out. I checked yesterday when I bought my leveling kit and still nothing.
Last edited by 200k97f150; Aug 29, 2005 at 06:49 PM. Reason: misspelled guy
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From: Frisco, TX
Hopefully this isn't a stupid question, but could I put a Lariat or FX4 cluster in a STX? I only have mileage and trip, and would love to have the better cluster, just not sure the wiring is there in the STX. Does anyone know? Thanks in advance!
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Originally Posted by 200k97f150
Chris, where / how do we locate this "Airun30".....couldn't find him on Ebay or in this forum......
Chris
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From: NJ
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Originally Posted by asinatra
Ask your dealer, i got a LT cluster for 200 and some change, ebay isnt the only source you know...
If the dealer can retail these for 200 with the miles set, that's a great deal for a Lariat.
I priced my FX4 cluster at the local dealers (within 100 miles) and the lowest price set was 340 bucks. Plus they only do it if I paid them to install it 85.00, plus program the PCM 85.00. Net 510.00. I bought mine on e-bay set for 129.00 shipped.
Of course that was last year, hopfully prices are comming down.
Chris
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From: NJ
my question now is, How do I get the dealer to program it? If I buy one from that guy and he programs the cluster for me with the correct mileage. How do I go about convincing them to program the features without a hassle?
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Originally Posted by ChrisAdams
He posts clusters when he has them on e-bay. I do have his e-mail, but I won't post it. If you e-mail me I will give it to you. I once wanted him to reprogram a cluster I was going to buy from another vendor, and he offered me the best price on that job that I have found. I did not end up doing that job, but I did get his e-mail.
Chris
Chris
Thanks
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Originally Posted by crudeau
my question now is, How do I get the dealer to program it? If I buy one from that guy and he programs the cluster for me with the correct mileage. How do I go about convincing them to program the features without a hassle?
This has been covered, a lot, but it won't hurt to put it in one more time.
Call the dealership and talk to the service writer. Tell him what you want to do. Assume you want to put it in yourself, as it is an easy job, at least on the FX4 and XLT clusters. You will possibly need to bring your old cluster in, where they will download some info from it to the new cluster. Probably not, but they may insist.
I called a lot of dealerships. Some wanted to put it in, and program it, some were willing to just program it, and one would only do it if you bought it from them. Two did not believe it was possible to do...
Ford service writers do not seem very well informed on these trucks.
Prices were all very close to 85 bucks for programing, 85 bucks for putting it in. None could program the OD, two recommended me to Speedo shops near them. Some told me it could not be done. They were of course wrong.
So before you spend bucks on a cluster, from anyone, get confirmation and price on updating the PCM.
Swapping the cluster is too easy to want to have Ford do it.
Chris
