O.K. as the title says, this is about an instrument cluster swap. I have been doing alot of research with alot of help from several members on this site and I am almost finished with the project. As it has been posted on this site countless times before, this is what I have learned and experienced.
First, I am fairly certain that the cluster and your truck have to match years to be a plug and play.

Second, you have to get your PCM flashed, they can do this at a dealership. You will have to restore your stock tunes if you have a programmer.

Third, if you want all of your gadgets on your instrument cluster message center to work, you will have to do more than just swap clusters.( outside temperature, electronic compass, etc..) you will also have to install certain items. To get the electronic compass to work, you will have to install a rear view mirror with an electronic compass attached. You will have a couple leads you will need to run as well. To get the outside ambient air sensor to work, you will have install a sensor, and a couple leads to that as well. Your truck may already have a sensor mounted on it. Mine did, it was mounted in front of radiator.

Fourth, you can get your mileage reprogrammed, but most dealerships will not perform this. There are several speedometer shops around the country that will perform this for a fee, and the fees vary from $150.00 to $375.00. They also require you to fill out a disclaimer and have it notorized, to help protect against odometer fraud.

I have done two of the four items I have listed, I am unable to locate a mirror as of yet, and I have not had my mileage reprogrammed. The odometer does work on the new cluster. I do plan on getting the mileage reprogrammed in the near future. This mod was a little outside the budget, but the price was right on the cluster, so I couldn't pass it up. I will get the mileage done when I have the extra coin.

You can figure on spending some where between $200.00 and $500.00 dollars to complete this mod.


Thanx to Doc fluty, who sold me the cluster, and fabiansc for the info and "the comment". A big thanx to bjp207, you have been very helpful. If we ever cross paths, the first round is on me. Thanx Brian for all your help.

I know, I know, I'll post some pic's tonight when I get home.

 

Air sensor

FX4 cluster installed

 

top of cluster

top of cluster form outside of windshield

 

Whats that mounted above the radio?

 

looks real good

 

i want to do this so bad

 

magellan nav unit. you can get one on ebay. Its suppose to be completely plug and play.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007-...#ht_500wt_1200

 

gcw, this was not difficult. It was intimidating at first, but turned out to be rather easy. there are a few "tricky" areas, but nothing major. If you do decide to do this and need help, let me know. It's why we are all here.

che22879, you are correct. That is a nav unit and it is plug and play. Made and sold by the name of Brandmotion. Love it. I'm not to worried about it being swiped either. It screwed in.

bjp2o7, looks almost as good as yours. Thanx again for your help.

 

I saw this post and it insipred me to do mine. I had one laying in the shop. I figured i'd try it and see if it would work without the cluster reprogrammed. It worked. Made a note of the mileage difference to keep up on my maintenance. I have an XLT so I already had the compass and temp. Nice...