Instrument Cluster
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
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Instrument Cluster
Question, Do i have to buy a instrument cluster from my dealer or can i just buy one from somewhere like ebay and does it matter if the cluster that i want to buy has a rpm gauge because the one that i have now doesn't have one, i have a 00 F150 . Thanks
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
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From: Longmont, CO
I think you can buy one with the tach (rpm guage) and it'll plug right in. The problem is a system called PATS. You have to have the guage cluster programed to your truck, which I believe has to be done at the dealer. I know you can buy a used cluster but that cluster has to be cleared and re-programmed to your truck.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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Yep, that's right. The cluster will work, all the gauges, tach, etc. Even the OD, (which is contained in the cluster, not the PCM, but the PATs crud will mean that unless the cluster is from a virtually identical truck the door chimes, door dome light, pats arming, headlight warning, will not work.
On trucks with Climate control, that had cluster swaps from manual a/c trucks the Radio wheel controls and Climate control stopped working till the dealership programed it.
Mileage can not be programmed by the normal dealership. Any dealer ship with a brain can program the PATS in the cluster.
Not all dealerships have anyone with a brain in their service department, may want to check before bothering.
This info is for the 2004 up new model.
Chris
On trucks with Climate control, that had cluster swaps from manual a/c trucks the Radio wheel controls and Climate control stopped working till the dealership programed it.
Mileage can not be programmed by the normal dealership. Any dealer ship with a brain can program the PATS in the cluster.
Not all dealerships have anyone with a brain in their service department, may want to check before bothering.
This info is for the 2004 up new model.
Chris
Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 38
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From: NY
Originally Posted by ChrisAdams
Yep, that's right. The cluster will work, all the gauges, tach, etc. Even the OD, (which is contained in the cluster, not the PCM, but the PATs crud will mean that unless the cluster is from a virtually identical truck the door chimes, door dome light, pats arming, headlight warning, will not work.
On trucks with Climate control, that had cluster swaps from manual a/c trucks the Radio wheel controls and Climate control stopped working till the dealership programed it.
Mileage can not be programmed by the normal dealership. Any dealer ship with a brain can program the PATS in the cluster.
Not all dealerships have anyone with a brain in their service department, may want to check before bothering.
This info is for the 2004 up new model.
Chris
On trucks with Climate control, that had cluster swaps from manual a/c trucks the Radio wheel controls and Climate control stopped working till the dealership programed it.
Mileage can not be programmed by the normal dealership. Any dealer ship with a brain can program the PATS in the cluster.
Not all dealerships have anyone with a brain in their service department, may want to check before bothering.
This info is for the 2004 up new model.
Chris
What about for a 98 F150XL....it has the gauge w/o the tach. Can I just pick up a gauge off ebay from a XLT or Lariet and swap them. the truck is a 4.6L V8 with a 5 speed and I would like a tach when shifting.
Thanks for the help.
Stephen
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Joined: Oct 2004
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That year, I don't know about. I suspect it's the same as the later ones.
Honestly, I think I would just add a tachometer, aftermarket. Cheaper, easy to do.
The odometer info brings in a whole level of legal problems unless you have the OD adjusted.
Chris
Honestly, I think I would just add a tachometer, aftermarket. Cheaper, easy to do.
The odometer info brings in a whole level of legal problems unless you have the OD adjusted.
Chris
Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 38
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From: NY
Thanks Chris. My Odometer is not electronic, it is the old style. Where would you mount the aftermarket Tach....Pod on the pillar? the reason I was thinking to exchange the cluster is that half of the dash light bulbs need to be replaced, so I thought while i was in there I would exchange it.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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They make some great custom pods for most f-150 trucks.
http://www.cardomain.com/item/ATM15004?ref=frog
is one method.
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...part=ATM-15305
There are lots of choices putting them on the pillar is also nice.
Your OD is actually still run by an electric motor, and thus is subject to the same problems and 'abuse' as the LCD ones. Actual mechanical cable type OD's ended a lot of years ago.
Chris
http://www.cardomain.com/item/ATM15004?ref=frog
is one method.
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...part=ATM-15305
There are lots of choices putting them on the pillar is also nice.
Your OD is actually still run by an electric motor, and thus is subject to the same problems and 'abuse' as the LCD ones. Actual mechanical cable type OD's ended a lot of years ago.
Chris