i have a 97 f150 it has the standerd instrument cluster with out the tach i was wondering if i got the instroment cluster with the tach would it work? is the wiring harness compatible between the two? thanks

sheldon.bromen@us.army.mil

 

What is the trim level ?

If it is a XL, the wiring most likely not to the cluster, and you would have to see about wiring it from the PCM. Even then it might not not work straight away, depending on what the PCM load is.

This is what I have gotten from threads over the years.

Might want to try a search on the topic, and search the 1997-2003 forum as well.

 

Does the 97 cluster have the PATS key transponder device in it like the later models? If so, that will be a fairly big issue (but only if you want the truck to actually run).

Bromen, I'm not making fun of you here, it's just that there may be more to it than a simple matching harness. And, I don't know the answer to my question, but I suspect SSCULLY does.

- Jack

 

Nope, PATS started in 1999 with the digital odometers. That is when the HEC was added to the cluster.

Good point though... Don't make the mistake of getting any other cluster from a bone yard aside from a 1997 or 1998 MY truck.

Thanks for pointing out that little bit of IMPORTANT info I forgot. Owe you another one for covering my rear.

 

Hardly, Steve. It was just a tiny bit of trivia that tickled my brain. You're the "Guru", I'm sort of a "grasshopper".

- Jack

 

Hardly, you get in there an mix it up pretty good yourself !

 

Now I could be wrong if the 97 is that much different from the 98 but I had a 98 xl without the tach and I went and picked a new cluster with the tach from the junk yard and it worked as soon as I plugged the harness in

 

Thank you, that is the confirmed answer he was looking for

And to answer your question, no the '97 and '98 are the same instrument clusters. The only unconfirmed part is the wiring differences between the '97 & '98 XLs ( if any ) and the build location.

Do you happen to know where your '98 was built at ?

 

Not really sure I never figured out how to determine that. Sticker in the door jamb just says U.S.A.

 

i know that Raptor did a gauge swap in his '98 XL and didnt have any problems. he even switched all his bulbs to LEDs

 

That is about all the vin decoder at ford will give you as well

https://www.fleet.ford.com/maintenan...s/default.asp#

It is a start to know in the US.

 

Alright I knew there was a tool like that floating around somewhere. Google is not my friend apparently. Anyway, it said the assembly was in KANSAS CITY: CLAYCOMO, MO

 

Missed that 11th digit in the PDF version of the decoder. Reading comprehension yesterday was not that good.

Good enough then, now bromen has something to work from, to know if the trucks are close to the same.

 

thanks for the info guys

 

Once you use the VIN decoder to figure out where your truck was built, and get the cluster installed, can you post back the info for the next member.

Thanks