Please Help Digital Overhead!!!!!

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OK guys I am a new owner of a old 1997 (pics to come later) f-150 x-cab 4x4
I love this truck and I love this website. You guys are awesome.
OK since this is an XLT it did not come with a digital overhead console. My friend at work got a sunroof and wants to sell me his digital overhead console.
So my question is CAN you install a digital overhead console IF there has never been one there in the First place!!!! I know you can install after market but my question is will the computer in the truck recognize it if I hook it up? or is there more things going on than wiring it up and go. Will it need calibrated? Is it more trouble than worth? Remember My truck did not have one at all before.

 

Do you mean the thermometer/compass?

If so, I don't know for sure but I don't think it runs through the computer at all. I think it's just a power wire and a ground wire. However I don't know where the temperature sensor is. If it is built into the console or mounted somewhere.

Mine is blitzing, going to be replacing it soon.

My kids and I play a game, we guess what the temperature is going to be in Celsius. Then I switch it over and we see who is closest, then I switch back to Fahrenheit. It was like 94ºF out, I switched to Cº, then switched back to Fº. and it now read 50ºF. I know it didn't suddenly drop 44º.

Shut it off waited a few minutes and it was fine.
Then couple days later got in, started the truck, looked up expecting to see 70ºF or so, but instead I got 38ºF flashing (ICE).

Now I guess outside temp wrong a few degree's, I'm not an accurate thermometer, but I'm not 30 some degrees wrong..... LOL Definatly know that there is not going to be a threat of ICE, in Missouri August heat..... LMAO

 

W-E-L-C-O-M-E ! ! !

Not to be a smartazz or anything, but you can do just about anything with any vehicle these days. If a fireplace can go in a vehicle, I guarantee you an over head console will work. It just wont be a "snap it on project".

 

Im in the same boat, But with a reg cab 97 XLT... from what i did so far (minus the wiring) i would Honestly suggest getting a headliner out of a 2000 EXT cab that had the overhead in it...while doing mine.. i ruined the headliner to realize... the contours are Nothing like the console installed headliners.. they have a more flattened part... so i had to get a headliner (from an ext cab) and cut it to size since i couldnt find one for a rcab, but to mount the console.. it takes a few hours.. 2 holes need to be drilled to fit the prongs at the front to bring it closer to the roof and a clip placed in the square cutout to secure it... if you do go for a new headliner.. i suggest getting the visors and everything with it (if your Ext cab is anything like mine.. the visors meet dead center in 1 locking bracket, i had to swap mine out to accomidate the new console which involved drilling new holes, and screwing them in (i used shorter self tapping screws) as for the wiring harness i hope to be getting more into it within the next week or so whether that be ripping the harness out of the old ext cab or wiring it myself... from what i can tell though it doesn't go through the computer it travels from the console, to the dome light, down the rear passengers pillar in the cab, along the passengers floor, up and clipped in the passengers kick plate, up behind the dash and out into the engine compartment?? havent traveled past the dash as of yet, but you will need to pick up the thermometor sensor from somewhere.. (if you go to a scrap yard, from what ive been told its located begind the grille infront of the radiator drivers side corner... as it stands now.. thats all i got for ya... but so far is it worth it... Definately... adds to the overall look of the interior IMO

i'll get back to you to let you know more and if interested i can grab some quick pictures of whatever you need to know about mounting or what not in an ext cab from the 2000 sitting outside im gutting