Cluster swap revisited
03-17-2015, 05:33 AM
#291
Moderator (Ret.)
Thread Starter
All clusters have an "information center", its what's displayed that is the issue. As an example, not all truck models had an outside temp probe, so if a cluster from a Lariat for example was swapped into your STX, or XL, thie display will show "-------".
It's best to read through all the posts in this thread to have an understanding of what works, what doesn't, and then make a choice as to what cluster is best for you.
It's best to read through all the posts in this thread to have an understanding of what works, what doesn't, and then make a choice as to what cluster is best for you.
03-17-2015, 06:42 AM
#292
All clusters have an "information center", its what's displayed that is the issue. As an example, not all truck models had an outside temp probe, so if a cluster from a Lariat for example was swapped into your STX, or XL, thie display will show "-------". It's best to read through all the posts in this thread to have an understanding of what works, what doesn't, and then make a choice as to what cluster is best for you.
03-19-2015, 06:00 AM
#293
Moderator (Ret.)
Thread Starter
Someone made an attempt to build a spreadsheet on the clusters and models, but it looks like it never took off.
In the "early years", I tried the FX and Lariat clusters in my STX, and after playing with a flash tool to see if I could get certain features working, I simply gave up, and ended up with an XL/STX cluster from a manual transmission equipped truck for my STX.
If all you want is a tach, any cluster will work, its the information center that folks will have certain issues with; some stuff will display in it (information center), some will not. The dome light may work when the doors are opened, and some may not. outside temperature may display (with a temperature sensor plugged in), some may not. Some may get the MPG display, some will not.
Based on what you had before the swap will also make a big factor as to what will work with the new cluster. Here's a good rule of thumb to work with: if your truck did not have the outside temp display, or a MPG display in its old cluster, don't expect them to work on your truck with the new cluster that they worked on from the donor truck.
In the "early years", I tried the FX and Lariat clusters in my STX, and after playing with a flash tool to see if I could get certain features working, I simply gave up, and ended up with an XL/STX cluster from a manual transmission equipped truck for my STX.
If all you want is a tach, any cluster will work, its the information center that folks will have certain issues with; some stuff will display in it (information center), some will not. The dome light may work when the doors are opened, and some may not. outside temperature may display (with a temperature sensor plugged in), some may not. Some may get the MPG display, some will not.
Based on what you had before the swap will also make a big factor as to what will work with the new cluster. Here's a good rule of thumb to work with: if your truck did not have the outside temp display, or a MPG display in its old cluster, don't expect them to work on your truck with the new cluster that they worked on from the donor truck.
Last edited by Mod (Ret.); 03-19-2015 at 06:08 AM.
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jaygreen (03-19-2015)
05-25-2015, 03:58 PM
#294
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I have done the swap on my screw xlt with a lariat cluster and fixed the A/C problem. Here goes... the cluster has a microprocessor in it, when you turn on the a/c on the xlt model the power signal goes from the switch to the cluster then to the PCM and the PCM grounds the a/c relay under the hood which turns on the compressor. The Lariat has automatic air so the processor in the cluster is differant, that where the problem is, to fix this all you need to do is cut the pink wire with yellow at the relay box under hood on left inner fender well, its the small relay closest to left headlamp. Now install a lighted switch (I mounted mine next to lighter plug) and wire it to a relay, the relay will ground the pink with yellow wire at at a/c relay under hood. I got the power from the same relay under hood (red with yellow) because its powered with key on, so your compressor wont stay powered when you key is off. I have tested and all is working good, I dont turn the added switch off when I turn the truck off because both relays are only powered when key is on, the only time I turn it off is when I want the A/C off.
Now if you want to reinstall the orignal cluster for some reason
simply disconnect the relay at the pink with yellow wire and rehook that wire to stock.
ANY QUESTIONS?? HOPE THIS HELPS.
Now if you want to reinstall the orignal cluster for some reason
simply disconnect the relay at the pink with yellow wire and rehook that wire to stock.
ANY QUESTIONS?? HOPE THIS HELPS.
Thanks*
EDIT: So i went ahead and grounded the relay and it works. Only problems i see is that the A/C compressor is now 100% on without control by the pressure switch and cycling switch. I am going to wire in ckt 347 to my aux relay as the power feed to the control side of the relay so once i ground it, it will come on but will cycle as intended through the control switches in the A/C lines...
Last edited by gmctech; 05-25-2015 at 04:56 PM. Reason: updated findings
06-06-2015, 04:51 AM
#295
Looking for a clarification.
Is the FX2 also referred to as a sport? Looking to get the cluster swap going on my XL, and saw a cluster that said sport in the gear selector area. I liked the overall look of that cluster more than the XLT one.
My understanding is that the FX2 (or sport?) has a console shifter so thats why it says sport there. If I were to put this cluster in my XL, can the PRNDL be taken out of the XL cluster and placed there so my shift indicator functions properly?
Also, do the these clusters have an information center or is it more like the XL/XLT display?
Is the FX2 also referred to as a sport? Looking to get the cluster swap going on my XL, and saw a cluster that said sport in the gear selector area. I liked the overall look of that cluster more than the XLT one.
My understanding is that the FX2 (or sport?) has a console shifter so thats why it says sport there. If I were to put this cluster in my XL, can the PRNDL be taken out of the XL cluster and placed there so my shift indicator functions properly?
Also, do the these clusters have an information center or is it more like the XL/XLT display?
06-06-2015, 10:14 AM
#296
Cluster swap revisited
Originally Posted by StalkerStang
Looking for a clarification.
Is the FX2 also referred to as a sport? Looking to get the cluster swap going on my XL, and saw a cluster that said sport in the gear selector area. I liked the overall look of that cluster more than the XLT one.
My understanding is that the FX2 (or sport?) has a console shifter so thats why it says sport there. If I were to put this cluster in my XL, can the PRNDL be taken out of the XL cluster and placed there so my shift indicator functions properly?
Also, do the these clusters have an information center or is it more like the XL/XLT display?
Is the FX2 also referred to as a sport? Looking to get the cluster swap going on my XL, and saw a cluster that said sport in the gear selector area. I liked the overall look of that cluster more than the XLT one.
My understanding is that the FX2 (or sport?) has a console shifter so thats why it says sport there. If I were to put this cluster in my XL, can the PRNDL be taken out of the XL cluster and placed there so my shift indicator functions properly?
Also, do the these clusters have an information center or is it more like the XL/XLT display?
I can't say for sure about the information display. However, I did have a FX cluster in my STX for a while. It had a place for the outside temperature and compass, but neither worked since my truck wasn't equipped with those things.
06-09-2015, 12:18 AM
#297
Ok cool, thanks for the info.
So it seems that it could still have some sort of info display. I would prefer it not to have that so I don't have error in there every time I look into the cluster area lol.
So it seems that it could still have some sort of info display. I would prefer it not to have that so I don't have error in there every time I look into the cluster area lol.
06-09-2015, 05:38 AM
#298
Moderator (Ret.)
Thread Starter
You won't see the word "error", but rather a bunch of astrisks (****).
06-09-2015, 08:45 AM
#299
Cluster swap revisited
Yeah, no error code. It just showed "-- ---*F" and then the mileage below that. First two dashes for the compass and last three for the temperature. Those features can be added and wired to work.
For me, the dashes weren't an issue. I was happy to have the FX cluster vs the STX cluster that was there. Didn't even have a tach.
For me, the dashes weren't an issue. I was happy to have the FX cluster vs the STX cluster that was there. Didn't even have a tach.
06-10-2015, 06:02 AM
#300
Moderator (Ret.)
Thread Starter
Yeah, no error code. It just showed "-- ---*F" and then the mileage below that. First two dashes for the compass and last three for the temperature. Those features can be added and wired to work.
For me, the dashes weren't an issue. I was happy to have the FX cluster vs the STX cluster that was there. Didn't even have a tach.
For me, the dashes weren't an issue. I was happy to have the FX cluster vs the STX cluster that was there. Didn't even have a tach.
Last edited by Mod (Ret.); 06-10-2015 at 06:30 PM.
