I was just wondering if anybody knew what instrument clusters are compatible with a 1996 f-250 a/t with a 7.3l pd. I am having the same issues as a lot of people with the bouncy speedo and the hard shifting and am starting to lean toward the cluster.

 

did you check the VSS and the connections and wiring to the VSS?

 

I have changed the VSS twice, I have not however inspected the harness all that closely, is it just a pig tail or does it run directly to the instrument cluster.

 

Speedo is an output of the psom..if it gets bad info it can not tell trans proper speed therefore speedo fluctuates and shifting suffers. you are imo fixing a result and not a cause.

 

A buddy of mine was having a shifting problem on his F250 gasser not long ago. He said he changed the instrument cluster and it fixed it.

 

Really..wow.there u go.im stupid lol

 

No you're not! That's just what he told me. I never saw the truck.

 

I will have to get a manual out and see if thats possible.i really didnt think. but hey..if it is...i wanna know.

 

1992 and up should be the right cluster. I would disconnect clean and then pack with dielectric grease, every plug to your trans. Cheap and easy so if it does nothing but eliminate a possible cause your Not out anything. I've seen alot of green terminals to ecm and trans modules that cause strange things.

 

jwood464, have you read this:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ed-sensor.html

 

Thanks for all of the info, I now have a few things that I can try as soon as the weather clears up, I live in Alaska which could be part of my corrosion problem, added to the fact that I live 10 miles down a very poorly maintained gravel road.

 

WOW ! in Alaska, you are very far away from me. In my town never snow.

 

I'm in Manitoba Canada. So I can appreciate minus 40 temps and road salt an inch thick.