hello I have 97 f150 xl short bed with power nothing and no tach. It just turned 70,000 miles. Was a state Of California truck with the department of corrections. Are these do these truck have the wiring for all the power options like locks windows and a tach if the I was to change the instrument cluster
thanks for the help

 

I have a 1999 XL, also no tachometer. From my understanding, some of the instrument clusters are programmed to the engine so that the car wont start if it has been stolen and chopped. This could be the case for your truck. If you unplug the cluster, no go. Plug in the cluster, good to go. There are ways to bypass this, by going to a dealer and having them reprogram your car computer when the new cluster is installed. There also may be a way to bypass the issue by re-wiring the whole process, but i have no clue how to go about that yet.

 

97-98 have an analog cluster that's the same regardless of what power window/lock options you have, these trucks don't use a chipped key and the panels won't interchange with 99-up models. But 97-98 use a GEM module in the LH kick panel area in trucks with windows/locks/etc along with a bank of relays behind the dash whereas trucks equipped like yours only have a troubleshooting/test connector. Not sure how that would interface (or not) with a tach-equipped cluster. The tach clusters are $100 on ebay including shipping, why not get one and try it? Worse that can happen is it doesn't work and you re-sell it and recoup your outlay...

 

Thank You for your help

 

it wont help with locks or windows, but buy a scangauge. you will have tach, mph,mpg, horsepower, intake air temp, all kinds of info, google scangauge to learn more. I own one and they are very handy.

 

You can replace yours with a tach cluster. No issues. Tach cluster has the same electrical connection as non-tach version. I tried this myself.

Wiring for power door/power window are not in the door. You will have to strip those from donor vehicle. I haven't tried it myself and don't have direct knowledge. But I read a post that you will have to get GEM reprogrammed after installing the new wiring. One person allegedly circumvented this hassle by wiring driver's side door with factory harness and laid a separate wiring (non-factory) for right side door.