Gage panel swap???
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Gage panel swap???
Hi all, I have a 1997 Ford Ranger 4.0L and the gage panel does not have the RPM gage. I was wondering if it is possible to swap the gage panel on my truck to one that has the RPM display? Since my truck didn't come with it, I assume the connection for the RPMs is not there, how would this work? Thanks to all!
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From: Alvin, Texas.
Originally Posted by cazajosa
Hi all, I have a 1997 Ford Ranger 4.0L and the gage panel does not have the RPM gage. I was wondering if it is possible to swap the gage panel on my truck to one that has the RPM display? Since my truck didn't come with it, I assume the connection for the RPMs is not there, how would this work? Thanks to all!
2. The dash harness is equipped for ALL factory options. For 4x4's, that same harness that plugs into the cluster has stuff like the 4x4 indicators already wired into it that you never thought. One harness = money saver. My Exploder cluster has 4x4 indicators and the factory theft light indicator....I can't use them on my 2wd Ranger, but it is already there!
Swap in. Be done. Enjoy.
As for changing your odometer reading, I don't know. On my 94, all I had to do was swap out the center speedometer piece and swap it into the tach cluster I swapped in. Presto. It should not have to come to rolling numbers (breaking the unit), but who knows...
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From: Eastern WA
You might be able to answer that by looking on car-part.com. Somewhere along the line the speedo went from cable drive to electronic; beware of this in your travels. I'm almost positive an 02 is electronic but I'm not sure about a 97. Maybe have a look at your tranny for the presence of a speedo cable.
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From: Alvin, Texas.
Originally Posted by cazajosa
do you guys know if an '02 cluster would fit a '97 ranger?
97 was the last year with speedo cable gauge clusters, 98-on used the RABS to work the speedometer.
I think 96-97 are straight swap-in if I remember car-part correctly.
98-later you can do whatever you want, like Exploder Sport white facers...
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Moneta, VA
For a '97, a '96-'97 tachometer cluster will swap directly with a non-tachometer cluster and work 100% correctly. You can get away with newer years sometimes, but there are some differences and the cluster may not work 100% correctly, especially as far as the small lights (like check engine and door ajar). I had a '98 Cluster in my '95 at one point, but one of those lights stayed on all the time (I forget which).
If someone's 1997 Ranger has a speedometer cable going into the back of the cluster, you have problems. From 1995+, all speedometers were electric from the VSS, thus they can read speeds while in Reverse. There are no speedometer cables to the cluster from 1995+ on Rangers.
If someone's 1997 Ranger has a speedometer cable going into the back of the cluster, you have problems. From 1995+, all speedometers were electric from the VSS, thus they can read speeds while in Reverse. There are no speedometer cables to the cluster from 1995+ on Rangers.
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From: Alvin, Texas.
Originally Posted by Tiggie
If someone's 1997 Ranger has a speedometer cable going into the back of the cluster, you have problems. From 1995+, all speedometers were electric from the VSS, thus they can read speeds while in Reverse. There are no speedometer cables to the cluster from 1995+ on Rangers.
...yes, VSS is still in the tranny until 98 model year, but the cluster from 95-on is electronic. Darn, I get that crossed up some days.
Last edited by AlfredB1979; Mar 30, 2006 at 06:59 PM.