OK, I have a question... I have a 1999 F-250 7.3L. I currently have cruise control, but I would love to have the radio controls out of a newer '05. The questions is, does it have the same connectors under the dash at the end of the ribbon cable as mine does now and just an extra connector or two for the radio controls and stuff, or does it all go through the computer? Also, I was looking at the digital climate controls and I noticed a '97 to '03 F-150 uses the exact same analog controls as my truck... the connectors and everything are the same on the back anyways, just the face is shaped a bit differently. That same range of F-150s also had digital climate controls... I looked at pictures of the back and noticed it still has the vacuum hose hookups and wire hookups, just the wire connectors are a different configuration. Would it just be a matter of splicing in new connectors off the donor vehicle, or does that also go through the computer?

Here's some pictures:

My Controls:


The Analog F-150 Controls:


The F-150 Digital Controls:


Thanks guys... I don't know if this is just wishful thinking, but it'd sure be cool to get the 7.3L perks with the newer looks and/or features.

Jon

 

Hmmm... come to think of it, what I probably need is a wiring diagram for all three and then compare the wires/colors/uses and see if they match up... where would I get that, the dealer?

 

any progress im interested in this too. as them digital controls are cheap on ebay!

 

Sub for more info. i would love to have the digital on my 03.

 

Nope... none! I haven't gotten the diagrams yet... I haven't had an excuse to sneak over to the dealer and pester them for the many diagrams I want so I can see if I can retrofit some of the newer accessories into my truck. But, I still don't see why this wouldn't work... anybody out there wanna be the guinea pig for this idea? HAHA!!! That, or maybe an FTE sponsored trial hosted by "Your's Truly"?

But seriously, there has to be someone out there who's either tried this or wants to try it. I mean, even the Excursions came with it! And, I would seriously doubt that they'd use different brains just for the electronics, would they? Just thinkin' out loud...

 

i wanna try it, send me the parts to sponser me.

 

I found the controls off eBay for something like $30... I think the same controls are in older Explorers, Crown Vics, F-150's, etc. Just have to make sure it's got the vacuum line plugs in the back like pictured above. If you order the controls out of a newer Super-Duty, it's gonna have just electrical connectors back there. One thing I have seen is some of those controls on eBay have the pigtails come with them because the person parting the truck cut it out instead of unplugging it... that's probably what you'd wanna try to find. I'm gonna try this one of these days!

 

any progress with this?

 

the only thing that makes me really wanna switch is the dang temp **** on mine keeps falling off!

 

I think ill look into this, I have a ton of the older Taurus ones.