Notices
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series All Ford Ranger and Mazda B-Series models

SWAPPING INSTRUMENT GAUGES

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 16, 2010 | 05:55 AM
  #1  
chief96's Avatar
chief96
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Newport News, VA
SWAPPING INSTRUMENT GAUGES

I have a 98 Ranger 3.0 2WD with the standard instrument panel. When I was at the junk yard I picked up a panel from a 99 Explorer 4WD that had a tach. When I looked at the pack of the panel I noticed that there are more idiot lights on it. My question is will this instrument panel work on my truck or will I have problems later on. Did Ford make the same instrument panels for both the Ranger and Explorer.
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2010 | 08:05 AM
  #2  
grandmas77f150's Avatar
grandmas77f150
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,017
Likes: 1
From: Jackson, MO
Ranger and Explorer gauges are the same
 
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2010 | 12:08 PM
  #3  
chief96's Avatar
chief96
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Newport News, VA
Thanks I will probably make it a day to replace it. One thing, how do I swap out the odometer so the mileage is correct. I also noticed that the back of the Explorer's panel had two missing lights for the flashers and another light, was this on purpose. The panel was still in the truck when I pulled it out.
 
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2010 | 01:15 PM
  #4  
mfp4073's Avatar
mfp4073
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 10
From: down south
The odo is possible to roll, but VERY hard. You might have better luck swapping your old one to the new gauge pod.
 
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2010 | 02:58 PM
  #5  
grandmas77f150's Avatar
grandmas77f150
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,017
Likes: 1
From: Jackson, MO
They're very easy to swap, that's what I did. Just pull the donor one out and drop yours in
 
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2010 | 07:02 AM
  #6  
chief96's Avatar
chief96
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Newport News, VA
So there is no calibration required on the speedometer when I am done swapping out.
 
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2010 | 08:38 AM
  #7  
grandmas77f150's Avatar
grandmas77f150
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,017
Likes: 1
From: Jackson, MO
Originally Posted by chief96
So there is no calibration required on the speedometer when I am done swapping out.
That is the worst part.

What I did was drove the truck and placed the speedo needle back on went I got to 70 (according to my friend I was following)

I know there is another way, but I lost the link to the thread.
 
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2010 | 08:14 PM
  #8  
michigan66's Avatar
michigan66
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 1
From: Dexter, MI
If you have a GPS, use the speed displayed on it to set the speedo needle.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-2

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 20, 2010 | 06:11 AM
  #9  
chief96's Avatar
chief96
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Newport News, VA
All,
Thanks for the input but I think I am just going to hold off on this little project for a while. Here is the link on calibrating the speedometer, it is part of a job this is replacing the entire odometer module.

How To: change your Odometer when doing a gauge swap...95-03 trucks - Ford Ranger Forum
 
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2010 | 07:07 AM
  #10  
grandmas77f150's Avatar
grandmas77f150
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,017
Likes: 1
From: Jackson, MO
That's the thread I used to do my gauge swap. You don't have to do it that way though.

I just replaced my odometer by swapping the actual units, no calibration required.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Ford_NDN
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
2
Mar 25, 2010 12:12 PM
I_Thnk_Ford
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Jan 5, 2005 07:46 AM
WesGrimes
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
1
Nov 27, 2004 01:03 PM
nottelling
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
3
Jul 7, 2004 09:07 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:37 AM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE