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  #1  
Old 08-23-2017, 06:59 PM
Grubb44 Grubb44 is offline
Ford Pickup
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 118
Default Instrument cluster

Ok. So I've got a 97 ranger 2.3 5 speed. This truck does NOT have the tachometer built in to the cluster. I would however like to have one. Has anyone switched out the clusters with one that does have a tachometer? If so, is it just plug and go? What years will fit my 97? Also how can I adjust the miles off my old odometer to match the new one? Not wanting to go buy one from a junk yard to find out it won't work, and don't want to tear into it unless I know it will work. Any help is Greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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1997 Ford Ranger. 2.3ltr 5speed. Ext cab. 2 wheel drive
1998 Ford Ranger 3.0 V6 5speed Ext cab. 2 wheel drive
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  #2  
Old 08-23-2017, 08:41 PM
97rangerstepside 97rangerstepside is offline
Woosah
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
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Default Instrument cluster

Yes it is as simple as plug and play, I swapped a 2001 sport track cluster into my 97 and it works as it should other than the door ajar light being in a different position and not working but that doesn't bother me.

Here's a write up on how to set your odometer on a replacement cluster

How To: change your Odometer when doing a gauge swap...95-03 trucks

The white cluster i got from the 01 sport trac

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1997 Ranger xlt standard cab stepside. 2.3 5 speed
06 mirrors, white face gauges, explorer limited leather seats, shorty console, UWS Toolbox, proper hitch, proper spray in bed liner.
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2004 Jeep Wrangler 2.4 5speed

Last edited by 97rangerstepside; 08-23-2017 at 08:43 PM.
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  #3  
Old 08-24-2017, 04:45 AM
Grubb44 Grubb44 is offline
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Default

Man that looks BADASS!! Now to hunt for a new cluster!! To bad this thing didn't have a tachometer to begin with. It's just something I personally prefer to have but isn't necessary.
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1997 Ford Ranger. 2.3ltr 5speed. Ext cab. 2 wheel drive
1998 Ford Ranger 3.0 V6 5speed Ext cab. 2 wheel drive
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  #4  
Old 09-17-2017, 05:20 PM
greggdotcom greggdotcom is offline
One adventure away
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 59
Default Re: Instrument cluster

Working on the same thing. So far I have tried 3 clusters. 1 from a '96 manual 4 cyl ranger, 1 from an auto '96 explorer 4.o v6, and one from an auto '97 explorer sport, forgot to check the engine.

My truck is a 3.o manual

1st cluster tach was way off, I assume due to it coming from a 4 banger, didn't get into it otherwise just returned it.

2nd cluster the odometer didn't work, and the temp read low. Otherwise good. Odo is an easy fix so non issue.

3rd cluster the temp gage didn't work initially, but then I changed the chip and it worked but read high. Changed the chip back and have the same result.

So I'm back with the no tach cluster with everything working properly.

I'll probably return the other 2 (I have 30 days on one, about 2 weeks on the other) unless I can figure how to mix and match to make something that works.

Pictures:

The clusters, busted up, 2 different chips (clip into rear of cluster, mapped to temp, seat belt, and far right terminal of center plug) the temp gages from rear. My current cluster has a chip that looks like the one with the big blue thing.

The chip thing I was told about by a guy I met at the pull a part also stripping clusters, said some one told him that his cluster needed a chip but didn't know what kind so he was grabbing them all. I don't know what the hell but it peaked my interest.


So, they do not seem to be created equally. Can we figure out something definitive?
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1996 Splash SupreCab, 3.oL, 5 speed, 3.73, Rough Country 1.5" levelers, 31x10.5 Nexen Rodians

Last edited by greggdotcom; 09-17-2017 at 05:22 PM.
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  #5  
Old 09-17-2017, 05:57 PM
Mike69 Mike69 is offline
Another old fart
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 7,486
Default Re: Instrument cluster

I swapped out the black gauges for the white ones from a Explorer Sport.




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2000 Ranger Extd Cab XLT, 4X4 Off Road, 4.0L, Auto, 8.8 - 4.10's, 01 grille & lights swap.
69 Mustang, modified 5.0, & 5spd.(project)
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05 F-150 2WD Regular Cab. ( My DD)
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  #6  
Old 09-18-2017, 05:33 AM
greggdotcom greggdotcom is offline
One adventure away
 
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Default Re: Instrument cluster

There has to be something more than grab and go, plug and play. If not, statistically, I am having some shit luck.

I'll take my 2 back and get 2 more, probably tomorrow.
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1996 Splash SupreCab, 3.oL, 5 speed, 3.73, Rough Country 1.5" levelers, 31x10.5 Nexen Rodians
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  #7  
Old 09-18-2017, 05:41 AM
speedracer speedracer is offline
2000 3.0 Ranger XLT
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 27
Default Re: Instrument cluster

I changed out my speedo only to a tach set up and the tachometer gets stuck or sometimes doesn't work at all. Waiting for my white set to show up to try that one next....
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  #8  
Old 09-18-2017, 07:23 AM
greggdotcom greggdotcom is offline
One adventure away
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
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Default Re: Instrument cluster

Yeah sounds like yours is just busted. You can check the connections on the rear as the mapping sometimes pulls out a little bit when you unplug the thing. All the mapping for that side comes from the top, center plug.
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1996 Splash SupreCab, 3.oL, 5 speed, 3.73, Rough Country 1.5" levelers, 31x10.5 Nexen Rodians
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  #9  
Old 09-18-2017, 11:32 AM
speedracer speedracer is offline
2000 3.0 Ranger XLT
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 27
Default Re: Instrument cluster

Good to know, I'll check that out when I intall the new white face cluster
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  #10  
Old 09-21-2017, 11:07 AM
Grubb44 Grubb44 is offline
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Default

I installed one on my 4 banger from an explorer sport. Everything works fine. I have a few hundred miles on her now.
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1997 Ford Ranger. 2.3ltr 5speed. Ext cab. 2 wheel drive
1998 Ford Ranger 3.0 V6 5speed Ext cab. 2 wheel drive
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