Lightning or Harley gauge cluster swap into 2000?

I'm told that to change gauge clusters, I have to take it to a dealer and have them reprogram the PATS system. Since I'm already going to drop some cash on that, I was thinking that I would swap the original style cluster. Here are some points that I'm thinking to myself.
1. All of the clusters are physically interchangeable, bolt location, plug and all. So technically, it would bolt/plug right in.
2. The Harley has the little valley that the shift indicator snaps into, the Lightning cluster does not.
3. I know the Lightning cluster has a boost gauge. That will come into use.
4. I have 4x4, I'm not sure if neither the Harley nor the Lightning cluster have 4x4 indicators (pretty sure they don't.)
5. Can I just swap my gauge motherboard with the front half of the Lightning or Harley cluster and wire separate lights outside of the cluster for 4x4?
6. Can i reprogram said replaced motherboard to match the 140MPH (or Harley 130MPH) gauge faces?

Discuss with me/call me stupid/ tell me not to do this.

Manlavi95 said:

Discuss with me/call me stupid/ tell me not to do this.

Click to expand...

This should be an interesting thread

"Discuss with me"
What's to discuss as it appears you have your mind made up to do this.

"call me stupid"
Do you really want to know what you already know?

"tell me not to do this"
Again you ask this so someone will tell you not to do what you plan to do.

Your largest issue will be the electronic portion of the swap. Even though the connectors may be the same in appearance the pin locations may have changed or the connector may have additional pins.
The pcm of course may be different, a check with the dealer will tell you if a generic replacement pcm is used on all applications with the programming being the difference between them.

To me a donor vehicle is the best way to go. All the parts you would need are there for the comparison & taking as needed.

Seems like a bunch of work for looks....

roxy1225 said:

This should be an interesting thread

"Discuss with me"
What's to discuss as it appears you have your mind made up to do this.

"call me stupid"
Do you really want to know what you already know?

"tell me not to do this"
Again you ask this so someone will tell you not to do what you plan to do.

Click to expand...

That's the thing, I haven't made my mind up. It's about a 50/50 because I could have a nicer looking cluster that has a couple less (albeit important) indicators for 4x4 and have a speedometer that goes higher and a boost gauge; or I could retain factory functionality and just get an OEM cluster

stamp11127 said:

Your largest issue will be the electronic portion of the swap. Even though the connectors may be the same in appearance the pin locations may have changed or the connector may have additional pins.
The pcm of course may be different, a check with the dealer will tell you if a generic replacement pcm is used on all applications with the programming being the difference between them.

To me a donor vehicle is the best way to go. All the parts you would need are there for the comparison & taking as needed.

Seems like a bunch of work for looks....

Click to expand...

But that's the thing, I already have to swap a new cluster in, so I might as well switch to a different one that looks better/has more function than the one I currently have. I'm going to have to give them a call to ask about that ECU deal.

I would look at it from the pcm view. If all three use the same base replacement pcm then it may be possible and not that big of a deal.

stamp11127 said:

I would look at it from the pcm view. If all three use the same base replacement pcm then it may be possible and not that big of a deal.

Click to expand...

Been searching through the internet, found this:
"HI!... I bought a "99" Lightning cluster new from the Ford dealer and had it installed in my "99" F-150. I made a appointment at the dealer. I took everything apart for the tech. Drove it there with just the cluster sitting in the dash. Brought him the new Lightning cluster. All he had to do is unplug the old one and plug in the new one. Then he had to hook the truck up to a computer to calibrate the cluster with the PATS system and the PCM. Took about 35 minutes all together. I re-installed the dash when I got home. Not paying $100 a hour labour for something I can do myself. lol!"

I'm going to call a dealer tomorrow to make sure, but I think I'm going to do this.