Instrument cluster swap

[Flexpedition]

iDatalink Maestro. It interfaces with and displays OBD2 goodies onto certain Alpine, JVC, Kenwood, and Pioneer head units.

There was some talk on an F150 forum about developing a solution to make the iDatalink Maestro compatible with the Ford Pioneer and Clarion OEM navigation units. Not sure what ever panned out.

 

[LokiWolf]

The F150 Display into the Expedition would not be any easy swap. As we are discovering when attempting changes via FORSCAN, The Expy is missing several modules that the F150 has.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

The F150 Display into the Expedition would not be any easy swap. As we are discovering when attempting changes via FORSCAN, The Expy is missing several modules that the F150 has.

@LokiWolf is it possible that the the code is still available just in different modules?

 

[LokiWolf]

Might be. Just makes the process a real pain. I know one guy who swapped the euro display into his Edge, and it looks great, but he spent some SERIOUS time getting the programming right.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Might be. Just makes the process a real pain. I know one guy who swapped the euro display into his Edge, and it looks great, but he spent some SERIOUS time getting the programming right.

I'm still looking into the auto fold option and I have the code that you change in the the DDM and the PDM and I'm wondering if I found that code like 740-xxxx -xxxx whatever in another module if it would mean the same thing or if they are just arbitrary numbers.

 

[star-art]

Swapping an instrument cluster (IC) is a HUGE pain on these late-model vehicles due to module and network integration. For example, on Ford, the PCM and IC must "recognize" each other. If not, the vehicle won't start! Also, the PATS system is run through the cluster (at least on my 2009) so if you swap it you must reprogram your keys.

I would guess that the modules recognize each other by having the VIN stored internally and I would hope that can be accessed and changed via FORScan. Otherwise, how would you replace your cluster with a used part? Once the new parts become discontinued, used is all we'll have.

What I'd also like to know is for older Gen 3 (like 2009-14) whether you would need to swap a "base" cluster for a "premium" cluster to gain the additional functionality? All vehicles have message centers but one comes with more buttons on the dash than the other. Is the hardware the same for both or is it programmed in software? If Ford wants to save money, having two physically different clusters wouldn't make sense.

I've been contemplating a number of upgrades for my plain-Jane XLT with no almost no factory options on it, but I'm starting to come to the conclusion that it might be easier to just buy another truck that already has those features on it. Sigh

 

[Adieu]

What I'd also like to know is for older Gen 3 (like 2009-14) whether you would need to swap a "base" cluster for a "premium" cluster to gain the additional functionality? All vehicles have message centers but one comes with more buttons on the dash than the other. Is the hardware the same for both or is it programmed in software? If Ford wants to save money, having two physically different clusters wouldn't make sense.

I've been contemplating a number of upgrades for my plain-Jane XLT with no almost no factory options on it, but I'm starting to come to the conclusion that it might be easier to just buy another truck that already has those features on it. Sigh

For sh!ts and giggles (and due to a broken speedometer reset button), tried installing an "info setup reset" button on my SSV where it used to just have a plug

The harness for it was already there and I bought the buttons on ebay. The backlighting on the buttons lights up. The base '09 SSV cluster behaves as a "has message center" device for the most part, like when whining about oil changes or tpms or resetting stuff


....alas, buttons had no discernible working function (unless perhaps my broken off speedo reset button is stuck in the "on" position?)


However! My TPMS malfunction nag notification went away... change oil nag stayed on, though.


Weird.


PS the info-setup-reset button appears to be the same part, mounting points dimensions and harness match 100%, BUT... i bought it as a "mercury milan" part. Because that was 3x cheaper. 99% sure it's identical, but there's the ever so slight chance it doesn't work because one of the pins is in a different order or something