LS/LT cluster swap. Help needed.

[leakey]

Hi Focii, has anyone removed the instrument cluster of an LS/LT before?

Some guidance would be appreciated - any advice!

Also, does anyone know if the 'data' i.e. Kms on the odometer are stored in the car's computer, or in the cluster? Does the thing need to be re-coded by FORD, or can I just swap over?

I picked up a late model '08 XR5 style unit on EBAY UK. Its from Ireland, so its already in Kmph. Has the larger LCD screen too, and nice needles.

The answers to the above will determine whether I crack a part my own, and just swap the plastic bits out, (minus LCD) or completely replace it.

Oh, and can you guess what I paid.....? 99p + GBP6.90 postage.

(also picked up some CC crome fog light surrounds for... 99p each!!!!! No fog lights in there yet! But they look waaay cool as air intakes!!)

Picks later...

Leakey

[RJO89]

Undo the three screws at the top of the cluster (90 degree ratchet helps alot!!) and the two underneath the little cluster cover above the steering column. Grab a flat head screwdriver and a towel and wedge it in the middle of the cluster at the top. Carefully wedge it out and it will pop out eventually. Unclip the two electrical connectors on the back of the unit and bob's your uncle.

In terms of putting in another one, no it's not possible without re-coding it. The information is stored in the cluster, and bear in mind, the XR5 cluster has a different top speed and therefore shorter distances between the speed numbers, but the needle motors are calibrated to a certain distance depending on vehicle speed. And the larger screen won't work without coding (which I don't believe is available in Australia either). Try and get it coded from Ford and it'll probably cost you an arm and a leg too!!

[leakey]

Thanks for the tips! It was really a cosmetic thing. I was initially looking for 'speedo rings' which are available for the LR, but cant find them for LS/LT. I have a busted LT cluster that I'll play with first, to see how to crack off the lens, unless the internals can be pulled out the back. Then I'll do mine. The new surround and needles will look nice I think.

Guess I'll do a how to on it.

Thanks again for the tips.

[leakey]

Found this -

Removal All FORD vehicles
1. If installing a new instrument cluster (IC), upload the module configuration to the scan tool.
2. Tilt the steering column to the lowest position.
3. Remove the 2 instrument cluster (IC) finish panel screws and the instrument cluster (IC) finish panel.
4. Remove the 2 screws and the instrument cluster (IC). Disconnect the electrical connector. Fusion, Milan
5. NOTE: The instrument cluster (IC) finish panel is held in place by spring clips located on the finish panel. Remove the instrument cluster (IC) finish panel.
6. NOTE: The top of the instrument cluster (IC) is a snap fit to the instrument panel. To ease removal of the instrument cluster (IC) insert a suitable tool between the instrument panel and the top of the instrument cluster (IC) and use a slight outward movement until the top of the instrument cluster (IC) is released. The instrument cluster (IC) can now be rotated outwards. Remove the 2 screws and the instrument cluster (IC). Disconnect the electrical connector.

Installation.
1. Position the instrument cluster (IC) in the instrument panel. Connect the electrical connector. Install the 2 screws.
2. Position the instrument cluster (IC) finish panel and install the 2 screws.
3. NOTE: Position the bottom portion of the instrument cluster (IC) on the instrument panel locator pins first then rotate the top of the instrument cluster (IC) into position. Position the instrument cluster (IC) in the instrument panel. Connect the electrical connector. Install the 2 screws.
4. Install the instrument cluster (IC) finish panel. All vehicles
5. If a new instrument cluster (IC) was installed, download the instrument cluster (IC) configuration information from the scan tool into the new instrument cluster (IC).
6. NOTE: If a new instrument cluster (IC) is installed, updated, or re-configured, the instrument cluster and the powertrain control module (PCM) require a parameter reset to allow the instrument cluster (IC) and the PCM to recognize each other. Failure to carry out the parameter reset to the instrument cluster (IC) and the PCM may result in a no start condition. If a new instrument cluster (IC) was installed, updated or reconfigured, carry out the parameter reset procedure.
7. NOTE: The vehicles integrated keys (or standard passive anti-theft system [PATS] keys) must be programmed to the new instrument cluster. If a new instrument cluster (IC) was installed, program the integrated keys.

HOLY CRAP!! not quite as easy as doing a Torana cluster swap....

[casabonka]

HOLY CRAP!! not quite as easy as doing a Torana cluster swap...

Haha, thats like everything with anything new isnt it? :P

[RJO89]

With the cluster itself, you undo the black shroud clips off the back (white) casing. Then that leaves with the flat cluster itself. Take the needles off, take the plastic sheeting off that's got all the numbers on it, and you're left with the PCB and the housing for it. Then go from there.

I've got photos on how to do it somewhere. I'll try and find them

EDIT - here ya go (order isn't correct but it's pretty easy to see which way it goes)
http://s262.photobucket.com/albums/i...%20changeover/

[RJO89]

And the end result

[leakey]

You bloody ripper! Well done. Blue LEDs eh? Hmmm...

[leakey]

OK. Got the cluster out to see what was what.

ITS REALLY EASY TO BREAK THE TOP EDGE. SOMETHING TO NOTE!!!!

I plugged the XR5 unit in to see if it would light up and it did. Lots more function,
but alas, an ESP error code and some other error, and it would not let me turn it over.

It looked sh&t hot in there I must say!

Now my plan B was to swap over the front plastic work. Not as easy as I first thought.
So many similarities, but so many differences too.

I rang a dealer to see if I can get it re-coded or something. Not very helpful, and ended up sending me to Advanced Instruments. They will re-set the ODO' to 17000Ks for about $200, but dont know anything about re-coding to the car.

Anyone else ever changed a dash at a dealer and got a price to do that?

I'm way in front regards $$$$ at this point, so I'm not too scared about cost.

Gee it looks nice though!

[ThatFocusGuy]

Any in-progress pics Leakey?

[leakey]

Well, I havent had much luck with people who will re-code it.
A mob in Arndale (NSW) will re-set the K's to 17K, and will do some of the re-coding
to the key and the ECU, but wont guarantee all functions..

Seems no-one has done this before. I cant believe that. Surely in a 4-5 year model
line up, someone has done this too!

Here are a coupelk of things I've noted -

The main guages are ovoid shapes, but needle centres line up, so that's OK.

LCD screen is taller, but narrower on the XR5 unit, so my stockie will be covered
about 3mm in from each edge. Again OK, but I'll lose some info if I just swap the
fascias over.

The fuel and temp guages are not in the same centres though. Not sure how game I
am to do some cutting on the board here. I'm fairly proficient with a soldering iron, and know my way around most things electronic, but it will certainly void the warranty.

It does look awesome however...

Here it is just sitting over the stock dash.



And here are my new chrome ....."air vents"..... at this stage!!

[dave_vic_ozz]

I had a thread on Oz-Clubbies but the site got spammed and we lost all the data. I didn't back it up either. :(

I do have the pictures and I was able to google cashe some stuff.

Here is what I was able to get back. There is a fair bit on what needs to go together. The Cluster, key and ECU all must remain together.
http://www.ozclubbies.com.au/index.p...ord-and-mazda/

Don't get here much these days. Got too many interests beyond building a Focus engined car. Awesome motor though.

Dave D

[dave_vic_ozz]

And this is in the roof lining.

[dave_vic_ozz]

Here is the battle. CANbus signals are like email. There are lots of them.

[dave_vic_ozz]

And the key loop. Edit - the copper wire loop around the lock.

You did ask.

Dave d

[leakey]

Wow Dave, you're my new BFF! Awesome info. Will take me a while to digest.

Thanks so much mate.

[XR5-Boy]

dude, this is hurting my brain lol. You should have just bought an XR5 and all would have been good ;)

[leakey]

Haha yeah, but 20 years of company cars, (and not having your own) losing your job without notice, needing wheels instantly, and 3 kids in high school and all that goes with that, meant that $18K was acceptable, and $38k was dreaming!!!

I dont regret the pov' pack CL. Its still a great car. Just want a few niceties on it.

Just think, if I sort this easily, and cost effectively, just how simple it will be for others to do it too.

XR5 dash compared to pov' pack dash... no brainer! Makes you smile every time.
Its like all the other 'little' mods I have done. Total about $80.00, but if I had bought a GHIA or XR5.... I just cant justify the extra $$$. If I were 15 years younger, and had no kids, house etc, I'd be in an XR5 for sure.

That's probably a lot more info than you expected or wanted!!!! LOL.

I'll keep ya'll posted.

[Tj-zetec]

This reminds me of when I swapped the colour of all the interior lights in my old LR from green to blue.
Big job resoldering the LED's into every single thing that lit up but it was worth it. Looked so much better.

Cost me about $30 and kept me busy for about 4 or 5 weekends. Good value.

Seeing yours is making me think about the 5 now. Although red does suit the orange exterior.
I do want to do floor lights again though.

[XR5-Boy]

Originally Posted by leakey

That's probably a lot more info than you expected or wanted!!!! LOL.

I'll keep ya'll posted.

Sure was! I was just having a laugh ;)

Projects are always fun though. I just change the globes in my LV for some Phillips blue vision. I tell you, lots of swearing involved just to get the headlight assembly out. The manual was next to useless due to the fact that ford didn't even update the diagrams for the LV lights!

[leakey]

I'll definately call you for advice then, as black or ST projectors are next on my list!