I'm bidding on a gauge pod from a '02 Merc. Mountaineer. I really wish that Ford would have put the same gauges in the Explorers. Anyways, I don't have the Message Center in my XLT '04 but the Mountaineer's gauges have it. I'm getting the pigtails to hook it up to my car but I need to run wires to the sensors in the engine bay though. Does anyone know where those sensors are located?

Thanks so much!

-Tim

Explorers also came with the message center located in cluster from '02 on. You will also need the buttons that go next to the radio. If you don't know much about it, you need to start researching. It not as easy as popping in a few sensors and away you go. Its going to take you a while. Not an easy job at all.

Good call. Good thing I just got outbid. Yeah, that does sound like a nightmare, I forgot all about those buttons.

Thanks a lot for saving me a headache.

I already have some EL Reverse Glow gauges for my car, I haven't installed them yet because I know they are going to be a pain in the ass taking the needles off and getting them back on correctly.

I didn't mean to discourage you. Just wanted to let you know how big of a task your are undertaking. I'd do some research. Get one of the CD manuals off of Ebay and understand the wirind and whats needed, then go tackle it! You'll be the first! :p

Iunderstand the wirind and whats needed,
yeah wirind really can be confusing :confused:

shuuutup

I'll be doing an install of the Mountaineer Gauges in my '02X EB this weekend. I have the Message Center but will have to swap my current MC LCD/Display and install it in the new gauge pod because of the mileage. From what I hear, the mileage is stored in the LCD/Display board.

I'll do a full write-up with pictures and post here.

Mike

Did the install yesterday. It was very easy. I have the Message Center in my EB so it was an even swap. You do not need to remove the LCD Mileage display board as earlier indicated, the mileage is not stored in it. So, if you have the MC on your X and the Mountaineer gauge pod you're installing has it theres nothing add'l you need to do.

However, if your X does not have the MC, you can remove the LCD display board on the Mountaineer (with MC) gauge pod and replace it with your non-MC LCD display board. You will of course not have MC capabilities on your 'new' gauges but at least you don't have to worry about wiring the switches/sensors.

I'll complete the write-up (with photos) tonight hopefully and post. I have to say, the Mount gauges in the X looks awesome.

Mike

definately put up those pictures... i wanna see how it looks!

Finally finished the write-up. Here's a link:
http://www.rampslides.com/explorer/gauges.html

Mike

Finally finished the write-up. Here's a link:
http://www.rampslides.com/explorer/gauges.html

Mike

Loos great as does your website.

does the mileage stay as your current mileage or the new gauge cluster... I am switching mine next week with a differnt one and it has on;y 33000 miles and mine has 100000 on my 2002..

Just curious..
also great webite. Mike.

Thanks everyone.

The mileage is stored in your vehicles computer so swaping out the gauge pod will not change your mileage. If you have 100,000 on the vehcile itself and put the 33,000 mile gauge pod in, it will display 100,000.

Mike

that makes no sense cause of where i bought it they can program it to the exact mileage...

most places that sell them say the same thing..

Thanks everyone.

The mileage is stored in your vehicles computer so swaping out the gauge pod will not change your mileage. If you have 100,000 on the vehcile itself and put the 33,000 mile gauge pod in, it will display 100,000.

Mike

I have never heard that before.

And its definately not so on my '99. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132058&highlight=white+face+instruments

I have never heard that before.

And its definately not so on my '99. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132058&highlight=white+face+instruments

Because our odometer is mechanical. '02+ have a digital one.

Because our odometer is mechanical. '02+ have a digital one.

Thanks for enlightening me.

i will let yo know when i install the new gauges into my 2002. as I am pretty sure it will retain the mileage of the installed gauges..

Thanks for enlightening me.

Thats the way I assume it to be. The mileage information to be stored on an offsite location, not located on the cluster.

have you ever experienced that before.. because i have spoken to people who have done this and the mileage does in fact change..
obviously the older years can not as the mileage in shown on the odometer.

how about moving that thread over here so it can be put in the useful threads forum ?

Trust me guys, on the 02 (i can only confirm for the 02 as it's my model) the mileage is NOT stored in the gauge pod. 100% confirmed. Our mileage display is digital and it's stored in the vehicle itself (not sure where) but I repeat...IT IS NOT STORED IN THE GAUGE POD/CLUSTER. The mileage on my vehicle with the original pod was the exact same mileage when I switched over to the new (used) pod which had a lot less mileage than my vehicle. I DID NOT have to reprogram it or do anything but unplug the old and plug in the new.

Older models that have the non-digital mileage read-out of course are 'stored' in the cluster.

Mike

I bought an 03 Limited this weekend. My in-laws have a Mountaineer and I always like that gauge cluster. Please clarify for me....I can simply take a Mountaineer cluster and directly swap it into my Limited, right? No other wiring or swapping? I have the message center in my cluster. I was hoping it would be that easy.

what about the anti theft codes.. did you get the codes from the explorer the cluster was in..
i know on some you need the vin number to have the dealer recover them if you do not have some anti theft codes..

I bought an 02 Limited this weekend. My in-laws have a Mountaineer and I always like that gauge cluster. Please clarify for me....I can simple take a Mountaineer cluster and directly swap it into my Limited, right? No other wiring or swapping? I have the message center in my cluster. I was hoping it would be that easy.

Yes. If you have the Message Center in your X and the Mountaineer has the Message Center then it's a simply swap. It's as easy as removing the dash pieces as outlined in my write-up and unplugging the 3 connections. Pull out the X gauges and replace with the Mount gauges then put everything back together. As easy as that. I would of course test the gauges before everything back together.


what about the anti theft codes.. did you get the codes from the explorer the cluster was in..
i know on some you need the vin number to have the dealer recover them if you do not have some anti theft codes..

I didn't mess with any anti-theft codes or anything like that. Just swapped the gauge clusters and start the car, that was it.

Mike

Wow, that website is very professional looking and well done! Your gauges look great too!

well then they all must not be the same .... cause I just got off the phone with the dealer and they verified that the mileage needs to be set and also there are some codes on some that need to be reset..

My new one just got shipped.It just got pulled from a 2004 with less than half the mileage that i have .. and the dealer told me I would need to have them reset it.
I understand on yours it didn;t have to be done. but as they concur to me not all are the same...
will let you know what happens when i get it and install it..

The dealer also told me the keypad door codes were not stored in the car and you must have them pull it for you from the computer for $95.00. Well, we all know that's a load of B.S. (see my write-up on the location of the keypad code).

If I were you, I would ignore them and try it out yourself when you get the new gauge cluster. It's VERY easy to test. Just follow my write-up on how to remove it and just plug in the new cluster. If the mileage is wrong (which I doubt) then just put everything back as-is and let the dealer work on it for you. However, I'm sure when you plug the new cluster in you'll see the exact mileage you had on there with the old cluster. It did for mine...

Of course I can't guarantee this because I can only say for sure if you are using a 2003 Mountaineer Cluster on a 2002 Explorer which is what I had done. Your 2004 cluster might be different, who knows?

Before you pay $$$ to the stealership, test it yourself...it's easy!

Mike

Wow, that website is very professional looking and well done! Your gauges look great too!

Thanks Garfield!

Mike

i am hoping to keep the mileage from the newgauge cluster.

Where's a good source for mail order on these things? Ebay doesn't have any right now.

I will have one extra at the end of the week.

I sent you a PM.

i am hoping to keep the mileage from the newgauge cluster.

Not sure that can be done. You would have to have the dealer reprogram the car with a new mileage amount which is, uh, against the law AFAIK. Sorta the digital verison of turning back the dials...

Mike

You guys that are skeptical, need to think of the instrument panel kind of as a computer monitor. The computer is separate and holds/stores/ sends information. The panel is merely a readout of the information being sent. It stores absolutely nothing and has no coding or programs. This is referring to the late model digital panels of course.

i will not believe it until I see it.

I had the option of them loading my mileage in before I bought it.
that is all I am saying. and this is from people who sell these daily..
I am assuming yours is differnet than what I have.
so I hope...

this is some of the info from the people who sell these daily...

" THE “KEY CODES”(PATS)HAVE BEEN “CLEARED” SO YOU CAN PROGRAM THE CLUSTER TO YOUR TRUCK USING THE EASY “DO IT YOURSELF” DIRECTIONS FURNISHED WITH THE CLUSTER.YOU MUST HAVE TWO SEPERATE IGNITION KEYS THAT CURRENTLY START YOUR TRUCK TO SELF PROGRAM. IF YOU PURCHASE A USED CLUSTER THAT HAS NOT HAD THE CODES CLEARED, YOUR TRUCK WON'T START."

here is the other one i was looking at,

"I HAVE FOR SALE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER WITHOUT MESSAGE CENTER PRODUCTION DATE OF TRUCK BEFORE 3/4/2002
MILEAGE WILL BE SET TO BUYERS SPECIFICATIONS AND IS INCLUDED IN THE SALE."

another different one
"We are unable to supply Anti-Theft Codes, your invoice will include the VIN# which you will need to show to the dealer to recover the code."

Interesting, but I did NONE of the above. Simply replaced the with the new cluster and started the car. No problems at all. Mileage was the same without any new programming. The person I bought the cluster from did not ask me my mileage or had it "cleared" in anyway. Sounds like they are getting a few extra $$ from customers that aren't aware. They say they'll set your mileage but there's nothing to set, at least not for the 02/03 Explorer and Mountaineers. 04's might be different but I doubt it?

Mike

Just to add...

I know some other guys that did the same mod so I asked them on another forum if they had any problems or had to reprogram/clear the gauges. Here's the question I asked and the answers:

QUESTION:
"Brad, just a quick question. I didn't have a problem with the mileage needing to be reprogrammed or any anti-theft work needed. Was that the same for you? I just plugged in the new gauges and it worked. Was that the same experience you had? "

FIRST REPLY:
"Yes, I didn't have any problems with anything, Just plugged it in and it all worked.
I am glad you didn't have any problems doing the install."

SECOND REPLY:
"Good job. I like them and Mike's site I am checking your site sometime.
I didn't have any problems, too. "

So, while I can't say for sure you won't have any problems (please let us know) it's good to hear that I'm not the only one that just swapped-and-played :)

Mike

that will sure make me mad if that is the case.
I hope they did not lie to me..

If you do run into a problem with it needing programming or whatever let me know and I can run you thru the process of taking the cluster apart and swapping just the face plate/gauges with your old circuit boards. I took my gauges apart to take lots of pictures and it's pretty easy.

Mike

Hey guys,

I have an 02 X and i'm planning on making this mod. Where and how much can you expect to pay for the mountaineer gauge pod?

Jake

Ebay, but haven't seen any in a while. I paid $51. You can also check with local junk yards that deal in late model vehicles.

Mike

To me, this wasn't clarified enough. Maybe i just can't retain anything right now cuz i just got done taking a business final... :confused:

So, quick Q:

I have an xlt which obviously doesn't have the whole computer thing. I just have odometer, trip, temp, and direction. If i were to install an '03 mounty cluster with the computer, would i have to rewire, or will the new "board" have the same clip on the left side of the cluster and plug right in to allow me to have (e.g. economy, gallons to empty, miles to empty...), and everything else that is standard with theses computers?

If you do not have the computer/message center then you'll have to swap displays using your original non-MC display in the new Mount. gauge cluster.

Mike

Man I just bought a white face gauge overlay..... Wish I had seen this first.

very nice... im going for it... now i wish i would have got white guages.... im still fixing the center pod mount... the pillar mount was for a ranger and I had it custom fit with fiberglass and color matched... the middle mount is for a WRX STI... also had it color matched

http://members.tccoa.com/awdrocks/pic4newest.jpg

very nice... im going for it... now i wish i would have got white guages.... im still fixing the center pod mount... the pillar mount was for a ranger and I had it custom fit with fiberglass and color matched... the middle mount is for a WRX STI... also had it color matched

http://members.tccoa.com/awdrocks/pic4newest.jpg


so many gauges...

oil pressure, oil temp, motor water temp, supercharger water temp, tranny temp, boost guage

either you love gauges lol or you sure do not trust the gauges in a 2002.

either you love gauges lol or you sure do not trust the gauges in a 2002.

hehe... thats funny... its actually a little of both.... but you would be surprised how un acturate the stock guages are.... I once had a supercharged mustang and I was racing down the freeway.... when all of a sudden my oil pressure guage DROPPED to 0 like there was no tomorrow..... I IMMEDIATLY turned off the car at about 140mph and coasted to a stop... and my mustangs stock oil pressure guage you ask? that thing BARELY climbed down by the time I was at a complete stop.... I can literally say that 40 dollar mach ext guage saved my motor.

Water Temp: Recently on my X I was driving and I saw my water temp guage climbing from 210... 220... 225... I turned off the motor, popped the hood, and I had blown a fuse on my electric fan.... my stock water temp guage you ask? hehe... read normal operating temp.... horrible... on another occation I was not paying attention and my water temp was up to 250 (same fuse, fixed now :) turned off the car... THEN I started spewing coolent.... stock water temp guage? hehe.. again right in the middle like if it was at the correct operating temp... 2 or 3 minutes went by while motor was off... and then and only then did my stock water temp guage go to red.

Tranny temp: im pushing a lot of hp and I have to keep an eye on it so i dont melt it ;)

Supercharger water temp: My system has its own air-to-water intercooler, and it has an BOSH electric pump, that can one day get an air bubble or even malfunction.... so if my Supercharger water temp rises... I know my pump stopped circulating water.

So they are all very justifiable rather than just bling bling ;)

for some reason I thought you were stock..

sorry..

for some reason I thought you were stock..

sorry..

yeah i only did all this because of my setup...

Awdrocks,


How much horsepower does your truck have? I like guages..lol. I bet people get a kick when they look into your truck. Man looks like a cockpit. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

I wonder if I put in the guages from a 02 mounty can i get some of the message center features. I have an xls and its plane jane.

That would be sweet if you could, but I bet you have to add sensors and harnesses. I wanted to add the digi climate control but you have to change a ton to do that.

Awdrocks,


How much horsepower does your truck have? I like guages..lol. I bet people get a kick when they look into your truck. Man looks like a cockpit. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Thank you!!!

I get my new long block in about 3 weeks.... Its hard to say how much hp ill be pushing... ive seen a couple of big bore sohc's with trimmer heads and cams pushing 326hp to the WHEELS, and they are N/A MN12's and Mustangs... My SC should give me around 100hp, I dont think ill have 426hp to the wheels, these SUVs take a nice bight due to the longer exhaust running the entire length of the SUV, longer drive shaft, shorty headers compared to their deep breathing long tubes. Another factor a N/A can do that my SC cant is they can run underdrive pullys, run way more aggressive timing and have a higher compression ration. Also another big factor and the biggest power loss is the Auto tranny, while they are running T45 manual trannys..

But I wont give up as much as a single exhaust X and a fan clutched X because I put true duals and deleted all my cats and put an electric fan... and once I get my new tranfer case ill be able to go 2wd and gain better DYNO numbers...

So its hard to guess what my actual RWHP and RWT will be due to so many factors. But I can guestimate with my small m90 supercharger I should be around 430+hp and around 470+torque to the CRANK... Once I get my drivetrain squared away this setup should be good for solid 12sec 1320 runs.

Once the whipple 2300ax goes in ill gain I should be good for some solid 11 passes... if not the NOS will get me there ;)

When im done with my drivetrain ill get a DYNO run... it will be very interesting to know what my actual hp and torque will be....

So its hard to guess what my actual RWHP and RWT will be due to so many factors. But I can guestimate with my small m90 supercharger I should be around 430+hp and around 470+torque to the CRANK... Once I get my drivetrain squared away this setup should be good for solid 12sec 1320 runs.

Once the whipple 2300ax goes in ill gain I should be good for some solid 11 passes... if not the NOS will get me there ;)

When im done with my drivetrain ill get a DYNO run... it will be very interesting to know what my actual hp and torque will be....


HOLLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Man Good Luck...remember to post them Dyno results... :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

That would be sweet if you could, but I bet you have to add sensors and harnesses. I wanted to add the digi climate control but you have to change a ton to do that.

I think the truck may have some sensors. I think i have one just before the radiator on the left side behind grill. Its just sitting there with 2 wires in it. I believe its for the temp. I think ford must have them ready for becoming and xlt during assembly. I think it would just be so much more work to totally engineer a totally different wire setup for an xls and xlt..but thats just a guess..lol. I would love to do a auto climate control. I am gonna see how much it would cost for a setup from a crashed xlt.

HOLLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Man Good Luck...remember to post them Dyno results... :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Sure will bud... I cant wait to see what real world numbers are.... You know its easy to inflate numbers... a lot of people do that... If I just start adding numbers in theory I could say ill be at 475rwhp... but no way no how in the real world... once I add the whipple at a streetable 15psi (i plan on making this an everyday driver)... MAYBE then can I possible see those numbers at the wheels... ESPECIALLY on an X.. to much drive train loss... but that setup should be good for some 11sec passes.... especially with my 4WD in action... but only time, dyno and track times will tell!!!

Untill then... this is all just stupid bench racing ;)

EDIT: Sorry for highjacking the thread...

I was thinking that too but the biggest problem is that the selector control is vac operated. Where as the digi is all elect. You would need a complete harness for the HVAC and the actuators too. Thats some SERIOUS dash disassembly to change out all those actuators. I had one replaced under warranty and they had it for 2 days. I would LOVE to do it but I dont have time or $$ right now for it.


I have the digi head unit though if anyone wants it.

Well I finally found a Mountaineer cluster on ebay for $41 (woohoo!) and got it today. I swapped the cluster in and it worked perfectly, except for the mileage. I have 43K on mine and after the swap it read 78K. So I was incorrect in what I stated before about the mileage being stored in the computer. For the record, I have the 03 Limited, and the cluster I got was from an 02 Mountaineer. But it was easy to fix, I just swapped the board from the original cluster to the Mountaineer cluster and the mileage was correct again. There are no other problems, and it was easy to do. Guess I should have taken pics, but it's pretty self explanitory. Just take the back cover off the cluster, take the 4 screws out that hold the computer board on, unhook that little computer connector thing, and put it back together. As you can tell, I'm not good with computers, I have no idea what the correct names of those components are. Just posting it as kind of a follow up I guess. Bottom line, it can be done, but you might have to swap the computer board to keep the mileage correct. Why someone that posted earlier had better luck than I, I have no idea.