1996 Explorer Xlt Aftermarket gauges

[Amador_r25]

Heeyyyy, Someone help me? I want to install an aftermarket gas gauge on my explorer and also want to run a tablet with an obd2 scanner for the rest of the gauges... problem is that, Can I run my explorer without the instrument cluster and have no problems? Or do I have to cut a few wires?

 

[J_C]

Why would you need to disconnect the instrument cluster, are you going to pull the whole thing out to mount the tablet down in the dash where it is/was? Seems like I vaguely recall that you need the battery light to energize the alternator or something, but you could in theory rewire that outside the dash or use a resistor instead if you figure out the minimum current requirement.

I don't understand the cut a few wires statement. yes you would need the wire from the fuel gauge tapped into for your aftermarket gauge. Otherwise, never heard of anyone doing what you propose so no idea what else might be needed, except that most (if not all) gauges don't have a need to send data, only receive a digital or analog signal. This may have changed on all the fancy new(er) vehicles but we're talking about a '96.

 

[Amador_r25]

Yes, I'm going to scrap my useless cluster and replace it with a tablet, also wire up a gas gauge.
I'm going to save the connectors for the cluster just in case anything goes wrong.. And what I meant by "cut a few wires" is , Will I need to do a few adjustments with the wires in order to run without a cluster and have no problems? The other day I was reading a thread on here about a guy who threw on an aluminum dash and wired up some gauges and so..
His thread is called..
Step-by-step: replacing factory gauges & sending units with Auto Meter for 4.0 Ford

 

[J_C]

The author of that topic isn't long gone from the forum, was "last seen" (so the website states) last month. You might try PM'ing him.