Gauge cluster and steering wheel upgrades

[damarble]

Technically this is going in a Sport Trac but it applies to 2nd gen Explorers too and there's more traffic here.

I'm doing a couple cosmetic upgrades and wanted to share. Stay tuned.

 

[damarble]

Fun with faces and needles. I haven't settled on anything yet but I'm leaning towards white needles, white tach/speedo, black side gauges.

 

[damarble]

As for the steering wheel, I bought one of these from a 3rd gen. I found a NOS leather one for very cheap. I've seen enough evidence to know it can work, but no solid walk thrus so I'll document it as it's done.

 

[WormsExplorer]

Like the gauge cluster you are doing.

 

[colintrax]

Not a huge fan of the 3rd Gen wheel, however this might be the best solution to torn up cruise control buttons. Looking forward to your write up

 

[damarble]

I like the 4th gen the best but they are a different spline.

Still impatiently waiting for it to get here. I played with one in the junkyard and the buttons feel nicer. I did score a nice set of 2nd gen buttons so it's not really needed but I want something different anyway.

 

[damarble]

Went back to the junkyard, pulled about a dozen wheels and compared parts. It looks like I'm going to end up with an Explorer/Expedition hybrid clockspring with the 3rd gen buttons rewired to plug in.

Left to right - Expedition, 00 Ex, 03 Ex.

 

[damarble]

Now we're getting somewhere. The resistors for the Explorer cruise are the same as early Super Duty. I can copy this guy's SD swap. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/...uty-to-2004-explorer-steering-wheel-swap.html


Explorer diagram.

SD diagram.

 

[damarble]

No hybrid needed, the Expedition clock spring fits perfectly and puts the plug where I need it. The blinker canceler is set up different but interchanges no problem.

 

[damarble]

I might be passing on the cluster modifications, I have a silver Ranger cluster en route. Maybe I'll put white needles on it.

 

[damarble]

The wheel is fitted. Wiring still left to do.

Taking this:

I made this:

To fit like so:

This is the same method used by the guy that did the SD swap and should not significantly impact the strength.

Tada:

 

[96ex5.0]

I decided to do my instrument cluster today but I kept the black surrounding.

 

[damarble]

I think the black on white looks better than gold on white and I intend to use black as well.

 

[96ex5.0]

Steering wheel and all

 

[damarble]

From my research, it should have been basically plug and play? I had one and was going to do it before I decided to make things more difficult.

 

[WormsExplorer]

Looks great

 

[damarble]

The silver gauges arrived with damage under the fuel gauge so I did some mix and matching.

 

[colintrax]

So all you did was copy the write up in the superduty forum?

 

[damarble]

Basically yes. The wiring isn't completed yet though.

 

[mic98xlt]

I really like this big time!