Install Of Gauge Pod From Merc. Mountaineer?

[TKAT79]

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

 

[IAmTodd]

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.

 

[TKAT79]

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.

 

[IAmTodd]

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!

 

[MONMIX]

Iunderstand the wirind and whats needed,

yeah wirind really can be confusing

 

[IAmTodd]

[hickaccent]shuuutup[/hickaccent]

 

[mikephotos]

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

 

[mikephotos]

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

 

[Garfield]

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

 

[mikephotos]

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

Mike

 

[aldive]

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

Mike

Loos great as does your website.

 

[davidmmm69]

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.

 

[mikephotos]

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

 

[davidmmm69]

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..

 

[aldive]

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

 

[IAmTodd]

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.

 

[aldive]

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

Thanks for enlightening me.

 

[davidmmm69]

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..

 

[IAmTodd]

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.

 

[davidmmm69]

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.