dash change

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jbmobbs

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ok well i found out the whole inside of my dash is crumbling idk why but it is (the top is fine) and i was wonderin if a 98 model dash will bolt and plug right up in the truck and if id be able to use the 98 gauges and airbag as well????
 

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I wouldnt know but if you need pics of a 98 guage cluster and where it connects, I can get them cuz I have to take mine back out again in a few days.
 
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jbmobbs

jbmobbs

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please do, all i need is the pic by the junction box on the fire wall, i might make the 96 model gauges work in the 98 dash
 

the codes

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check out my mod thread and go back a few pages from the last...theres a pic of the back of the cluster, it plugs into two black plugs.
 

SmokedRam

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please do, all i need is the pic by the junction box on the fire wall, i might make the 96 model gauges work in the 98 dash

That would be more trouble than it's worth...if you were going to go to that extent, it would be smarter to get some fiberglass and make a custom dash...It's not like the 98 was any less prone to cracking anyway...
 
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jbmobbs

jbmobbs

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i like the style of the 98 dash......is that bad??? i mean i might have to splice some wires but it will be worth it to me lol
 

SmokedRam

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No, not at all...i am just saying the effort it would take to get a 96 cluster to fit into a 98+ dash and get it to properly work just wouldn't be worth it...that's just my opinion.
 
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jbmobbs

jbmobbs

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yea true but i might be able to splice wires to get them to work or just buy a COMPLETE wiring harness and swap it from this pull and save up here lol
 

Bigtman07

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I do believe that the pre 98 cluster was an analog cluster. The mileage is the old style and not the digital correct?
 

txbass06

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^^ yup. Our miles still "click" over lol
 

Bigtman07

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That's what I thought. So there is no way to make the new cluster work as the miles are not stored in the cluster. They communicate with the PCM to get the miles.
 
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jbmobbs

jbmobbs

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i know thats why i said, id swap the wiring harness if i can find a whole 1998 + model 5speed truck ill buy it and gut it all from the dash to the wires to the pcm and put it all in mine and transmission
 

Bigtman07

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So you would be changing your PCM too? along with new harness and dash?
 
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jbmobbs

jbmobbs

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yes, my brother is a mechanic at the dodge dealer and he said he would flash the pcm so it would display the correct milage and model of the truck
 

Bigtman07

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Well if you are gonna go that far shoot have at it. Let us know how it turns out.
 

Bigtman07

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^^^^Sounds like a good idea. I'm sure there are many guys that would like to do the same.
 
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