Dash swap questions

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mikgnumv10

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Got questions about switching my dash. I have a 2003 ram and thinking bout switching to a 2006-2008 dash. My dash is cracked up and my RB1 radio is good but I would like the bigger screen of the REC to fit in a 2006. Has anyone attempted this? I see the RB1 and REC radios have the same wire input. But I also have passager controls on my climate control and the 4wd switch and heated seats module is on the same module. Wanted to get some info before I spend $600 on a new dash when I can just upgrade it
 

HemiLonestar

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I'm guessing it hasn't occurred to you that your 03 is a PCI bus system and the dash (and more importantly, the head unit) is from a CAN bus system; the two aren't compatible. While it may power up, it will not function correctly, plus the REC is crap anyway, giant ass non-touchscreen. The inputs and communication protocols CAN bus hardware require aren't present in the PCI system. If you wanted to change the dash just to change the looks and install a double DIN aftermarket stereo compatible with your truck, that's a different story. Removing the dash is a ***** on these trucks though, very labor intensive and involves evacuating the A/C evaporator.
 
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mikgnumv10

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My AC hoses have leaks anyway lol. All the freon is gone. I wanted to know what I would be getting into. Like I said. I found a 06 dash that I want for $100 and all the other 03 ram dashes I come across are cracked as bad as mine. New one cost $600. What about the 4 wheel drive switch, climate control and heated seats module? Will the 06 switches accept my 03 wires?
 

HemiLonestar

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Possibly. Have you done any comparative research, looked at pics of the dashes side by side, compared wiring, looked up part numbers, etc, other than "mine is broken and oooh that one is pretty lol? I swapped my cracked dash for one out of an 04-05. Pulling the dash is enough of a ***** in and of itself, but then transferring all the stuff under the dash to the new one? Vowed I'd never do that again lol.
 
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mikgnumv10

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Yeah I compared the bolts holes, ac, and wiring. But you got me thinking when you said PCI bus systems and CAN bus systems thinking will my 4 wheel drive work and climate controls. That's what I'm trying to research now. I think I'll have to keep my instrument cluster tho.
 

Tony Gigaroa

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Did anyone figure out if you can put the 03 cluster into an 06 dash.
I am asking for a friend.
Who swapped an 06 cab 2wd onto his 03 4wd chassis.
I know that the 06 is can bus.
So we are going to try and put as much wiring out of his 03 and cab as possible. So just wondering if anyone has done this. Thanks for your time.
 

HemiLonestar

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Did anyone figure out if you can put the 03 cluster into an 06 dash.
I am asking for a friend.
Who swapped an 06 cab 2wd onto his 03 4wd chassis.
I know that the 06 is can bus.
So we are going to try and put as much wiring out of his 03 and cab as possible. So just wondering if anyone has done this. Thanks for your time.

The cluster itself will fit into the dash, externally they are the same. If you are transferring all the 03 wiring then it will plug right in. Don't plug the 03 cluster into 06 wiring. For reference:
2003
03.jpg

2006
06.jpg
 

02andy

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I did the swap. I just used my wiring harness. The only mods I had to do was swap the front face on the the ac switch and use the head light switch from the 02. The only problem I’m having is the passenger side air bag. 08 bag has 4 wires and the the 02 has 2. Other than that it was a very easy swap.
 

HemiLonestar

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Dual stage airbags. I assume you're still using your stock 02 airbag module. Up through 03 were single stage (all high speed). Starting in 04 went to low and high speed bags. Figure out which two are the high speed wires and plug them in. It's the same for swapping steering wheel and airbag from an 02-03 to 04-08.
 

Brando_SLT

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I did the swap. I just used my wiring harness. The only mods I had to do was swap the front face on the the ac switch and use the head light switch from the 02. The only problem I’m having is the passenger side air bag. 08 bag has 4 wires and the the 02 has 2. Other than that it was a very easy swap.
Do you have any pics of the swap process?
 
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I'm guessing it hasn't occurred to you that your 03 is a PCI bus system and the dash (and more importantly, the head unit) is from a CAN bus system; the two aren't compatible. While it may power up, it will not function correctly, plus the REC is crap anyway, giant ass non-touchscreen. The inputs and communication protocols CAN bus hardware require aren't present in the PCI system. If you wanted to change the dash just to change the looks and install a double DIN aftermarket stereo compatible with your truck, that's a different story. Removing the dash is a ***** on these trucks though, very labor intensive and involves evacuating the A/C evaporator.


Just want to clarify that the A/C doesn't need to be evacuated for the dash to come out, just the HVAC box inside.
 

Airwaves17

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So follow up question to all of this? What is exactly needing to be done with the airbag setup to get it work? That’s the last step in my dashswap. Going from the single stage to the 2 stage setup. Which set of wiring is for the high speed deployment.
Any further help would be appreciated.
 

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