2015 7" premium instrument cluster upgrade

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SitKneelBend

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A couple months ago I upgraded the 3.5" cluster in my recently acquired 2014 Ram 1500. I bought a Premium 7" cluster on Ebay from the "Instrument Cluster Store". Very happy with their service and the quality of the panel. Prices range all over the place, but unless you are really lucky, it's more of "you get what you pay for". Some of the lower priced panels have lots of blemishes and scratches on the screen or broken mounting tabs. I paid $407 for a panel out of a 2018 Ram 2500/3500 with over 100,000 miles on it. It's not uncommon to see prices over $800. Just be patient until the right one comes along.

The panel is incredibly easy to swap out and also easy to program if you have alphaobd. I updated the odometer reading (my truck only had 63,300 miles) and the hour readings. Just remember to connect to the "Instrument Panel" module instead of the "Body Computer" module where most all of the other settings and adjustments are done. You can also change the "start up" screen so it matches your vehicle. I changed mine to "RAM 1500" but there are over 20 different startup screens to choose from - again, using alphaobd to make the selection. There are numerous youtube videos explaining how to do the panel swap and programming.

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The lens and mask can be replaced for around $80 to make it look like new if you find a beat up one too...
 

Justin33

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Shut I may have to do this thst looks so much better than my old 3 inch screen.
 

Justin33

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It makes quite a difference for such a small change
I guess I’m lost how they can just reprogram a cluster or I guess how I can actually do it with Alfa. Wouldn’t that mean someone could bs their mileage?
 

Gordo2212

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Installed the 2016 7" cluster on my 2018 3500 with no issues at all. Programmed the miles and engine hours with alpha obd perfectly. Now need to figure out how I want to set up the screen.....
 

SitKneelBend

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I guess I’m lost how they can just reprogram a cluster or I guess how I can actually do it with Alfa. Wouldn’t that mean someone could bs their mileage?
Yes, it is only illegal for dealers/dealerships to change mileage themselves and/or to sell a vehicle without disclosing a mileage variance. All others can change it as they will...
 

Dusty

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First off, I know I am a few years late to the party! Secondly, I actually just purchased a 2015 2500 Big Horn diesel which now allows me to join the Diesel Ram family (coming from a Tundra) so I am trying to learn and discover as much as I can. I have been reading quite a few different forums and posts around upgrading the instrument cluster from the default 3.5" to the 7" premium one, but I had a few questions that I haven't been able to find the answers too.

Finding a used diesel one is not easy, but I found one for $1,200 from Infotainment (2013-2018 Ram 1500 Speedometer EVIC Instrument Panel Cluster), but I really don't want to spend that much if I don't have to. I have seen on some other forums and posts that you can get ones from junk yards for cheaper, like $300 to $500 (assuming you can find them), but the cluster would need to be programmed to match current information (i.e., odometer, hours, etc.).

I also found on one of the sites that you can download an app (alphaobd) and pair with an obdlink mx+ Bluetooth obd2 reader and make the changes yourself. The app and OBD reader together cost about $180 so even if I found a premium cluster for $500, I would still be saving almost 50% from say going through infotainment.

For those that have gone the route of junk yard searching, have you had any issues with it once it has been re-programmed and secondly, has anyone tried programming it themselves and how successful was it? For those that didn't go with a junk yard or someone selling on the forums, any good resources to pick one up?

Thanks in advance!
Make sure you get one from the same year truck. There are two upper mounting screw versions and three upper mounting screw versions.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 067939 miles.
 

GWR Ram

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I did the same as Gordo2212 but I found one on eBay for my 2018 3500 Cummins and it was a 2016 from Canada and came out of a 3.0 diesel. I won the auction for, believe it or not, $128.00. I did my mileage and hours on alfaobd with obdmx. It took 2 attempts I think because I rushed through it but it did take. Later I change the faceplate to MPH.
Your diesel 7” evic now days are a lot more expensive.
 

jrwheeles

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I did this on a gas one a couple of years ago. The seller changed the mileage for me but still got it wrong. I used AlphaOBD to change the mileage to match the old cluster. Everything went smooth with the install. One caveat. The top cover on the steering column behind the wheel will get scratched up if you're not watching it when you install it. Easy to avoid but also simple to forget about. Ask me how I know.
 

SitKneelBend

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Make sure you get one from the same year truck. There are two upper mounting screw versions and three upper mounting screw versions.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 067939 miles.
I don't believe this is correct. All 2013+ Classic RAM clusters are interchangeable and physically mount the same.

There are some minor quirks with compatibility but most will work (especially 2014+)
 

Dusty

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I don't believe this is correct. All 2013+ Classic RAM clusters are interchangeable and physically mount the same.

There are some minor quirks with compatibility but most will work (especially 2014+)
Thank you for the comment. I now see my error.

To restate, 2009 to 2012 4th gens only have two mounting screws that attach the upper portion of the cluster to the cluster surround trim. The newer versions (2014 for sure; 2013) have three screws that secure the cluster to the cluster surround.

Sorry for the confusion.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 068111 miles.
 

UnkoBro

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If your are a Ram owner, DEFINITELY get the Alfa OBD Program and an OBDII port module. There are soo many options you can flash yourself, and save a ton of money by removing the dealership out of the equation! Programming the 7" EVIC yourself is a breeze for sure!
 

Dusty

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If your are a Ram owner, DEFINITELY get the Alfa OBD Program and an OBDII port module. There are soo many options you can flash yourself, and save a ton of money by removing the dealership out of the equation! Programming the 7" EVIC yourself is a breeze for sure!
Does this device work on Ram trucks all the way to 2022?

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 068207 miles.
 

UnkoBro

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For specific Rams from 2019 and up, there is a Security Bypass Harness you will need. Search these Forums for specifics and availability
 

UnkoBro

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YES! I don't know why I had a brain-fart with the year...lol. As many forum posts I've gone through regarding AlfaOBD, that year should already be burned in my brain, and haunt my dreams! :)
 
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