overhead computer

[Dale.E]

ya know that little computer readout on the roof there?
tells us our fuel eco, outside temp etc...

I hate mine...

has no features, my truck is a 2005 and my old (died in a headon) 1999 Grand Carvan had a FAR better computer, way more options.
this thing can only tell me average MPG.

are these interchangeable? can I go to a wrecker and find one from a Grand Caravan and swap it out?

I want my DTE and live mpg readouts back!

 

[bigbadram1500]

bump for others to chime in and help out

 

[TexasRammer]

mine has dte and live mpg and all that. not sure if theyre swappable though

 

[Dale.E]

Thanx for the bump, I am finding other posts on other forums of several peeps that are/were anoyed with this, but no fix as of yet.

you would think that as simple as a driveing computer is any half modern car would have all these features. its not the 1970's for gods sake.....
little computers to do this are literally 5-7$ at production time.

I may have a work around, have to test it yet but ordered a BluTooth OBDII reader from fleabay last night for 25$ and going to try the Android app 'Torque'
Torque Android App Review & OBDII Bluetooth Adapter - YouTube

wont have the DTE Distance Till Empty feature I dont expect, but should have live MPG and I have found I can really get better fuel eco haveing that.

 

[Ocelot]

ScanGauge can display DTE along with many other things. Not 100% sure about 3rd gen Ram though. You could check their website.

I had a ScanGuage in my Chevy and had it programed to display mileage, DTE, trans temp, and volts.
It reads many more but displays 4 at once. The nice thing is that it's also a code reader. I only sold it because the EVIC on my Ram displays all that stuff stock and I have another code reader. Plus Trans temp as an X-Gauge wasn't available for the 2011 Ram and I like to have that when towing.

 

[drkmtr]

I have an 04 and mine does everything, not sure why a newer one would have limited functions. I don't think the computer is actually in the overhead unit, I believe it's just a display interface.

 

[drkmtr]

Can you post a pic of your current unit? From my research, the only ones I can find for 3rd gens all have full function not just MPG, and it appears that the unit is the same for all models from 02-06.

 

[Dale.E]

Can you post a pic of your current unit? From my research, the only ones I can find for 3rd gens all have full function not just MPG, and it appears that the unit is the same for all models from 02-06.

I will in a bit, been slightly swamped at work last few days.

Canada verison if that means anything.

 

[Dale.E]

Make that the last few weeks, sorry for the delay

For the record, the ODB2 Bluetooth dongle thing I got from Fleabay for 17$ and the 5$ app on my Droid phone did it all and a lot more.

Droid users, take note: its called "Torque" does a ton, do yourself a huge favor and look it up!!!

That said, I will have to take another pic of my overhead computer as I cant find the one I did two weeks ago on my phone. Must have deleted it, or my kids did.

ya I will blame them...

 

[Bigboytoys]

Hmm...I know with my 2004 I have everything too...Intresting that yours is a year later and doesn't have it....Might be able to swap out with a 2004 then, but if your happy with the Torque app, than stick with what you like...

 

[garner]

What trim level do you have? Might be similar to the 4th gens where the higher trim levels get more options than the bottom trims