2008 V-6 GT gauge swap?

MOTORCITYBADBOY · 05-10-2009

The parts man at the dealer said you can't swap a GT style gauge package into a V6 car if it didn't come with it, because of the programming with your particular VIN number. The cluster itself is 'plug n play' but he said Ford won't program a new GT style cluster for you if your car didn't come with it. I've seen the full gauge package on V6 cars from the factory, but has anyone done a swap?
Thanks for any info on this.

amustangrocks · 05-10-2009

Welcome to AFM and the forums

last yr a couple people did that swap, but there was some catches to it and i dont remember how it turned out. hopefully some people will chime in here with the info. ive wanted the extra guages for along time not to mention the my color option, buts its been put to the bottom of my mod list for now. sorry, not much help

Black05Pony · 05-10-2009

First let's clear up a few things.

The 6 gauge cluster with MyColor is not a GT feature, its an Interior Upgrade Package feature. It is available on both v6 and GT from the factory and you can buy the cluster from the dealer or elsewhere and have them switch your information over.

With that having been said, there are differences between the v6 4 and 6 gauge clusters and the GT 4 and 6 gauge clusters. The v6 clusters have a 0-120mph speedo and their tach red line is at 5750 RPMs while the GT speedo goes from 0-140 and the tach red lines at 6000 RPMs.

Mach 13 · 05-10-2009

My V-6 convertible came with the base cluster. I found a Information and my color cluster on E-Bay that came out of a 2006 V-6 Automatic transmission just like mine. The mileage was within a thousand or so. I pried the block plate where the information buttons are usually located, and made sure there was a wire loom mounted to the back of it. (Usually if you have the TCS you are Ok) I then ordered a information switch from the Ford dealer. When I had all the parts together I swapped everything out. Total time on job less than an hour. Its been in the car more than a year, no problems and its even been to Ford for warranty work.
One of the best Mods. I've done on the car. Car now has mileage computer, miles to empty, gallons used, avg. mpg, tells you which door is ajar instead of just the red door light, and My Color gauge option.
1st photo: new cluster installed
2nd photo: Switch you need to buy from Ford
3rd photo: old cluster before going into storage.

amustangrocks · 05-10-2009

thanks for clearing that up, i couldnt remember. was there a catch also with the 05`s, like the harness might not be right as the mycolors were later on like 07?

MOTORCITYBADBOY · 05-11-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mach 13

My V-6 convertible came with the base cluster. I found a Information and my color cluster on E-Bay that came out of a 2006 V-6 Automatic transmission just like mine. The mileage was within a thousand or so. I pried the block plate where the information buttons are usually located, and made sure there was a wire loom mounted to the back of it. (Usually if you have the TCS you are Ok) I then ordered a information switch from the Ford dealer. When I had all the parts together I swapped everything out. Total time on job less than an hour. Its been in the car more than a year, no problems and its even been to Ford for warranty work.
One of the best Mods. I've done on the car. Car now has mileage computer, miles to empty, gallons used, avg. mpg, tells you which door is ajar instead of just the red door light, and My Color gauge option.
1st photo: new cluster installed
2nd photo: Switch you need to buy from Ford
3rd photo: old cluster before going into storage.

So Mach13- If I'm reading this right the Gauge package can be installed without any further 'programming' as the guy at the Ford dealer told me. What if I don't have the TCS? Will my harness be different?

MOTORCITYBADBOY · 05-11-2009

OK I just stopped at another dealer to ask about the gauges. They said they can sell me a 6 gauge cluster for $350 + $50 for the control buttons...but if I don't have an identical one out of my car to turn in there is a $500 core charge. They said Ford wants to discourage people from installing a low mileage cluster in a higher mileage car.

amustangrocks · 05-11-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOTORCITYBADBOY

OK I just stopped at another dealer to ask about the gauges. They said they can sell me a 6 gauge cluster for $350 + $50 for the control buttons...but if I don't have an identical one out of my car to turn in there is a $500 core charge. They said Ford wants to discourage people from installing a low mileage cluster in a higher mileage car.

one would think they would want to sell all the upgrade parts they can esp right now with the economy. i thought stlwagon or someone said they can re-calibrate the speedo at the dealer. maybe not

Black05Pony · 05-11-2009

MyColor has been available since 05. I bought in February 2005 and mine had it from the factory. I'm not sure if the wiring harness' are different between 05/06 and 07+ but they could be. I wouldn't put it past Ford to do something retarded like that.

The dealer can recalibrate your speedo and they can also switch your information over. Some dealers are better than others with things like that. Some will help you and others couldn't give half a **** about you (unless you're buying a car from them and then once the papers are signed you're reverted to your less-than-half-**** state)

Try calling around to different dealers' service departments and talk to some service managers. Explain your situation and see if they're willing to do what it takes to help. They should be, if you're willing to pay $400 to buy a new cluster from them.

**stlwagon** · 05-11-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by amustangrocks

one would think they would want to sell all the upgrade parts they can esp right now with the economy. i thought stlwagon or someone said they can re-calibrate the speedo at the dealer. maybe not

It's the odometer info that gets moved to the new cluster.

amustangrocks · 05-11-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlwagon

It's the odometer info that gets moved to the new cluster.

ok, i thought it was possible. i swear, it is every dealer is different. i have one 5 miles away, but i wont go there so i drive like 25 miles to another one. but even the one i went to for the trans oil change qouted me 173.00 w/tax, before i left the house. charged me 157.00 w/tax when it was done, i didnt complain. some dealers just suck

oldpanzer · 05-12-2009

I retrofitted the OEM V6 six guage cluster into my original 4 guage V6 coupe. I got the guage from a internet Ford dealer. I had a initial problem in that the guage kept generating a annoying ABS error since my car didn't have ABS. It cost me what I thought was an excessive amount to have a Ford dealer reprogram that out of my cluster. That was after another dealer's head Mustang mechanic said it could not be done. Go figure. AM now has the Simco guage clusters for both GT and V6 for less than I paid for the OEM. It was not available at those prices when I did this last fall. I would go with the Simco after you locate a cluster.

MOTORCITYBADBOY · 05-12-2009

Nice idea about the Simco gauges, but I prefer to pay a little more and have the Ford equipment wherever possible.

amustangrocks · 05-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldpanzer

I retrofitted the OEM V6 six guage cluster into my original 4 guage V6 coupe. I got the guage from a internet Ford dealer. I had a initial problem in that the guage kept generating a annoying ABS error since my car didn't have ABS. It cost me what I thought was an excessive amount to have a Ford dealer reprogram that out of my cluster. That was after another dealer's head Mustang mechanic said it could not be done. Go figure. AM now has the Simco guage clusters for both GT and V6 for less than I paid for the OEM. It was not available at those prices when I did this last fall. I would go with the Simco after you locate a cluster.

now does your new cluster have the my color and the info center? if so, did you wire in the switches and are there wires there for it allready?

oldpanzer · 05-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by amustangrocks

now does your new cluster have the my color and the info center? if so, did you wire in the switches and are there wires there for it allready?

Yes it has the MyColor and the info center. There is an existing socket behind the blank plastic switch cover plates for the OEM switch to plug into.