Installing lariat gauges in XLT truck-complete writeup

[dazdillenger]

Alright, I'll be finishing this up later this week, but for those of you that are interested, I'll be covering EVERYTHING needed to install a lariat cluster in your xlt trucks, including making sure the compass/fuel economy, and everything else in the message center works.

To do this, you need the following.

Lariat gauge cluster
Message center switch
Lariat autodimming mirror, and compass module (for my swap I'm using a 2010 mirror, but the 05-07 will be covered as well)

Attached are the wiring diagrams.

The gauge cluster has 2 plugs. We'll only be concerning ourselves with one of them, connector c220a (first picture). The difference that we see here is that the lariat cluster uses 4 pins that aren't utilized in the xlt cluster. Those pins are 18-21. Pin 18 is compass data-, 19 is compass data+, 20 is the message switch input (this pin changes the information the message center displays) and pin 21 is message center power.

The next diagram shown is for the mirror mounted compass sensor module, which is connector c909. Pin 1 is ground, pin 2 is key on power, pin 3 is compass -, and pin 4 is compass +. Pin 1 and 2 are self explanatory. Pin 3 on the compass module connects via a long wire to pin 18 on the cluster harness, and pin 4 connects to pin 19 on the cluster harness. At this point, your new gauges, should you pause to test them, display an accurate compass reading.

The final diagram is of the message center switch. pin 1 is for illumination-basically this is supplied power when you turn the headlights on. I recommend tapping into Pin 12 on the gauge cluster. Pin 2 is message center switch power. This is supplied via pin 21 on the instrument cluster. Again, very simple. Pin 3 connects to pin 20 on the cluster, and pin 4 gets grounded (like a bad stepchild!).

At this point, EVERYTHING should work as if it came installed that way. Only thing left to do is mount the message center switch, and finalize your wiring. I'll have pictures to upload for you later this week, but in the meantime you can ask any questions you like.

[Dave]

How are you going to get the message center to work properly without a PCM flash?

[dazdillenger]

It already works. I just haven't run the harness I made through the truck. However everything works as it should when connected-so I guess I'm saying a PCM flash isn't necessary. I had anticipated the possibility of needing one, but EVERYTHING functions properly at this point.

I should also note that these diagrams are for a 2005. I'm sure 06-07 are similar, but If anyone would like to know, I'll look into it!

[dazdillenger]

I am curious, and may very well attempt to find out, if the xlt cluster can be used in place of the lariat cluster-IE if it is already a part of it, just not activated as the pins are present but vacant. I'll take a look, use the XLT cluster and see if the message center displays anything.

[Dave]

So you have all of the info capabilities that the lariat trucks do?

[dazdillenger]

Originally Posted by Dave

So you have all of the info capabilities that the lariat trucks do?

That is Correct.

If there is enough interest I'll consider a write up on a digital hvac swap as well, but that one is NOT to be undertaken by anyone who is shaky with electronics. It requires complete dash removal and changing the entire heater box/blend doors and actuators.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by dazdillenger

That is Correct.

If there is enough interest I'll consider a write up on a digital hvac swap as well, but that one is NOT to be undertaken by anyone who is shaky with electronics. It requires complete dash removal and changing the entire heater box/blend doors and actuators.

Just to verify. You have Compass, MPG, Eng Hours, Diag tests, and a few more that I will remember when I get home tonight.

You have the ability to reset your doorlocks and the like through the message center?

[dazdillenger]

Not sure what you are referring to when you speak of resetting the door locks. However everything else functions as if it was factory installed. I have verified engine hours, compass direction, mileage, trip, DTE, and MPG. Although I will take some pictures, and would welcome someone running me through some function tests vs their gauges. Everything works just as it does in my other 05, which is a lariat.

[Dave]

By doorlocks I mean the ability to set it up so your doors lock or dont lock once your put the truck in drive

[dazdillenger]

Honestly, that is of little to no consequence to me, but I will check to verify it works (I'm sure someone else who attempts this may want that function). I mainly did it for the DTE and MPG readout.

I didn't know where to put this-If you feel it would be better to have it in another section, by all means, move it.