kidso

I have a 1998 XJ that has the idiot lights on the cluster panel. I happened to find a sweet cluster panel from another 98 that has the actual gauges on them for battery voltage, oil pressure, etc. This new cluster panel looks to have the same size and shape as my current idiot panel.


I was hoping that I could just remove the old one and replace it with the updated cluster panel. I know I will need to change out the oil pressure switch for this upgrade. Are there any other sensors that I need to replace?


Also, if I switch out the cluster panel, will that change or effect the mileage reading on my odometer? And will it effect the OBD computer in any way?


Thanks for any help you can give me. I would also love to hear from anyone who has done this cluster panel upgrade and has any helpful hints they can offer on this project.

RTorrez1

Don't hold me to it. But, if I'm not misstaken you shouldn't have to change out the sensors. I do know that the older years you do have to replace them. But, I don't recall from what year the sensors are compatable. Everything else is plug and play.
The miles will read what the donors miles were and not yours. Also, the OBD won't be affected.

kidso

Thanks. I have continued my research, and I discovered that from 97 forward the instrument cluster gauge would simply be a plug and play exchange with no swaping out of any sensors. The sensor swapping is only required of years 96 and older.

RTorrez1

Not a problem. That's what we are all here for. I need to remember what years that do not need the sensors changed out. Thanks for posting the years.
I do know that you will like the gauges much better even though they aren't 100% accurate. But at least they give you some kind of idea on what's going on. Let us know how the change out goes for you.

straxcla

I did this same thing on my 98. I had a 5spd and no tach, who doesn't put a tach in a manual vehicle?!...ANYWAY it's all plug and play. I didn't have to change any sensors for mine to work. Just remove the old, install the "new" and presto, you have useful gauges. Just make sure to record the mileage on your jeep before swapping in the "new" cluster so you can keep track of the actual miles. Have fun!

Fred/N0AZZ

Surprising that's not what I thought that I had saw posted in the past, but hell what do I know never doing it. It could have been for the pre 97's or something.

RTorrez1

Even us old guys can learn something new once in a while. LOL!

Fred/N0AZZ

Yeah Robert its that CRS syndrome. Hell I really do learn something new every day

RTorrez1

Don't fill bad Fred. I have more of those CRS days then I can remember, at least I think I do???

Skb2706

I did the swap on my 2000 SE no problems, plug and play. While I had the gauge cluster in hand I put new LEDs in it.
Why they ever thought the idiot light cluster was a good idea I could only guess.
Nice simple upgrade. Bought the cluster off eBay for $40

kidso

Did you, put in color LEDs? If so, what colors and brand did you select?