How to Replace Instrument Cluster 1993-2003 Ford Ranger
Created on: 2016-09-13
Check out this video to learn how to remove and install the instrument cluster on your 93-03 Ford Ranger from the expert mechanics at 1A Auto.
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step 1 :Removing the Center Dash Panel
- Remove the three 7mm bolts on the top side of the dash bezel
- Remove the two 7mm screws on the center trim bezel below the radio
- Pry out the center trim panel with a flat blade screwdriver wrapper in tape
- Disconnect all of the electrical connectors and antenna
- Pry the 4WD selector out with a flat balde screwdriver
- Remove the 7mm bolt left in the center dash panel's frame
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step 2 :Removing the Knee Panel
- Remove the four 7mm bolts on the knee panel
- Slide the panel forward and off its hooks
- Remove the 7mm bolt nearest the steering wheel
- Remove the three 8mm bolts from the metal pan
- Remove the 7mm bolt near the steering wheel
- Pull the column down with the tilt option
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step 3 :Removing the Instrument Trim Panel
- Put the key in and turn the vehicle on
- Shift the vehicle to first gear
- Pull the panel out
- Disconnect the electrical connectors
- Remove the panel
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step 4 :Removing the Instrument Cluster
- Turn the vehicle on
- Shift the vehicle into Park
- Remove the four 7mm screws from the gauge cluster
- Pull the gauge cluster out
- Disconnect the electrical connectors
- Pull on the tabs and slide out the gear range selector
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step 5 :Installing the Instrument Cluster
- Connect the electrical connections to the back of the instrument panel
- Insert the gear range selector into the cluster
- Lay the gauge cluster into the dash
- Tighten the four 7mm screws to the gauge cluster
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step 6 :Installing the Instrument Trim Panel
- Turn the key on
- Shift the vehicle into first gear
- Insert the dash panel into place
- Shift the vehicle into Park
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step 7 :Reinstalling the Center Dash Panel
- Tighten the 7mm screw to the corner of the upper dash panel
- Tighten the 7mm screws near the instrument cluster
- Reconnect the center dash connectors
- Insert the center panel into place
- Tighten the two 7mm screws to the center panel
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step 8 :Reinstalling the Knee Panel
- Reinstall the 7mm screws at the bottom of the upper dash panel
- Reinstall the three 8mm bolts to the steel knee pan
- Insert the knee panel into place
- Tighten the 7mm bolts to the knee panel
Tools needed
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7mm Socket
8mm Socket
Ratchet
Socket Extensions
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Hi, I'm Mike from 1A Auto. I hope this how-to video helps you out, and next time you need parts for your vehicle, think of 1AAuto.com. Thanks!
In this video, we're going to be working on our 2001 Ford Ranger. We're going to show you how to remove and reinstall the instrument cluster or instrument panel. If you like this video, please click “Subscribe.”
We have a ton more information on this truck, as well as many other makes and models. If you need parts for your vehicle, please follow the link in the description.
Here are the items you will need for this repair: 7mm, 8mm sockets, ratchet, and socket extension.
Remove the three 7 millimeter bolts along the top side of your dash bezel with a socket and ratchet. Remove the two 7 millimeter screws on the center trim bezel below the radio. We use a small flat-blade screwdriver, with some tape on it to keep from marring our dash services, to pry out on this center trim panel. Reach back and disconnect all of the electrical connectors. The antenna pops right back and out. This last connector for the four-wheel drive selector is going to have to be pried up on with our flat-blade screwdriver. Remove this 7 millimeter bolt that was covered by our center dash panel.
Remove the four 7 millimeter bolts: one here, two below the hood release, and one all the way by our left foot, using a 7-millimeter socket and ratchet. Slide the knee pan forward toward you to release the hooks and remove it from the vehicle. Remove this 7 millimeter bolt through the access hole in this steel reinforcement behind the knee pan. Remove these three 8 millimeter bolts using a socket and ratchet. Pull back the knee panel. We'll remove this last 7 millimeter bolt.
Now we're going to put our column all the way down, if you have a tilt option. Put the key in, and shift the vehicle to first gear to get a little more room around the stick. Pull out on the dash, and lift up.
Using a flat blade screwdriver, remove this electrical connector for the interior dimmer switch. Push down on the tab. Release the other connector from the headlight switch. Shift the truck back into park and remove your key. Remove the two 7 millimeter screws on each side of the gauge cluster, for a total of four. I'm going to use this 7 millimeter socket, a long extension, and a ratchet. Once the bolts are out, carefully remove the gauge cluster from the dash. Disconnect the electrical connectors. Lift up on the tab on the bottom right in the middle of the gauge cluster. We'll lift up and pull out there. There's another tab in front of the cable on the left side we'll lift up and slide out as well. This removes the gear range selector and allows us to remove our instrument cluster enough to release the last connector. Take it out of our truck.
Reinstall the electrical connections on the back of the instrument panel. You may have to install the range selector at the same time. All of these parts just click back into place. Then we'll lay it back in. All of the black 7 millimeter interior screws we've removed throughout this process are the same. We'll reinstall them into the instrument panel. We'll shift our truck down into first gear again so we can lay our dash panel back in. When you get pretty close to getting it lined up, take a second to reconnect the electrical connectors for both the headlight switch and the interior dimmer switch. Lay the upper dash panel back into place, and you'll see the metal clips in their holes. Line them up. Snap them back in.
Shift the truck back into park. Remove your key. Reinstall the gold 7 millimeter screw at the top right corner of that upper dash panel. Reinstall the three black 7 millimeter screws into the top of the dash panel just before the instrument cluster. Reconnect the four-wheel drive selector connector. Reconnect the cigarette lighter. There's two wires there. Reconnect the radio harness, the antenna, the fog light switch, and the AC power outlet connector. Push the center panel back into place. Then reinstall the two 7 millimeter screws at the bottom of the panel. Reinstall two 7 millimeter screws at the bottom of the upper dash panel. Reinstall the three screws for the steel knee pan. Tighten them up with an 8 millimeter socket and ratchet.
Snap in the top of the plastic knee pan. Reinstall the four 7 millimeter screws along the bottom. Remember to reinstall the hood release and the two screws that go in there.
Thanks for tuning in. We hope this video helped you out. Next time you need parts for your car, please visit 1AAuto.com. Also check out our other helpful how-to and diagnosis videos.
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