We just purchased a '98 Escort ZX2 that was originally from Canada. As such, the speedometer reads in kph and the odometer reads in kilometers. The car has 138,000 miles (converted)on it so we're well past the mechanical means ofthe car.

We've seen aftermarket instrument clusters that would convert the readings to mph, but can I simply find a cluster at a junkyard, install it and have it work correctly? We're new to the Ford family.

If not,what's the best way to fix our situation?

Thanks,
Bruce

 

a cluster swap on that vehicle should be a straightforward plug and play/remove and replace procedure. check with your local junkyards, if you don't have any luck, I hate to say it... try e-bay. problem with that is you have no guarantee of what your actually getting. I would think a junkyard would be more willing to work with you if the cluster doesn't work. should be an easy swap.

 

Thanks so much for that response. It was very helpful. As a followup question, and I probably know the answer to this but need some clarification, if I replace the instrument cluster, will the odometer then read in miles or kilometers?

Also, my son is looking at this for his first mod.

http://www.makotoautotrends.com/store-detail.asp?sku=M%2DFD97ES%2D2380RGX&maker=FORD &dbname=onlinestoreDB

He's 18 and is thrilled with this new car. He's coming to this from his first vehicle, a rattle bucket of parts called an '88 Jeep Wrangler.

 

instead of replacing the cluster, you should just install some aftermarket gauge overlays. some light up at night and some have different color of faces. The black ones look good and are easy on the eyes.




installing these will ensure that you retain the original mileage on the car and this will not constitute odometer tampering.

if you still want to replace the cluster, try finding one with similar mileage and swap it out. They are easy to change out. The cluster may be easy to remove and replace but the trim around the dash is not. The trim breaks and cracks all the time due to improper removal. to remove, start from the driver side of the car then work your way to the center of the dash. pull out a small amount when starting out then do the same as you work your way across. This should help you get that part off in one piece