Batboard

Does anyone know if a 1998 crown vic police interceptor with an analog instrument cluster can be upgraded to a digital cluster. I know that at least some civilian vics have the digital dash. Is it just a part you can buy from ford and plug in, or would it require major modifications? Any assistance would be appreciated.

Not easy in the least. I participate on a Crown Victoria board and can speak from witnessing it, it is possible. Quoting from the board and someone who did the swap.

Very true. Speaking from experience, adding a digi-dash is definitely *not* a plug-and-play affair. The digi-dash cluster can't just be swapped in as a single part. Adding it is a major operation which necessitates the addition of quite a number of new wires, harnesses, switches, sensors, and trim panels, etc. The digi-dash is in fact wired into the PCM and these wires plus more will have to be run into the dash from the engine bay. Other wires will have to be connected besides what went to the analog cluster. The analog and digi-dash connectors are 100% different meaning that a lot of time spent reading schematics, matching up circuits and soldering is mandatory. Some of the required parts are scarce and aren't cheap if they can be found. Also, finding low power-on-hour (generally low mileage) digi-dashes is very difficult (the digi-dash VFD phosphors get dimmer with use and age). Finally, the digital odometer must be reprogrammed by a licensed speedometer repair shop with a compatible EPROM programmer.

Besides the electronics, the digi-dash requires a completely different dash trim bezel that is incompatible with the analog cluster. For '94 and older cars, sourcing a dash trim bezel is even harder as Ford no longer sells any dash parts for '94 and older cars and each model has its own 100% different dashboard design layout. Crown Vics also have color-keyed dash bezels with a color-keyed outboard passenger-side A/C vent that is an integral part of the trim panel. The digi-dash lens on '94 and older cars is permanently bonded to the back of the dash trim bezel and most likely will be in rough shape after 9+ years of use (it's grey tinted PMMA plastic which is molded to the curved contours of the bezel's backside). Also, as if things weren't complicated enough, Ford changed the digi-dash both graphically and electrically in 1995 and again in 1998.

As to why I bothered to transplant the complete digi-dash into my 9-year old '94 P74 LX HPP (originally equipped with the analog 120mph cluster)? Well, I've owned it since '96 and I personally wouldn't have even thought about the undertaking until a year ago when a low-life perp broke a window and vandalized my dash in order to liberate my stereo. It was during the resultant dash reconstruction that the pivotal "what if?" and "why not?" questions hatched in my head. Shortly thereafter and after much research, I was very lucky enough to get a lead on a very good deal on all the parts that I needed for the project (including an excellent condition digi-dash with like new phosphors) and I did all the labor myself. There's definitely a lot of work involved, but in the end I'd have to say that I'm definitely pleased with the results.

But, if you want to do it, make sure you have Helm EVTM and service manuals, are very handy with a soldering iron, and can read schematics.

Ted

I had one in my (now sold) '99 Police Interceptor. A crazy friend of mine (who happens to be a Ford mechanic) did it for me, took a while though. Wouldn't know the details, but it can be done.