Can I upgrade the overhead console to a console that has the temp gauge and mpg meter?
Is the wiring harness already the head liner or do I have to install it myself? Just curious if it is possible.

 

Do a search, there is a past thread containing part numbers for doing this add on. I made the upgrade to my '02 and needed to add the wiring. The job was not that difficult to do and I really like having the info the trip module gives you.

 

dangit, I just did a search, and this is the only thead I found

I'm also interested in filling my overhead console with the factory computer.

 

Ahhhh, Grasshopper.


You must first change the search period in the box at the bottom of the search screen from "one month" (The default) to "any date".

Then you may search for Overhead Console.

As for the usefulness of the overhead "Computer"
The MPG is a guess and has never been very close to 'spot-on'.
The Outside Temperature is incorrect when I use my Winter Fronts.
The Time & Milage counters I can do with a watch & the trip odometer.
The Distance to Empty is not correct either (see MPG above)

It IS fun to reset the MPG while coasting downhill and watch it indicate that I'm getting 60+ Miles per Gallon though.

 

My overhead gives me the MPG and it shows 99 mgp when it is coasting down hill mpg runs about 15. mpg running @ 70 mph on freeway.
Never pushed the distance to empty. But I have leared in other vehicels the E does not mean ENUFF.

 

Before you go too far suggest you price out an overhead first, it may stop you dead in your tracks.

 

How expensive are they?

I hope your talking about getting it out of a wrecking yard or are you?

I was thinking about finding one and installing it. I was hoping to hear that the wiring was in place but it not. So how much do you have to give up to get one? (First born???)

 

I was speaking of from the dealer, over $500 by the time you're done.

 

Might want to try ebay or a local wrecker...

 

Hey guys, hope you don't mind helping out a kid with a gas truck. This forum has been a great help.

Last week, I went to close my sunglass holder and the tab broke. I decided I'd swing by the salvage yard and grab another. My truck doesn't have the cool compass and thermometer, so I thought I'd read about the conversion. It sounds like a bit of work. I went up to the salvage yard and looked around, but they didn't have a normal console for the newer interior (my truck is a 2000). They did have a very nice compass console though. The guy said $50 and I was happy to pay him as I've read they are around $400 from the dealer. My harness was of course different, so I took the old light sockets from my truck which were fine and place them in the new console. I tucked the sockets from the new computer back out of the way for later use. Now the compass is just sitting there looking pretty.

My question is where do I need to go next. I know that I will need to go back and retrieve the wiring harness for the computer console, but how could I tell if I have the location where I will need to plug it in on my ECU? I also know that I need the thermometer. I found the termometer on another donor truck, so I know that I can get that. Unfortunately, it's loomed in the main harness so I will have to do some disection. I tracked the harness from the console on the donor truck down the pillar to the top of the dash. I read that the dash will need to be removed or lowered to access the harness. How hard is it to remove the dash to gain access to the harness and remove it? I tried yanking on the donor truck to savagely remove it, but I would like to use more finess on my personal truck.

Above all, how much more do I have to do? Are the only other pieces I need the harness from the console to the ECU and the temperature probe and harness? And how can I tell if I have the access point to plug in the harness from the console to the ECU? I don't know if I will complete this project, but I think that I have the most expensive part of the conversion. Hopefully just wiring at this point.

Thanks for all the help and have a great weekend!


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2000 Dodge Ram 1500
4x4 Regular Cab Long Box
5.9L Magnum