Alex D

Hi,
I am thinking about installing a Denali or Escalade instrument cluster in my '02 Suburban. Probably the Escalade cluster. Here are a few questions:
1. Is it a straight forward swap or is there extensive work/re-programming needed?
2. With the 120 mph speedometer of the Escalade and my 100 mph speedometer, are there any calibration headaches.
3. Any problem with the tranny gage. does it get a feed from the PCM?
4. Where can I buy genuine GM parts (the cluster) for the least money....we always had a few GM parts managers on Corvetteforum who would sell for good discount.
5. Any other things I need to watch for??

Any help is very appreciated!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

<small>[ December 08, 2002, 09:56 PM: Message edited by: Alex D ]</small>

ArticGMC

I have the denali cluster in my 01 sierra and it was plug and play. The 120 speedo works fine <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> and so does the tranny temp gages. You can try gmpartsdirect.com or tbyrne.com they both have them you will need a part number for gmpartsdirect though.
Lar

Alex D

thanks Lar !! What did you pay for the cluster and where did you get your's?? </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by ArticGMC:
<strong>I have the denali cluster in my 01 sierra and it was plug and play. The 120 speedo works fine <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> and so does the tranny temp gages. You can try gmpartsdirect.com or tbyrne.com they both have them you will need a part number for gmpartsdirect though.
Lar</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">

POPE

I dont have the cluster myself, but I think your biggest concern would be getting the millage put on the new od. If there isnt a shop near you that calibrate's electronic od's then your going to have your dealership send it off to be set to the current milage on your truck. I think I saw a post on here where someone paid aound $150.00 just for that part of it. Also I dont know if it's a law or not, but I believe you need to purchase this little sticker to go on the inside part of your door that says your od has been adjusted or reset??? That way when you go to sell it the buyer knows that it's been properly reset.
So besides all that it's plug and go , from what people say.

NorCalLightning

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Alex D:
<strong>Hi,
I am thinking about installing a Denali or Escalade instrument cluster in my '02 Suburban. Probably the Escalade cluster. Here are a few questions:
1. Is it a straight forward swap or is there extensive work/re-programming needed?
2. With the 120 mph speedometer of the Escalade and my 100 mph speedometer, are there any calibration headaches.
3. Any problem with the tranny gage. does it get a feed from the PCM?
4. Where can I buy genuine GM parts (the cluster) for the least money....we always had a few GM parts managers on Corvetteforum who would sell for good discount.
5. Any other things I need to watch for??

Any help is very appreciated!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">1) Yep, pull off dash bezel, put steering wheel all the way down, put into 1st gear (all the way down) with key in start position, unscrew dash cluster, put new cluster in screw back down, put dash bezel back on. That's it!!

You can just document your old cluster's mileage and put a sticker with that mileage on your door jam (usually supplied when you purchase cluster) OR you can find a speedo shop to transfer your mileage/engine hours to the new cluster. Gotta take your old cluster and new one to shop and they do the swap. Cost me $40 in Bay Area CA.

2) Nope, speedo works fine. If you want to go to 120 MPH or beyond get a programmer like Hypertech or Diablo and program your speed limiter.

3) Tranny gauge works fine.

4) Like was said before www.gmpartsdirect.com www.partszoneonline.com, or go on ebay and bid away. That's where I got mine from. Won it from a company called Extreme Factory FX www.extremefactoryfx.com for $280. Mine is a 2002 Escalade cluster with a white face cover (it's sweet!!). Different than everyone elses black one.
Had to get a new speedo coil (mine was faulty) but Extreme Factory FX hooked me up and fixed it and overnighted it back to me (they have excellent customer service). But, their regular gauge prices are pretty high compared to other places. I got lucky and won one cheap. Normally, the gauges are roughly $230-$250 and the NR face covers (either white or silver) are $100 +. I made out pretty good with $280.
<img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

5) Don't over tighten your gauge cluster into your dash, you'll strip or break the threads. Don't start your vehicle without your gauge cluster installed (that's a no-brainer). Other than that keep an eye on your cluster to make sure everything is working allright. I knew my speedo coil was bad because it would move up and down real choppy and sometimes get stuck while I was speeding up or slowing down. Works fine now.

Here's a couple pics of my cluster. Not the best pics but you'll get the picture (no pun intended) <img border="0" alt="[jester]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_jest.gif" />
<img src="http://pic1.picturetrail.com:80/VOL132/652305/1055663/16791318.jpg" alt=" - " /> <img src="http://pic1.picturetrail.com:80/VOL132/652305/1055663/16791302.jpg" alt=" - " />

<small>[ December 09, 2002, 12:22 AM: Message edited by: 01Sportside ]</small>

Alex D

Thanls 01 Sportside!!
Perfect post !! thank you for the sources too !!
I'll be working on this soon.....have the hypertech HPP3+ installed already..need the 120 mph speedo... <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

NorCalLightning

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Alex D:
<strong>Thanls 01 Sportside!!
Perfect post !! thank you for the sources too !!
I'll be working on this soon.....have the hypertech HPP3+ installed already..need the 120 mph speedo... <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">No problem <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

You'll love the cluster, they look great! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" />

StreetSweepa

I have the escalade cluster that i bought off of ebay for 250.00 and everything works great...straight swap. VERY easy!