Instrument Cluster Interchange.
 

Just a quick question. Found an 06 Escalade in the bone yard with it's cluster still intact. When I inquired I arbitrarily said I had an 05 Escalade ( I do have an LQ9 from an 05 Escalade, lol so it's no lying) and the yard said that the 05 and 06 clusters would not interchange. Is there any truth to that? I want the cluster out of the 06 Esky to put in my 05 1500HD. I didn't really think there were any real roadblocks in swapping any of the 03-07 classic clusters around. Well I mean in this instance, not like trying to put a Durmax cluster in a V6 truck lol. Or like how the shift indicator for 03-04 is different although that doesn't matter here. Is there any actual truth to that or is that 06 cluster plug and play in my 05?

Not a difference

That's what I assume too, just wonder what he is pulling up. Probably just something wrong. I will see how much they want for it too before I get all excited. I wonder how long it would even last as the truck was smacked really hard in the front. After a hard enough impact it might not even work anyhow.

Hmm, plot thickens. GM says there was a microprocessor change in 2006 that makes the cluster different than 03-05. That doesn't mean it won't work in a older truck, probably does actually. It was a change to combat something to do with all the stepper motor issues the older ones have was their explanation. Whatever, but that's why the junkyard said what they did.

There lies the problem of having the mileage reprogrammed as the Escalade actually has more miles on it than my truck. The dealers here do not reprogram them, and won't even if they are capable. They farm all their instrument cluster issues out to a 3rd party facility that really doesn't look like it deals with the general public. And even then they only want to do exchanges. This is turning into more hassle than it's worth. My truck cluster works fine and can stay.

well if the cluster is a good deal buy it and I will buy it from you man?

Don't think you want a metric one, and I doubt especially in comparison to you that it would be a good deal. There is enough US Escalades you should be able to get one, and probably cheap. Mind you in saying that truck price wise you US guys pay way too much for used trucks. I am not buying anything from anyone for gauges unless my cluster dies. Too much hassle for nothing, lol.

03 - 05 the PRND321 is displayed under the speedo in a digital box
06 - 07 the PRND321 is displayed on the gauge face with a indicator light under each that lights when you in the selected gear

They are different, and im pretty sure they will not swap....

Okay, so nobody actually knows, lol. The wrecker honestly said that 2005 was on it's own, and 03-04 swap as do 06-07. Those are his words. I have done multiple google searches that even include this site and it's pretty unclear.

This is my cluster.

Attachment 144143

So yes it's identical physically to the 03 and 04 as there is an 04 half ton parked behind my truck and it has the same digital PRND321. The 2006 and 2007 trucks do indeed have PRND321 written on the cluster with just a light that moves beneath them.

Now there has to have been a change for 2005 as GM has a warranty bulletin for 2003 and 2004 trucks that have stepper motor issues but 05-07 has never been called back. This would also coincide with the bone yard saying they are different.

Unfortunately our work trucks are not this old anymore so I can just snag a cluster from an 06, plunk it in my dash and try it. Lot's of people say 03-07 swap all over the web, so has anyone actually ever done it? And why the heck is 2005 listed as on it's own?

my 05 is the same as a 04 SS cluster i bought. I only bought it for a few things and wasnt going to swap it. Spare stepper motors, white overlay and tranny temp gauge. But from looking inside it, everything looks the same. All i done to put the tranny temp stepper in my cluster was unsolder it from the 04 and solder it right into my 05. Now there may be some parts that look the same but work a tad different, but i cant see it...

Ohh and i bought my truck new off the lot in 10/05 before i got home 30 mins, the stepper motor in the speedo had already quit. Scheduled to get it fixed and it lasted for maybe 2 yrs. Now both speedo and tach are actin up again. Glad a i have a few spares though.

Also look down a few threads theres a guy who is repairing them, maybe he will know the differences.... If he would chime in on this thread about what he knows that would be awesome!!!