Esky Cluster for 05 Suburban: Help!

[1LOW4X4]

Hey guys I have another thread on this burban (the link to it is at the bottom-click on it and comment on my burban!) but I was wanting to get an escalade cluster for this thing. I heard they have the transmission temp gauge, mine doesnt. Heres my questions.

1. Is there an escalade cluster that will fit my 05?

2. If there is, where do you recommend buying one? From the Dealer? Ebay? I want the real deal.

3. If I install the cluster w/ the tranny temp gauge, will it automatically work in my vehicle? Or do I have to run a wire, or is it non functional, etc.

4. When I searched on this subject, I read something about the mileage having to be changed. Is this just for a used cluster? I thought the computer in the truck held the mileage data, not the cluster itself?

As you can see I'm serious about getting one, just need some answers. If yall have answers and some time maybe you could throw them my way. Thanks a lot.

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/image-gallery/snapshots-videos/385803-bought-suburban-wife.html

[1LOW4X4]

EDIT: One more question. On my suburban cluster, it has all the steering wheel controlled settings, I.E. language, trips, gallons used, mpg, oil life, how long the headlights stay on after the car is turned off, tire pressures, estimated remaining mileage, blah, blah, blah.

Will all that stay? I know I'm asking a lot.:biggrin:

[Macedawg]

i just bought a '01 denali cluster for my '01 from 88GMCtruck the other day and have been researching the swap myself..everything i've researched shows plug and play as far as the tranny temp gauge but u do have to get the mileage swapped over at the dealership..i called the guy that works at my local dealer that built my tranny for and he said everything will work but they usually charge one hour labor to do the mileage swap..in my area its about $80 for the labor..theres some posts on http://z71tahoe-suburban.com/iboard/index.php? that might answer some questions about swapping for a 2005..some of those guys say it'll only work up to a 2004 model and some say it will work on an '05 but you lose some of the functionality with tire monitoring sensors and the mpg info on the display :dunno:

[Macedawg]

if you just want the tranny temp. i'm betting a 3/4 ton cluster would probably be the easiest swap to do

[1LOW4X4]

Well thanks for the info, I'm gonna check out that link you posted. I want the esky cluster not for the temp gauge (thats an added bonus) but because the wife wants to snaz it up a bit more, As if its not already snazzy enough.:banghead: But I understand her.

In the meantime keep em coming guys!

[Macedawg]

then theres the ebay way..mileage conversion included

http://cgi.ebay.com/03-04-05-AVALANCHE-YUKON-TO-ESCALADE-CLUSTER-CONVERSION_W0QQitemZ220410056167QQcmdZViewItemQQim sxZ20090507?IMSfp=TL090507123007r17787

[Macedawg]

thats converting what you have into an esky cluster..might end up being cheaper than trying to find one and fooling with a dealership

[1LOW4X4]

then theres the ebay way..mileage conversion included

http://cgi.ebay.com/03-04-05-AVALANCHE-YUKON-TO-ESCALADE-CLUSTER-CONVERSION_W0QQitemZ220410056167QQcmdZViewItemQQim sxZ20090507?IMSfp=TL090507123007r17787

Thanks guy! I'm really diggin the esky cluster.

I'm going to give this link more attention in the morning before work....thats a lot of reading late at night. Thanks again. Oh and the price doesnt seem half bad either.

[1LOW4X4]

thats converting what you have into an esky cluster..might end up being cheaper than trying to find one and fooling with a dealership

Yeah I just looked it over real quick but thats what I gathered too...might be the way to go.

The only thing is letting them have the existing cluster for who knows how long.....We just sold our spare car so that would be a problem...

[1LOW4X4]

bump, I knows there are more peeps out there who have done this conversion

[1LOW4X4]

bump:judge:

[mikeyman]

ok heres the low down, you can convert your cluster to an escalade style cluster, this requires taking it out and replacing the gauge needles the face and the bezel(trim surrounding the actual gauges within the lens). this you can buy off ebay/usspeedo.com, etc. do some searching.
as far as i know an year 03-05 clusters will swap over ok. a 2006 will also work even though the transmission gear selector indicator is different. the trans gauge will automatically start working. its all sent from the pcm to the cluster via class 2 communication.
regarding DIC (driver info center) functions, this will work once the dealer has programmed the cluster but if it has actually come from a used escalade, chances are it is already setup for DIC functions.
the odometer mileage will have to be programmed by the dealer no questions asked unless whomever you buy from says they can program before shipment. its also the law. yes typically the dealer will charge 1.0 hr to program, depending on their shop rate it could be $80-120. i would go to a chevy or pontiac buick gmc dealer. sometimes cadillac, hummer, or the higher class dealers rates are higher. anything else i am missing?

[1LOW4X4]

ok heres the low down, you can convert your cluster to an escalade style cluster, this requires taking it out and replacing the gauge needles the face and the bezel(trim surrounding the actual gauges within the lens). this you can buy off ebay/usspeedo.com, etc. do some searching.
as far as i know an year 03-05 clusters will swap over ok. a 2006 will also work even though the transmission gear selector indicator is different. the trans gauge will automatically start working. its all sent from the pcm to the cluster via class 2 communication.
regarding DIC (driver info center) functions, this will work once the dealer has programmed the cluster but if it has actually come from a used escalade, chances are it is already setup for DIC functions.
the odometer mileage will have to be programmed by the dealer no questions asked unless whomever you buy from says they can program before shipment. its also the law. yes typically the dealer will charge 1.0 hr to program, depending on their shop rate it could be $80-120. i would go to a chevy or pontiac buick gmc dealer. sometimes cadillac, hummer, or the higher class dealers rates are higher. anything else i am missing?
Nope, between you and Macedawg, I think ya'll about cleared it all up! :fsc1:

[mikeyman]

also in regards to dealing with the dealership... if you replace the cluster or do the physical work yourself, it will save you time and money. you can make an appointment with the service dept. take it in and if they are just programming only, it should not take more than 1 hour once they get to it. they might even let you wait on it.

[ksukats57]

it'll look nice. I would get that one on fleabay so you dont have to mess with the dealer on the mileage

[badkelly]

hey, sorry i didn't see this sooner. i think that's the guy that did my suburban's cluster. i got the SS conversion with the white face gauages, rebuilt the stepper motors (reason i did it), added the trans temp, and swapped in red needles. i pulled my cluster, sent it off, and got it back around 10 days later if i recall correctly. totally worth it, and the guy did an outstanding job.

another benefit of doing it that way is that you retain all the information, and i had all the trip, driver information, miles, mpg, and so on. it didn't hurt to drive without the cluster in, just keep your speed in check and you'll have no problem. i like that esalade cluster, though!

pics if you need'em

[1LOW4X4]

hey, sorry i didn't see this sooner. i think that's the guy that did my suburban's cluster. i got the SS conversion with the white face gauages, rebuilt the stepper motors (reason i did it), added the trans temp, and swapped in red needles. i pulled my cluster, sent it off, and got it back around 10 days later if i recall correctly. totally worth it, and the guy did an outstanding job.

another benefit of doing it that way is that you retain all the information, and i had all the trip, driver information, miles, mpg, and so on. it didn't hurt to drive without the cluster in, just keep your speed in check and you'll have no problem. i like that esalade cluster, though!

pics if you need'em

thanks dude, looks like thats the way to go. Never thought of driving it w/o the cluster....

[OBNOXUS]

just buy an esky cluster for your year truck,,,, it is plug and play

[badkelly]

but this way, you can keep your original settings and mileage, plus you get one rebuilt with new stepper motors and your choice of needle color.