Physically swapping out the cluster and bezel is easy. But Ford provides no instruction on how to reprogram the truck.I'll trade you my old one for your new one.
I'm guessing you Forscan a vin change to a 2024 or earlier. Use FDRS and a J2534 tool to do a PMI procedure for swapping the part out. Then swap the vin back.
I asked Ducati1098 about all that and he felt it was too much for many.
Yeah it’s really not difficult, but I doubt any dealership would attempt this.
Even if they do, the dealers don't want the drama of reprogramming it in a way thats not prescribed by Ford. Plus swapping vin numbers, in practice, is a little sketchy.
Yep. So unless your willing to do the work on your own, you’re kind of SOL
What's worse is that you mess up the data on the server for the other vehicle. Once you apply the update and FDRS reports back to the server that VIN has that update applied, it pulls the update from the server and the vehicle the VIN was used of gets screwed.
I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying here. What update are you referring to?
Any update. Example: Ford, for whatever reason, has not released the IPMA update for BC 1.4 for the Tremor F150s. I've helped a few guys get it installed and working by side-loading the IPMA software from my truck into theirs. In the case of the IPMA, a BCM VIN swap is not needed as you just write the VIN on block 19 of the IPMA with FORScan after you flash it. However, if you use FDRS to do it and change the VIN on the BCM to a truck that has the IPMA update showing, then the IPMA update gets pulled from the server of that VIN so that truck can no longer get that update.
Okay I get what you’re saying.
Hmm. Interesting tactic; I think that should work without creating a problem. Question: When you did it, did FDRS create the USB update via USB or did you CAN it in? Or are all IPC updates on the Bronco done via CAN?
I believe they’re all done via CAN. I did one previously on my factory IPC, but it was a while ago so I can’t remember 100%
Awesome. I've had to CAN two different IPC updates onto my truck because the USB method would not take. The 12" digital cluster takes every minute of 6 hours to flash on the F150's. Not a good time. lol I wish the cluster swaps were this easy for us. On the trucks, the IPC is considered part of the Sync modules, so you have to be very careful or you can mess things up big time when you upgrade them.
Regardless, using a donor VIN will make the vehicle service history look really suspicious for the original VIN. Ford unfortunately won't just share the strategies publicly for us to pick and choose from, and I understand there are a lot of reasons to restrict or make it difficult the average person from running amok with the programming, but for enthusiasts, it would be a godsend if they were just a little more open with the system.
