Anyone know where i can find a write up that explains very simply how to do a AE cluster swap into a 95-96? The only thread i found seems to be focused on one persons trouble shooting and doesnt really explain anything - one had electrical diagrams from the FSM but im illiterate to those so that wasnt of help either lol. I found a link to what was apparently the DIY how-to that had everything in it, with pics/descriptions that would be suited to the average joe, but it was on that VQpower website and the link is now dead.

Really looking for an alternative to the stock 96 cluster, its mega ugly in my opinion. If anyone could shed some light on exactly what is involved in this swap (i know its not a pnp ordeal) then i might try and tackle it while i still have my interior apart.

Thanks guys, and appologies in advance if theres a writeup that i didnt see in the hours of searching and reading i did :3

 

One last bump before i let this thread simmer for a couple of months.

 

You wont find the info been down that road.

 

I'm going to bump this because that link is on how to change the bulbs, unless I missed it. I would like to put in a newer maxima speedo myself as the stock one leaves a bit to be desired. Surely someone has done this swap, or is there a better looking gage cluster from a newer model Nissan, that will work with little modification?

 

I don't think it can be done. I remember reading a thread (and trying to help) that was someone trying to do what you are thinking of. I don't believe he ever got it 100% working. I think it was the tach that was the problem.

For one thing, the wire harness connectors are not the same, the 5th gen has more wires. Then you have the fact that similar connections/functions do not use the same pin numbers. For example the gas gauge - 97 = pin 13 while 01 = 17. Temperature gauge - 97 = pin 37 while 01 = pin 18. And it goes on like that. You have to do a lot of wire splicing, not really a big issue if that was all it took.

The inner workings of the 5th gen cluster is way different that the 4th gen. In the 4th gen, the gauges were connected to whatever sensor it was. In the 5th gen, a micro processor chip was added. All the gauges are connected to the microprocessor chip and all the input signals go into the microprocessor. This internal difference was probably why the other guy wasn't able to get everything working.

Sorry for being a wet blanket.

 

Its a lot of work to get this 100 percent working right and it isnt a job for the "average Joe". If you cant read and understand a wiring diagram or have any electrical knowledge I wouldn't even attempt this. All your wires should be soldered for best connections or loose wires can cause a nightmare. Trust me.

search through threads, there are a ton out there on this topic and its been done with no problems beside a speedometer lag; the 5th gen cluster will not registering speed till at about 10 mph.

Another issue I had with my cluster swap was my tranny would go into safety mode and I couldnt figure out why. Once I swapped my 4th gen cluster back in the issue went away. So I know it was something with the wiring. Anyhow I gave up on it and swapped the oversees cluster with the gear display and Im happy to be the very first here to get that working.