New Project: Swapping a digital instrument cluster onto a 2021-2024 Bronco Sport

[rugedraw]

Edit: I will be attempting a full 2025 Sync 4 conversion instead of what is mentioned below.

Will it work? Most likely. Will it fit? I don't know. There's only one way to find out, and that is FAFO. I see the 12.3" clusters selling on ebay off of wrecked 2025 BS's for dirt cheap. I just picked one up for $180+tax with free shipping. I am not too concerned with the programming part as I don't think that will be too difficult. The one I bought came off of a BS with less miles than mine so that I can program the correct and actual mileage my BS has onto it. On the full size Broncos, you can swap the 2025 cluster into a 21-24 and it is a direct fit with no modification needed and programming is super easy. Multiple people have done it.

However, I do not think that will be the case for the BS. I don't think it will fit right in to the same location without getting creative. It might not fit at all unless I swap out the entire trim piece that goes around the IPC, touchscreen and center a/c vents. However, this would require buying the touchscreen from a 2025 as well as a Sync 4 APIM designed for the 12" screen. As some of you may know, I have a Sync 4 APIM in my BS now, but it is for an 8" screen so it does not support the Unreal theme needed to add the a/c controls to the touchscreen. Assuming that I can make the a/c duct routing work, this would probably require the HVAC module from a 2025 BS, too. While I am not entirely opposed to doing a full 2025 dashboard conversion on mine, that will require a more significant investment in terms of parts and labor. Ideally, I would like to get the digital cluster upgrade and leave everything else as is.

I will update this thread with my progress. If this ends up being a dead end, I can easily sell the IPC back on ebay and get most (if not all) of my money back.

If anyone has attempted this and/or has any insight they want to share, feel free to comment

Sponsored

 

[incavulator]

Quite the undertaking! Very impressive.

Good luck - hope you get it working.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

Doing the swap in the full size is relatively popular mainly because of the huge dislike for the 21-24 version and like you said, it drops in pretty easily with the bezel being the only extra part since there hasn’t been any significant changes yet in the full size.

What is the big draw to do it in the Sport?

 

[rugedraw]

What is the big draw to do it in the Sport?

I'm just the type of person that can't leave well enough alone. The current IPC is very boring to me. If I can find a way to make this work for a little money and a little time, I am all for it. I find these kinds of projects fun and entertaining.

 

[EddieTheBear]

Good luck with the project, sounds like you might need the whole dash swap since Ford usually changes the mounting points and wiring between generations.

 

[rugedraw]

Good luck with the project, sounds like you might need the whole dash swap since Ford usually changes the mounting points and wiring between generations.

Yea, I am aware that I may be biting off more than I can chew with this project.....that's for sure. First thing I need to do is get it in my hands and take apart the part of the dash that holds the current IPC to see what I am working with. Once I am there, I will plug the IPC in and see if it works. One concern is compatibility with the steering wheel buttons. Will they communicate with the IPC so I can navigate through the menus? If the answer is yes, then comes the part of adapting it to make it fit if it does not bolt up directly. I have a few ideas in my head of things I can try and can 3D print some pieces to fill in gaps in certain places where things may not line up.

 

[rugedraw]

Ok, this finally arrived. Now that I see it in person, for sure it is shaped differently..... the plastic shroud around the cluster is also shaped differently. Even if the brackets to mount it line up perfectly, this will not be a direct swap.

The plastic shroud can be removed from the cluster. If the clips that hold the shroud to the cluster happen to line up perfectly and I can use the shroud from my 2023 on the 2025 cluster, I can make it work. I'll just have to find a way to fill in the gaps at the very edges of the IPC which I think I can do with a little ingenuity. I may take it apart on Sunday if time allows just to see what I'm working with.

 

[Frenchy906]

Ok, this finally arrived. Now that I see it in person, for sure it is shaped differently..... the plastic shroud around the cluster is also shaped differently. Even if the brackets to mount it line up perfectly, this will not be a direct swap.

The plastic shroud can be removed from the cluster. If the clips that hold the shroud to the cluster happen to line up perfectly and I can use the shroud from my 2023 on the 2025 cluster, I can make it work. I'll just have to find a way to fill in the gaps at the very edges of the IPC which I think I can do with a little ingenuity. I may take it apart on Sunday if time allows just to see what I'm working with.

Heat gun, and slowly, with something flat, push from the back until it covers the gaps.

 

[rugedraw]

Heat gun, and slowly, with something flat, push from the back until it covers the gaps.

My friend, we all know our limits. I do not doubt that someone with skilled hands can accomplish this feat, but I am not that guy.

 

[pantera155]

I did it with a Maverick. I swapped the instrument cluster for one from a Ford Explorer ST. So it can be done!

 

[rugedraw]

I edited the name of this thread as I have come to the decision that I am going to attempt a full 2025 model Sync 4 conversion instead of just the IPC swap. For the sake of closure in terms of my original idea of just swapping the IPC: Once I take apart the dash, I will see if the IPC will fit without taking the measures I will be taking with our BS.

I will be getting a new APIM designed for the 12" screen from Infotainment and will get on ebay to find the center touchscreen (I have seen a few of them for about $300). I have looked on ebay for an HVAC module, but no luck. The dash insert that holds everything together I will most likely have to order directly from a dealer.

To be continued.......

 

[rugedraw]

To close the loop on the stand-alone IPC swap: A guy on the Maverick forum suggested I look into the digital cluster on the 2025 Escape since the plastic shroud around the cluster is the same shape as my BS. I got excited for a minute, but when I looked it up in PTS to try and order the plastic shroud, it is all one piece that goes around the a/c vent, so it won't work on the BS.

Seems like a full Frankenstien Sync 4 swap is the only way to accomplish the full digital IPC swap on the first gen BS. I have yet to take apart the dash to try and make it fit, but it just seems that will be a waste of time.

I have been checking ebay daily looking for the parts, but the HVAC and the trim piece under the a/c vents that contains the start button/ hazrads and a few other things are very difficult to source without paying top dollar at the dealer for brand new components.

 

[rugedraw]

Got the 12" touchscreen yesterday for $250. I may have to get the rest of the parts directly from Ford; I cannot find them on ebay. So far, I'm $450 into the project with just the digital cluster and touchscreen.

Edit: Just got the quote from my buddy in the parts department at a local Ford dealer. Below does not include the a/c vents or the control panel with the start button, hazard lights etc. I would still also need the HVAC module and the bracket that holds it. Looks like I am going to have to find one in a local junkyard because I am not dropping this much money into the project.

 

[LitterBoxCandy]

I just received my cluster but no luck with getting it to work. There is a green plug on the back but not sure if its needed.

 

[rugedraw]

I just received my cluster but no luck with getting it to work. There is a green plug on the back but not sure if its needed.

What cluster did you get? From a 2025 BS or an Escape? What happens when you plug it in? It doesn't turn on at all?

Sponsored