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How to install a 2013 Mustang Track Apps Instrument Cluster in a 2013 Base model GT

306K views 996 replies 125 participants last post by  crjackson 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I will be the pseudo guinea pig for this experiment.

It has already been done and well documented how to install a 2013 premium cluster with track apps into a 2012 model GT. It was pretty complicated as the communication between the 2012 PCM & Cluster needed a "black box" or converter so it could read the data.

For the 2012 swap, a new ABS module is also needed for the Track Apps to be accessed.

Watching everything unfold over the months of research and testing they did on the original swap thread, it became pretty apparent that a '13 to '13 swap would be a lot less involved (in theory).

So this is where I come in. Thanks to those three guys that have more electrical/tech knowledge than I can believe, and shared it all online, I am relatively confident I can pull this off.

I have talked to a couple of the guys that did this with their '12 I have a '13 Track Apps Premium Cluster in hand. (Thanks to TCopp on this site for picking the cluster up as it was a local craigslist sale in his area!)

I bought the 4-pad switch for the left-hand side of the steering wheel and it will be here by the end of the week. I will post step-by-step pics of everything as I go so anyone should be able to do this without a lot of technical experience.

Here is my premium cluster w/Track Apps - Thanks TCopp!


2013 track apps cluster

Part Number DR3T 9E740 BBW you will need. Found this one on eBay shipped for $30.00


Besides the cluster & the CC switch, you will need your dealer to do the following:

1) PATS RELEARN - this is your passive auto theft system, you can start your car with your cluster, and plug in this cluster to test and check it out, but if you try to start your car prior to the PATS RELEARN, your car will not start with the swapped cluster.

2) Load ASBUILT data into the new cluster. This will allow your PCM to communicate with the cluster.

3)Odometer reset - Dealer or some aftermarket shops can sync your odometers

Researching, it looks like the 2013 ABS module that feeds data for the Track Apps is the same for 2013 mustangs. Having the correct ABS module and not having to purchase a "black box" saves you $400 over swapping this into a '12! :good:

The clusters are hard to find. They show up on carparts.com and eBay but go quickly. One on eBay went for $160 and that is ridiculously cheap, but it was a km/h cluster. The only thing I hate is the font and layout of the gauge. I have a boss gauge without the LCD, and am thinking of trying some way to also do a face swap. We will see.

First things First :p
 
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#794 ·
No, the license is locked to the computer. I just got my VCM back and installed IDS on a new laptop. License doesn't work anymore. Just have to reinstall it every 3 days if I choose to use it again after that time.

I just say today there is a LKQ junkyard between Austin and San Antonio. If it wasn't raining really bad, I would have stopped by just to see what they had. Lol

Pick up some premium clusters for dirt cheap and resell them! LOL!!!!!!
 
#795 ·
I been following this thread for months and I finally get it! LOL. I have a base 2012.

I want to install a Premium Gauge Cluster on my 2012. Before I start ordering I want someone to confirm the following:

2012 premium stangs do not need the steering wheel switch, the gauges are controlled by the buttons near the headlight switch.

In order to do this swap will i need the following?
2012 Premium Steering Wheel(Just because the 2012 base steering wheel is horrible..google it).
2012 Premium Gauge Cluster
VCM II Tool
that's it right?

Steps:
1. Get a new 2012 prem cluster or have someone set the mileage.
2. Install the cluster my self
3. Do a PATS relearn with the VCM tool for both of my keys
4. Turn the car on and test everything.
5. Install premium steering wheel, just to have a fancy looking wheel.

If this work it might help other 2011/2012 owners. Since 2011/2012 premiums didn't come with any of the track apps I don't think we need any ASBuilt codes or flash anything.

Can someone please confirm?
 
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#797 ·
That should be it. Do you have reverse sensors or anything unique? If so, you might want to snag the AS Built codes just in case that cluster's car did not have the same setup. Because although those features will work, there will not be any options to manage them from the menu.
 
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#805 ·
Perfect, what is the latest VCM Tool that actually works, or will work with my installation?

Yea my car is probably the most BASE car Ford has ever built. :nonono: It does not have reverse sensors or anything unique.
Idk man, those Fog Lights seem to come at a premium for the V6s. :( My 2011 V6 is a Premium, has the Performance Package, and Backup Camera. But Ford still didn't put fog lights. LOL


I tested and the v91 software seems to be legit. I wouldn't install anything higher then that.
 
#806 ·
Idk man, those Fog Lights seem to come at a premium for the V6s. :( My 2011 V6 is a Premium, has the Performance Package, and Backup Camera. But Ford still didn't put fog lights. LOL


I tested and the v91 software seems to be legit. I wouldn't install anything higher then that.
Are you referring to the fog lights in the grille? Those are standard on 5.0's/V8's.

For V6 they don't have fog lights in the grille unless, it's the Pony Package thought those lights are smaller than the 5.0 fog lights.

Do you have the link to a good vendor with the right software for the VCM?
 
#808 ·
Update:

So I got the cluster and steering wheel switch in transit. I talked to my Ford dealership and they said they will do the programming.

However, I thought about buying a VCM 2 myself but I noticed that you need a Windows XP SP3 computer.. I do not have access to one with that operating system. Does any know know if you can run it on Windows 10?
 
#822 ·
Well v86 will not communicate with my fiances 2013 mustang or my 2014 mustang. I get a "Newer software is available please update" and it will not show any communication between the car and the device. I am going to try updating to 91.01 and see if that works. If not then i will try v96 then v97 if i can find it.
 
#832 ·
I feel your pain. Mine came with 97 and it would not work at all. Luckily I had installed it in a vm so my laptop with Windows 7 was available to try the 86. It worked great after that. I spent 2 days on it


Sent from my iPhone using Mustang Evolution
 
#836 ·
lx92coupe said:
I did not do any changes on the firmware of vcm2 only used v86 ids with it
Okay here is what I have done.

Reinstalled Windows XP
Installed V86 IDS
Installed Patch
Installed Extended Program
Installed Driver

The program starts.

However, it cannot communicate with my PCM.
I get error "The unique PCM identifier is unrecognized
Enter the VIN using the keyboard displayed on the next screen"

I entered the VIN and it does not work. Any idea's?



 
#838 ·
Okay here is what I have done.

Reinstalled Windows XP
Installed V86 IDS
Installed Patch
Installed Extended Program
Installed Driver

The program starts.

However, it cannot communicate with my PCM.
I get error "The unique PCM identifier is unrecognized
Enter the VIN using the keyboard displayed on the next screen"

I entered the VIN and it does not work. Any idea's?
Just curious, when you ran the patch and then the program, did you run as Admin? Also, when installing the software did you run the .exe files as an Admin?
 
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