Originally Posted by working4ev

After looking and asking if this could be done i finally bit the bullet and bought the digital overhead console from ebay.

This is how i converted my 2001 Dodge 1500 4x4 non-digital to fully digital overhead console hope this helps someone.

Common misconceptions: you need to remove the dash to do this (NO). You need a trip computer (NO) It is not possible (NO NO)

what you will need
the overhead console for your year 97 or later use a different wiring harness and the plugs are in a different place.
If you get a console with all the plugs, installation is simply plug and play. There should be 4 plugs -- 1 For the console, 1 For the rear view mirror, and 2 That plug into the truck.

If your console comes without the plug that plugs into the truck you will need KK Standard Crimp Terminals (See picture), also Electric butt connectors.

Now to the removal and install

Remove the old console from your truck


To do this open the garage door opener compartment you will see two tabs. Push both of them and pull down a little, now push the whole console back (towards the rear of the truck). This will release the console from the truck. Remove the power plug from the console.

Remove the 4 screws holding the sun-visor and that little clip the visor clips to.

Remove the drivers side pillar cover just pull it off (it has clips on the underside).

Pic was taken after I removed the wire but you get it.

Now you can pull the headliner down, here you will see the wires for the console

Again took the pic after i removed the wires.


Now the fun part: the wire for the overhead console runs down the side of the dash on the side pillar down to the back of the fuse panel. It is the only brown plug on the back of the box. Tip: remove the panel under the steering wheel and lay on your back with your head resting on the E-brake and look up through the wires with a light.


To plum the wires for the new console, take the old one and tape one end to the end of the new one making both harnesses one. Now pull the old one out with them taped together this will pull the new one through the same route the old one was. Trust me this is the easiest way. Now just plug it into the fuse box as the old one was.

This will give you power to the lights, and the digital read out but the Trip, compass, and temp sensor will not work (yet) -- It will say CCd on the readout.

The temp sensor wiring is under the hood right next to the wiring for the under hood light
If you have the plug for the sensor, plug it in and run the wires up the drivers side around to the front of the grill and bolt down.

Hooking up the temp, compass, and trip:

Look under the dash you will see a white plug

This plug feeds the info needed to run the temp, compass, and trip.
I just cut the wires and used 2 butt connectors, just match up the colors to each other

Now turn on the ignition and see how good it works


If your temp is like mine in Celsius & kilometers you can change that
Temp first with the read out on the temp and direction push both buttons it will switch.
It is the same for the KL to Miles.


FYI If you need to wire the plug that plugs into the fuse panel hear is how.

here is the back of the junction box C3 is the brown plug for the overhead console

#1 Black / Light Blue
#2 Black / Light Green
#3 Yellow
#4 Nothing
#5 Violet / Light Green
#6 Pink
#7 Nothing
#8 Nothing
#9 Nothing
#10 Nothing
#11 Violet / Black
#12 Nothing
#13 Black
#14 Dark Blue / Wight

You will need KK Standard Crimp Terminals


Thank you to
PurplDodge for the help
steve05ram360 for the 2nd Gen Service Manual Download - AKA merry Christmas thread this manual was a big help

Hope this helps

Originally Posted by koaea

Seems unfortunate that the links to these pics have changed or something.