So I know that with the canbus changes, guys who have done hemi swaps into 2nd gen rams have used the cluster from dakotas/durangos. However, I've never cared much for the look of those clusters. Turns out the 2000 model year durango had the 4.7 (which I think means an NGC1 ecm the same as an 03/04 hemi) and a cluster that looks very similar to the one in our rams. So theoretically this cluster could be used right?

Dakota cluster I don't like: https://dashboardinstrumentcluster.c...2/FRONT-68.jpg

Durango cluster I do like: https://dashboardinstrumentcluster.c...2/IMG_7915.jpg

 

I doubt it. Looking at a 2000 Durango FSM the instrument cluster is CCD bus driven just like in the Ram trucks of that vintage. The cluster looks like it's the same that's used in the Ram trucks.

 

Hmm...I wonder if that means they started off running the 4.7 with a Jtec ecu

 

Probably. Remember in 2002 the 1500s had the old 5.9 V8 as the Hemi wasn't ready until 2003 so they did something similar, running the old engine with a newer PCM. Once all the sensors, injectors etc. are hooked up it's only software.

 

You can use a Cab Bus converter. Using your factory PCM as a piggy back to communicate with the factory gauges. When I'm done building my Hemi I am either going to use the stock gauges or a 3rd gen Ram Cluster and dash. I already have all the wiring figured out and built.

 

Interesting. I don't know much about CANBUS generally. Keep going back and forth between a 5.7 swap or a mild 408 build. I was initially turned off by the complexity of the swap, but the more I read the more doable it seems. The one thing that was bugging me though was not wanting to run those dakota gauges (or aftermarket).

I'm leaning towards the 408 though still.