1994- 2004 Ford Mustang VHX Instruments
From Dakota Digital VHX
First appearing in 1994, the SN95 Mustang dash was deemed acceptable to carry on all the way to 2004*. With their growing popularity, no doubt spurred on by LS and Coyote conversions, we just couldn’t ignore these cars any longer! Use your stock instrument housing and bezel for installation, and enjoy up-to-date, modern instrumentation that is compatible with nearly any drivetrain - stock or otherwise! Auxiliary readings (think: boost, trans temp and more) can be added and displayed in the LCD message centers.
Fully lit needles, backlit faces, and highly visible LCD message centers are a few of the things that you can see which set the VHX Series apart from yesterday’s traditional approach to instrumentation. A few of the features which you don’t normally see are the micro-controlled precision stepper motors, solid state sensors for unparalleled accuracy, and user-customizable display feedback, all supported by an unrivaled limited lifetime warranty which has become the standard for Dakota Digital instrumentation systems . Completely engineered and manufactured at our facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the VHX Series has completely revolutionized the instrumentation industry!
* Model years ’96-04 using the factory drivetrain may be required to disable the PATS system prior to removing the OEM gauge cluster. Removing the OEM gauge cluster prior to disabling the PATS system may result in a no start condition. Disabling the PATS system is typically done through aftermarket ECU tuning software. If you don’t have access to ECU tuning software you will need to contact your local vehicle performance shop to perform the PATS disable for you.
- Pictures
- Specifications
- Options
- Expansion
- Manuals
Pictures
Specifications
| Analog Gauges |
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| Speedometer |
| ·0 -160 MPH (optional metric version 0- 255 kmh) |
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| Tachometer |
| ·0- 8,000 RPM |
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| Oil Pressure |
| ·0- 80 psi |
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| Water Temperature |
| ·100- 260ºF (optional metric version 40- 120ºC) |
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| Fuel Level |
| ·E, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, F |
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| Voltmeter |
| ·9- 17 VDC |
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| Lighting |
| ·Back lit technology is popular with performance instrumentation due to precise lighting allowing you see what is truly important when you really need it at a quick glance. Each number, tick mark, annunciator, needle, indicator and digital message center is lit by a series of LEDs behind the gauge face. |
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Digital Message Centers |
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| Standard Displays |
| ·Odometer (One time user settable, Million Mile) |
| ·Dual (A/B) Trip Meter (0- 9,999.9) |
| ·Clock (12 hour) |
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| Performance Meters |
| ·0- 60 MPH Timer (0- 100 kmh) |
| ·1/4 mile time |
| ·1/4 mile end speed (trap speed) |
| ·High speed recall |
| ·High RPM recall |
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| Gauges |
| ·Speedometer (0- 255 MPH/kmh) |
| ·Tachometer (0- 9,900 RPM) |
| ·Oil Pressure (0-100 psi displayed in 1 psi increments) |
| ·Water Temperature (100- 300ºF/ 40- 150ºC displayed in 1 ºF/ºC increments) |
| ·Voltmeter (9- 17 VDC) |
| ·Fuel Level (0-99% full) |
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| Lighting |
| ·Auto-contrasting LCD display for optimal view in the brightest of sunlight. |
| ·LED backlit at night to match/ complete the look at night. |
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Built-in Indicators |
| Indicators |
| ·Turn Signals (Left/ Right) |
| ·High Beam |
| ·Check Engine |
| ·Parking Brake |
| ·Cruise Control (On/ On & Engaged when vehicle is equipped) |
| ·Gear Position (Optional GSS-3000 sensor required) |
| ·4 x 4 (When vehicle is equipped) |
| ·Wait to Start (When vehicle is equipped) |
**Not all OEM indicator lamp functions will be replaced.
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Included Sensors |
| Analog Gauges |
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| Speedometer |
| ·0 -150 MPH (optional metric version 0- 240 kmh) |
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| Tachometer |
| ·0- 8,000 RPM |
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| Oil Pressure |
| ·0- 80 psi |
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| Water Temperature |
| ·100- 260ºF (optional metric version 40- 120ºC) |
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| Fuel Level |
| ·E, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, F |
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| Voltmeter |
| ·9- 17 VDC |
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| Digital Message Centers |
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| Standard Displays |
| ·Odometer (One time user settable, Million Mile) |
| ·Dual (A/B) Trip Meter (0- 9,999.9) |
| ·Clock (12 hour) |
| ·Estimated Range/ Miles to Empty |
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| Performance Meters |
| ·0- 60 MPH Timer (0- 100 kmh) |
| ·1/4 and 1/8 mile time |
| ·1/4 and 1/8 mile end speed (trap speed) |
| ·High speed recall |
| ·High RPM recall |
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| Built-in Indicators |
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| Indicators |
| ·Turn Signals (Left/ Right) |
| ·High Beam |
| ·Check Engine |
| ·Parking Brake |
| ·Cruise Control (On/ On & Engaged when vehicle is equipped) |
| ·Gear Position (Optional GSS-3000 sensor required) |
| ·4 x 4 (When vehicle is equipped) |
| ·Wait to Start (When vehicle is equipped) |
| ·Two Auxiliary input indicators with user-programmable labels |
| ·Each analog gauge sweep contains a red LED indicator for quick notice of a warning condition (except speedometer) |
**Not all OEM indicator lamp functions will be replaced.
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Lighting Technology |
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| Colors |
| ·Over 30 user-selectable color options allow you to independently change the needle color, sweep color and digital TFT display color. |
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| Brightness |
| ·Both daytime and nighttime brightness can be easily controlled through the RTX setup menu, allowing you to choose your preferred lighting intensity level, toggled by the activation of the headlight switch. If on-the-fly rotary type control is desired, the DIM-1 is a common accessory to add this functionality. |
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| Themes |
| ·With 12 factory preset color themes, you can quickly create a beautiful looking system. Or, for the ultimate in customization, choose all of the color zones yourself. |
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| Technology |
| ·Full LED backlighting provides a strikingly visual gauge package, with sharp contrast for ease of viewing both night and day. Full RBG backlighting allows you to create the specific color you want, with a unique daytime and nighttime theme if desired. Whether your goal is an OE look or something truly bold, the RTX Series lets you make that choice. |
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Included Sensors |
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| Water Temperature |
| ·1/8" NPT, ground isolated sensor with a 10 ft harness. |
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| Oil Pressure |
| ·1/8" NPT solid state sensor with a 10 ft harness. |
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| Cable Driven Speed Sensor/ Generator |
| ·Comes with plug to block off stock Speedometer Cable output. Uses stock Ford Speed sensor (see Quick Start Manual for details). |
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| Bushings |
| ·Each kit comes with 1/8" to 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" NPT bushings along with bushings for 12mm and 16mm x 1.5 threads. |
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Calibration |
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| Pushbutton |
| ·Dakota Digital instruments are programmed and operated by the push of a button. Simply mount the included pushbuttons supplied with your gauges in a convenient and easily accessible location. These buttons are used to calibrate your speedometer, set the cylinder count and the fuel level gauge. Once properly configured these same buttons are used to access the wealth of information located in the Digital Message Centers. |
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| Water Temperature |
| ·1/8" NPT, ground isolated sensor with a 10 ft harness. |
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| Oil Pressure |
| ·1/8" NPT solid state sensor with a 10 ft harness. |
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| Cable Driven Speed Sensor/ Generator |
| ·Comes with plug to block off stock Speedometer Cable output. Uses stock Ford Speed sensor (see Quick Start Manual for details). |
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| Bushings |
| ·Each kit comes with 1/8" to 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" NPT bushings along with bushings for 12mm and 16mm x 1.5 threads. |
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| Control Box Dimensions |
| 5.5" x 3.5"x 1" |
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Calibration and Use |
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| Pushbutton Control |
| ·Dakota Digital instrument systems are programmed and operated by the push of a button. A two-sided rocker switch is included with each package; mount this switch in an easily accessible location when in the driving position. The rocker switch provide quick and consistent access to all functions, either in driving mode or while in the setup menu. Button-press feedback is available through the TFT Message Center, or through the included buzzer. Once configured, this same switch is used to access the wealth of information located in the digital message centers. |
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| Mobile App |
| ·RTX instrument systems can also be completely configured through the available mobile app, suitable to Android and Apple devices. Using your existing tablet or smart phone, download the free app, sync your device to the RTX system, and enjoy quick and convenient menu navigation and real time gauge readouts for diagnostic use or a secondary display. |
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| Calibration |
| ·All calibration settings are handled through the included pushbutton switch or the remote Bluetooth app. While many calibration settings exist, the speedometer and fuel level are completed in most cases (unless GPS-50-2 is used, negating the need to calibrate the speedometer) through a few taps of the pushbuttons and a short test drive of the vehicle. |
Options
Which extras items that are not included with this kit does Dakota Digital recommend that you consider?
Because Dakota Digital includes the required sensors for the Oil Pressure, Water Temperature and Speedometer with all its RTX, HDX, VHX and VFD instrument systems, in many cases no additional parts will be required. However, you may wish to consider the following optional items.
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GSS-3000 - Universal Gear Position Sensor All Instrument packages contain a gear shift indicator display allowing the transmission gear position (Park, Reverse, etc.) to be shown within the message center. The GSS-3000 accommodates automatic transmissions with 2- 4 forward gears and enjoys a simple and straightforward installation. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION DIM-1 - Light Dimming Knob Although Dakota Digital instrument systems are programmable for both day and night intensity levels, the DIM-1 will allow rotary, or on-the-fly brightness adjustment added convenience. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION SEN-06-1 - Fuel Level Sensor Dakota Digital instrument systems are designed to utilize a stock or aftermarket fuel level sensor. If a universal or replacement sensor is desired, the SEN-06-1 is a great choice. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION BIM-01-2 - ODB II/ Can Interface Module The BIM-01-2 OBD-II (J1850/CAN) Interface connects directly to the ECM diagnostic port to extract engine and transmission data and supply it to the VFD/ VHX/ HDX/ RTX instrument, making installation a breeze. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION BIM-17-2 - Compass w/ Outside Temperature Module The Dakota Digital BIM-17-2 makes it easy to add compass and outside air temperature information to your VFD/ VHX/HDX/ RTX instrument system. Readouts are visible in the instrument system's message centers; sending units and mounting hardware included. |
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Expansion
Dakota Digital is proud to introduce the BIM Expansion modules for Dakota Digital VFD, VHX, HDX and RTX instrument systems. The introduction of the Dakota Digital BIM modules allow you to add up to an additional 16 gauges, that's right we said SIXTEEN specialty gauges to your vehicle without the need to cut extra holes in the dash or installing pillar and pod mounts to your columns or under the dash.
Please note that the BIM modules are only compatible with current VFD, VHX, HDX and RTX control boxes which have a black plastic housing. Older control boxes with metal housings are not compatible with the BIM modules.
Wiring and Setup Manual
Technical Support 