Super cool who's to say they can do it on the older trucks with the dic shouldn't be that much difference right
If it "wasnt that much different", then they would have already done it...............
He already explained that on the 03-07 Class 2/J1850 trucks, the IPC receives/displays messages differently...the cluster has to flash a blank screen for a second in between messages. So the refresh rate for the display would only be about once every second or two, and the flashing of the blank display between updates would get annoying.
Like, you know how if you have multiple faults (say, 4wd problem and airbag problem) with your 03-07 truck, it will say "SERVICE 4WD" for 1 second...go blank for 1 second...then "SERVICE AIRBAG" for 1 second...then blank...
Or, if a fault comes up while you are driving...and you're on the odometer screen....it has the odometer displayed, then goes blank for 1 second, then shows "SERVICE 4WD".
Its just the way the 03-07 cluster works/is programmed. Its not programmed to update messages in real time, because it was never intended to show any real-time-updated info from the factory.
Compared to the 2007.5+ clusters that are on the faster low-speed GMLAN bus, and are designed/programmed to update DIC messages in real time (because they are programmed to show trans fluid temp, digital speedo on 2012+ trucks, compass/outside air temp on 2009+, etc).
Maybe with custom firmware, an 03-07 cluster could be made to show ASCII text messages in real time without blanking the DIC between updates, but I doubt Palmer wants to get into that, considering the amount of R&D it would take, all for an old obsolete cluster that only has a limited 1-line 20-something character VFD to begin with.....
Ben