As nice as the 2003 XTR is, you would think it would have a nicer instrument cluster. Looks like I'm looking at a Lincoln LS. BORING. Will the cluster from a newer nicer model cluster work just simply plugging in?

 

I guess you mean STR and have looked only at an early car. Try a later one.

No you cannot plug another in. Part of immo and anyway the later ones are very different internally (& so are the connectors).

I drive my STR. I don't look at the cluster much. The road, mirrors, etc, yes, all the time.