Yes, still analog in terms of not digital, HEC is digital, HEC gauges display digital data in an analog fashion, no resistor/voltage analog gauges
Ford got rid of speedo cable by 1995/6 on most models, speedometer uses AC voltage pulse from speed sensor or computer
Ford switched to HEC models to prevent what you will be doing, swapping out instrument cluster
People would often swap in low mile odometer clusters into a high mile vehicle to sell it for more money
So Ford started using the HEC Cluster in mid-2000's, which has a mini-computer and can "talk" with the engine computer(PCM)
PCM has the speed sensor so has its own odometer, with Key on, the HEC and PCM compare odometers, if no match then no start, so no swaps, unless you swap in both HEC and PCM from same vehicle
HEC actually has a unique number as does the PCM, these devices are "married" so one won't/can't work without the other, if one fails then Ford Dealer needs to swap it out and remarry them, although some newer programming software may be able to do that, not sure