2002 F-350 SD 7.3 Dually Cluster completely dead...but....

The other day, my truck completely died, instrument cluster stopped
working, has all accessories and turns over, just doesn't fire.  Had it at a
repair shop, and they told me that it keeps blowing a 30 amp fuse, and will
run, but the cluster is still dead.  Said in order to get the issue resolved,
truck will need to be down about a week, and that the cluster needs to be
replaced and re-programmed to my truck with mileage and other crap, and
would cost around $1,000 all said and done.  

My question is two fold...1) Can I drive the truck as it is, with a non
operational cluster, or will that 30 amp fuse still blow, 2) Has anyone ever
hear of that sort of diagnosis?  

I have absolutely no idea if thats true, so any help would be great.