Wow, that is nasty looking. If you do find out what the original cause was, please post. In the meantime, it would be one hell of a project putting the 08 dash in but man would it look good if you could.

 

I have to wonder if the 4x4 selector switch could start that fire? Is the 4x4 circuit fused?

 

See if this helps. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...l-removal.html

That will at least get the driver side bag removed and the passenger side disconnected. I'm not sure what all will be involved in pulling the dash and passenger side with the melted parts you have.

 

OK... I have removed the dash board, the amount of damage to the wiring harness is surprisingly limited to the 4WD selector switch and associated wires, back less than 12in. In fact i am amazed at how little damage there is to the wiring harness, and may reuse splicing in using fusible wire. from what i can tell this switch connects into the "generic control module", i have not located schematic, it is not in my Chilton's.

https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D6148737_613_120696803

https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D6148737_613_120748202

The more i research this the more i realize how lucky (?) i was, fire dept. said if i hadn't had window film the windows would have blown out due to heat, and the whole truck would have gone up most likely taking out the front of the house, driveway, lawn...etc.

Off to the junk yards!

 

i'm sorry to hear that man, atleast the truck and your house etc. didnt get lost and atleast the dash is repairable.

 

are these the ones you need

 

Looking at what schematics i can locate it just doesn't seem like the switch is the culprit. a friend came by and took a look and asked me about lighters. And sure enough there was one in the cubby... and, it was one of those cheap see thru ones, well i started researching cheap Chinese lighters, and again was amazed... i am now fairly convinced that a cheap Chinese lighter caused this fire, which makes me feel a little better. I had just used this lighter before getting out of the truck, and stuck it in the cubby. check out this website, there are many others as well.

Cheap foreign lighters flood America, fail tests, injure thousands | khou.com Houston

So... bottom line, if you have one get rid of it! Stick with the BIC.

renovation is going well interior is completely striped, new windshield, carpet is ordered, ServPro will be out to clean seats and interior, as well as using a machine to remove the smell. headed to Annistan Al. next week to a salvage yard that has over 40 f250's, should find everything i need.

BTW - it did pass the start and run test!

I think this time next week we will be launching the boat!

 

Thats great info! Very interesting!