Hey Y'all,

I just bought a 1996 F250 and the dashboard is loose on the right side. I asked the guy about it and he said the plastic clip that holds the dash is broken. Can I switch dashboards with my old, sadly "dead" diesel F250? The new one is the kind with 2 doors but a back seat. The old one has four doors. The new one is also a short bed and the old one a long bed.

I do like the new old truck and hope that was the only "surprise" the seller has for me. I do think either I or the mechanic I had look at the truck would have noticed that the dash was totally loose on the right side so I guess the guy had glued it and it came loose.

If I *can* change them out-can someone tell me how to go about it without breaking the *other* clip.

Any help appreciated.

Regards,
Andrea

 

If your "dead" truck is a 94 1/2-97 the dash is a direct swap. The 92-early 94 will also fit, but the gauge cluster from the 96 will have to be used. the dash is held to the firewall and sides of the cab with screws I believe.
EDIT I assume the "new" truck is a Powerstroke?

 

I remember reading that there is a metal bracket that is relatively easy to get to that you can tighten. But that the tab tends to break off, the metal tab that is on the frame, not the dash. But I think there is a fix for this that is a bolt on fix...anyone know more about this?

 

Just so you know what they're called, your new truck is an extended cab short bed (ECSB). Rarest of the cab/bed layouts, BTW. Your old truck was a crew cab long bed, and therefore must be an F350. The dash itself is the same for all cab/bed layouts, all years, '92-'96 and '97 F250/F350.

You should retain the gauge cluster anyway, so you retain the odometer mileage. The cluster is attached to the dash, not part of it per se.

What's "dead" about your old truck? You may be able to make some $$$ parting it out, or at least vulture-pick some parts off it for spares for your new truck.

 

Welcome to the forum

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post11431844

 

bronco graveyard sells a very close replica to the ford repair part.

that link will work ^^ but the factory style will last better because it will support its self and the dash better.

I have done many back when these were new. It really is very easy.

 

If you open the glove box past the stops you will be able to see the broken dash mount. My 94 f150 was the same way when I got it, I used two pieces of plumbers strap and screwed it into the plastic and forgot forgot about it untell now!

 

I changed the entire dash in my 97. The old one was cracked badly. It was an all day summertime job. Removing everything and finding all the screws here and there was a pain. I never figured out where the screws were up next to the doors I'll I just forced it. But if you can I'd say check the whole think make sure they're tight all around. That should help. And then it you really need to or want to change out the whole thing go for it '! I believer they're 8 mm bolt heads if they're stock. -Daniel

 

Is it the entire dash that is loose, or the black bezel around the gauge cluster?