Hello there. I am looking to replace the cab on my newly acquired 1987 F350 6.9L diesel dump/plow truck. It only has 87,000 original miles so I figure it is worth the effort. The cab is shot. Cab mounts, floor pans, rockers, cab corners the whole deal. It has newer doors, fenders and hood. It has a rebuilt 5 speed manual. (I thought the original had a 4 speed borg-werner, is this true?). It came from the factory as a cab and chassis only, and was sent to get a factory 9ft dump body and fisher 9.5ft plow. My question is, is it true that the F150, F250 and F350 cabs were pretty much the same from 1980-1996? I know my best bet is to find an 87-91 diesel cab so I can just plug and play with the wiring harness and not have to worry about swapping dashes, messing with firewall fabrication/modification, etc. If I can find a clean 80-96 cab can I swap out the dash, wiring harness etc from my 87 into it? Has anyone done this? What is my best bet? My buddy at the salvage yard says he has a few cabs I could look at. I am just trying to find out what the best course of action would be. Any thoughts from you Ford guys would be much appreciated! Thanks, Ben in Maine

 

87 was the first year for the 5 speed, and also the first year of the next generation of ford. 80-86 were all the same 6.9 diesel 4 speed, 87-92 was the next generation, you should have the 7.3 diesel, unless it's an early model check the pro date. the first couple thousand got what was left of the 6.9's then the 7.3 went in. your right they are pretty much the same an 84 will go on a 92 ect, but they did have some small differences in body lines, but they will all bolt up, there is no real difference between the 6.9 and 7.3 beside cubic inches, so that wont be a problem, If you have a solid frame and drivetrain you can swap body and bed from an earlier or later model. It's nice you got the overdrive, but you lose the granny low. Depends on what your going to do with the truck. Good luck

 

There is a significant change in the dash and doors between '86 and '87. The '87 - '96/'97 dash sticks back farther and the front corner of the wind wing window needed to be cut off to allow it to open. So if you want to use your wind wings with your '87 dash you need '87 or newer doors.

Not sure how much of a nightmare putting the newer dash in the older cab would be.

 

you WANT a 87-91 cab. And don't worry about if it was a diesel or not. Strip the new cab then put all your stuff into it, DONE

 

I appreciate all the input. Thanks for the help. I will see what my salvage guy comes up with and will keep you all posted. It is for sure a 6.9L. You can still read the stickers on the engine. Where do I find the "pro date"? Is that on the sticker on the door jamb/b post? Did they make a 6.9L 1987 with a 5 speed? I was kind of hoping for the granny low, but c'est la vie. Thanks again for all the help.
Cheers
Ben in Maine

 

yes. 87 was the last year for the 6.9 and the 1st for the 5 speed

 

I found a really pretty clean 91 gas cab at my buddy's salvage yard. It is a fancier model with electric windows and A/C. I plan on just using the doors and fenders off the 87 as well as having to swap out the dash/wiring harness etc. Does anyone know where I can find an aftermarket radiator support bracket? All the ones at the salvage yard were rotted out, and so is the one on my 87. Does $150 for the cab sound like an ok deal? Thanks for all the help and advice so far. I am sure I will be back!

 

150 is cheap.

Which "diesel" rad support do you have? there were 2 different ones in the 87-91 era

 

Well I guess I do not know which one I have. The engine is the 6.9 IDI diesel. It is in a 1987 F350. It is all rotted out on the passenger side down low. Any suggestions on how to find out which one I need, or at least identify the one I have? Is the diesel support different than the one that fits the gassers? I really appreciate the help!

 

$150 sounds good for a totaly stripped cab. I got one for $225 with windshield and back slider window still in place for my 84 F250.

When you get the "new" cab, totaly clean the inside of the cab out and repair/repaint the inside. Also clean and reseal the cowl area. I used bedliner paint inside my 89's cab when I had it stripped looking for a cowl leak. 5 years and no issues.

 

measure your radiator. That will tell you what support your have