im working on my buddys 89 F350 DRW 460 truck.
i was employed to do a PSD swap in it.
engine and transmission are in, exhaust is done, radiator support is done.
cooling system needs hoses.
im down to the wiring!!

i gutted the dash out today, and im trying to make this a plug and play operation.

but to do that, im going to need to swap to an OBS dash, or highly modify the brick dash to accept the instrument cluster.
too bad ford didnt keep the same styling of mounts for it.

just curious if anyone has ever swapped the dash out.

i know of a dash i can get for super cheap, and ill be buying it tomorrow,
but if you have ever attempted this, please chime in!

i think it would look pretty slick!!

what are your thoughts?

 

I like the interiors on the Bricks a lot better than the OBS.
How was the old dash? I'm in need of a decent blue one... and judging by the door panels the interior was probably pretty nice

 

Just from reading other threads, I'm pretty sure you can expect concerns with the interface between the dash ends and the door panels. And the wing window opening; may need OBS wing windows (or the whole door?).

You lookin' to roll some coal with that air filter?.....

 

Yeah, what he said, the dash is wider, Those door panels won't work. Here are some pics of the OBS set up. Grab the door panels and wing windows from the dash donor truck if you can,

 

i have an 87 F350 i was exploring using OBS panels with the brick dash.
the OBS panels actually extend past the door more than the brick.
madpogue, remember the OBS panel swap i was talkin about over on OB?

the dash is beautiful, however the psd gauge cluster will not fit without extensive mods. not willing to cut it up.

plug and play is the name of the game. i dont wanna start hacking into the wiring, just yet.

i rolled so much coal lastnight, 12 pounds of tri-tip devoured.

 

the shell fits.
need the pillars to cover some of the exposed areas the brick stuff does not cover.
will be painted blue.

if youre interested in the brick dash, pm me with an offer.

we will be using the OBS stuff.
doors shut as i thought. they do not hit the dash.

 

What about the different steering columns, that's the only major thing I've seen while dreaming about it.

 

thats next! ive used the OBS column in my 63 MANchero project.
its got a gnarly bracket that holds the column in, thats tied to the kick panel, and firewall, gonna need to do a buncha mods for this one.
not a big deal IMO, just needs to be worked through.

ill post back when i get some progress.

 

steering column mod will be next week

 

So the obs dash fit over the brick frame and bolted up? Are the clusters a old and play or are they different? I might do that because I need to replace the dash in my 88 anyway and I'd much prefer the obs dash

 

this is a powerstroke swap.
1 missing tab on the driverside needed to be modified.
all top screws bolt right in...

this was done to utilize the PSD gauges.

 

But was the plug for the cluster the same or did you have to re wire it? And is the wiring plugs in the columns identical?

 

the plug in the harness and the cluster are the same..
but im using a 97 wiring harness and a 97 gauge cluster.
im still in the middle of this swap, as im waiting on the steering column.

everything will plug right in.
in theory.
ill update when i get it all painted and final installed.

 

Ok keep us updated

 

decided to make the OBS steering column work.
going to need to make some custom mounts for the 4 17 mm bolts to tie it into the cab.

kinda stuck on the wiring tho.
if anyone can help me out with a simple question i would appreciate it.

on the OBS dash,
does the main wiring loom go behind the HVAC system? or inbetween the HVAC and the dash...

anyone have an OBS with the gauge cluster out?