today i did the complete dash swap.
i installed a 92-97 OBS dash in my 87 F350.
i pulled all of the sheet metal parts, support, and fubar'd dash out of a 92 F150

i used a junk dash for mock up, because its gonna fall and get messed up during the install process.

if youre planning on doing a 92-97 wiring swap also, cut the firewall out for the thru firewall connectors
first. it will make removing the back support alot easier.

these are the 3 pieces you need to cut off the donar truck.
lower A pillar, back steering column support mount, and the pedal assembly mount.



next strip your brick nose stuff.

the piece of galvanized cowl cover needs the 2 brackets cut off.(not pictured)
this is basically where the back support for the steering column support mounts.
also remove the 2 8mm sheet metal screws at the back.
(i will get into this a little later in the post)

also remove the existing steering column mount.



first things first.
install your 92-97 pedals.
mine is a manual, but its the same process for an auto.
i bolted the pedal assembly to the firewall using the clutch slave bolts, and a bolt where your booster will go.
just to keep the pedals aligned. its the same for brick and OBS.
if auto, just use 2-3 bolts for the booster. or even install the booster.
you will have to bend and manipulate this bracket to fit. but if you cut it off right, it will work great.
this can also be fabbed in without this bracket if you choose to do so. just make sure the pedals mount to something.






up next, test fitting the dash.

bolt the aluminum steering column support to the dash,
it uses 3 8 mm bolts. if the back is broken, use a different bolt and washers to make sure the support is bolted firmly to the dash.
then bolt your 2 supports on LOOSELY to see where you need to trim so it will fit nicely.

install the dash with the top screws, by the windsheild only.
dont tighten them all the way, you will want to lift the bottom of the dash to get the support mounts on and off to trim and adjust.







i ended up trimming the bracket as such.
adding some 2 x 1/8" strap to it, long enough to reach the top and the bottom of the kick panel metal.
its hard to get to, and a little flimsy, so i added a piece of the same flat bar to the firewall
after this was done, i used 190 pound push and pull method to make sure it was solid.
you may want to find a cleaner way to install this, im no professional, and this is the hardest part of the swap.




for the A pillar support,
you will want to make sure than your hood release still fits after you tach the new metal in place.
i ended up cutting this piece a little short, so i welded another piece on to give it more strength.
i thought about boxing the top, but if i want to run some wires through there, i still can.
im going to be putting some of that cheezie door lip molding on the top and bottom so that wires wont get cut.
here it is installed.




install the dash, and then youre ready to install the 2 center lower supports.
i havnt done these yet, because i still have my HVAC system out.
the last swap i did used the 87-91 style stuff, which lined up perfectly with the 92-97 dash.
i will update this thread after i get that stuff on and explain how i did it.

the passenger side A pillar screw is the same for brick and OBS

after you get the steering colum, im sure you could use all of the OBS steering stuff,
but i opted for some flaming river u-joints and some DD shaft, which i need more of, i stole this column out of another truck.

it was actually pretty simple, just takes some time.
biggest PITA was trying to install the dash (5 or 6 times) by myself.

 

Nicely done, very clean! I did the dash swap on my '87 too by myself and you're right...giant PITA to manhandle it.

 

how did you mount the rear column support bracket?
lots of ways to skin a cat, but deep fried is my favorite

 

I'll see if I can get some pics this weekend when I get home. Are you talking about where the column went through the firewall?

I did use two pieces of 1/2" threaded SS rod from the cast aluminum bracket through the firewall with locking nuts on either side to tighten that area up.

 

ahhh alright, so you didnt use the stamped steel mount thats on a stock OBS?
thats spot welded to the kick panel?

 

Right, didn't use that. Just used the two threaded rods directly from the cast aluminum through the firewall with locking nuts on either side. Used all the other pieces from the '94 donor truck though. Had a little trouble getting the hood latch to line up like I wanted but other than that it turned out good.

 

 

i don't see the purpose of doing this swap, unless you are installing a powerstroke engine and trans in the truck also?

 

I did it because my interior was shot and the donor truck had a clean interior. But yeah, in hindsight would have made more sense to do it for a PSD swap. It was fun though and I learned a lot.

 

my dash was shot also.
bought a 500 dollar super clean truck
my truck was stripped.
decided to use the entire interior, and no point is putting the OBS interior in without the dash.

 

how did you get the full electronic and computerized dash to work with the mechanical IDI?

 

i didnt.
im using all aftermarket VDO electronic gauges.
w/ tach

going to strip the gasser gauge cluster and install them there.

only issue i have is a might have to swap to a OBS inside heater box for the controls to match up.

im also doing a custom wiring harness

 

that makes sense.

 

My hat off too you! A lot of work has been done here...

Total stripped my cab on my 1993 7.3 idi and rebuilt it... It was a big enough job!


Cheer's,
Brock Joubarne

 

I want to do it because the OBS dash is the perfect mix of modern and truck(IMO). The bricknose dash is a little too "classic" for my tastes in a DD.

Also, the OBS door panels and window switches are far better laid out.