FAQ - truck cab interchange?
 

I have a 83 ford f350 that the cab is rotted. what years will fit with little to no modification? Id like the newest cab possible.

80-86 is a direct swap, no modifications

87-91 bolts on as do the doors, but you will need to modify the cab to accept your dash or modify the harness if you pan on using the newer dash.

92-97 bolts on as do the doors, but you will need to modify the cab to accept your dash or modify the harness if you pan on using the newer dash.

perfect thats exactly what i wanted to know. Thank you. the newer cabs will mount without mods but i will have to modify the wiring. thats it right?

You will also have to drill a hole in the floor for the speedo cable as the 92+ cabs use digital odo's.

ok thats nothing. is there anything else i should know?

The seat belt retractor is by the floor in 1987+ cabs. In yours, it should be by your head.

Other than that, and different fire-wall cab connectors/holes nothing is different in the metal.

ok thanks for the info i want to stay in the 80-86 range but if i can get one newer for the right price i just want to know ill be able to use it.

A big can of worms is the title and vin. Everyone has their theories and methods on how to overcome this, just make sure you make a plan that's going to work for you and the local DMV when you register it and then possibly try to sell it later.

Grind off the old plate off the old cab and stick on the new cab!

Better advice would be to consult the DMV (or whatever it's called in your location) and ask them about this kind of thing.
Some areas allow transfering the VIN plate, some areas require the title to be reissued with the VIN of the salvage cab, and some places will require titles for both cabs be presented at an inspection, where a new VIN will be created for the vehicle.
Going about this the wrong way, can land a person in jail, or having a vehicle siezed which is then crushed and/or parted out.
Doing a little research beforehand can save a lot of time/money/greif later.......

If going for a cab in the 1980-1986 range... the best matches are...

1980-1983
1984-1986


The firewall holes for the wires and components will line up best with those.

As for the DMV issue, it varies from state to state. California goes by the frame vin for instance. Make sure what you can and cannot do in your state. Very wise idea.

where would the frame vin be? i was just planning on registering it under the new cabs title. ive never really known new york state to go by a frame vin.

It's under the cab, along the top of the passenger side frame rail, and also closer to the front between the coil spring pack, and radiator support area.

1981-1986 have a partial vin number stamped on the frame.
1980 has the full vin number.

Going by the replacement cab's vin is a good plan. Not many people know about the frame vin, just the one staring at them under the windshield. You would not be doing any grinding and swapping plates, so you can avoid that legality problem also. Your cab door jamb sticker will probably not match the way the truck is equipped, but I would not worry about that either. You will have to pay the registration to get the title swapped in your name(you are after all getting a new 86 truck correct?) and get the tags swapped, and you may have to pay a little bit more in taxes since the 86 is probably worth more than the earlier truck.

Ok so will i have to change the fenders and radiator support for the newer cabs? what year cabs can i use mine to?