1992-96 e150 part swapping
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Twin Falls, Idaho
1992-96 e150 part swapping
Just bought a 94 clubwagon and want to do some customizing already. I also have a 92 e150 with some parts I want to use from it, mainly cosmetic. Heres the parts van
I want to use those headlights and grill on the new one
as you see, it has the larger headlamps. Now I can assume the grille is fine, but can I mount the smaller lamps with plastic inserts in their place? Will they mount up ok?
I want to use those headlights and grill on the new one
as you see, it has the larger headlamps. Now I can assume the grille is fine, but can I mount the smaller lamps with plastic inserts in their place? Will they mount up ok?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
If your pre-97 E's are similar to my post-'97's the headlights should be a straight swap----the header panel to which all that mounts should be the same.
As you mention the sealed beam headlight surrounds aka bezels need to follow them to the other van.
You might find removing the grill and side marker assemblies while making this swap would make it a bit easier. Do be careful handling the plastic parts as with age they become a bit brittle and subject to breaking at the snap in mounting points. If its cold the likelihood of breakage is much higher.
You may have to add a new pigtail lead to the wiring to fit the sealed beams---I'd use a Dorman #84790, less than $10 and a nice assembly, for both sides.
Later today I'll double check my crash book to see if there is a difference in header panels for the aero/composite vs sealed beam---I'm fairly certain now they are the same.
HTH
As you mention the sealed beam headlight surrounds aka bezels need to follow them to the other van.
You might find removing the grill and side marker assemblies while making this swap would make it a bit easier. Do be careful handling the plastic parts as with age they become a bit brittle and subject to breaking at the snap in mounting points. If its cold the likelihood of breakage is much higher.
You may have to add a new pigtail lead to the wiring to fit the sealed beams---I'd use a Dorman #84790, less than $10 and a nice assembly, for both sides.
Later today I'll double check my crash book to see if there is a difference in header panels for the aero/composite vs sealed beam---I'm fairly certain now they are the same.
HTH
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Sorry, but it strikes me as a bit comical for somebody named MrNightman to "want to" downgrade the headlights on a "Just bought" Club Wagon, in their 1st post. Presume plastic Aero lenses aren't crystal clear & you don't want to polish them?
However you may feel about "cosmetic" aspects of Econoline Aero headlights, they don't just squeak a tiny aerodynamic benefit, the halogen lamps also provide significantly better illumination.
You WILL have to cut off both factory Aero headlight connectors & splice in old fashion sealed beam style to accomplish the swap.
However you may feel about "cosmetic" aspects of Econoline Aero headlights, they don't just squeak a tiny aerodynamic benefit, the halogen lamps also provide significantly better illumination.
You WILL have to cut off both factory Aero headlight connectors & splice in old fashion sealed beam style to accomplish the swap.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Peine, Germany
I guess in the upper Picture the square Headlights are the same as on the pre '93 Econoline.
If you want to go a step further with the customizing:
Several other Vehicles have the same Headlights and so there are clear-glass Headlights.
These are originally designed for a Jeep Cherokee.
Other Cars with these Headlights are:
- Ford Probe
- Toyota Hilux, Celica, Supra, 4-Runner
- Mazda 323F
- Chevy Blazer, Astro Van
- Jeep Cherokee, Wrangler
- Nissan 200SX
and more...
If you want to go a step further with the customizing:
Several other Vehicles have the same Headlights and so there are clear-glass Headlights.
These are originally designed for a Jeep Cherokee.
Other Cars with these Headlights are:
- Ford Probe
- Toyota Hilux, Celica, Supra, 4-Runner
- Mazda 323F
- Chevy Blazer, Astro Van
- Jeep Cherokee, Wrangler
- Nissan 200SX
and more...
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,112
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From: Eastern TN
It might be a question of aim. Our '93 aero headlights outshine my brother-in-law's '06 sealed beams by a lot. The advantage of sealed beam buckets is you can fit proper E-code H4 headlights.
Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 185K miles
Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 185K miles
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Twin Falls, Idaho
thanks for all the replies, I mainly want them because I'm more of a fan of the commercial look. Finally made an account on here, figured why not 
Will take a look later today, figure everything should swap being only 2 years apart, plus the e series didnt really change much until 97
Will take a look later today, figure everything should swap being only 2 years apart, plus the e series didnt really change much until 97
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 711
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From: Outside of Memphis, TN
Everything will swap without difficulty. The Aero Headlights, when polished, put out quite a bit more light unless you put in one of those silly sealed beam headlight adapter kits. The front grilled comes off with 5 screws. it takes a few seconds. The composite headlights come out by pulling two metal plates up out from behind them.
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great to hear thanks for all your input, seems like a great community here, glad to have joined!
thanks for all your input, seems like a great community here, glad to have joined!
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
I'm somewhat at the beginning of what I'm sure will be a lengthy experimental process to modify an F150 cluster (with tach) to properly work in my '03 E250. Sadly its not too likely I'll be all that successful but its worth the effort just to see if I can do it.
The clusters are very year and model-specific so swapping them isn't always if ever possible. Some of the transmission shift functions seem to be controlled in part through the cluster, the PSOM being responsible for this it would seem. Also, the clusters internal wiring from an F-series would be very different from the E chassis, many of the functions no longer working.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Twin Falls, Idaho
so a cluster from an f150 92-96 like this one
wouldnt work swapped with my style of a 94 e150 cluster here?
is the wiring of a 92-96 econoline completely different from an f150 from 92-96? They are at least the same shape lol
wouldnt work swapped with my style of a 94 e150 cluster here?
is the wiring of a 92-96 econoline completely different from an f150 from 92-96? They are at least the same shape lol
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Quick story about my fiasco: First bought a beat-to-death '97 E250, water temp gauge not working. Found a brand new, never installed pulled-from-production-line cluster on eBay. It was for a later model diesel van and me not knowing there was a difference bought the cluster, shipped to my door for like $65---great deal!
Swapped 'em out, fired the van up and watched with glee as all gauges worked perfecty---I was stoked. On the test drive I had no upshift from 1>2, manual only and even then the trans slammed into gear. The speed and odometers were both inoperative too. I just had to chuckle to myself---lesson learned.
Talking with the knowledgeable seller he told me of the year-specific thing, how the PSOM was very important and trying to swap them out just wasn't possible. With a small re-stocking charge paid I took the refund and bought locally a suitable cluster.
So anyway----no the F-Series and E-Series are VERY different, not compatible at all.
HTH
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Some use the device known as a ScanGauge which includes a tach function.
Most tachs are a bit too large in diameter for me which is why the cluster mounted one is so enticing. I swear by this summer I'll have successfully modified a F-Series to work in my '03 van.
Cheap-wise no idea about a tach----I'd check FleaBay as I'm sure they have a lot for $50 or so.
If you do fit a tach to your van you'll need to locate the CTO (clean tach out) wire under the hood. Here's an image of a 2000 but yours should be somewhat similar, white with pink stripe:
Most tachs are a bit too large in diameter for me which is why the cluster mounted one is so enticing. I swear by this summer I'll have successfully modified a F-Series to work in my '03 van.
Cheap-wise no idea about a tach----I'd check FleaBay as I'm sure they have a lot for $50 or so.
If you do fit a tach to your van you'll need to locate the CTO (clean tach out) wire under the hood. Here's an image of a 2000 but yours should be somewhat similar, white with pink stripe: