Notices
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L) Diesel Topics Only

cab swap

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 25, 2014 | 01:09 PM
  #1  
jack j's Avatar
jack j
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: south eastern wi.
cab swap

i could use some help .
when i swap cabs how much of the wiring haress do i need from the diesel cab to go into the gas cab ? it is a 88 to a 89 the 89 is a gas truck
 
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2014 | 01:16 PM
  #2  
tjc transport's Avatar
tjc transport
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,559
Likes: 5,591
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
Club FTE Gold Member
everything from the diesel has to be swapped into the gas cab, including the instrument cluster.
 
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2014 | 01:22 PM
  #3  
jack j's Avatar
jack j
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: south eastern wi.
Thanks . I'm thinking this is gonna be a big project . I'm giving myself 5 months to do it
 
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2014 | 03:11 PM
  #4  
jack j's Avatar
jack j
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: south eastern wi.
Is their any other stuff I should look to in a cab swap ?
My idi has been sitting for 2 years is their any thing I should before I start it ?
Sorry for all the questions I have never done a project like this .
 
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2014 | 03:22 PM
  #5  
tjc transport's Avatar
tjc transport
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,559
Likes: 5,591
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
Club FTE Gold Member
not really. maybe new body bushings and bolts, new heater hoses, and maybe a new heater core.
5 months is a long time.
when i ran the body shop, we used to do a cab swap from drive in to delivery back to the customer in less than a weeks time. and that was with 1 guy working on it 8 hours a day, and others helping when needed.
we could do a cab swap in 2 days with 3 guys working on it.
i can still do it here at the house in about 3 weeks time, and i am 58 and disabled.
 
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2014 | 03:31 PM
  #6  
jack j's Avatar
jack j
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: south eastern wi.
Sweet it may not be so bad then thanks
 
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2014 | 05:17 PM
  #7  
tjc transport's Avatar
tjc transport
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,559
Likes: 5,591
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
Club FTE Gold Member
to be truthful with you, the hardest part is getting the old cab off, and the new one on. everything else is easy. i leave the fenders off until all the wires are swapped. it gives you more room to access the plug in the engine bay, and makes it easier to trouble shoot if there are any wires crossed so you can access the sensors on the engine or heater box.
 
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2014 | 05:24 PM
  #8  
jack j's Avatar
jack j
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: south eastern wi.
From what I see the wiring in the dash is going to suck . the idi has been sitting for 2 years anything I need to do before I start it
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 25, 2014 | 06:14 PM
  #9  
tjc transport's Avatar
tjc transport
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,559
Likes: 5,591
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
Club FTE Gold Member
not really.
mine has been sitting for around 5 years now after the driver side rocker panel and floor board fell off.
i started on it after i got the 87 F150 cab, then it got cold. so i put everything on hold until spring.

i also have a 2004 cab to put on a 2000 F350 4X4 that caught on fire to do in the spring.
luckily that will not need rewiring.
 
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2014 | 10:13 PM
  #10  
tecgod13's Avatar
tecgod13
Logistics Pro
15 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,737
Likes: 179
From: Western Mass
One thing to note, depending on the state you're in, you might need to do some legwork to legally swap the cabs. There might be some snafu's using a gas vin number with a diesel engine. Or you may find you'll need to get the state to issue you a new vin number for the vehicle after the swap.
This may not seem to be a big deal, but when you go to sell the truck, it could be a huge nightmare.
 
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2014 | 07:41 AM
  #11  
tjc transport's Avatar
tjc transport
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,559
Likes: 5,591
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
Club FTE Gold Member
almost all salvage yards sell a cab without vin plate, so i just put the vin plate from the truck on the new cab. even if i buy a complete truck to take the cab off of, i still just swap the vin plate. it is just easier than dealing with 5-6 months of DMV bs and inspections.
 
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2014 | 08:01 AM
  #12  
jack j's Avatar
jack j
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: south eastern wi.
that is good info thanks
 
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2014 | 03:51 PM
  #13  
ola1234's Avatar
ola1234
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 242
Likes: 1
From: Norheimsund, Norway
I consider a cab swap myself, and found the info about swapping the vin-number interesting. Had to go out and check. And yes, it looks like the vin-number is attached to the dash-frame with two nails. If so this makes it a lot easier. Still, is it legal?
Anyone here who have done the cab-swap to tell us more of what it takes and may have pictures from the job?
 
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2014 | 06:05 PM
  #14  
jack j's Avatar
jack j
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: south eastern wi.
I just had shoulder surgery does 3 .I'm going to try to get it in the shop mid January then I'll start photos
 
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2014 | 07:20 PM
  #15  
tecgod13's Avatar
tecgod13
Logistics Pro
15 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,737
Likes: 179
From: Western Mass
Originally Posted by ola1234
I consider a cab swap myself, and found the info about swapping the vin-number interesting. Had to go out and check. And yes, it looks like the vin-number is attached to the dash-frame with two nails.
They aren't nails, they are special rivets that aren't available to the general public.
Originally Posted by ola1234
If so this makes it a lot easier. Still, is it legal?
Not in Massachusetts. The first thing they check when doing the yearly "safety" inspection is the vin number.
Actually it may be some sort of federal offense to tamper with vin numbers.

However, it only matters if you get caught. I have heard of people doing it, and have contemplated it for one of my vehicles. But you have to be careful. I would say this is a do at your own risk activity.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:07 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE