Changing Cabs

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Apr 13, 2015 | 11:09 AM

nytling92

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Tuned

Joined: Jan 2001

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From: Elizabethtown, Ky.

Changing Cabs

I have asked before but didn't get a clear answer. My 80 cab is not what I want to fix. Can I use an 94 cab and still use my 80 dash? I want to keep the Bullnose look on the inside also.

Apr 13, 2015 | 11:49 AM

Gary Lewis

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From: Northeast, OK

Only if you are good at fabrication. The dash changed in '87 and then again later, so the dash won't be a bolt-in. Go look at Bill's thread here. He put a later dash in an older truck, but it'll give you an idea about changing the dash.

Beyond the dash, I dunno.

Apr 13, 2015 | 03:51 PM

nytling92

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Tuned

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 352

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From: Elizabethtown, Ky.

OK, what about the cabs, will they interchange?

Apr 13, 2015 | 04:15 PM

Gary Lewis

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From: Northeast, OK

My understanding is the cab will bolt on.

Apr 13, 2015 | 08:03 PM

Eddiec1564

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Joined: Mar 2007

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From: Arcadia, Fla

The cabs will bolt up between the years to the frame. Front clip will bolt in place to the newer cab too so you can keep the bullnose.

The BIG issue is the dash mounts, steering column mounts and how the electrical plugs are through the firewall. Also the seat belts are mounted diffrent than the 80 to 86 trucks(I found out the hard way with a 91 cab on my 84)

I have not taken apart a 92 and up dash yet, so I do not know about how the steering column bracket is mounted to the firewall(looks like part of the parking brake/ pedal assy). But on the 87 to 91 cab's, you will have to drill out spot wields and replace the 87 to 91 steering bracket mount with the 80 to 86 one.

You will have to fab up new dash mounts to align with the older dash, then you will have the VIN tag in the wrong spot and have to deal with that too.

The electrical connections on the 93 and up cabs are bulkhead connectors not the rubber grommet of the 86 and older trucks.

It can be done, I was going to us a 91 cab on my 84 F250 till I came across a excellent shape 86 cab in the junk yard, I now have the correct period setup instead of a nightmare(the seat belt issue was the kicker for me)