86 Cab on 94 Frame
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More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 666
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From: Springfield, MO
86 Cab on 94 Frame
I've read through the truck cab interchange thread and for all purposes confirmed my question below but before I go spend any money I want to be 100% sure.
I've got an 86 F250 4x4 cab (regular bed/frame) that I plan on restoring off frame.
If I buy a 94 F350 XL Dually 2wd truck with the plans to eventually strip off the cab, motor, and trans, is it really as simple as dropping the 86 cab on? As well as dropping in an 80-86 motor and trans?
Are there any gotchas I should be aware of?
Any downsides to this?
Essentially I am just wanting the 94 truck for the axles, flatbed, and frame.
I've got an 86 F250 4x4 cab (regular bed/frame) that I plan on restoring off frame.
If I buy a 94 F350 XL Dually 2wd truck with the plans to eventually strip off the cab, motor, and trans, is it really as simple as dropping the 86 cab on? As well as dropping in an 80-86 motor and trans?
Are there any gotchas I should be aware of?
Any downsides to this?
Essentially I am just wanting the 94 truck for the axles, flatbed, and frame.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 72
From: Roseville, MN
The registration goes with the VIN which is on the cab. So there may be legal issues with the combined truck carrying more than the '86 F-250 is rated for.
I've heard that there are differences in how the front clip attaches to the cab, so if you aren't bringing the '86 front clip along you'll have some issues. Not insurmountable, but not just a bolt-on.
Wiring will be quite a bit different, but if you are bringing the old engine over as well you can use the old wiring. Using the '94 engine and '86 instrument panel would likely be a challenge.
Your '86 4WD transmission won't work without a transfer case. So unless you are adding a front drive axle to the '94 you either need to find a 2WD trans or run the transfer case without a front driveshaft (which lets you use low range so it's not all bad either).
There are some differences in motor mounts and transmission crossmembers related to different engines, transmissions and 2WD vs 4WD. You should be able to work through that, but you might need to use your '86 mounts and crossmenbers, and maybe drill a couple new holes.
I've heard that there are differences in how the front clip attaches to the cab, so if you aren't bringing the '86 front clip along you'll have some issues. Not insurmountable, but not just a bolt-on.
Wiring will be quite a bit different, but if you are bringing the old engine over as well you can use the old wiring. Using the '94 engine and '86 instrument panel would likely be a challenge.
Your '86 4WD transmission won't work without a transfer case. So unless you are adding a front drive axle to the '94 you either need to find a 2WD trans or run the transfer case without a front driveshaft (which lets you use low range so it's not all bad either).
There are some differences in motor mounts and transmission crossmembers related to different engines, transmissions and 2WD vs 4WD. You should be able to work through that, but you might need to use your '86 mounts and crossmenbers, and maybe drill a couple new holes.
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 666
Likes: 5
From: Springfield, MO
The registration goes with the VIN which is on the cab. So there may be legal issues with the combined truck carrying more than the '86 F-250 is rated for.
I've heard that there are differences in how the front clip attaches to the cab, so if you aren't bringing the '86 front clip along you'll have some issues. Not insurmountable, but not just a bolt-on.
Wiring will be quite a bit different, but if you are bringing the old engine over as well you can use the old wiring. Using the '94 engine and '86 instrument panel would likely be a challenge.
Your '86 4WD transmission won't work without a transfer case. So unless you are adding a front drive axle to the '94 you either need to find a 2WD trans or run the transfer case without a front driveshaft (which lets you use low range so it's not all bad either).
There are some differences in motor mounts and transmission crossmembers related to different engines, transmissions and 2WD vs 4WD. You should be able to work through that, but you might need to use your '86 mounts and crossmenbers, and maybe drill a couple new holes.
I've heard that there are differences in how the front clip attaches to the cab, so if you aren't bringing the '86 front clip along you'll have some issues. Not insurmountable, but not just a bolt-on.
Wiring will be quite a bit different, but if you are bringing the old engine over as well you can use the old wiring. Using the '94 engine and '86 instrument panel would likely be a challenge.
Your '86 4WD transmission won't work without a transfer case. So unless you are adding a front drive axle to the '94 you either need to find a 2WD trans or run the transfer case without a front driveshaft (which lets you use low range so it's not all bad either).
There are some differences in motor mounts and transmission crossmembers related to different engines, transmissions and 2WD vs 4WD. You should be able to work through that, but you might need to use your '86 mounts and crossmenbers, and maybe drill a couple new holes.
Update: just called the MO Highway Patrol and the unofficial response was to keep photos/copies of both titles and door tags in the truck so it can be explained in case one does get pulled over on a weight check. May vary by state and officer but that's enough confidence for my usage. Now if I was using this for a commercial purpose I would probably look into the 'built truck' registration and titling process.
I was planning on bringing the front clip over as well as the wiring and I wasn't going to go 4x4 so it sounds like it should be pretty straightforward.
I am hoping to stick with the same year swaps but since I keep coming across frame rust (in another thread I have a photo) I wanted to keep my options over.
Although it would have to be a pretty cheap 94 or so model since all I am keeping is the axle and frame.
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