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Hey Everyone, so i am finally getting around to “restoring” my old 88 f150 w/ 4.9L ext cab w/ automatic trans. That gramps gift me. Last time i posted i wanted to swap a 4.6 and do a whole bunch of wild things to it, but i have matured a bit im keeping it stock.
I’ve inspected it last week and came to the conclusion that i need a new cab. My roof has a couple of holes, the a-pillars look like swiss cheese, and whole bunch of little places like door sils and cab corners. (I will insert a few Pictures.
I can easily get a new cab, I’ve got a few candidates. My question is, how hard of a job is it for a 18yr like me to swap the cabs over, and what legalities will i run into? I’ve found 90-91 cabs
thanks in advance, all input will be appreciated
Drivers side pillar Driver’s side a-pillar Drivers side rear window Passenger side rear window
To make things as easy as possible, I would get a 87-91 cab. Doesnt matter f150-F-superduty.
You need to remove the fenders, unplug the harness, steering linkage, shifter linkage, etc, then unbolt and lift off(if you take seat out and doors off it cuts down on weight quite a bit.
Depending on what truck the cab from you may be able to retain your cab harness and such, but I would just gut the new cab and reuse all your good old parts
As for "legal" that varies by state. Some states say when you do this you need to use title from the cab being used. But that make absolute zero sense to me because if you are putting aF350 cab on a f150, that does NOT make it a F350.
Other states want to see the original title and the cab tideland they will issue you a NEW title as in a 2020 title, again makes no sense since you have a 88 truck, Not a 2020.
But here is what I recommend. Put the cab on, remove windshield, drill out vin tag from your old cab and put in place on new cab. Also get a CLEAR pic of the door jam sticker, there are companies that reproduce them.
Then you have ZERO paperwork to fill out and you will still have your original vin for your 88 truck
Originally Posted by Gabcar8321
Hey Everyone, so i am finally getting around to “restoring” my old 88 f150 w/ 4.9L ext cab w/ automatic trans. That gramps gift me. Last time i posted i wanted to swap a 4.6 and do a whole bunch of wild things to it, but i have matured a bit im keeping it stock.
I’ve inspected it last week and came to the conclusion that i need a new cab. My roof has a couple of holes, the a-pillars look like swiss cheese, and whole bunch of little places like door sils and cab corners. (I will insert a few Pictures.
I can easily get a new cab, I’ve got a few candidates. My question is, how hard of a job is it for a 18yr like me to swap the cabs over, and what legalities will i run into? I’ve found 90-91 cabs
To make things as easy as possible, I would get a 87-91 cab. Doesnt matter f150-F-superduty.
You need to remove the fenders, unplug the harness, steering linkage, shifter linkage, etc, then unbolt and lift off(if you take seat out and doors off it cuts down on weight quite a bit.
Depending on what the cab cab from you may be able to retain your cab harness and such, but I would just gut the new cab and reuse all your good old parts
As for "legal" that varies by state. Some states say when you do this you need to use title from the cab being used. But that make absolute zero sense to me because if you are putting aF350 cab on a f150, that does NOT make it a F350.
Other states want to see the original title and the cab tideland they will issue you a NEW title as in a 2020 title, again makes no sense since you have a 88 truck, Not a 2020.
But here is what I recommend. Put the cab on, remove windshield, drill out vin tag from your old cab and put in place on new cab. Also get a CLEAR pic of the door jam sticker, there are companies that reproduce them.
Then you have ZERO paperwork to fill out and you will still have your original vin for your 88 truck
this is what i have done many many times. here in New Jersey when you buy a cab you get it stripped. no doors, no glass , no wiring, AND NO VIN PLATE OR TITLE.
you have to use your old vin plate and title.
Same here. Ford has always offered current year cabs as a replacement part. No different than changing a fender. Reuse your existing VIN plate and get a new decal printed. BTW, there is also a cowl tag by the brake booster held on with a single screw. Don't forget that one.
To make it easy, look for an 87 to 91 gas engine donor. That way, all the holes will be the right shape and in the right place. Tunnel cover should come from your original truck.
Thanks for the info!
what company or person do you recommend to Reproduce the door jam sticker?
Originally Posted by Diesel_Brad
Wow, the cab is JUNK
To make things as easy as possible, I would get a 87-91 cab. Doesnt matter f150-F-superduty.
You need to remove the fenders, unplug the harness, steering linkage, shifter linkage, etc, then unbolt and lift off(if you take seat out and doors off it cuts down on weight quite a bit.
Depending on what the cab cab from you may be able to retain your cab harness and such, but I would just gut the new cab and reuse all your good old parts
As for "legal" that varies by state. Some states say when you do this you need to use title from the cab being used. But that make absolute zero sense to me because if you are putting aF350 cab on a f150, that does NOT make it a F350.
Other states want to see the original title and the cab tideland they will issue you a NEW title as in a 2020 title, again makes no sense since you have a 88 truck, Not a 2020.
But here is what I recommend. Put the cab on, remove windshield, drill out vin tag from your old cab and put in place on new cab. Also get a CLEAR pic of the door jam sticker, there are companies that reproduce them.
Then you have ZERO paperwork to fill out and you will still have your original vin for your 88 truck
Stripped cabs? Really? What im doing is getting a whole entire truck because apart from the cab i need a whole fuel system, mines rusted out
Originally Posted by Diesel_Brad
Wow, the cab is JUNK
To make things as easy as possible, I would get a 87-91 cab. Doesnt matter f150-F-superduty.
You need to remove the fenders, unplug the harness, steering linkage, shifter linkage, etc, then unbolt and lift off(if you take seat out and doors off it cuts down on weight quite a bit.
Depending on what the cab cab from you may be able to retain your cab harness and such, but I would just gut the new cab and reuse all your good old parts
As for "legal" that varies by state. Some states say when you do this you need to use title from the cab being used. But that make absolute zero sense to me because if you are putting aF350 cab on a f150, that does NOT make it a F350.
Other states want to see the original title and the cab tideland they will issue you a NEW title as in a 2020 title, again makes no sense since you have a 88 truck, Not a 2020.
But here is what I recommend. Put the cab on, remove windshield, drill out vin tag from your old cab and put in place on new cab. Also get a CLEAR pic of the door jam sticker, there are companies that reproduce them.
Then you have ZERO paperwork to fill out and you will still have your original vin for your 88 truck
Same here. Ford has always offered current year cabs as a replacement part. No different than changing a fender. Reuse your existing VIN plate and get a new decal printed. BTW, there is also a cowl tag by the brake booster held on with a single screw. Don't forget that one.
To make it easy, look for an 87 to 91 gas engine donor. That way, all the holes will be the right shape and in the right place. Tunnel cover should come from your original truck.
Stripped cabs? Really? What im doing is getting a whole entire truck because apart from the cab i need a whole fuel system, mines rusted out
Originally Posted by tjc transport
this is what i have done many many times. here in New Jersey when you buy a cab you get it stripped. no doors, no glass , no wiring, AND NO VIN PLATE OR TITLE.
you have to use your old vin plate and title.
But here is what I recommend. Put the cab on, remove windshield, drill out vin tag from your old cab and put in place on new cab. Also get a CLEAR pic of the door jam sticker, there are companies that reproduce them.
Then you have ZERO paperwork to fill out and you will still have your original vin for your 88 truck
Here in Florida the cops WILL look at the rivet heads of the dash vin. They are a special head and if tampered with, your going to hate life afterwards...(seen it happen few times). So do not drill out those rivets but grind off the back ends and use some windshield urethane to glue it back down(messy windshield installer....lol) and your good to go.
Ouch on the replacement B piller stickers $125 each! Need one for my 84 F250 after its cab swap.....
Here in Florida the cops WILL look at the rivet heads of the dash vin. They are a special head and if tampered with, your going to hate life afterwards...(seen it happen few times). So do not drill out those rivets but grind off the back ends and use some windshield urethane to glue it back down(messy windshield installer....lol) and your good to go.
Ouch on the replacement B piller stickers $125 each! Need one for my 84 F250 after its cab swap.....
I paid $90 for my last sticker
Very easy to rivet tag on. triangular file pit the marks right in the head
Im in Florida too,(south florida to be exact)i will do some more research around here and I’ll see what i will end up doing.
Originally Posted by Eddiec1564
Here in Florida the cops WILL look at the rivet heads of the dash vin. They are a special head and if tampered with, your going to hate life afterwards...(seen it happen few times). So do not drill out those rivets but grind off the back ends and use some windshield urethane to glue it back down(messy windshield installer....lol) and your good to go.
Ouch on the replacement B piller stickers $125 each! Need one for my 84 F250 after its cab swap.....
im keeping it stock.
