Im getting a 96 lightning and i was wondering if the front cap from an 80-86 f150 would fit. I know that most other body parts are easily interchangeable and i would really love to throw on a 86 front end. Is it possible? Easy?

 

If by front cap you mean an aftermarket above windshield (but outside) visor, the answer is yes.

The cab shells are the same from the mid 80's through 96 f-series and some 97 F350s.

 

I'm guessing you mean from clip, not cap. I'm not too sure how well they fit. I think an 87-91 would fit better, they share the same cab with the 92-96. Not sure if the 80-86 do. Personally, I'd leave it alone thoug, I like the look of the 92-96 better.

Trevor

 

im talking about the grille, bumper, headlights, hood, fenders, etc. I havent ever seen it done, but it looks possible. I'll give it a shot because i love the 80 front end restored

 

Do what you want, but it won't fit without a bunch of work. Besides that, you would be taking a collectable truck, and making it worth a heck of a lot less. It's a bad idea, in my opinion.

 

It'll bolt up if you use the radiator core support from the older truck - the cabs are the same. One thing you might have to modify is the horns on the front of the chassis rails that the bumper mounts to. Are you sure you have a '96 lightning? They shouldn't exist...

 

The doors are not the same, nor is the cowl panel.

 

But the cab is the same, so everything in front of the cab will bolt on.

 

Even the frame horns are "close enough" if you replace the silly bumper brackets with two pieces of 1/4" thick, 8" long strips, one could drill those to mount the earlier bumper.

Like ESNC said, changing only the radiator support is required to re-nose either the later truck to earlier nose, or earlier truck to later nose.

97 and up is where the problems occur, because the cab shape is very different, and crossing parts back require a lot of hacking up. But, that too is doable. I have a 93 crewcab... and this 98 Navigator clip.... LOL.

 

this is good to know, I'm planning on putting a 80-86 front clip on a 87 F250