Dashboard swap
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert, Arizona
Dashboard swap
I am considering switching out my 88 interior for a mid 90's interior. Has anyone tried this?? I know the whole truck is basically the same, but what about the mounting locations for everyting?
With that in mind, what is easier...
1. Swaping out a whole cab from a say 1996 F-150, to my 1988 F-150?
2. Pulling the Dash and Door pannels from a 96 and putting it into my 88?
With that in mind, what is easier...
1. Swaping out a whole cab from a say 1996 F-150, to my 1988 F-150?
2. Pulling the Dash and Door pannels from a 96 and putting it into my 88?
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
If you replace the dash, and the dash support/ductwork and the heater core assembly box, it will bolt on with one trouble spot - the steering column area.
The mounting bracket on the 92-95 series is massive, and part of the tie-in for the dashboard, whereas the earlier trucks have a different set of steel bracketry behind the dash that the older style dash mounts to.
It's doable, but you have a little hacking of that metal bracketry to do.
The mounting bracket on the 92-95 series is massive, and part of the tie-in for the dashboard, whereas the earlier trucks have a different set of steel bracketry behind the dash that the older style dash mounts to.
It's doable, but you have a little hacking of that metal bracketry to do.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert, Arizona
I was planning on using the newer steering column because the old ones are just a round tube, plus I need wiper controls.
From what you said I think its worth a shot, and it would be a good learning experience. Thanks frederic
From what you said I think its worth a shot, and it would be a good learning experience. Thanks frederic
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
Ya welcome. If you're going to use the new column, make sure you get the wiring diagrams for your truck, and the truck the column comes from, so you can make suitable splices between the two.
When you get your column, make sure when you cut the wires, you cut it past the mating connectors all around... i.e. leave the connectors and their mates on the column.
This way if you ever want to remove the column, you can just unplug it.
When you get your column, make sure when you cut the wires, you cut it past the mating connectors all around... i.e. leave the connectors and their mates on the column.
This way if you ever want to remove the column, you can just unplug it.
