Dash swap questions

[RayInStl]

I'm swapping a first gen dash into my 89 B2. I like the way the first gen dashes look and I'm doing an auto to manual swap so having the dash out of the way will make it that much simpler. At least that's how I've justified it in my head. It's my truck, dammit!

I read through the tech article on doing the swap. They were going from 1st to 2nd gen and I'm going the opposite, but the information should be similar. Anyway, when I popped the 1st gen dash up in the truck, I noticed that only 1 of the 4 screws that run along the top of the dash near the windshield lines up. The others are an inch or more off. Is this what others have experienced? I thought it was odd that the tech article says nothing about that.

Has anyone else that's done a swap run into this? Did you just use the one screw?

 

[Mark_88]

I went 3rd gen Ranger dash into 1st gen Ranger and not much lined up so I had to modify anchor points to keep out the rattles.

You can probably spot weld attacment points where you need them but it might involve actually making the attachments for your application.

I had to modify quite a bit at several stages because I also had to use the brake pedal/clutch pedal mount and steering column from the 96. Even though the firewalls are similar there was enough difference to require many little mods but I was happy with the end product.

Maybe someone who has done the same swap can add to what you need to know and if parts are available that can be used.

 

[RayInStl]

Thanks Mark. I can add some tabs, that's not a problem. I just thought it was weird that they weren't lining up. It seemed like lots of people have done the swap, but none mentioned the screws don't line up.

I'm having similar problems with the column and pedals. I was going to swap out to my first gen column but the opening in the firewall is much bigger on the 2nd gen and the mounts are different. I didn't know that, so I didn't save the mounts from my Ranger. The pedal assembly is different also, so the pedals I have won't work unless I swap the whole assembly.

I'm either going to have to fab something to mount the column and use the pedal assembly from the first gen, or use the second gen column, removed the shifter, and find a clutch pedal in the junkyard.

I've been itching to pull the welder back out, so maybe I'll just get to it.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

They did change the pedal bracket and pedal in '88 IIRC, I THINK it stayed the same into the second gens.

 

[RayInStl]

The disappointing thing is they used a very similar pedal design, so I thought I could make it work by taking out the shaft that the pedals hinge on and adding my clutch one, but the 1st gen shaft is a couple inches shorter.

Why does my shaft always end up 2 inches too short. How disappointing.

 

[Mark_88]

The disappointing thing is they used a very similar pedal design, so I thought I could make it work by taking out the shaft that the pedals hinge on and adding my clutch one, but the 1st gen shaft is a couple inches shorter.

Why does my shaft always end up 2 inches too short. How disappointing.

I think they make extenders for those things...

When I swapped in the column from my 96 and after everything else there was about a 1" difference in the length of the steering column (too long). Fortunately, there was enough room to modify the shaft where it connected to the rag joint near the firewall and I was able to modify it to fit.

Just so many little things that it makes the job seem like too much work to bother. Which was why it took me much longer to complete my swap than I had planned. Also why my planning phase took so much longer because everything had to be measured and if something turned out to be not workable I had to backtrack and consider other options.

One step at a time and it will be done...