2010-ish F-150 dash swap into a 90 ranger

[Raser13]

I know this is going to be wish full thinking. But...... ......... Is there a way to fab a 2010-ish F-150 style dash into my 90 ranger?

I'm not worried about mounting points matching up. I'm worried about More about the physical dimensions. I don't have an F-150 to measure or I would do it that way. Or is there another dash that looks like them that is smaller and would fit that I should be looking for? Thanks for any help guys

 

[adsm08]

The F150 is much wider and taller than the Ranger or any year. It will not fit physically.

An Explorer from around that year is probably the best bet, and even that may be a long shot.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

F-150 is going to be way wide, like probably over a foot too wide.

Might check out the SUV's. Escape, Edge, Explorer, Flex... but they are going to be pretty deep.

Not really 2010 F-150ish but for newer a 95-11 Ranger dash probably wouldn't be that hard (compared to a late model one) to put in.

 

[Raser13]

Yeah, the ranger dashes are just to bubblely. I like the hard edged design esthetic of the F-150s. I was hoping there was some trick to make it work out. Lol. It maybe a smaller framed SUV that had that sane type if look. The explorers are close. But are still leaning toward an the bubblely ranger dashes. Don't know I'll have to look around next time I can make it out to a junk yard. Or I might just gave to try my hand at fabbing up a custom dash. But that would be a huge undertaking.

 

[Raser13]

I know that the newer steering wheels won't direct bolt on to my column. But can I swap a 2008-ish and newer column into the 90 ranger? Or do they attach differently?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

If you want a hard edged dash go back to the first gen Ranger dash.

That 2010 F-150 dash is a bubble in comparison.

 

[Mark_88]

I've actually seen a few first gen Ranger dash remakes by various members that looked pretty impressive. They essentially remove the gauge pod and replace it with sheet metal and gauges of their choosing...

I was tempted to go that rout with my 88 after converting to the 96 wiring and it would have worked out nice...but I was pressed for time and simply used the 96 dash and gauges instead...

Without knowing how the F-150 dash is made it is hard to know where you might be able to trim them so you can mount in the Ranger....but with a bit of work it probably could be done...and it might even look good if you are very creative and handy with modifications...

The good news is the first gen and second gen dashes are fairly easy to swap because there were no major changes to the floor or firewall panels....even the steering columns would work with a bit of work...

But that is the whole point...a bit of work can become quite a bit of work with the right ingredients so is this a project or a daily driver that you need up and running asap?

 

[Raser13]

I know that the newer steering wheels won't direct bolt on to my column. But can I swap a 2008-ish and newer column into the 90 ranger? Or do they attach differently?

 

[Mark_88]

Not exactly sure how the 89-92 columns connect to the dash...or the 93-94 which, I believe, used the same dash as the 89-92 even though they are classed as Gen III...but that was due to the body style when they moved away from the squared-off nose.

A picture is probably more helpful...or a series of pictures that might enlighten you on how this will work...this is on the Tech Articles page and shows the components of the 95-97 steering column...

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/SteeringShaftWear.shtml

And here is another link that might help...

https://www.google.ca/search?q=1998...=1xfuWI7DHZuvjwTvu7eoCg#imgrc=SHLt4acDgfqCaM:

But to be honest I probably spent about a week comparing and measuring and pulling parts from both vehicles just to ensure and find a way to make the swap work. The 1990 is very similar to what I was working with on the 88 and I can tell you there were some changes to the firewall that make a direct swap impossible or, at the very least, a much more time consuming endeavor.

Again, not saying this to discourage you because I was overjoyed when I finally finished my swap and was able to clear both the front and side windows of fog without repeatedly swapping the air slider between Defrost and Panel selections...not to mention the other benefits. The better routing of the heater hoses was worth all that effort...the 92 dash was able to do this too but for some reason it wasn't functional on the truck that I picked up for the engine I planned to swap in from that vehicle (3.0).