dash

[RonD]

???

Like the whole dash, with cluster, GEM(body computer), radio, vent controls, cab fuse box, blend door, ect..................
He thru it all out?

You will need the dash and harness plus the dash electrics from a 1998-2000 Ranger only, and with your options, like power group(windows/doors), also match transmission type(manual/auto) and 2WD or 4x4

 

[joey74]

???

Like the whole dash, with cluster, GEM(body computer), radio, vent controls, cab fuse box, blend door, ect..................
He thru it all out?

You will need the dash and harness plus the dash electrics from a 1998-2000 Ranger only, and with your options, like power group(windows/doors), also match transmission type(manual/auto) and 2WD or 4x4

Thanks I'll start looking joey!

 

[JoshT]

I'm almost 100% positive my 1998 had a plate on the driver's side at the bottom of the windshield that was attached with special rivets right to the dash. Looking at my 2011, the dash has a cutout so that a plate attached the the metal under the dash can be seen. If yours is like that, then I stand corrected. Every other vehicle I've had, had the VIN plate riveted to the dash itself.

I'm almost 100% certain that your 98 is the same as the 2011. The Rangers I've seen it was attached to a metal tab attached to the firewall, the dash had a cutout it was visible through. I hope that's the case because I plan to pull a dash, probably from the donor Explorer, to die and swap into my '99.

 

[mtnrgr]

Have a question about the vin plate on the dash. How is it mounted on the 94 dash?

 

[JoshT]

Haven't looked that close at the 94 dash, but I'm pretty certain that it's going to be mounted to a metal plate that is actually under the dash. I'll have to look at the 86 came in the yard some time soon and see how that one is mounted since the dash is stripped out. I'm almost positive that the 98 Explorer I stripped the dash out of years ago was mounted the same way.

IIRC since the late 60s or 70s, federal law has required that the VIN tag be permanently (as permanent as the "special" rivets can be) affixed to the structure of the vehicle and not on a removable part. I suppose that in some older vehicles the dash was not a removable part being welded into place. On all Rangers the dash bolts in, unless someone welded it into place after it left the factory.

 

[joey74]

???

Like the whole dash, with cluster, GEM(body computer), radio, vent controls, cab fuse box, blend door, ect..................
He thru it all out?

You will need the dash and harness plus the dash electrics from a 1998-2000 Ranger only, and with your options, like power group(windows/doors), also match transmission type(manual/auto) and 2WD or 4x4

will a dash out of an explorer work?

I'm almost 100% certain that your 98 is the same as the 2011. The Rangers I've seen it was attached to a metal tab attached to the firewall, the dash had a cutout it was visible through. I hope that's the case because I plan to pull a dash, probably from the donor Explorer, to die and swap into my '99.

does the explorer dash work in a ranger?

 

[JoshT]

The structure itself looks the same to me. The harness is almost definitely different, but I'd swap over the one from the original dash.

 

[don4331]

Let's correct a couple misconceptions:
1. The VIN number is attached to cab steel not the dash via some unique rivets (to prevent people swapping between vehicles)

On my '68 F-100, the plate is on the driver's door - replace the door and the VIN is lost.​

2. On newer Rangers (i.e. '03+) - the GEM, ECU and odometer all had VIN programmed into them - they have to be swapped as complete unit - again its to combat theft.

Ford could reprogram them but its getting on 20 year tech and they might not be able to anymore...​

3. Wiring extends beyond just power accessories (windows/mirrors/door locks) and 4x4/transmission; it also includes ABS and airbags and cruise

And everything needs to match i.e. you need the correct airbag module/ABS/power accessories/transmission/drive with the associated GEM​

​

The newer the Ford, the more everything interconnects.

 

[JoshT]

Let's correct a couple misconceptions:
1. The VIN number is attached to cab steel not the dash via some unique rivets (to prevent people swapping between vehicles)

On my '68 F-100, the plate is on the driver's door - replace the door and the VIN is lost.​

While we are correcting misconceptions...

The plate on your '68 F-100's (I've got one too) door is a warranty information tag, not a vin label. It does contain the vin number and a lot of DMV workers will look there but it is not the official vin on the truck.

On those trucks the VIN is tied to the frame, not the body. The only official VIN markings are the ones stamped into the frame rail

So no, if your door is changed your VIN is not lost, just harder to locate/see. If missing, you can purchase officially licensed reproductions and the correct rivets through Marti Autoworks.

 

[joey74]

can someone tell what changed between 1999 and a 2003 dash? A dude said I could have a dash out of his 2003

 

[JoshT]

Structurally, nothing. I imagine that there are several differences in wiring.