DIN dash trim in a Post style(83) dash?

[crazybronco]

I have an 83 Ranger and the dash has the old post style mounted radio. The PO installed a DIN radio and it fits bad. I have a dash bezel from a latter (86ish) Ranger that is good. Will it fit the 83?
Also, can the V6 dash with Tach be made to work in a 4cyl?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The dash bezel is interchangable 83-88 aside from the radio opening differences. The color patterns do seem to only come with certain openings though (what I have noticed in JY's)

I like the look of the straight grain bezel but I have yet to find one that didn't have the holes for the radio (or hacked up to fit a DIN radio)

 

[JoshT]

Somewhere where around 85 or 86, they also changed the warning lights. Pre-change there were 4 individual lights between the two gauges, after the change they went to one block with about eight different lights in it. The single block style will fir the 4 light style, but it won't look right (and light lenses are in the bezel so you'll loose them too), I don't believe that the 4 light style bezel will fit on the block style though. The year before the transition they made the 4 light style with the din style opening, but can't remember what year it was. You also have the option of getting the gauge cluster from the vehicle that you pull your bezel from, it'll bolt right in. If you're worried about the odometer the speedometer assemble can be swapped between the clusters, and from my understanding is pretty easy to do.

 

[JoshT]

The dash bezel is interchangable 83-88 aside from the radio opening differences. The color patterns do seem to only come with certain openings though (what I have noticed in JY's)

Care to elaborate? I've only seen two factory color paterns, wood grain and brushed aluminum (I prefer the latter). The only differences I've seen in openings is the radio style and as mentioned above the warning light set-up. I've seen 4 lights with shaft radio, 4 lights with din radio, and block style with din style radio. I've seen each set-up (or at least pics of) in both colors. Not saying you are wrong but I'd like some more info incese I'd prefer what you've seen ot what I have.

I like the look of the straight grain bezel but I have yet to find one that didn't have the holes for the radio (or hacked up to fit a DIN radio)

I may have one you could get, I'll check this weekend and see what I have. I know I have the following:

Brushed Aluminum, 4 light, shaft (hacked to fit a DIN)
Brushed Aluminum, Block, DIN
Wood Grain, ?????, Din (I think)

I don't like the wood grain so I will not be using that one unless I repaint it, and I have the brushed one so I don't need two.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Somewhere where around 85 or 86, they also changed the warning lights. Pre-change there were 4 individual lights between the two gauges, after the change they went to one block with about eight different lights in it. The single block style will fir the 4 light style, but it won't look right (and light lenses are in the bezel so you'll loose them too), I don't believe that the 4 light style bezel will fit on the block style though. The year before the transition they made the 4 light style with the din style opening, but can't remember what year it was. You also have the option of getting the gauge cluster from the vehicle that you pull your bezel from, it'll bolt right in. If you're worried about the odometer the speedometer assemble can be swapped between the clusters, and from my understanding is pretty easy to do.

I have had both styles in mine, I like the earlier one better.

Both my original (that a PO drilled a bunch of holes in) and my current one have the four idiot light holes and service a DIN radio. The one off my '86 parts truck had the one big hole for the lights and was also DIN compatable.

Care to elaborate? I've only seen two factory color paterns, wood grain and brushed aluminum (I prefer the latter). The only differences I've seen in openings is the radio style and as mentioned above the warning light set-up. I've seen 4 lights with shaft radio, 4 lights with din radio, and block style with din style radio. I've seen each set-up (or at least pics of) in both colors. Not saying you are wrong but I'd like some more info incese I'd prefer what you've seen ot what I have.



I may have one you could get, I'll check this weekend and see what I have. I know I have the following:

Brushed Aluminum, 4 light, shaft (hacked to fit a DIN)
Brushed Aluminum, Block, DIN
Wood Grain, ?????, Din (I think)

I don't like the wood grain so I will not be using that one unless I repaint it, and I have the brushed one so I don't need two.

This is just what I have noticed in JY's.

Burled woodgrain (all curvy) DIN (what mine has always had)

Brushed metal (I always thought it was an attempt at stainless ) both ways.

Straight grain, looks maybe like walnut: only seen with the post style radio. I can't find a pic of it online but the pattern looks similar to what the higher end 80's fullsize trucks got.

 

[crazybronco]

Well last night I swapped the dash. I had a block style and had to pull the lens off of the guage to fill the hole. The lights don't light the right things but looks fine. I may try to find the right one later.

 

[AllanD]

If I recall correctly the 1985's came with a "DIN" radio but only the four warning indicators in the middle of the dash.

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