swap a 91 dash into a 94

[scrapper]

I can get a 91 dash and column that has air and cruise. If I want to install this in my 94 will there be a lot of wiring issues? I know it will fit as bolt in but I'm not sure what would be different at the firewall. I cant find any info but have been searching. The only thing I have found is a newer dash into an older vehicle. I'm not sure if you can move the pins on the harness plug? I have heard you can pop some out and move them around. I do not have a cam sensor. I'm not sure what the other dash came out of engine wise. Thanks for any help. I am looking for more of a plug and play not a hack and cut. I can get the dash for 50. I have not found a dash anywhere around here. I have most of the a/c stuff and the cruise stuff. Thanks for any info.

 

[Mark_88]

Well...if the newer goes into the older...as I know it does from putting a 96 dash into an 88 cab...the reverse is true...

As for wiring...it can be cut and pasted, so to speak, by splicing in the harnesses...but it is too much work for my liking.

Sorry I can't be more specific right now because I haven't touched mine since the end of July due to health issues...having a bit of a time remembering how things connected but I know the wiper wiring on the older trucks have 4 wires and a box under the dash for intermittent while the newer trucks have 6 wires directly to the wiper motor...this alone was one one of the biggest headaches...

Other things include the feed through the dash that you may or may not need to worry about depending on how you go about it...

The support for the steering column is very different and may also give you headaches...the actual firewall is slightly different also...Ford redesigned it after and moved the clutch support (if needed) onto the column bracket...

angled the output shaft and connection method...it's easier on the newer shafts for some things...the older steering shaft is one piece through the firewall from the wheel to the connection (rag joint)...the newer ones (93 to 97) have an extra piece in between with a Universal joint that corrects for a difference in exit points to the engine bay...the parts cannot be mixed and matched without some modifications (if at all as I didn't try that)...they both use the same connection to the steering knuckle and are approximately the same length...but you really need to pay attention to the overall length as it is critical when connecting to the dash under side...even a 1/4 inch out can cause you much rework...

It can be done...just a matter of how important it is to preserve the older style into the newer cab...

 

[scrapper]

I just want air and cruise. I don't really care about style.I would guess the column is not plug and play either? Thanks for some idea though.

 

[Mark_88]

Between 91 and 94 may not be as much difference as 88 to 96 was. I had a 92 for a while and was looking at the differences/similarities and they were pretty close from 88 to 92...so I figured the major changes came in the 93 and later vehicles.

I don't think you could swap directly without some changes or mods...but it certainly could be done...

Your truck is a 94 and you might want to look at other 94 models for the options you want...A/C would require swapping the heater box or at least modifying it and changing out the dash control...cruise control might be as simple as changing out the last link of the steering wheel that would involve the section up to the universal including the steering wheel.

You wouldn't have to change the whole steering column...and patching in the wiring might be as simple as separating the parts used for the cruise control only as the other parts like the wiper/signal arm would use the same connections...I would assume.

You might want to check it out at a wrecking yard to see what comes out with the steering wheel with cruise control...

 

[XLTsplash]

If you want to do a clean factory type install of A/C and cruise control. I would wait a find a 93/94 Ranger with A/C and cruise control in a wrecking yard that will let you remove the parts you want. You wont need to get the dash itself. You will need to remove the instrument panel to get all of the parts you need. The wire harness, heater controls and cables, heater/evaporator case and ducts and vacuum lines. For the cruise control it would be easiest to just grab the complete steering column with wheel and wire harness. Then you will need the get all of the under hood parts also. It can be done and it will be bolt in without cutting. You will probably spend most of a day at the wrecking yard getting the parts you need. I have done the swap on a few Mustangs. With you pulling the parts you will be sure to get every nut and bolt you need. You can move wires around in the hard shell connectors, just remove the red plastic lock with a small pick tool, then use the pick the release the tab that holds the wire end in place. Trying to make the 91 harness work in your 94 would be the hard way, you would need wiring diagrams for both to see what Ford changed. If they changed the hard shell connectors you may end up having to cut and splice. Another option is finding and buying a dealer installed A/C kit and dealer installed cruise control kit. I've seen both on ebay in the past, find the kits now would be the hard part and I'm sure they would cost you more that getting the used parts at a wreaking yard.

 

[scrapper]

Thanks and yes they would cost more. The a/c is around 1500. I have all the cruise stuff installed in my truck it did not work but I haven't checked it out why, the engine would race when I started the engine with the vacuum servo or whatever you call it hooked up. I have the dash control for the a/c and the blower case with the evaporator and a compressor just need the hoses and a condenser. I few other small parts that I'm not sure of.The stuff I have are installed in my truck now and have been for awhile it just got put on the back burner.I will have to drive about 2 hours to a pick and pull in Peoria, IL. They want a stupid amount of money for parts here 85 a side for explorer leaf springs, they are 25 a side in Peoria... I can probably get everything there for under 100. Thanks again I guess that is what I will have to do. I'm color blind and cutting and splicing is a very bad idea for me.

 

[Mark_88]

Well, the only reason my dash swap worked out well was because I swapped everything...motor, wiring, steering column, and heater box into my 88...

You'd benefit from sticking with your model year for many reasons...or you may be able to go upwards with more recent models...but I know there were some changes within the Gen III models that prevent some parts swap...like the GEM module that was introduced after 96 that incorporated many functions into one control module...not necessarily a better option if the GEM craps out on you though.

 

[Mark_88]

I finally got around to taking some pics of my dash...and the firewall of the 88 showing what had to be moded...and how flat the firewall actually is...

This one shows the firewall mods...

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x399/akwarian8/Uxbridge-20140713-00722_zps3fce592c.jpg

This one shows the 96 dash installed...a bit blurry...but taken by a man on a slippery driveway on crutches...lol

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...7tdxnjld-1.jpg