would a '90 model front end fit on a '88 model?

[dangerranger88]

I got an '88 Ranger and a '90 Ranger(parts truck).. i bought the '90 for the trans but i noticed that the front end was good and ive always been a fan of that style. I was tryin to figure out if its a fairly simple swap? anyone got any answers?

Also, would the dash in the '90 fit in the '88?

 

[mjonesjr]

The front end will fit, however you will have to swap over the core support along with the fenders, grill, and hood.

The '90 dash will fit, but will require you to use the '90 wiring harness. You will also have to weld in a couple upper mounts.

 

[baddis]

The front end will fit, however you will have to swap over the core support

not completely true. i just did this swap on my 88 stx and the core support from the donor truck was in such a poor condition that the front mounts under it were no longer connected. so i cut the area where the headlight buckets were to mount the second gen headlights.

 

[dangerranger88]

yea i was goin to swap the fenders, hood, and bumber.. i jus wasnt too sure if it was fairly simple or too much of a pain to get the 2nd gen on my 88.

 

[dangerranger88]

the donor truck is in fairly good condition other than a dent on the back cab of the drivers side.. i jus want to make sure that this can be done without too extreme modding

 

[baddis]

it is not a big deal it took me about 2 hours start to finish for the front end swap with hand tools and a cutoff tool. the wife wasn't happy about it but walking isn't crowded

 

[dangerranger88]

true that... lol

yea i jus took off the fenders, grill, lights, and the hood was already off.. I was comparing the two front to c if i could jus the extra wholes i would need to mount everything back to the '88..

i ran into a bit of a problem tho with the front bumber n the bracket that holds the bumber to the chassis wont fit the holes on the '88 front chassis. im goin to get a better look later because it was getting dark on me when i was checkin it out..

 

[baddis]

yeah i still have to do the bumper. there are 2 holes that line up 1 on each side but i am moving mine up to cover some of the gap from the body lift.

 

[dangerranger88]

I tried seein if the brackets would fit in the holes on front of the chassis. and its jus a hair off. i think i might jus drill it out a little bit just enough for the bracket to go in with ease. But i still have to clean up the bumber because whoever had before spray painted the bumber along with the fenders, hood, and everything. its just a mess.

 

[IRKillroy]

you might be better off either having your bumper chromed again, or buying a new one from LMC.... I'd recommend you don't oblong your mounting holes for the bumper brackets. this could make it dangerous in an accident, or worse... your bumper could fall off in a 5 MPH accident!!!.... the slight movement could allow the other bolts to shear off.

anyways.... it'd be best if you welded the hole up or moved it where you'd have a fresh new hole.

 

[dangerranger88]

yea u got a good point.. I appreciate it IRKillroy

 

[IRKillroy]

this sounds oddly similar to another thread.... hmmmm.

again, your welcome.