Dash Swap issues

[joshboogie]

OK I'm swapping a 97 dash into a 92 hb. I took all the brackets and ducts from the donor truck including the upped duct that is exactly the same. I've read every post I could find on here and NC about this swap and I even have the article from minitrucking on how to do it. The framing/bracket that runs across the driver side will doesn't bolt up to my truck. It looks totally different from anything I have seen in any post. It actually runs under the center frame and then bolts to it in 4 spots. Also it will not align with the steering column. Am I missing something or not doing something right? .

[Ronnie]

You need that bracket from the donor truck.

[joshboogie]

What bracket? pic? Because I took every bracket in sight off the donor truck.

[joshboogie]

Here are pics of the bracket that came out of the donor truck.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a259/joshboogie/Dash/CIMG0016.jpg


http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a259/joshboogie/Dash/CIMG0017.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a259/joshboogie/Dash/CIMG0018.jpg

The way this is supposed to bolt in puts these holes on the bottom but they do not line up with the bottom holes. Also the old bracket bolts in from the top and there are no holes in the bracket it to do so.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a259/joshboogie/Dash/CIMG0019.jpg

[OLDSCHOOL]

Me and ice did mine a week ago, we had to swap the brackets on the sides of the dash at the door jams, the complete center and steering column brace, I've heard that there is a diffrence in the 96-97 brackets at the column. we used every thing out of a 95

[OLDSCHOOL]

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[67870] MEMBER ASSY-STEERING
[67870] MEMBER ASSY-STEERING
TRUCK-HARDBODY (D21U) 67870-D21U001

* 01/1996-1997 FED Reg. Cab & FED King Cab & CAL Reg. Cab & CAL King Cab

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Price: $97.82
[67870] MEMBER ASSY-STEERING
[67870] MEMBER ASSY-STEERING
TRUCK-HARDBODY (D21U) 67870-D21U002

* 1995-12/1994 FED Reg. Cab & FED Heavy Duty & FED King Cab & CAL Reg. Cab & CAL Heavy Duty & CAL King Cab
* 12/1994-01/1996 FED Reg. Cab & FED King Cab & CAL Reg. Cab & CAL King Cab

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yup they are diffrent

[joshboogie]

The problem is that the framing on the truck itself does not align with the new bracket. SO it prevents it from going back far enough which cause the center bracket to not alight with the top mounting holes. Then if you try to put the bolts in for the top first it no longer aligns with the column bracket. I wish I had a pic of what I was talking about.

[joshboogie]

Products
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[67870] MEMBER ASSY-STEERING
[67870] MEMBER ASSY-STEERING
TRUCK-HARDBODY (D21U) 67870-D21U001

* 01/1996-1997 FED Reg. Cab & FED King Cab & CAL Reg. Cab & CAL King Cab

More Info

Price: $97.82
[67870] MEMBER ASSY-STEERING
[67870] MEMBER ASSY-STEERING
TRUCK-HARDBODY (D21U) 67870-D21U002

* 1995-12/1994 FED Reg. Cab & FED Heavy Duty & FED King Cab & CAL Reg. Cab & CAL Heavy Duty & CAL King Cab
* 12/1994-01/1996 FED Reg. Cab & FED King Cab & CAL Reg. Cab & CAL King Cab

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yup they are diffrent


So I'm not crazy it's just not going to fit. I can take some back strap and make a bracket to hold the dash in place so that's not a big issue. It's actually pretty solid in there now other that the lower side.

[joshboogie]

OK I just stole these pics from another post. (sorry Freak) He said he has a dash from a 97 and these are the brackets he has. http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a259/joshboogie/Dash/DashBracket.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a259/joshboogie/Dash/DashBracket2.jpg

These look like what was already in my truck to be honest. But I have or had the old style dash.

[manic_mechanic]

where in SC are u? I did the dash switch and had no probs. U have to use all the brackets form the newer truck

[OLDSCHOOL]

unless its a 96-97 the column brace WILL NOT line up right. also every one says they used a "97" dash when what they really mean is the new style

[manic_mechanic]

I used a 95. took all the brakets with it out of the 95.

[joshboogie]

unless its a 96-97 the column brace WILL NOT line up right. also every one says they used a "97" dash when what they really mean is the new style

Yeah I'm starting to realize that. I got it in and wired up other than the speedo cause I need the sensor. Everything seems to work temp, tach, fuel, and brake all work for sure. I pulled to air bag light since I don't have one.

I finally got the Hazard switch wired up right. I followed Ronnie's diagram but it didn't even come close on my truck. I just matched all the colors up on the switch to what was on the truck and it worked like a charm.

Since the column bracket didn't work I made my own bracket to hold the bottom of the dash in place. I also had to make a bracket for the fuse panel. It doesn't exactly line up with the hole in the dash but it's close enough for now.




BTW I'm in Myrtle Beach.

[joshboogie]

Here are some pics of the fuse panel and the bracket (back strap) I used to hol the dash down.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a259/joshboogie/Dash/dashpics.jpg


http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a259/joshboogie/Dash/dashpics2.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a259/joshboogie/Dash/dashpics3.jpg

[joshboogie]

Well I have another issue. I swear I must have the worst luck here. Neither steering column shroud fits. The old one is too long one the bottom and wide on the side. Also the donor truck had a tilt steering column in it. I'm wondering it this could be the cause of my current problem. I guess I'm going to have to cut the old one up to fit or make a totally new one. Any suggestions?

Pics of the dash I have:

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a259/joshboogie/Dash/CIMG0014.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a259/joshboogie/Dash/CIMG0012.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a259/joshboogie/Dash/CIMG0009.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a259/joshboogie/Dash/CIMG0010.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a259/joshboogie/Dash/dashpics6.jpg

[joshboogie]

Mine doesn't look like this:
http://www.ghostcatstudios.net/babyruth/under_destruction/2008_1011under_destruction0005.JPG

[Freak]

OK I just stole these pics from another post. (sorry Freak) He said he has a dash from a 97 and these are the brackets he has. http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a259/joshboogie/Dash/DashBracket.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a259/joshboogie/Dash/DashBracket2.jpg

These look like what was already in my truck to be honest. But I have or had the old style dash.

yeah im not sure if it was a 97 or not actually

no problem on taking the pics - im trying to help everyone aswell as myself

im going to try and do a pretty good write up when i put mine in so nobody has this issue ever again

by the way - what are you going to do w/ the tachometer that came out of the old gauge? im not going to have my dash put in for along time, and would love one

let me know thanks

[joshboogie]

Well the needle on the speedo is actually off the tach. I've been having issues with the bulbs blowing in the cluster as well. I'm not doing anything with it. I was going to toss it but if you want it you are more that welcome to it.

[88hb]

thats some weird shit! ive never seen those brackets or that lower column cover.

[91nissan94]

I believe the cover you have off the donor truck is a tilt column cover. I don't think they are the same fit as non-tilt. I maybe wrong, but that maybe your problem.

[joshboogie]

thats some weird shit! ive never seen those brackets or that lower column cover.

Oh thats because this kind of sh!t only happens to me.


You are right 91nissan94 it was a tilt wheel.

[91nissan94]

why not just get the tilt column also?

[joshboogie]

why not just get the tilt column also?


It wouldn't matter because the actual bracket the column bolts to from the donor truck will not bolt into the 92. So I wouldn't have a way to mount it.

[91nissan94]

sorry wasn't thinking about that part.

[joshboogie]

Oh believe me I thought about it myself.