Dash pad interchangeability question.

[okuma2540]

I know it probably been covered but didn't see anything in the search. Will a 1977 dash pad fit a 1988 cab? I am doing a frame off restore on my 79 crewcab and I am swapping cabs for an 88 and was wondering if I could put a dash pad that my friend has in the 88. Thanks for any help.

[motornut]

I tried the old 78 pad in 88 truck,fit seemed ok
but useing the newer bezel and old pad left a funny gap across the bezel top edge
older one may not have corner speaker holes...Vin hole....

[wilkin250r]

I spent a couple hours at the local pick-n-pull researching the various aspects of this issue. I was lucky enough to find an 84 and a 79 side by side with intact dashboards and bezels in both (not good bezels and dashboards, but intact enough to compare with).

My primary focus was the other direction, I was putting the 81-87 style dash into the older cab. Most all the clips lined up except one on the driver's side, just above the speedometer. You could either cut a new hole in the sheet metal to utilize that clip, or take that particular clip out, I don't think it will severely affect the longevity as there are several other clips to hold the whole thing in place.

The BEZEL for the gauges is the important thing, and might kill your whole project. The new style and old style look very similar, but they're not exact. Using the new style bezel with the old style dash will leave a very ugly gap between the bezel and dash pad. I think it's still functional, but in my opinion it's too ugly to live with, you would also need to go through the expense of changing the bezel. With that added expense, a "free dashpad" might not be worth it.

[okuma2540]

I have the complete 79 crew cab. I am swapping cabs because of rust and poor condition. My dash pad is junk and didn't want to get the style if It wouldn't fit.

[79Betty]

If u habe the bezel and pad yes. Old pad old bezel new pad new bezel.

[motornut]

I use a 89 pad/78 bezel ,in a 78 it fits great.(my setup)
Useing a 78 bezel in the later (82?) up the wiper spot moved from dash to column.
Headlights too

[Your41Plague12]

Originally Posted by motornut

I use a 89 pad/78 bezel ,in a 78 it fits great.(my setup)
Useing a 78 bezel in the later (82?) up the wiper spot moved from dash to column.
Headlights too

You nailed it. 83 was the last year for wipers on the dash and the dimmer switch on the floor. In 84 they moved both to the column. So you would have to cut the necessary section out of your original cab's dash and weld it into your new cab. It's not hard, I did it on my 83 when I used an 84 cab.

[MB84C10]

I have a 78ish cab which is old style dash frame with 80s style dash pad n bezel it all fits ok except most of the bezel screws don't go into anything and there's the one side screw on left that attaches to nothing.