Late model dash in chinook?

[dougm]

Anyone ever put a late model dash and door panels in their Chinook? I have a chance to buy a complete late model dash with everything including the wiring harness for $290 bucks but was curious if anyone has already tried this?

[kdarling]

Doug,

The big question is if the instrument panel is compatible. It can become impossible to swap if the wiring and control protocols to the instrument panel have radically changed, like they did going to a digital bus.

If not, will the current instrument panel fit in the new dash? Or be hacked to.

I'd get a Ford E Series electrical / vacuum manual first for that year, and compare things to the same for your current Chinook.

I'd also go ask on a major Ford truck/van forum. Same as when checking on the front end and grille swaps.

Luck! Kev

P.S. Ford forums and the Ford manuals are what allowed me to rewire/swap a 94 F150 panel with tachometer into my 92 E350 chassis. (I had to swap speedos, and add a tach source as well, but fortunately all the sensor inputs stayed the same.)
Instrument swap: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=510

[SMan]

That is a project I would never have the guts to take on!

[markatherton]

Not sure what you are gaining...

[dougm]

You mean aside from a glove box, built in accessory switches, and a far better looking dash and door panels? Nothing