Swapping Dash Board & Door Panels, Older To Newer E350/E450

Ron, you have entirely to much time on your hands! That or your just dreaming while your rig is in your garage waiting for summer to come.

I was talking about replacing the entire dash board, steering wheel and all. Not picking and choosing parts to stay and parts to swap. I may even need to swap the a/c & heater core box and other things mounted to the fire wall, but I hope it doesn't get that complicated.

I assume an E150 donor interior is interchangeable with an E350 cut-away interior. I can't imagine there being any differences except maybe a rear heater control and other related things that a cut-away won't have.

Owning one of each, I can tell you the difference is not just panels, as the structure was changed to relocate the passenger side airbags and create a locking glove compartment. But a swap of the whole dash structure might be feasible, I see no obvious differences in the windshield frame or firewall.

Our older dash design shown here looks very nice with a nice flow to it which is why I fear my wife will object to the conversion. But it is quite deficient in functionality. I don't think my wife has much to worry about as I lack time to do it as long as I am still a working man. But if I find that perfect donor, I might make time.

Even though I own a later 2010 chassis-2011 titled unit with the newer dash, I like the older design better, and I think it looks higher quality. The recent generation is very hard plasticy looking.

If the only glitch is reprogramming a new instrument cluster, (expected & reasonable) that is a green light for me.

I'll give it some thought while keeping an eye open for a good donor. But first to get wife's approval. She might not like the newer design as it does have a more industrial style to it. I am going for the practical improvements.

Thanks carringb!

I believe its doable. I've seen pics of it done once.

Both years use CAN-BUS networks, so the wiring should be the same. You will have to have the new instrument cluster programmed to work with your PCM, as they go through a VIN check at startup. That step will require a shop with a Ford IDS terminal. Or, if you buy a new cluster of from a certified rebuilder, they can preprogram the VIN (and mileage).