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Cab Swap - Help Needed       #: 991
 Moderated by: NoPower, Mike69, MaDMaXX,
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 Posted: Sat Jun 23rd, 2018 08:33 pm
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Kealel
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 This seems like the correct place to post... So I will!

As some of you may know, I rolled my truck. To me the frame looks straight but I am taking it in to a professional next week for a second opinion. If the frame is straight, all that is really holding me back from driving is a nice solid cab that doesn't have a dent that wants to poke my head! I have a cab lined up but I have a few questions... I'll show you the donor cab first.





The cab is from a 2007, and my truck being a 2003, I don't believe there are any changes I should worry about if I keep my 2003 dash, correct?

Next, the metal box frame thing that is behind the fenders and welds to the Radiator core support, is that welded to the cab or otherwise replaceable? Because obviously the one on the donor cab is trash but the one on my truck is just fine. This is my biggest concern and I would love any feedback.

Finally, Seat Belts. In the donor cab, I am positive the airbags deployed, causing the pretensionsers to fire and the belts to stretch. So I'll need new belts and buckles. In my 2003, my buckles did not fire and still hold, but should I replace the belts? They did keep two humans from being tossed like salad inside the cab with 4 rolls. If I do replace the belts and maybe buckles, where should I buy new ones on a budget but with safety in mind?



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Past:
Baby Girl: 2006 XL 3.0 ~RIP~ 1/26/2015

Current:
Penguin: 2002 XLT 3.SLOW 4x2

River/Kaitlyn: 2003 EDGE 3.GO! 4x2... For now?
~Aspiring Mini Level 2~

The Duck: 2003 Ford Ranger FX4 Level 2 - TWIN STICKS!
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 Posted: Sat Jun 23rd, 2018 09:51 pm
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black06xlt
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 Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that pretensioners didnt start till 05-06 and all the structure behind the fenders is just spot welded on so with some patients and a good spot weld cutter you can easily swap out what you need I would keep all your 03 wiring. I'm going to correct myself I got seats from an 03 edge and put them in my 06 the 03 seats did not have pretensioners I had to use my 06 parts for that as far as your 03 seat belts go if they work the way they should they will be fine as far as the cab goes they are the same from 98-2011. Should be an interesting thread to keep an eye on



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 Posted: Sat Jun 23rd, 2018 10:02 pm
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CBB9M
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 04 and up are equipped with pretensioners.



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04 Ranger FX4 Level II, several mods
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 Posted: Sat Jun 23rd, 2018 10:25 pm
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Kealel
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 black06xlt wrote:
Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that pretensioners didnt start till 05-06 and all the structure behind the fenders is just spot welded on so with some patients and a good spot weld cutter you can easily swap out what you need I would keep all your 03 wiring. I'm going to correct myself I got seats from an 03 edge and put them in my 06 the 03 seats did not have pretensioners I had to use my 06 parts for that as far as your 03 seat belts go if they work the way they should they will be fine as far as the cab goes they are the same from 98-2011. Should be an interesting thread to keep an eye on
Thanks for the structure info, I am sure I can cut the spot welds (worst case I have an angle grinder!) and I should have welding access. As for seat belts, look down...

CBB9M wrote:
04 and up are equipped with pretensioners.
2001+ trucks had pretensioners on both sides (I have owned multiple 01-03 trucks, so I doubt all have been modified by different people). Seat belts changed all the time, 98-00, 01-03, 04-06, 07-11 are all their own things.



____________________
Past:
Baby Girl: 2006 XL 3.0 ~RIP~ 1/26/2015

Current:
Penguin: 2002 XLT 3.SLOW 4x2

River/Kaitlyn: 2003 EDGE 3.GO! 4x2... For now?
~Aspiring Mini Level 2~

The Duck: 2003 Ford Ranger FX4 Level 2 - TWIN STICKS!
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 Posted: Sat Jun 23rd, 2018 10:53 pm
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Tsquare
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 Kealel, with you luck you need a full roll cage and a 5-point harness.:cool:

Seriously, I think your '03 belts should be OK.



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Tony
NE ATL
'04 XLT regular cab 3.slo stepside
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 Posted: Sat Jun 23rd, 2018 10:58 pm
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Kealel
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 Tsquare wrote:
Kealel, with you luck you need a full roll cage and a 5-point harness.:cool:

Seriously, I think your '03 belts should be OK.
I take donations 😜

And thanks for your help, I just needed the opinion of others since I always second guess myself.



____________________
Past:
Baby Girl: 2006 XL 3.0 ~RIP~ 1/26/2015

Current:
Penguin: 2002 XLT 3.SLOW 4x2

River/Kaitlyn: 2003 EDGE 3.GO! 4x2... For now?
~Aspiring Mini Level 2~

The Duck: 2003 Ford Ranger FX4 Level 2 - TWIN STICKS!
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 Posted: Sun Jun 24th, 2018 12:18 am
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Undrstm8ed
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 Too bad your so far back home in the ole` Murder mitten..

I have a good cab pretty well stripped but its not a extra cab.. and its purple. lol



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 Posted: Wed Sep 26th, 2018 07:22 pm
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Kealel
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 I hate leaving threads open ended, so I will update this one last time.

I ended up getting a 2010 cab which had also been in a front end wreck. I am currently in the process of swapping and painting everything. To follow my progress you can check out my build thread here (cab swap comes in on page 3): https://ford-rangers.com/forum45/278-3.html



____________________
Past:
Baby Girl: 2006 XL 3.0 ~RIP~ 1/26/2015

Current:
Penguin: 2002 XLT 3.SLOW 4x2

River/Kaitlyn: 2003 EDGE 3.GO! 4x2... For now?
~Aspiring Mini Level 2~

The Duck: 2003 Ford Ranger FX4 Level 2 - TWIN STICKS!
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 Posted: Wed Sep 26th, 2018 10:23 pm
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Eddie Money
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 Budget and safety dont go together well. Once everything is disconected there are 6 bolts holding the cab but you probably already know that by now. Keep us posted on your progress



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I know my crazy! Do you?
2007 Sport 4door 4x4 4.0L SOHC V6 Ranger
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