Topic: cab exchange

[woodchuck]

Hello,
    This will be the most involved automotive project to date for myself, and I 'd like some help before it gets buggered up.

The vehicle is a 1986-1/2 Nissan D-21 4x4 pickup, with flatbed and 33's .  It rolled and the drivers cab corner collapsed from rust/rot. 

The replacement cab is from a 1992 D-21, it is in excellent condition, and came complete, interior , stereo , the whole deal. 

Question is, what's the best way to go about swapping these out?

The working conditions are: solo operation, typical tools of backyard mechanic, air compressor/tools, grinder, wire welder, some mechanical aptitude, garage has 10' ceiling.

I'd be happy to post pictures once I figure out how to do it on this site     

[yotakid88]

ok dude first of all your first post should be in the newbe area. the best way to excange the cabs would be to unbolt and disconnect the wires and whatnot thet goes to the cab and get a buddy to help you lift it off

[woodchuck [OP]]

Post in newb area complete, and total buddy count = 0
Maybe a little more detail concerning instruction, safety, what not to do, will the wiring change over.     what questions should I be asking, need some insight here before I get in over my head.

[woodchuck [OP]]

Here's the current setup:












This is the replacement cab, from a 1992.






When it's all setup proper it should look nice, and it will allow me to take both of my kids tooling around with me, with the bench seat.

[yotakid88]

did the red truck have the v6 too. if so it should be real easy but if not all you have to do is pull every thing out of the gray cab such as wireing. but the cabs should bolt rate up. but to see just measure the cab mounts frome side to side.

[woodchuck [OP]]

That, is a step that I can start with yota, thanks, I will investigate if it had a v-6.  It would be much easier if the new wiring would match up, correct.?

[rockcrawlinredneck]

Here is how I did my 2,3,4,6 and 7th cab.It is the absolute most simple way, at least in my opinion.

 Kevin

[BLACKDOG]

1st thing to do, is figure out whether the donor cab is a v6.  Next, find some wiring diagrams from both years, and make sure they match up!!  you don't want to get it back together, and find out you've missed a wire somehwere, and it won't run.

After that, disconnect everything, and use a tractor, unsupecting buddy, etc. to lift the cab off, and swap them out.  Then it's just a matter of reconnecting everything.


LABEL EVERYTHING!!! even if you think you'll remember, label it anyway.  I've found a whiteout pen works well, or even a silver sharpie (yes, those exist)