Getting Started
The interior is where you spend all your time, so it makes sense to get it right. The good news is that F100 interior restoration is one of the more approachable projects on these trucks. Most of the work does not require welding, specialized tools, or heavy lifting. It does require patience, attention to detail, and a willingness to take things apart carefully.
Before you start ordering parts, take stock of what you have. Photograph everything, including how trim pieces are attached, where wires route behind the dash, and the condition of all the components. Some items you will replace, and others you will restore. Knowing the difference up front saves time and money.
Seat Upholstery
Reupholstering the Original Bench
Most F100s came with a bench seat, and replacement upholstery kits are available for nearly every generation. These kits include pre-sewn seat covers that fit over the original springs and foam. LMC Truck, Dennis Carpenter, and National Parts Depot offer kits in vinyl, cloth, and two-tone combinations that replicate the original patterns. A basic vinyl seat cover kit runs $150 to $350.
If the foam is deteriorated (and on a truck this old, it almost certainly is), replace it. New foam seat cushion sets run $80 to $200 and make a noticeable difference in comfort. The original springs should be inspected and repaired or replaced if broken.
Aftermarket Seats
If you are building a restomod and want more comfort or side bolstering, aftermarket bucket seats are an option. Companies like Procar by Scat and Glide Engineering make seats that fit the F100 cab width. You will need mounting brackets, which may be available off the shelf or may require fabrication. Keep in mind that bucket seats change the look and feel of the cab significantly. For a truck you plan to show, original-style upholstery is usually the better choice.
Headliner
The F100 headliner is a fabric or vinyl piece that spans the ceiling of the cab. On most trucks, it is either sagging, stained, or missing entirely. Replacement headliner kits are available from LMC Truck and Dennis Carpenter. These come as pre-cut pieces with the correct shape for your generation.
Installation is straightforward but requires patience. The headliner attaches to metal bows that span the cab ceiling. Remove the old headliner and bows, clean the ceiling, and install new bows and the new headliner. Work from the center outward, pulling the material taut and gluing the edges with headliner adhesive. A heat gun helps smooth out wrinkles. On a warm day, the material is more pliable and easier to work with.
Door Panels
Factory F100 door panels were simple affairs: a vinyl or cardboard-backed panel with a basic armrest and window crank. Reproduction door panels are available for most generations and typically cost $60 to $150 per side. They install with clips that push into holes in the door frame.
When you remove the old door panels, take the opportunity to check for rust inside the door shell and replace the vapor barrier (the plastic or tar-paper sheet between the door panel and the outer skin). The vapor barrier keeps moisture from reaching the door panel and the cab interior. Use a sheet of 4-mil plastic and adhesive tape to make a new one if the original is gone.
Dennis Carpenter and LMC Truck carry reproduction door panels, armrests, window crank handles, and interior door handles for most generations. If you are going for a custom look, many upholstery shops will build custom door panels using your choice of materials.
Dashboard Restoration
Repair and Refinish
F100 dashboards are stamped steel on the earlier trucks and a combination of steel and plastic on later generations. The steel dashboards on 1948-1972 trucks can be stripped, filled if dented, and repainted to look factory fresh. Use a quality primer and a semi-gloss or satin paint in the original color. Dennis Carpenter sells reproduction dash pads for the later trucks that had a padded dash cover.
For 1973-1979 and 1980-1983 trucks, the dashboard often has a vinyl or foam pad over the steel structure. These pads crack and deteriorate with sun exposure. Replacement dash pads are available from LMC Truck and Dennis Carpenter, typically running $150 to $300. Installation involves removing the instrument cluster, trim pieces, and sometimes the windshield to access the mounting hardware.
Dash Pad Covers
If the original pad is damaged but still structurally sound, a dash cover or cap is a less expensive alternative. These molded plastic or carpet covers fit over the existing pad and hide cracks. They cost $40 to $100 and install in minutes. They do not look as clean as a proper replacement, but they are a practical solution for a driver-quality truck.
Gauges and Instruments
Restoring Original Gauges
Original F100 gauge clusters can be rebuilt. The most common issues are sticking needles, dim or burned-out illumination bulbs, and inaccurate readings due to worn senders. Instrument restoration services will disassemble, clean, repair, and recalibrate your original gauges. Expect to pay $200 to $500 for a full cluster restoration.
Replace the gauge illumination bulbs with new units. LED bulb conversions are available if you want brighter, longer-lasting light, but be aware that LEDs give a slightly different color tone than incandescent bulbs. For a concours-correct restoration, stick with incandescent.
Aftermarket Gauges
If originality is not a concern, aftermarket gauges from Dakota Digital, Classic Instruments, and Auto Meter offer modern accuracy in a style that complements a vintage truck. Dakota Digital makes direct-fit digital gauge clusters for several F100 generations that drop into the original gauge openings. These run $400 to $800 depending on options and give you accurate readings for speed, RPM, temperature, oil pressure, voltage, and fuel level.
For a restomod build, a standalone gauge like an Auto Meter mechanical oil pressure gauge or water temperature gauge is cheap insurance. These run $30 to $80 each and give you reliable, accurate readings independent of the factory wiring.
Carpet and Floor Covering
Original-Style Rubber Mat
Early F100s used a rubber floor mat rather than carpet. Reproduction rubber mats are available for most generations from Dennis Carpenter and LMC Truck, typically running $80 to $200. These are the correct choice for a stock or period-correct restoration.
Carpet Kits
Molded carpet kits that fit the F100 floor pan are available for builders who want a more finished look. ACC (Auto Custom Carpets) is the most well-known supplier, offering molded kits in a variety of colors for $150 to $300. The carpet is pre-shaped to fit the floor contours, tunnel, and kick panels. Installation involves trimming the edges, cutting holes for the pedals and seat mounts, and gluing or clipping the carpet in place.
Before installing any floor covering, make sure the floor pans are solid and free of rust. There is no point covering up a rusty floor with new carpet.
Trim and Hardware
Small details make a big difference. Replacement window crank handles, door handles, vent window hardware, sun visors, rearview mirrors, and interior trim pieces are all available for most F100 generations. Dennis Carpenter has the widest selection of small interior hardware, followed by LMC Truck and National Parts Depot. CJ Pony Parts also carries interior restoration parts, especially for the later generations.
When ordering trim and hardware, buy stainless steel screws and new clips rather than reusing rusted originals. A bag of assorted interior trim clips from a restoration supplier costs a few dollars and saves frustration during reassembly.
Putting It All Together
Work in a logical order. Start with any metal repair (floor pans, dash metalwork), then paint and seal the cab interior, install the headliner, lay the carpet or floor mat, reinstall the dash and gauges, hang the door panels, and finish with the seat and small trim pieces. This sequence minimizes the chances of damaging completed work as you move through the project.
Take your time, and do not force parts into place. If something does not fit, figure out why before you reach for the hammer. Interior work is a patience game, but the payoff is a cab that looks and feels right every time you climb behind the wheel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an F100 interior restoration cost?
A complete F100 interior restoration costs $500 to $3,000 or more depending on scope. A vinyl seat cover kit runs $150 to $350, new foam is $80 to $200, carpet kits cost $150 to $300, door panels run $60 to $150 per side, and dash pad replacement costs $150 to $300. Aftermarket gauge clusters add $400 to $800.
Can I restore my F100 interior myself?
Yes, F100 interior restoration is one of the most approachable projects on these trucks. Most work does not require welding, specialized tools, or heavy lifting. Seat upholstery kits install over the original springs and foam, headliners attach to metal bows with adhesive, and door panels clip into place. Patience and attention to detail matter most.
Where can I buy F100 interior parts?
The best sources for F100 interior parts are Dennis Carpenter (widest selection of small hardware), LMC Truck, and National Parts Depot. CJ Pony Parts carries parts for later generations. ACC (Auto Custom Carpets) specializes in molded carpet kits. Dakota Digital and Classic Instruments offer aftermarket gauge clusters that fit original openings.
What seat options are available for a Ford F100?
Most F100s came with a bench seat, and pre-sewn replacement upholstery kits in vinyl, cloth, and two-tone patterns are available from LMC Truck, Dennis Carpenter, and National Parts Depot for $150 to $350. For restomods, aftermarket bucket seats from Procar by Scat and Glide Engineering fit the F100 cab width with mounting brackets.
How do I fix a cracked F100 dashboard?
For 1973-1983 trucks with cracked vinyl dash pads, replacement pads from LMC Truck and Dennis Carpenter cost $150 to $300. If the pad is damaged but structurally sound, a molded dash cover or cap fits over the existing pad for $40 to $100. Steel dashboards on 1948-1972 trucks can be stripped, filled, and repainted with quality primer and satin paint.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an F100 interior restoration cost?
A complete F100 interior restoration costs $500 to $3,000 or more depending on scope. A vinyl seat cover kit runs $150 to $350, new foam is $80 to $200, carpet kits cost $150 to $300, door panels run $60 to $150 per side, and dash pad replacement costs $150 to $300. Aftermarket gauge clusters add $400 to $800.
Can I restore my F100 interior myself?
Yes, F100 interior restoration is one of the most approachable projects on these trucks. Most work does not require welding, specialized tools, or heavy lifting. Seat upholstery kits install over the original springs and foam, headliners attach to metal bows with adhesive, and door panels clip into place. Patience and attention to detail matter most.
Where can I buy F100 interior parts?
The best sources for F100 interior parts are Dennis Carpenter (widest selection of small hardware), LMC Truck, and National Parts Depot. CJ Pony Parts carries parts for later generations. ACC (Auto Custom Carpets) specializes in molded carpet kits. Dakota Digital and Classic Instruments offer aftermarket gauge clusters that fit original openings.
What seat options are available for a Ford F100?
Most F100s came with a bench seat, and pre-sewn replacement upholstery kits in vinyl, cloth, and two-tone patterns are available from LMC Truck, Dennis Carpenter, and National Parts Depot for $150 to $350. For restomods, aftermarket bucket seats from Procar by Scat and Glide Engineering fit the F100 cab width with mounting brackets.
How do I fix a cracked F100 dashboard?
For 1973-1983 trucks with cracked vinyl dash pads, replacement pads from LMC Truck and Dennis Carpenter cost $150 to $300. If the pad is damaged but structurally sound, a molded dash cover or cap fits over the existing pad for $40 to $100. Steel dashboards on 1948-1972 trucks can be stripped, filled, and repainted with quality primer and satin paint.