Difference between 81 and 86 truck

[blazing816]

The project I am starting in spring I will be using a 81 (700r4, NP208) cab and a lot of the spare and extra parts I have are from 86s and 87s.

My questions is the whole major difference where the wiper switch is (81-dash, 86-column)??

And the high beam switch is also different (81-floor, 86-column)??

Is there anything else you guys can think of that may be different, trying to get as many surprises out of the way now, if you get my drift. Thanks

[zieg85]

Those differences you mentioned are pretty much it that I know of...

[Captkaos]

That is it as far as cluster configuration.

[DnStClr]

Are you asking about cluster differences only?
One body difference is in the front end design.  In 83 the turn signals were changed from the bumper to behind the grill.