Inner lower pillar hinge pocket - relief hatch?

[spectral]

Sorry for the title, but it's the best way I could describe it

The driver side on my 56 has this rusted out in the corner. The rest of the hinge pillar area is fine. The rust hole is where I imagine that dirt and moisture builds up over the years

I am replacing the filler piece, but wondering if I should cut a square inspection hole and fabricate a cover for it so I can routinely open it and clean out any debris to prevent it rusting again?

This is the piece
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/55-56-57-58-5...-/201628155873

Thoughts?

[_Ogre]

when you fit it up there should be a gap at the bottom originally there was a flap screwed on the gap
the gap/flap is the drain for the cowl vent (orrieg has a pic of a good one)

the cowl vent is the main cause of rust in our tf trucks
if you plan on installing AC shave the cowl vent

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by spectral

Sorry for the title, but it's the best way I could describe it

The driver side on my 56 has this rusted out in the corner. The rest of the hinge pillar area is fine. The rust hole is where I imagine that dirt and moisture builds up over the years

I am replacing the filler piece, but wondering if I should cut a square inspection hole and fabricate a cover for it so I can routinely open it and clean out any debris to prevent it rusting again?

This is the piece
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/55-56-57-58-5...-/201628155873

Thoughts?

The replacements have a larger drain already cut into them

[OrrieG]

Here is the stockone. when I first saw it I thought some one had just screwed a piece of metal onto it. lots of stuff came out of mine....

[spectral]

Thanks guys

Orrie: Thats the outer though, not the inner?

The piece I linked above goes on the inside of that piece that you've pictured unless I am mistaken.

I'll take some pictures of my issue tonight!

[dsraven]

a small hole wouldn't be the end of the world but you shouldn't really need one there. I think most of the dirt and water in those areas come from surrounding metal rusting and allowing debris and moisture to seep in. it is really a fairly enclosed area that stuff can only enter through one of the hinge holes or through the area inside the cab that is covered up with a vertical panel next to the door opening. sometimes, over the years, I think guys would wash their trucks floor with the garden hose and those spots would fill up and drain slowly. I know my dad did on his '59. the major issue though, is the cowl vents drain would plug up and start to fill the cowl. this would eventually allow water to enter the cab through the vent hole and spill out onto the floor. that would allow water down the hinge pillars and cause rust out. that is why most of these units will need hinge pillars, front cab support mounts and floor panels. unless they came from the desert areas.
you could cut a small drain to allow stuff out the bottom and then just weld on some sort of guard so dirt from the tires etc can't plug the hole up. you may get some road noise in the cab from that plan though. I attached a couple of pics of the area from my cab just for reference. it was totally shot and mostly just crumbled apart. maybe you can zoom in to see the area better. you are talking about a panel that welds on the back side inner area of the hinge pillar, under the floor, and there is another bracket that welds on to to it or next to it to mount the fender lower rear area to, correct?

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by spectral

Thanks guys

Orrie: Thats the outer though, not the inner?

The piece I linked above goes on the inside of that piece that you've pictured unless I am mistaken.

I'll take some pictures of my issue tonight!

You can see where I welded in a patch at the bottom of the hinge. I left a small area open to drain. Same with the back cab corners, had to replace lower part of the inner panel and left a drain for it too.

[spectral]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

You can see where I welded in a patch at the bottom of the hinge. I left a small area open to drain. Same with the back cab corners, had to replace lower part of the inner panel and left a drain for it too.

Ah right... mine is not that piece, mine there is solid (see pic still with the factory screwed on flap). You can see the inner piece rusted out in the second pic

http://www.clubmans.com/random/hinge1.jpg
http://www.clubmans.com/random/rust1.jpg

[dwcsr]

The new part is made so it does not build up trash there. on the right side its notched

[svr]

I just got done replaceing both sides on my 57, when i got mine passenger side had a hole rusted in it i could stick my finger through, started pushing around on the drivers side and could nearly push my finger through the metal on it. Kind of a bugger to get the old ones out, not a lot of room to work and drill out the spot welds. New ones going back in needed significant massageing to get them in but they are in and welded. Will now seam seal both inside and out, looks like the best deal to me, no road dirt or moisture can get in, only way in is through the hinges or the floor of the cab, will take that chance to make sure the cab seals up better.

[_Ogre]

pour a bucket of water in those slotted vents in between the wiper bezels to how much moisture gets in there

if you don't make a have drainage in that area your cab corners will rot out in less than a year

the reason for the rust in these areas of our cabs is that leaves, pine needles and road grime enter thru the cowl vent
over a period of time the junk in there builds up and creates a blockage, the blockage gets wet and rust ensues

take your kick panel vent off, remove the vent door, feel over the top of the vent door there is a lip, feel the over the top of the lip
you are touching 40 year old leaves