55.2-59 Kickpanel air vents

[jeffs56]

Hey guys I tried to find the info I was looking for but couldn’t come across it. I have a 56 Chevy truck and my kickpanels are pretty cut up. Not sure what they were trying to do. I’m not sure if they are worth going thru the trouble of fixing them. I eventually want to add AC.m, but not sure when that will be. So are these kickpanel vents worth having? Or is the vent and regular window good enough. Thanks. Hope you guys can help

[dsraven]

do you still have a vent grille in front of the window?
the grille allows air to get to the kick panel vents. air comes in, spreads across the cowl to left and right, travels dowen to the lower vents and then at the bottom of that plenum is a very small drain. what can happen is the drain plugs up with leaves, pine needles etc. then when it rains for a long enough time or hard enough water can build up inside the plenum and spill out through the vents onto the floor. this build up and slow draining of the plenum causes the hinge pillar to rot out, the side cowls to rot out and if it was a truck that was left without much use or was neglected it can go as far as rotting out the floor, front cab mounts, hinge pillars, steps and rockers. all those parts that are so easily accessed are that way because a lot of these trucks had the same problem so a lot of demand for the parts.
anyway, to answer your question. the vents can be closewd up with sheet metal and screws or welded panels. the trick, then, is to ensure the drain is wide open at the bottom of the cowl and/or close up the vent grill so nothing can get in there. if using a/c then the lower vents wouldn't be used much anyway. some of the old heaters used that square hole on the pass side as an air inlet so as not to be using moist air from inside the cab on a cold wet day-less condensation worries on the glass.
abovew that vent hole, inside the side cowls, is a small horizontal angle bracket like a trough to direct some water and debris away from the vent hole. this may also be rusted off and/or full of dirt etc. just be carfull if welding to not catch the stuff on the cowl on fire. a good wash out would be worthwhile before welding anything but ensure the drain is fully open. they screwed on a little flap over the drain hole-I guess to stop dirt from the front tire from plugging it-on every cab I have seen. take that off or bend it out of the way so you can get a full drain hole when cleaning the cowl out.
I plan to wled mine closed or screw on a cover and seal it closed at least

[dsraven]

maybe somebody had speakers stuffed into the holes?

[jeffs56]

Yea I’m not exactly sure what they were trying to do, but they did a number on them. I bought the kickpanels to hold some small speakers. Just wasn’t sure if it’s worth trying to fix these just so I can have the vents

[_Ogre]

I cut my kick vents out in a similar method to install kick speakers. Look at my build thread in my sig. You definitely won't need them with AC in the truck

[dsraven]

If you dont think you'll use the vents maybe weld a cover over the holes, that area is sort of structural so if it gets weakened too much it may not be good overall. Yeah, I get it, if you get in a wreck its gonna be bad anyway. You decide. I like to do what I can for the best outcome.

[_Ogre]

Structural?
Not much structural on these trucks, I'm gonna say not to that one 😂

[jeffs56]

If I block off the vents with a piece of metal, should I block the vent off up top in front of the windshield as well? What is the easiest way to block that vent in front of the windshield?

[dsraven]

you can make sure the vent drains are free and clear but you can also use a vent grille that is solid. like this


https://www.ebay.ca/itm/55-59-Chevy-...edirect=mobile

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by jeffs56

If I block off the vents with a piece of metal, should I block the vent off up top in front of the windshield as well? What is the easiest way to block that vent in front of the windshield?

i consider the cowl vent to be the most destructive leak on our trucks. if you do any mod on your truck it should be to eliminate the cowl vent (aka vent in front of windshield). rusty floors? cowl vent. rusty firewall? cowl vent. rusty hing pockets? cowl vent.

2 thoughts on it: remove the cowl vent and weld sheet metal in place of the louvers. someone here cut out each section and welded 3 pieces in. i removed mine and smucked in long hair fiber filler, then body finished and welded it in. i left the electric wipers on truk, but never put wiper arms on. just rain-x

[jeffs56]

The smooth vent covers just screw on correct? You don’t have to weld them?

[dsraven]

correct, screw on like the old ones did.

[dagnabbitt]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

i consider the cowl vent to be the most destructive leak on our trucks. if you do any mod on your truck it should be to eliminate the cowl vent (aka vent in front of windshield). rusty floors? cowl vent. rusty firewall? cowl vent. rusty hing pockets? cowl vent.

2 thoughts on it: remove the cowl vent and weld sheet metal in place of the louvers. someone here cut out each section and welded 3 pieces in. i removed mine and smucked in long hair fiber filler, then body finished and welded it in. i left the electric wipers on truk, but never put wiper arms on. just rain-x

What do you do with the void between the inner and outer cowl, just seal it?

Not trying to highjack.

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by jeffs56

The smooth vent covers just screw on correct? You don’t have to weld them?

I welded them in. No seam showing.

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by dagnabbitt

What do you do with the void between the inner and outer cowl, just seal it?

Not trying to highjack.

It's just there
I did try to coat everything with primer and paint as far as I could reach.
Not much else to do

[Dan in Pasadena]

FYI - One of the aftermarket places (I don't recall which) sells a replacement cowl closure panel which I installed on my truck. Like Ogre, my wiper guts are installed but I did not reinstall the wiper arms. They will not be needed because I do not drive the truck in rain.

PS: I also had the stock cowl panel sprayed body color and have stored it in case I ever decide to change it back to the stock look.

[dagnabbitt]

Originally Posted by dsraven

you can make sure the vent drains are free and clear but you can also use a vent grille that is solid. like this


https://www.ebay.ca/itm/55-59-Chevy-...edirect=mobile

I just ordered one, thanks. I never realized that most of the problems I have with my cab are vent/cowl related. When I do my tear down I will seal everything up.

[Phungki]

Originally Posted by jeffs56

Hey guys I tried to find the info I was looking for but couldn’t come across it. I have a 56 Chevy truck and my kickpanels are pretty cut up. Not sure what they were trying to do. I’m not sure if they are worth going thru the trouble of fixing them. I eventually want to add AC.m, but not sure when that will be. So are these kickpanel vents worth having? Or is the vent and regular window good enough. Thanks. Hope you guys can help

If you have any use of these, let me know.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Phungki]

Originally Posted by jeffs56

Hey guys I tried to find the info I was looking for but couldn’t come across it. I have a 56 Chevy truck and my kickpanels are pretty cut up. Not sure what they were trying to do. I’m not sure if they are worth going thru the trouble of fixing them. I eventually want to add AC.m, but not sure when that will be. So are these kickpanel vents worth having? Or is the vent and regular window good enough. Thanks. Hope you guys can help

If you have any use of these, let me know.
Posted via Mobile Device

[G&R's57GMC]

Think twice before blocking the cowl vent grill .
There are so many nice days in the spring and fall when you don't need A/C and the breeze from those vents is welcome .

[jeffs56]

I would definitely like to keep them, but they are butchered up pretty good. Phungki do you still have those parts available? Thank you