shaving the firewall

[Ackattack]

I'm about ready to work on shaving the firewall. I can see two ways of doing this where the heater box was. one being easier than the other....but wanted some input.

First, the hard way: I figure I can cut some sheet metal to the exact shape of the original openings and weld flush. Now on the original firwall there is a slight indention on the sheet metal that I'm sure provides strength, but also prevents me from just tracing around it from the back side.

The second way (the easy way) would be to cut my patch panel to an approximate shape, then trace that onto the firewall and cut on the firewall. This would eliminate this "lip" that's in the factory opening, so it wouldn't be as strong....but does it need to be strong?

So how did you guys do it?

[Rokcrln]

I feel the best way is to cut out the section and weld in one piece. I have done alot of them this way and their is no problem with strength since you are removing the heater unit from the fire wall that just hung their requiring the strength in the first place. Here is a before and after shot for ya!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[NWD02]

My cab is getting all the metal work done right now and I'm having the guy cover the heater box holes (3of them). He's cutting the pieces the appropriate shape then welding them in. I guess he's doing it your first way.

-Nick

[Palf70Step]

I did mine, one piece at a time so to speak. Looking back (and actually never thought of it) I wish I would have done it like Kevin (rokcrln) said. Cut it out and put in one new piece for the heater area.

[piecesparts]

We took the whole firewall off and put on a new skin.

[ChevyDude]

How I did mine, scroll down:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=248360&page=7

[LSGarage]

OK here's a dump question. I like the look of the shaved firewall, but. . . Are we putting the heater core somewhere else or are we going without a heater (and defrost) all together? Does installing an after market AC system allow one to get rid of the OEM core? Or is this just for off road trucks?

[Palf70Step]

I am going with a Vintage Air or Old Air system on mine, so most of the stuff will be hidden inside the cab.

[Ackattack]

Originally Posted by LSGarage

OK here's a dump question. I like the look of the shaved firewall, but. . . Are we putting the heater core somewhere else or are we going without a heater (and defrost) all together? Does installing an after market AC system allow one to get rid of the OEM core? Or is this just for off road trucks?

I'm going to use a vintage air set up that puts the heater core in the cab.

[piecesparts]

I have a vintage Air unit and it fits well under the dash.

[70-c10LWB]

hey, acouple quick questions. first i like everyones ideas on shaving there firewalls.
piecesparts-I was thinkin about doin the same thing you did with your firewall but was wondering what you did with your lower cab supports? that is whats stopping me from getting started.
thanks, david

[piecesparts]

The lower cab supports are still there, the rails that turn up to the front and provide a mounting bolt spot for the rear of the inner fenderwells is missing. I am going to make the support for the inner fender come off of the frame and the rails have been smoothed to allow a finished look. This shaved look took away that nasty drip rail on the firewall and shortened the firewall by about 1.5". I had to change the steering column support bracket and the brake rod length. To ensure that the firewall would support the computer and any other items that I wanted to mount inside the cab, I doubled the front floor and firewall skin and that gave me a mounting surface with no bolts or holes in the firewall.

[Ackattack]

This is kinda funny, but today I went on ebay and found the gas filler patch panel....the same guy also has the heater patch panels too. I figure for $16, it will save me some time.

[Infanti]

Hey Derek,parts shipped out today for you.Thanks ,Gerry

[N2TRUX]

Shave it all, drill holes later...

[70-c10LWB]

thanks pieces parts. thats exactly what i needed to know.

n2trux-agrred

[Chev71]

Originally Posted by piecesparts

The lower cab supports are still there, the rails that turn up to the front and provide a mounting bolt spot for the rear of the inner fenderwells is missing. I am going to make the support for the inner fender come off of the frame and the rails have been smoothed to allow a finished look. This shaved look took away that nasty drip rail on the firewall and shortened the firewall by about 1.5". I had to change the steering column support bracket and the brake rod length. To ensure that the firewall would support the computer and any other items that I wanted to mount inside the cab, I doubled the front floor and firewall skin and that gave me a mounting surface with no bolts or holes in the firewall.

Piecesparts that's exactly what I want to do, do u have pics of your process? Like what u cut out? Also did u buy that firewall or fabricated it yourself?
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[piecesparts]

I bought the truck with this work done, already. They cut the firewall at the point where the lip starts for the outside of the firewall and made it smooth. They formed their own metal from sheet metal and welded it in with TIG. You cannot see any weld marks. I did add a double layer of metal inside the cab to ensure that there would be no thickness issues for mounting items inside, such as my computer mounts.

[Chev71]

Man I love that look, can u give me the measurements on the sheet metal please? lol I want mine exactly like that hehe
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[Rochlow]

My first attempt
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[piecesparts]

Originally Posted by Rochlow

My first attempt
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On the firewall that have, the area that extends out from the actual cab is completely renoved and a new plate installed for the whole firewall. This is an area that always had a lot of rust in the seams, on many trucks.