Remove kick panel vents?

[Kartch1]

I have a 56 I'm working on. Has anybody cut out the kick panel vents and then made a removable skin for that area? I'm smoothing the vent by the hood and won't be using the stock vents. I would like to use that area for speakers and routing wiring or at least clean it up. I don't think it would cause any structural issues. Anyway, any input would be great.

[vintovka]

If you referring to the hole left by the heater
I did this just last week. Cleaned and painted area in and around hole with two coasts of rustoIeum. Fabricated a thin stainless steel to fit and bent over the top to cover the hole. I used a sealant over the edges to seal it and then Whole panel was riveted in. Entire area is now covered with Noico sound deadener. Did other side to match and will use a rubber mat (like original floor mat) to go over the sound deadener.

[Kartch1]

Anybody have any pics of how they removed the vents and cleaned up this area?

[_Ogre]

no pics of what i cut out, don't use a torch like i did, the vent has a shelf that is full of leaves and pine needles that will catch on fire
as for a panel: the cut out is a perfect spot to recess kick speakers
if you just want smooth weld or screw a piece of sheet metal over it





read my thread to see how i made the kicks
even without the speakers the kick covers would make nice blank covers

if your vents are in marginal shape cut the frame out with a grinder and save all the parts
lots of people here trying to rebuild rusted out kick vents
i gave someone here my vent doors and clips, he wanted the frames that i had tossed

[vintovka]

Nice where did you get those?

[Speedbumpauto]

Because of firewall setback due to BBC install, I had to use part of that area for the AC unit. Used the other side for the fuse panel. Don't have pics of taking it out but used an air body panel saw and a cut off wheel on a die grinder. Annoying but workable.

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by vintovka

Nice where did you get those?

ogre manufacturing co
i'll see if i can find a number for you


i do have more pics of the kick build in my build thread

[ptc]

I removed all the metal behind that area and reversed the bottom metal that was rusted out anyway... drill a hole in the bottom so any condensation drains out. Lots of room in there for anything you want on both sides.

The vents are junk!