On the passenger side of my 50 f1. On the little filler at the front of the running board there is an oblong knock out. Still in tact. Anyone know what that might have been used for? It's really bothering me, please give me an answer. I'm obsessing over it. Just kidding. But it will haunt me untill I find out.

 

Can you show us a pic of this knock out?

 

I'll try to post it tomorrow, it is flat black primer and installed so I figured it wouldn't show up very well.

 

I know the shape you mean, but on mine at least it isn't anywhere near punched deep enough to be a knock-out.

 

Any clues as to what is is for?
A flat piece of metal would have been just fine. Why would Ford emboss something like that if it didn't have a purpose?

 

Maybe it was used to align the piece of sheet metal in the press

I can't think of anything that would need to run through that area.

 

Here they are, they are on both sides. I guess they might be able to be punched out. Hmmm.... running board lights?!?! Maybe LED's that alternate between blue and red??

 

Glad you posted them, I was beginning to think those things I took back in the 60's were playing with my head again. Just kidding.

 

Maybe it was to hold the sheetmetal in the stamping tool??

 

Ford, always the leader in inovation, knew that in the future that there would be an FTE and decided to slip us a mystery to ruminate about.

 

Knowing Henry's reputation he probably bought a lot of scrap pieces someone else used that piece for and he just punched out his part from it. I wondered the same thing when I saw this. Looks like a conduit knock out, don't know if they had conduit that long ago.

 

While we are talking "knock outs", what is the large square knock out on the right side lower cowl for?

 

MagicAire ductwork connects to the heater box thru that

 

Interesting. I have a heater that was in the truck but I guess it must be a aftermarket unit since it doesn't use the knockout. Except for the heater hoses the whole unit sits inside the cab. I guess it won't hurt then if I seal up the knockout since it is allowing water into the cab. Thanks for the info.

 

There were both fresh air and recirculating air versions. The external air types used duct work through the knockout and to an inlet above the PS headlight. Many heaters were dealer options.