I am going to have my hood and cowling repainted. I'm wondering if the cowling style with the holes (rather the slots like I have now) is a direct/exact fit on my 82.

I belive the cowling with the holes came out in 85 as an upgraded design (less junk like pine needles, etc., get past the holes).

Also, i don't remember now, but can I get the cowling off (after hood removal) without removing the chrome trim around the windshield?
Does the cowling just slip under the windshield trim or does it interlock somehow?

Thanks.

 

The cowl with the small holes started in '87. Yes, they will fit, just bolt on. You should be able to remove the cowl without removing the windshield trim. The trim just holds down the rear edge of the cowl. It is better to remove the lower trim though.
My '86 is about to get one too, I'm getting tired of leaves in the blower housing.

 

i put one from a 91 on my 84 and it is bolt up, 80-96 will all bolt up, the holes started in 87. i did not remove my windshield trim, i took all the bolts out first then sliding the cowl forward with the hood about 3/4 open. this allowed me to clear the trim and the hood and hinges. i then slid the new one under the trim then bolted it down. the hardest part is not messing up the antenna and antenna wire.

 

No, only the 80 to 91 cowls will fit, in 92 and on the cowl will not fit correctly and will not match up with the hood. I found out the hard way.......

 

Excellent. I'll do a parts search for a 87 to 90 Cowl.
If someone could be so kind as to provided the OEM part number - I would be very appeciative. I only have the parts book for 1980-86.

 

Just go out to the junkyard and find any 1987-1991 Truck or Bronco. If the cowl panel is in good shape, grab it, strip it, and repaint it.

FWIW, swapping to the newer cowl panel was one of the most effective modifications I made to my truck.

Keep in mind that leaves can and will still get through around the windshield wiper studs, however the amount of leaves getting into the cowl is reduced by at least 70%.