When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
This a a photo of the lower, driver side cowl panel of my '53 F100. In the process of cutting/peeling away the rusted sheet metal, I uncovered the part surrounded by red. It is part of the lower hinge pocket stamping, and was spot welded to the cowl panel in 2 or 3 places. In all the videos/instructions I've seen about replacing the cowl panel, I've never seen mention made of this piece. As you can see, the bottom of it is rusted away so I don't know how long it was, or what it attached to. No such part is shown on the hinge pocket of reproduction parts. Anyone seen this?
Thanks for the guidance. It became obvious when looking into the cowl panel from inside the cab. The piece is indeed spot welded to the cowl panel. The upper end, with the large hole, coincides with the upper most fender mounting hole, but I wonder what the lower end with its smaller hole attached to?
The lower section of that piece has a fastened nut that your fender bolts to.
Thanks. I'll try to fabricate the rusted away part and reconstruct the bottom hole location. I'm going to guess the bolt diameter is 5/16 based on some of the other fender mounting hardware?
Thanks for the guidance. It became obvious when looking into the cowl panel from inside the cab. The piece is indeed spot welded to the cowl panel. The upper end, with the large hole, coincides with the upper most fender mounting hole, but I wonder what the lower end with its smaller hole attached to?
The bottom hole on the earlier trucks ('53-'55) had a nut inside the bottom hole so the bolt can be installed from the outside. There's not enough room to reach down the cowl and install it from the inside. In '56 they added an access hole (called an inspection hole) to install the bolt from inside the cowl. This hole has a cover.
The bottom hole on the earlier trucks ('53-'55) had a nut inside the bottom hole so the bolt can be installed from the outside. There's not enough room to reach down the cowl and install it from the inside. In '56 they added an access hole (called an inspection hole) to install the bolt from inside the cowl. This hole has a cover.
Early lower Cowl:
'56 lower Cowl: Inspection hole and cover:
ETA: John beat me to the explanation.
Auto Metal Direct shows both types under their listing for 1953-1956. Apparently the '56 type with the opening fit the earlier models?
Thanks! Ordered the cowl panels and rear cab corners from AMD today.
So thanks to you I had a look at my lower cowls and they are toast and somehow that is your fault.
By looking at the replacement panels I think they are basically a three sided box with no backside.
If the original back panel is missing and has to be fabricated how are you going to do that ?
My panel truck has had some old time repairs in that area with brazed panels that will have to be removed.
The hole just keep getting bigger. I am not sure that new patch panels will really help if the back supports are gone.
So thanks to you I had a look at my lower cowls and they are toast and somehow that is your fault.
By looking at the replacement panels I think they are basically a three sided box with no backside.
If the original back panel is missing and has to be fabricated how are you going to do that ?
My panel truck has had some old time repairs in that area with brazed panels that will have to be removed.
The hole just keep getting bigger. I am not sure that new patch panels will really help if the back supports are gone.
Thanks.
By back supports are you talking about the rocker panels? They are what closes up the back of the cowl panels..
So thanks to you I had a look at my lower cowls and they are toast and somehow that is your fault.
By looking at the replacement panels I think they are basically a three sided box with no backside.
If the original back panel is missing and has to be fabricated how are you going to do that ?
My panel truck has had some old time repairs in that area with brazed panels that will have to be removed.
The hole just keep getting bigger. I am not sure that new patch panels will really help if the back supports are gone.
Thanks.
Sorry I rotted your cowl panels lol! Yes, it's rather pointless to install new cowl panels without repairing what's behind them. The door post, the floor, the lower part of the cowl and the rocker panel all tie together at that point. The part of the rocker panel forward of the door post is rusted away on mine, as well as the very bottom of the door post. I've removed the rusted part and am in the process of forming new sheet metal to be welded in. I'll be posting photos later.
By back supports are you talking about the rocker panels? They are what closes up the back of the cowl panels..
What rocker panels,I don't see any ? (drivers side)
Yes, it's rather pointless to install new cowl panels without repairing what's behind them.
I looked at the repo cowl panels but a little pricy just to use the bottom part, plus exchange, plus tariff. This is just going to be a summer daily driver / go for ice cream truck so I tackled the repair. Had to guess a bit on the bottom curvature but with some bondo it will be just fine. Not sure what to do where the inspection hole was yet. (pass side)
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
! Yes, it's rather pointless to install new cowl panels without repairing what's behind them. The door post, the floor, the lower part of the cowl and the rocker panel all tie together at that point. The part of the rocker panel forward of the door post is rusted away on mine, as well as the very bottom of the door post. I've removed the rusted part and am in the process of forming new sheet metal to be welded in. I'll be posting photos later.
