Drivers side vent, what...

[Kalex]

..does this metal piece inside the box do? Only things I can think of are help keep debris out, possibly divert air or water, or ??? And mine has a single staple in it that doesn't seem to serve any type of function. Any thoughts on that? Maybe a tag at some point. I was just curious and thanks.

 

[Shimmy]

direct/force air down thru it to your feet. mine is the same.

 

[Kalex]

Thank you.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Pretty sure that is there as a water divertion device. The airflow is aimed at the forward wall where the water will hit it and seperate from the air. Water goes through the drain. Not as much water makes it through the vent onto your leg. One of those simple engineering fixes.

Probably some poor intern who got the job of "make something" after and executive drove in the rain and his leg came back soaking wet. Quick, simple, cheap, went into production and never changed. Working at the OEM world it is often we will break out the CAD before actually going to the CAD (build in cardboard before getting into the computer design). Arts and crafts for adults.

 

[Kalex]

All of it makes sense. I enjoy learning About this Stuff. Thanks.

 

[Colo77Bronco]

Another one of the technologically advanced marvels of engineering on these things.

 

[OK75Bronco]

I pulled that box out of mine and covered the hole with sheetmetal, not sure why I need a vent for hot under hood air to blow into my vehicle with the occasional rain water as well.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I pulled that box out of mine and covered the hole with sheetmetal, not sure why I need a vent for hot under hood air to blow into my vehicle with the occasional rain water as well.

Except it doesn't pull hot air from under the hood. It takes pressurized (base of the windshield is a high pressure area when driving) outside air and delivers it into the cabin. When you don't have A/C it is how to get a fresh air breeze into the cabin that doesn't involve having a window open.

 

[BradGP]

Pretty sure that is there as a water divertion device. The airflow is aimed at the forward wall where the water will hit it and seperate from the air. Water goes through the drain. Not as much water makes it through the vent onto your leg. One of those simple engineering fixes.

Probably some poor intern who got the job of "make something" after and executive drove in the rain and his leg came back soaking wet. Quick, simple, cheap, went into production and never changed. Working at the OEM world it is often we will break out the CAD before actually going to the CAD (build in cardboard before getting into the computer design). Arts and crafts for adults.

Learned something new today. Thanks

 

[OK75Bronco]

Except it doesn't pull hot air from under the hood. It takes pressurized (base of the windshield is a high pressure area when driving) outside air and delivers it into the cabin. When you don't have A/C it is how to get a fresh air breeze into the cabin that doesn't involve having a window open

I understand the concept of how it works. I’m just saying in my book it’s just better to roll the window down. Anytime I’ve ever tried to use the vents in my older trucks it just blows dirty hot air into the cabin. I like the extra space I got under the dash from removing it too. Plenty of room for mounting accessories or electronics under there.

 

[dieselfarmer]

Wanting to figure out how the original steel driver air vent box attaches to the cowl on a 66. I removed the air vent box and am fixing some of the rust on it and plan to reinstall it along with a new cowl. Attached is a picture of the work in progress of the air box temporarily mounted below the cowl. Does anyone have a picture of how the air box fits with the cowl? Is there a correct gasket that goes between the cowl and the top of the air box? Noticed there are gasket kits for sale online, but didn't see one that would cover the gap between the air box and cowl - I must be missing something!

I see this gasket from Northeast Classics that goes on top of the cowl to the hood. I'm trying to figure out how the air box fits correctly below the cowl.

early ford Bronco Fresh Air Vent Box To Hood Seal, 1966 Early Production. left driver side

early ford Bronco Fresh Air Vent Box To Hood Seal, 1966 Early Production. left driver side

www.northeastclassicfordparts.com

 

[dieselfarmer]

I saw this pic in a post on another thread. It looks like the original cowl covers the air box better than my cowl. Do I need to modify the aftermarket cowl to better fit the original steel air box gap?

 

[toddz69]

I understand the concept of how it works. I’m just saying in my book it’s just better to roll the window down. Anytime I’ve ever tried to use the vents in my older trucks it just blows dirty hot air into the cabin. I like the extra space I got under the dash from removing it too. Plenty of room for mounting accessories or electronics under there.

If you delete the airbox, this allows you to at least use the space for something else instead of it just being dead space.

https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/early-bronco-under-hood-storage-tool-box

Todd Z.

 

[Madgyver]

my solution...
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threads/who-sells-these.101866/post-896326

 

[dieselfarmer]

If you delete the airbox, this allows you to at least use the space for something else instead of it just being dead space.

https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/early-bronco-under-hood-storage-tool-box

Todd Z.

Yes, thanks for the good idea - but I really want to keep the old air box!

In order to keep it, I think I need to modify the aftermarket cowl to get it to fit better so it completely covers the top of the steel air box, but it would be helpful to know if I'm off base on this concept.

 

[.94 OR]

This came from my '67 Ford Service Manual. Yours should be similar.

 

[dieselfarmer]

This came from my '67 Ford Service Manual. Yours should be similar.

Yes, very helpful - much thanks.

Follow up for clarity - see the below picture - Am I correct that I need to add metal to the aftermarket cowl in the areas that are circled in blue?

 

[Master Chief]

The 66-67 air vent boxes appear to be steel and must be different dimensions from the later models. One of the earlier owners can confirm this.

If this were mine, and I was not building a concourse Bronco, I would use the plastic air vent box available from our vendors vice modifying the aftermarket cowl.

 

[dieselfarmer]

The 66-67 air vent boxes appear to be steel and must be different dimensions from the later models. One of the earlier owners can confirm this.

If this were mine, and I was not building a concourse Bronco, I would use the plastic air vent box available from our vendors vice modifying the aftermarket cowl.

Thanks for the reply. I tried the plastic air box and the fit wasn't near as nice as the original steel one which is why I am sticking with steel.

 

[.94 OR]

My '67 cowl has the same large square opening. When I rebuilt mine (combined a '71 and '67) I'm pretty sure I used my '71 vent box as the '67 was in pretty rough shape but I don't remember how it differed. A '66 model had a lot of one-off differences, this may be one of them.