Windshield to cowl mounting panel replacement

[clwallacejr]

Hi, new to forum. Anyone have pics of replacing above piece? Too much rust to repair and I see TBP has piece I need. Any info appreciated.

 

[1971BroncoSport]

Is this what you are asking for?

 

[CA Monkey]

most of the suppliers carry all the front sheet metal so don't be affraid to shop around for the overall cost "shipped to your door" or even better, find if one of them is close enough to pick it up from. If so, get on a first name basis with your local supplier as you will be back...

 

[DirtDonk]

I think I just decided to make my next one a bolt-on!
After looking at BroncoSports pics, it reminded me just how easy it was to work on the back of, and under the dash. Man, wish I'd had more than just the vent hole for access.

Just think. No more busted knuckles trying to reconnect heater cables. No more twisted necks working on computer mounting and wiring.
And more chiropractor visits!

Totally worth it I bet...;D

Paul

 

[CA Monkey]

game changer idea Paul

 

[tatersalad]

Great idea Paul..

 

[clwallacejr]

Thanks for pics! I have a plan now.

 

[Crush]

I think Paul is onto something there. maybe not the whole cowl panel but from the inside edge of the passenger side fresh air intaketo the outside edge of the drivers side air inlet and just about and inch infront of the part where it turns up to the hood hinges all the way out to the welds. put a ledge to use bolts or tech screws on and some kind of seal(not any kind of liquid but a piece of rubber or cork like a valve cove type gasket) should work out nice for being able to work behind the dash without removing the seats and standing on your head!!!

 

[DirtDonk]

That's a good idea making it a separate removable panel.
A couple of well placed permanent braces would not only offer more attaching points for the top panel, but relieve some stresses from the screws so they don't work loose over time.
This is a highly stressed area I imagine, so doing that would make sense I think. And still afford the convenience of ease of access.
Clever placement might also stiffen up the pedal box portion for better brake and clutch action.

And while we're on the multi-panel concept, make the passenger side area (the whole thing) removable with optional flat-top panel replacements. A "modular" setup if you will.
Granted, maybe not that many of us want to play around with different heater/A/C setups, or ECM mountings, or venting schemes (straight through the cowl, rather than the convoluted double-backflip air intake we have now) with filters and drains and fresh air-vs-recirculated air, but just think of the possibilities!;D

Paul

 

[Crush]

LMAO - now we are spitballing

 

[PaveBronco]

New WH product?
You can use my Bronco for R&D

 

[Rustytruck]

My pet peeve is hooking up the heater hoses to the top ducts. There just isn't a good way to get there with my roll cage in. Cant loosen the dash and pull it out a little.

 

[tatersalad]

What about hinging it where it welds to the windshield frame and stopping it where the heater box stops allowing inspection of the steering wheel brace that always rust out also. Or hinge it at the brace.

 

[DirtDonk]

With a little miniature version of the early windshield-to-hood latch to hold the panel up to the hood while it’s open.

Whole herds of idears! I’m just full of it… I mean them!

 

[Rustytruck]

I think I just decided to make my next one a bolt-on!
After looking at BroncoSports pics, it reminded me just how easy it was to work on the back of, and under the dash. Man, wish I'd had more than just the vent hole for access.

Just think. No more busted knuckles trying to reconnect heater cables. No more twisted necks working on computer mounting and wiring.
And more chiropractor visits!

Totally worth it I bet...;D

Paul

my pet peeve is the air duct tubes. at 18 i could attach them at 62 I no longer fit and I cant get up out from under the dash. I cant pull the dash because of the roll cage.

 

[lewain]

That's a good idea making it a separate removable panel.
A couple of well placed permanent braces would not only offer more attaching points for the top panel, but relieve some stresses from the screws so they don't work loose over time.
This is a highly stressed area I imagine, so doing that would make sense I think. And still afford the convenience of ease of access.
Clever placement might also stiffen up the pedal box portion for better brake and clutch action.

And while we're on the multi-panel concept, make the passenger side area (the whole thing) removable with optional flat-top panel replacements. A "modular" setup if you will.
Granted, maybe not that many of us want to play around with different heater/A/C setups, or ECM mountings, or venting schemes (straight through the cowl, rather than the convoluted double-backflip air intake we have now) with filters and drains and fresh air-vs-recirculated air, but just think of the possibilities!;D

Paul

 

[lewain]

Hey Paul, looking at this old thread and was wondering if anyone has actually done this?

 

[tonytony9]

Hey Paul, looking at this old thread and was wondering if anyone has actually done this?

Second bump I am curious if anyone went through with it

 

[DirtDonk]

Sorry, I missed the first bump back in January.

Haven’t seen anybody talk about it since. A lot of people working on their cowls, of course, because they’re a heavy rust area on these old bodies. But I think everybody just puts them back the way they were from the factory.
Or if not all original, the biggest modification is typically converting the passenger side to perfectly flat and getting rid of the factory air intake for the heater.

 

[DirtDonk]

Apparently most do their under dash access while they’re working on it. And figure they’re never gonna have to do it again.