Firewall Cleanup : AC Install

[Bennyt]

I plan to shave my firewall with a panel from Vannatta as BennyT posted above. I figure as I am doing the cab repair, I might as well clean up the firewall.

Don't forget to weld a stud on the inside for the VA kit so you don't have bolt through firewall! Still can't believe I forgot, really it was the painter but I forgot to remind him the 10th time.

 

[hoagster]

LOL... I think the same dude installed my original AC set up, there were some seriously jagged hacked in holes in the firewall and at the core support they just bent a knockout section to route the hoses through. Not to mention the rubiks cube to remove or install any of the heat or AC components which were separate stand alone systems.

I welded up everything on the firewall (almost) and cut down the Vintage Air adapter plate so it would be flush. I would probably have custom made new mounting brackets that bolt on the inside of the firewall if I had to do it again, or maybe just weld some studs to the firewall to slip the unit over. It was an all day job mounting the VA box under the dash for the final time, even after test fitting it without the AC & heater lines several times. Laying upside down and backwards while holding the box in just the right position for the bolts to line up just ended up causing fights.

IIRC the welded nuts in the VA brackets had galled jacked up threads, I think we ended up drilling one of them out and using a slightly longer bolt and nut.

Also, it was a bit of a PIA to mount the new firewall pad without any of the holes for the rubber plugs to push through. You'll want to replace the pad before your final install if you plan on replacing it at all.

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Nevermind posting another picture I found it, I see you didn't follow their directions either which called out 2" and 1 1/8" holes!! The grommets would fall out! I'm glad I read and re-read the directions then pulled out the grommets and measured everything. I like your setup but I don't have the skill in welding and body work that you guy's put into this! Awesome!!

 

[CalSgt]

Nevermind posting another picture I found it, I see you didn't follow their directions either which called out 2" and 1 1/8" holes!! The grommets would fall out! I'm glad I read and re-read the directions then pulled out the grommets and measured everything. I like your setup but I don't have the skill in welding and body work that you guy's put into this! Awesome!!

Yeah I studied those instructions and re-read them until they made no sense.

Thanks for the complement Mike, we’re just a couple of kids with a welder and a lot of grinding disks.

Dad and I were looking at you firewall pictures and thought it turned out great, we both liked the 2 tone. The black kinda makes the metallic green pop.