Vent type kick panels - used

[Gary Lewis]

TheScatch wrote

how exactly do these integrate with the AC/heat system?

Totally standalone.  No connection to the A/C system.  Just another source of fresh air - in addition to the HVAC system.

Still haven't heard from the guy, but I have the green light to order when I do.  

[kramttocs]

They don't, not really. You remove the non vent kick panels, unscrew and remove the flat cover, and then bolt these on.
Then these are just manually operated so you have to open and close as needed. They are really just a non-electrical alternative to the Vent setting.

If you leave the drivers side open during the winter you'll know it quickly
After sealing the cowl in the 1 ton I'd left them off for awhile when winter kicked in and it creates quite the cold draft.

...looks like Gary was quicker on the draw

[LARIAT 85]

Gary Lewis wrote

Interesting!  I've often thought of adding those to a truck with A/C, and those would be right for Big Blue.  But, I've often wondered if they seal tightly, or if you have cold air leaking in around your feet in the winter.

Anyone have any experience with these?

I installed these in Lucille a few years ago, and it turned out to be one of the better mods I have done.  Installing the kick panel vents is a very simple job to do, and I wouldn't ever go back to the block-off plates and solid kick panel trim moldings that come with trucks that originally had factory A/C.

To answer your question, YES, they seal tightly.  That is, if they are in good condition and the foam seal is still in good shape.  I can't feel any outside air coming in to the cab when they are closed.  And they work great as an alternative to A/C when the weather is cool enough. The kick panel vents look great and work even better, whether your truck has factory air conditioning or not!

Keep in mind that these trucks are getting OLD, and finding a set of kick panel vents and trim molding in decent shape and in the correct color is not so easy anymore.  Plus, this is the very LAST generation of trucks to use them, so I would encourage anyone who is considering this mod to do it.

[Danny G]

LARIAT 85 wrote

Gary Lewis wrote

Interesting!  I've often thought of adding those to a truck with A/C, and those would be right for Big Blue.  But, I've often wondered if they seal tightly, or if you have cold air leaking in around your feet in the winter.

Anyone have any experience with these?

I installed these in Lucille a few years ago, and it turned out to be one of the better mods I have done.  It is a very simple job to do, and I wouldn't ever go back to the block-off plates and solid kick panel trim moldings.  

To answer your question, YES, they seal tightly.  I can't feel any outside air coming in to the cab when they are closed.  And they work great as an alternative to A/C when the weather is cool enough. The kick panel vents look great and work even better, whether your truck has factory air conditioning or not!

Keep in mind that these trucks are getting OLD, and finding a set of kick panel vents and trim molding in decent shape and in the correct color is not so easy anymore.  Plus, this is the very LAST generation of trucks to use them, so I would encourage anyone who is considering this mod to do it.

I was thinking of grabbing a set even if I had to retexture them and repaint

[Danny G]

also curious if one could mod something like these into the panel and accomplish something similar.




The other question would be does said vents cause moisture issues? Where are the block off plates? If they are by your feet is there potential for this to be a water trap?

[Rembrant]

TheScatch wrote

The other question would be does said vents cause moisture issues? Where are the block off plates? If they are by your feet is there potential for this to be a water trap?

I don't think there'd be any moisture issues. Ford probably built hundreds of thousands of these trucks equipped with these vents. The vents are up quite high off the floor...it's more like they're under the dash.

Here's my passenger side...kick panel is currently not on of course...



The block off plates go in the hole behind the vents when the vents are removed.

From the outside of the truck, they'd be right behind where the heat/AC box gets it's fresh air...right above where the drains are for the cowl area (Behind the fenders). I outlined it in yellow below...not sure how well it will show up.

[Danny G]

OK thanks for walking me through these.

Where does the air pull from I guess is what I'm getting at. does it come from the cowl or just right where you have it marked.

Sounds like you could easily fit a filter to it as well if you live in a crazy pollen zone like us.

Here the pollen is so bad its like snow drifts.

[kramttocs]

The cowl/rain gutter. It's the same place the hvac system gets its external air.

[kramttocs]

[salans7]

I can't speak for every single pair of kick panels, however the ones from my 86 w/AC actually have a line molded in that shows where the kick panels used for the vents would be cut. You could probably use a set of the full kick panels as well, and use that outline to trim them provided it is there.

[kramttocs]

I think you'd have a difficult time getting them sealed well and still looking good since they have the finishing ring built in. So that ring would hook to the visible side of the kickpanel but you would want to seal it against the back of the block-off plate which has to be installed before the kickpanel. Not sure how you can do both.

[kramttocs]

You're right - I think I recall seeing the same.
This might give people more flexibility regarding color exact matches (without repainting). While the vent portion would be seen if you looked, it wouldn't be quite as bad being a different shade as compared to having the kickpanel and dash not match where they are next to each other.
Different shades of kickpanel and vent may even look good.

[Rembrant]

TheScatch wrote

Sounds like you could easily fit a filter to it as well if you live in a crazy pollen zone like us.

I don't know how well a pollen filter would work on a free flow system...it would probably block most of the flow?...Then again I'm thinking of a vehicle cabin filter...is that the same thing? I'm sure you could fit a filter of some kind...just not sure how it would work without a fan to actually push the air.

I'm with Scott though...if you drive in the winter and forget one of those vents open, you'll know it very quickly, so they do indeed flow pretty well assuming the air has somewhere to go.

[Gary Lewis]

Since I plan to drive off-road and will surely wind up meeting others, if not following others, there will be dust.  I've been trying to figure out how to put filters into the HVAC system, but haven't been able to.  Can't find a reasonable spot.

Maybe someone else has an idea?

[1986F150Six]

Gary Lewis wrote

Still haven't heard from the guy, but I have the green light to order when I do.  

Janey is a saint!

[Gary Lewis]

Yes, she is in every sense of the word.  

[Gary Lewis]

The seller and I've been emailing and finally agreed on a price and shipping.  They are the '86 blue kick panels and vents, and all-up they'll cost ~$75.  Should be here in about a week.

[1986F150Six]

Cool breeze!

[Gary Lewis]

LOL!  Yes, I hope so.