Maintaining Kick Panel Vents on Vintage Trucks

Hey, guys! It’s Chad from C10 Truck Nerd, and today, I’m going to walk you through maintaining the standard kick panel vents in 1967-1972 Chevy and GMC trucks. These vents are a fantastic feature, especially if you have a non-AC cab, but they come with some challenges. I’ll show you how to remove, clean, and reinstall these vents, as well as discuss what maintenance you should perform to keep them rust-free.

How Kick Panel Vents Work

• Fresh Air Circulation: These vents are located at the driver and passenger sides of the cab. When driving, fresh air gets forced through the cowl into these vents, providing natural ventilation – a lifesaver in non-AC trucks.
• The Rust Issue: The downside? Over time, debris like leaves, mud, and sticks can accumulate in the fresh air buckets, leading to clogging and rust. GM provided some drain holes, but they can easily get blocked, causing the kick panels to rust from the inside out.

Removing the Kick Panel Vents

• Opening and Closing: To open the vent from inside the cab, you simply pull the handle towards you; to close, you push it forward. Simple as that.
• Taking It Apart: To remove the vent, you’ll need a 5/16 socket or sometimes a Phillips-head screwdriver. After removing the handle, you’ll encounter two pins: one stationary pin and a spring-loaded pin. You need to pull down on the spring-loaded pin to pop the vent out.

Key Differences: Driver vs. Passenger Side Vents

• Side-Specific: These vents are side-specific. The driver’s side vent has the opening and closing rod pointing downward, while the passenger side’s rod points upward. Make sure you get the right one if you’re buying replacements!
• AC vs. Non-AC Trucks: In AC-equipped trucks, the vent handles are replaced by a vacuum actuator that opens and closes the vent automatically, depending on whether the air conditioning is calling for fresh air or recirculating air.

Cleaning and Maintenance

• Clearing Debris: The first step in maintenance is to clean out the fresh air bucket. Use your hand to remove larger debris and follow up with an air compressor to blow out any smaller particles. Once done, flush the area with water from a garden hose to clear out any remaining dirt or mud.
• Rust Prevention: Once the area is dry, spray a rust reformer or rust converter on any surface rust, and follow up with a top coat of paint. Avoid undercoating, as it can clog the drain holes and lead to more problems.

Reinstalling the Vent

• Putting It Back Together: Reinstalling the vent is straightforward. Insert the stationary pin into its groove, then pull down on the spring-loaded pin and pop it back into place. Finally, secure everything with your screws.

Pro Tips for Rust Prevention

• Extra Drain Holes: If you’re really looking to prevent future rust, consider drilling additional drain holes at the bottom of the air bucket. This helps in case the factory drain holes get clogged.
• Cowl Screens: Installing cowl screens is another excellent rust-prevention measure. These screens keep out large debris while still allowing air and water to pass through. If you don’t want to splurge on aftermarket parts, you can DIY it by attaching window screen or metal mesh from the hardware store.

Conclusion

That’s it, guys! If you own one of these classic trucks, keeping those kick panel vents clean and rust-free will help maintain your cab’s integrity for years to come.