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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: bigraw78k5 on February 29, 2012, 01:37:11 pm

Title: Kick panel rust?
Post by: bigraw78k5 on February 29, 2012, 01:37:11 pm
I just picked up a 78 k5 it has a lil rust not to bad I pulled out the carpet and found rust on the kick
Panel.I m not to sure on how to go about the fix any help would b nice thanks
Title: Re: Kick panel rust?
Post by: thirsty on February 29, 2012, 01:56:53 pm
I'm sure CaptKaos (the owner of the forum) can get that repair panel for you through his store.
Title: Re: Kick panel rust?
Post by: firefighter on February 29, 2012, 03:13:41 pm
Since the kick panel is basically flat, you can use any decent flat steel material and cut a pattern to weld/rivet/screw in place. It can depend on how far the rust has spread.
The use of a cutoff tool (or similar) is always helpful.
You will of course want to get rid of as much rust as you can so it doesn't spread.  Don't be tempted to just cover up the rust or you'll be dealing with it again.
Picture of the rust?

Ahh hem.... Mr. thirsty, aren't you supposed to be working instead of playing on the internet?     ;D
Title: Re: Kick panel rust?
Post by: thirsty on February 29, 2012, 04:09:45 pm
Ahh hem.... Mr. thirsty, aren't you supposed to be working instead of playing on the internet?     ;D
You caught me leaving the computer on and walking by hitting the refresh button ocasionally! ;D
Don't tell my boss...haha
In my defense though I did finish the job I was working on rather quickly. And in your defense I suppose you owed me that one. ::)

I agree with firefighter, don't be tempted to cover rust. It likes to eat while we are sleeping!
Title: Re: Kick panel rust?
Post by: jaredts on February 29, 2012, 07:09:36 pm
Pics would be nice.  On mine I just bought both kick panels from this site.  They were fairly cheap and well worth it.  On mine the rust was where the floor met the footwell (kick panel).  I knew I had to replace some of the floor along this seam, but once I got it all apart the kick panel was nearly rusted in half along this seam, although it was good above and below.  If I had to do it over I would probably do again what I did--replace the panels.
Title: Re: Kick panel rust?
Post by: bigraw78k5 on February 29, 2012, 09:18:26 pm
i cant upload the pictures for some reason. was looking at it today its only the kick panel a little of the floor pan that goes out past the kick panel.the rocker looks to be in good shape ill see about pictures tomorrow
Title: Re: Kick panel rust?
Post by: Captkaos on March 01, 2012, 10:30:58 am
This is what you would need if rust extends past the floorpan:
http://store.73-87chevytrucks.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=7&Product_Code=0850-225-226&Category_Code=C1
Title: Re: Kick panel rust?
Post by: bigraw78k5 on March 02, 2012, 06:50:55 am
yes that is the part i need left and right side needs replaced.but have no idea how to do it if any of you have pic of one out that would be great or even hints on the removal. i see the welds and a bolt.
Title: Re: Kick panel rust?
Post by: jaredts on March 02, 2012, 09:23:58 am
I don't know what the rest of your cab looks like, but I think you're looking at doing the 5 pc. cab repair sold on this site as well as the footwell.  I don't know how you would replace just that one panel.  It's not the best pic, but this gives you an idea of how much is connected to that panel: 
(http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/ae188/jaredts/83%20silverado%20cab%20repair/Sept-Oct2009--truckpicstoo096.jpg)
Title: Re: Kick panel rust?
Post by: bigraw78k5 on March 06, 2012, 02:00:39 pm
thats good for me my wife just picked me up a horbert handler 125 mig to do the job  ;D as for pics cant up load looks like ill have to cut the floor pan out to get to all the rust