Couple questions about the cab

[firefighter]

I have a 1976 Chevy truck.
I have two questions if I may.

Question #1:
See picture.
Can I get to these plugs in the front of the rockers with the doors and fenders installed, or do I definitely need to have them installed first?
Has anyone ever left them out so they can use water to keep inside the rocker clean?


Question #2:
See picture.
What is this hex head threaded post used for? My old cab did not  have them (it was an 80's cab).
I've looked at other Chevy trucks and the hood has openings (and my hood does too) at the rear for these posts to go up into.
So what do the posts do? Do they need to be adjusted to the hood or something?


Thanks for any input guys.
I always appreciate your time.

[thirsty]

For Question #1: You should be able to reach them with the door open. I'm sure somebody can check for you that has a truck a little more complete than mine.

Question #2: I believe I read somewhere once that those are to stop the hood from going thru the windshield in a collision.

[Captkaos]

Question #1:
With the door on, yes, with the fender on, no.  I would cap it.  Water naturally flows down that area out of the cowl, and the rocker should have drains in them to "clean" them out.


Question #2:
Safety catch for the hood, in the even of an accident the hood is supposed to catch on those "studs" preventing it from going into the cab.

[firefighter]

Thank you very much for the quick replies.

Very much appreciated.

Good thing I remembered about these rocker plugs before I put the fenders back on. Whew !!!!   

Thanks again.

[Engineer]

Question #1:
With the door on, yes, with the fender on, no.  I would cap it.  Water naturally flows down that area out of the cowl, and the rocker should have drains in them to "clean" them out.


Question #2:
Safety catch for the hood, in the even of an accident the hood is supposed to catch on those "studs" preventing it from going into the cab.

Ditto this.

Keep the plugs in.