Any firewall replacing tips?

[flyboy2610]

I am pretty sure I mounted it outside the cover.

[michael69]

I know on the original cover the bolts and mount bracket was sandwiched between the cover and firewall,because I tore the original one trying to get the pedal assembly out to change it years ago when I had a broke motor mount and it caused the bracket on gas pedal to break. That's what I was worrying about, how to get to the bolts and holes to mount it after the the new cover is in place. Maybe I am just over thinking it.Guess I will find out if the new cover ever gets here. I hope there is enough room to get my fat hand between firewall and cover Thanks Basketcase and Flyboy

[jzjames]

[michael69]

Yea, That's the way my orignal one looks,but I'm not going to cut up a new $200 one just to get to the bolts. I will mount it on top of the new cover if I have to.

[jzjames]

Ok I came across these pics I had saved of the firewall cover we are supposed to be getting. These are pics that Sharkdance posted when he was doing his a few years ago


Hope this helps, and I hope these are the same products we will be getting.

[michael69]

That looks more like the orignal one, not the ABS plastics ones I have seen pictures of. I hope they do look like that but I don't think they will. Hope I am wrong!!

[tylerb43]

Hey guys, I just got my new firewall cover installed, (ordered from DC) and it looks exactly like what's pictured above. Yes, it's ABS plastic, but it's somewhat flexible and looks nearly identical to the original. The sewed on "trim" along the bottom is more of a rubber material. When I read "ABS plastic", this is not what I pictured, but obviously I was pleasantly surprised! They should really call it something different.

The gas pedal mount goes below the cover, BTW, as does the column gasket plate. (below the cover meaning between the cover and metal firewall) And there's room to install both with the cover loosely installed, you just have to pull it out a little bit to get tool access.

And you have to cut several hunks of the insulation out of the holes, but a sharp utility knife works great.

[michael69]

Thanks, I sure hope mine is the same as yours then. As you I was picturing a piece that was a stiffer injection molded piece of plastic.That's what I think of when I hear ABS plastic. I ordered mine from Mac's but it is suppose to be drop shipped from the factory that makes them. Still waiting on it if it ever gets here.Do you have pictures of yours installed? Thanks

[jzjames]

I just got mine installed also. Got it all in place last night but had to leave it to finish today. Im going to try to find some of those plastic pins - the "Christmas tree" ones that grabs onto the hole its pushed into. Those are for the retaining holes in the cover to firewall ... 1/4'' .

The job of getting it in was pretty straightforward, but took some time removing everything and cleaning up the firewall and doing some painting behind the heater box area, etc. It was nice to see the piece was a precise fit. Made in U.S.A!

I took out the heater box of course, the E. brake pedal cluster, the fuse box and the air intake boxes on both sides.
On the E.brake cluster; I cleaned off the bolt threads that comes through into the left wheel well with a wire brush and lubricated the threads well prior to taking off the two nuts. Take your time on that stuff so you dont snap off the E. brake mounting bolts. Same for the heater box (3 bolts).

As for the accel. pedal assy., I was able to LEAVE that in place. I just took off the flat rubber pedal which will leave just the pedal SHAFT, and that is the FIRST HOLE in the plastic cover that I threaded the pedal shaft through. And then I just pushed up the rest of the cover into place. So I didnt have to cut a slot or take off the accel pedal assembly.

I decided NOT to remove the steering column on my install, so I DID cut a slot in the cover from the top side down to the hole. It wont even be seen and allowed me to get the left half of the cover positioned in place. That was the only cut I made except for the very upper left wire harness hole where the big harness comes through the firewall (and through the cover). I cut out the top side of the entire hole. The rest of the cables and one wire just disconnected and fit through their respective holes.

All the holes on the cover lined up perfect. I had to cut a small chip out of the plastic at the top/middle where it clears the center section metal braces. Thats where I also had to cut out the fiberglass backing batten material.
I'll try to post a few pictures.

[michael69]

Hey guys I just got mine today. Did yours come from Quiet Ride Solutions? That is the place mine came from. Just wondering if all the truck vendors get them from same place. It looks good,but was kind of disappointed that they didn't ship it in a long flat box and it was folded over to fit in a square box.Hope to get started on it soon and wil post picture when done.

[jzjames]

Yeah mine came folded at the point of the steering column hole but unfolded just fine with no marking. I think they are all made by the same co. Good luck with your install, take all the time you need to get it right!

[Tpdaniels]

You are correct in the that anything attached to the firewall must be removed. You will also need to pull the heater assembly..... I read somewhere that someone left the column in and split the cover and slipped it over the column.

I just did mine in December, I removed everything except the steering column, I cut it above the pre-cut hole and slipped it around it, when I got finished you can not tell it, it saved a few hours of work

[michael69]

It only takes about 15 minutes to remove column so I will be removing mine. Along with everything mounted to firewall. Even the wiper motor because I have a brand new old stock ford motor that I will be replacing at same time with the wiper pivot gaskets that leak. Will be putting down new carpet also so I am going to be taking my time and trying to get everything done right the first time. Don't care if it takes a week or two as I don't depend on my truck for everyday use.Will try and get pictures as I go,when I get started.

[guhfluh]

I'm trying to install my new replacement firewall cover right now, and it seems like everything fits well except the center dash support bracket cutout, near the wiper motor, and the fastener holes. I expected some trimming near the wiper motor, but I was not prepared for the cover's fastener holes to be off.

Has anyone run into this issue, and what did you do about it? The replacement fasteners I bought from LMC are pretty much worthless as well. I've broken two out of the five I bought, trying to push them through the firewall metal. The holes in my firewall are too small or the fasteners are too big, either way, they just bend at the head and fall apart. I'm pretty bummed about the whole ordeal.

My factory cover was actually split above the steering column, for those worrying about it not being 100% factory to split it and install it around the column.