kick panels

[crispyboy]

I know that everyone else has probably had this problem of crummy looking kick panels, you know the cardboard pieces by the front vents.
Anybody have a good idea on how to fix or upgrade these things?

[Ralph]

The kick panels were originally heavy cardboard that was painted to match the interior scheme. Since this is a place for both wear (from people's feet -- duh!) and drainage (from things like the vents and A/C evaporator), these panels just get trashed over time.

Jeff Kennedy had a sheet of burgundy colored plastic that was a pretty good match, so I cut out a couple of sets and installed one in his Grand Wag and one in mine.

For my J10, I used the same cardboard stock as for the door panels and glovebox that I built in the course of the restoration. I simply cut the panels out and glued tan-colored vinyl over them. They're quite nice and really finish up the interior.

The process for removing/installing them is a bit different for either side.

On the passenger side, you have to remove the grill cover over the vent, since the kick panel slides under that grill cover.

On the passenger side, you also have to remove the screws holding the parking brake release, and sometimes it's easier to also remove the parking brake pedal itself (two nuts on the other side of the firewall).

[LRRH]

i have seen people here replace them with either plastic, or wood if you have the skills to do it. i would think the plastic would hold up longer, but if it is a nice piece of hard wood(NO pun intended) then it will probably look cooler than plsatic in my opinion.

[Kimbrough]

Ya gotta clean your air box out if you want your kickpanels to stay in shape. Do the driver's side first - its the worst. Remove the hood handle and e-brake assembly. Unscrew the 4 screws from the air vents and completely remove the vents from the airbox - I bet there's leaves an dirt right there. That's how a lot of water ruins our floors and kick panels. Shove a shop vac hose in there a suck all that trash out. Stick your hand in there to make sure the drain is free and clean. Its a bear of a job but worth it when you get both vents done.
I then removed the airbox intake at the windshield and placed some screen underneath it to keep leaves out for good!
Good luck!