Cowl crack repair question

[paccool]

Are the repair panels a dealer item only or can they be obtained thru a body shop or other source? From reading some of the info from a search it appears they are a dealer item only but thought I'd ask.



Thanks

 

[jbolt]

Try www.partsworldwide.com type in the part numbers. I'd call a few staelers too to back check the costs but I had good luck with them. It amazis me how much parts can differer stealer to stealer.

 

[Hutchew]

Before you tear it down..............

make sure they give you a left and a right bracket. The dealer here ordered the two brackets, using two different part numbers, but kept getting right side brackets labeled as lefts. Apparently, there was a bunch mismarked. Took three tries before we got the left side bracket. Sure would be a bummer if you tore down thinking you had everything you needed just to find out one of them was wrong... ... ... ...

 

[paccool]

Thanks guys



Hutchew, I saw all the comments about the mixup of the parts and everyone kept getting one side only when I did the search. We'll see what happens.



Jbolt, I'll try that website when I get home from this trip I'm on. Need to get the parts ordered and get this fixed. The left side floor board was sopping wet and I'm guessing this is part if not all of the problem.



I sure hate the thought of pulling the whole front end off the truck! that will be a pain in the rear.



Stan

 

[jbolt]

Stan- I'm not getting any water in but the crack on the drivers side on mine is getting LOUD. I know what you mean about taking it all apart.



Let me know if you need a hand.



Jay

 

[Hutchew]

cowl cracks & water...............

Paccool, your water problem is coming from somewhere else. The cowl cracks will not leak water into the cab. The cowl isn't water or weather-tight, and the only reason I think they are there is to direct fresh air into both the driver's side vent and passenger side A/C intake. When I had my front end off, I noticed little slots at the bottom of the cowls that, if plugged up, would result in an overflow into the vent area of the cab interior. Also, some people here have said that just replacing the foam gasket around the vent would help, but again, if there is water pooling at the bottom of the cowls that can't drain, you are going to have other problems soon (rust). Another area to check that will leak is under the lower corners of the windshield where the A-pillar, cowl and cab frame all come together. See pics of the cowl cracks and this other area here, if you haven't already.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=59876&highlight=cowl+cracks



Good luck buddy. Guess I'm blessed, I don't have problems with wet floors... ... ... lol

 

[AlK]

Paccool,

I am with Hutchew. On my truck the vent on drivers side was causing the leak. Since I have a/c and never used the vent I sealed it up and no more leak. After ten years the foam gasket is starting to disintegrate which then allows water to migrate down on to the floor.

---

Al

 

[CPG]

cowl cracks

Steve,

It is not necessary to remove the whole front end to

repair the cowl cracks. Just remove the fender on the side that has to be repaired. On My "93" when it was still on warranty, Dodge repaired both sides. This consists of a formed plate installed over the cracks. There is a right and left side support. This was a Dodge repair part at that time.

Some repair shops weld this plate on and other ones rivet them

on. The shop manual on Your truck is most advantageous on the fender removal, but nothing of information on the cab crack fix.



Chuck

 

[paccool]

Hmmmm, The comment about the lower windshield area rang a bell. I had a new windshield installed last year when I had the truck painted. Wonder if there is a problem in that area? I'm headed home from a week long sales trip, will check this weekend.



Good info guys, thanks for all the input.



Stan

 

[Paychk]

If you are looking for the adhesive referenced in the TSB for the patch, it has been superseded, the new P/N is here:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=65299

 

[paccool]

ALK,

You were right about the vent leaking. I put a hose on it today and water was pouring into the cab from the bottom of the air vent. Cut a new plate to match the door. Removed the housing from the panel and took all the old foam off both sides. Got some "Geocell" caulking and sealed the entire thing shut. Will ceck it tomorrow to see if it stopped the leak.



I don't think that is all of the leak tho. There was a lot of water coming down from around the windshield wiper area on the drivers side.



Also found the rubber plug on the passenger side had fallen out of the hole. Sealed it back in place then pulled the one on the drivers side and sealed it as well.



JBolt, thanks for the offer to help with the crack repair, will hold off for a while on the cowl cracks.



Stan