Cowl cracks, or not?

[k2diesel]

Hey guys, I've got my 140K mi. 91 W-250 that I'm prepping for paint. I suspect I may have the dreaded cowl cracks, but I'm not sure. I can't see any cracks through the door jamb with the door open, but I sometimes get a metal on metal creaking sound from the left side under dash area, usually more pronounced when I run cold air through the hvac system, be it A/C or cold outside air. I'm speculating the cold air causes contraction of the loose metal, and it squeaks. Hate to pull the fenders needlessly, but now would be the time if I do. Any thoughts???????? TIA and happy new year to all! ----Kenny

 

[kad]

I did a "down to metal and repaint" this summer on mine... we pulled EVERYTHING apart as I'm of a mind to drive this thing 'till the wheels fall off. I found several "little" areas that benefitted from a well placed Mig and TLC. My . 02c worth... but if you're in doubt pull'em... especially if you're doing anything more than a $300 splash job with the paint. Incidentally, a friend of mine (body/paint guy) told me that the primer/paint combo on the '91s+ was fubar from the factory and the sure fix was to take it down to bare metal and come back up (I have only this one reference on this but seemed correct given all the '91+ peelers out there).

Cheers

kad

 

[JLEONARD]

My trucks creaks from the cowl area when the temps get to below 40 F as well. I believe it to be the cowl crack problem as well, but I haven't pulled anything apart to verify it.

Jay

 

[k2diesel]

Thanks for the replys kad and JLEONARD. Last night I went ahead and pulled the bumper, grill, hood and fenders off. Sure enough, BOTH sides were cracked. I'll mig weld the cracks and install the dodge patch kit. I've already stripped, metal etched and epoxy primed the bed. Cab, hood and fenders are next. More work than I had originally planned, but what the heck, I kept my last work truck for 30 years, This one I plan to keep LONGER! She's definitely a keeper!... ... . K2

 

[JLEONARD]

I kept my last work truck for 30 years

You Calif guys are lucky... . no salted road sand to rot them out in 15 years like around here (CT). We never get too attached to our rigs cause they don't last.

Jay

 

[k2diesel]

Thats true Jay, no salted roads, instead we have 14 million knuckleheads to contend with

 

[Moab4x4]

Thats true Jay, no salted roads, instead we have 14 million knuckleheads to contend with

Isn't that all the more reason to drive a CTD. Call it road armor.

 

[tugboatphil]

Isn't that all the more reason to drive a CTD. Call it road armor.

Pertaining to ship size, we used to refer to it as "The Law of Gross Tonnage. "

 

[JLEONARD]

"The Law of Gross Tonnage. "

:-laf :-laf



Yes it's rare that I don't get priority at a 4 way stop!

knuckleheads

Knuckleheads are ok... it's the other end of the horse that bothers me :-laf :-laf