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Does anyone have any pictures of the dash vents on a 1954 chevy deluxe cab truck. From the underside and top side of the dash.
I want to hook up my defroster and I've looked under the dash and I don't see where I hook them up to...and I don't even see any slots for the air to get to the inside of the windshield. I looked on the topside of the dash and I have the rubber window gasket and the metal trim on top...I don't see any openings for the defroster ?
Thanks for the help.
Jimmi

Sounds like your missing the "outlets". The 54 has openings under the lower windshield mldg. Parts venders show same part # for 47-55 1st. I have the outlets out of mine at this time, but can get pics tomorrow.

I looked under the dash... couldn't see any opening...where exactly are they and I can get a really good light under there to see. Again,I can't see any opening from the top side...is there a space between the rubber and the metal framework?
Thanks
Jimmi

Jimmi,

Do you have a trim strip on the top edge of the dash, right under the bottom edge of the windshield? If you do, squirt penetrating oil around the screws and let them soak a day or two. Then, remove the screws and remove the trim strip (it is called the defroster deflector by some people). You'll then see the two slots for the "outlets". As I recall, in 1954/55 the two vent outlets are different from those used in earlier Advance-Design years. Also, each vent outlet haa a screw attachment on one side and a clip attachment on the other side (I dimly recall).

If you want to see photos, please ask. If someone does not post them by this weekend, I will.

They can be hard to see, but thier just inside/next to the wiper transmissions. You can't see the openings from the top until you remove the metal strip at the bottom edge of the windshield. If you haven't found them by tomorrow I'll send some pics. If the outlets are missing then all your going to see is the slot/openings.

Okay boys...Now if the metal strip covers them ( slots)how does the air flow up the inside of the windshield to defrost them? I'm only used to the modern looking ones that have a large direct opening at the lower edge of the windshield...
And yes I would love to see pics... I'm out of town... and I can't crawl under the dash at the moment,but I'd love to see what it's supposed to look like.
Thanks Again
Jimmi V.

I will take pics tomorrow. Meanwhile here's a pic I found that shows the window trim installed. Look at the driver's side and you will see how the trim is open (slotted) below the window.

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1509457745050768402soSHUV?vhost=rides

Jimmi V, what town in Calif are you located?

The deflector/cover does not close the openings/slots, it goes over the slots. There should be "stand-off" clips under the cover/deflector. The cover/deflector very effectively deflects and spreads the warm defroster-air against the windshield.

When you get home, take a look at this image, look at the deflector strip in the image, and then look at your deflector strip.

Do you have an original radio? That will make it harder to see how to deal with the vents from under the dash. That is why I suggested above that you consider removing the deflector/cover so that you can better see (visualize) how this works.

This was a post I made a while back that may help. They attach with a sheet metal screw on one side (you can see the hole in the dash) the other side attaches with a clip they either than face straight down for hose attachment or they turn into the firewall some have two screws for attachment and no clip but they pivot for ease of attachment one side has a full hole the other a slot.
Two styles of 1954 vents both made of aluminium one type straight the other reverse bend see pictures:
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2586236450102454676qRPcYh
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2021907660102454676cpkuJb
Next there are at least two styles of sheet ducts: 47-51 style:
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2405252410102454676ppisPX
52-53 1/2 ducts:
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2809720060102454676gVgVNT
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2653102730102454676PXUNwF
Then to add even more confusion I have seen them with and without these black spacers (usually on 1947-1950 trucks).
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2661175600102454676CudWvK
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2246331650102454676MRFRlr
The driver side kicking right a bit depending on the style.
_________________________
1950 Chevrolet 3/4-Ton 3600

http://community.webshots.com/user/RugerWSM?vhost=community



Edited by Brad Allen (07-19-2010 03:15 PM)
_________________________
1950 Chevrolet 3/4-Ton 3600

http://community.webshots.com/user/RugerWSM?vhost=community

Top

Thanks guys for all the info...When I get home I will pull the strip piece in the cab to take a look at the vent slots. and to make sure It's all there. I don't have my radio in the truck at the moment...so easy access to view.
cmayna ...I live in the Santa Cruz Mtns. ...Work over the hill in Mtn View. ( SF Bay Area )
Thanks Again & keep the pics coming
Jimmi V.

If you don't have and can't locate the outlets I've heard of folks who've adapted shop vac ends in the past.

Jim Carter sells a "one size fits all" heater defroster outlet.

Tiny & Tim..Thanks for the info...but I was talking about not being able to locate the opening in the dash it's self.....I guess I have to remove the metal trim piece to check it out.
Thanks

Jimmi,

Don't know how much you have worked on these trucks but those screws like many are usually rusted pretty well due to condensation. I remove a lot of trim and find it helpful to use PB Blaster where you can and always tighten just a bit before you try and loosen, if the head strips they can be a bear. Also if you have a tight one loosen or remove the rest and you can usually get the whole piece loose enough you can wiggle them a bit to help break the bond. That trim piece is not available anywhere but from another truck so take your time.

Ok? Just saying be careful, and a couple other suggestions your still the 54 God.

I'm on vacation...just killing time on the forum..learning...or shall I say finding out how I don't know...anyway,I down loaded somemore pics of my Truck...one is a shot of the steering wheel and guages..it shows the inner-windshield trim. It has been taken off and painted,just like the door window trim...So hopefully its not as rusted/tight as ones that been on for ever.

From what I can gather from browsing web,forum,manuals,parts catalog is that there should be slots along the rubber seal and the trim sits ontop of the rubber as a trim piece......but...not flush against it. This way the air flow goes up thru the rubber slots hits the trim and is directed up the front of the windshield...?
54 trim is different than 53... 53 has upturned flange on trim piece...54 is flat,or shall i say mine is same shape the full length...no upturned flange.

Would love to see pics of the rubber/window without the metal trim is anyone has one....stuck on vacation wondering.
thanks
Jimmi V.
54 3100 www.photobucket.com/snipe

I have one 54 cab assembled and one 54 cab completely stripped. Photos of them would probably not help your interest in imagining/visualizing how this works.

"The deflector/cover does not close the openings/slots, it goes over the slots. There should be "stand-off" clips under the cover/deflector. The cover/deflector very effectively deflects and spreads the warm defroster-air against the windshield."

The deflector cover does not touch the windshield rubber seal (or any other rubber seal) - the deflector is held off/up/open with metal clips (that are often broken/rusted). If I remember tomorrow, I will post a photo of the back/under side of deflector/cover, so you can see the stand-off clips. By the way, no one sells reproduction-replacement stand-off clips.

Just got home...I'm on duty for the next 2 days..so I'm gonna have to wait to pull the trim piece and see if I have stand off plates. Great, can't buy any new or repo. ones... I'll keep y fingers crossed. Any possible leads on the dash rod that goes to the valve?
If I can't find one...would it hurt to just have the water circulation thru the heater...I wouldn't have the fan on till I needed it...Thats if it works,gotta check that also.
Thanks Again..gotta go and post another question about windows.