If you're sick and tired of looking from those cracked, washed out 69 camaro kick panels each time you jump in the driver's seat, you certainly aren't alone. It's one of individuals areas of the interior that we tend to ignore until we actually notice exactly how beat up they've become over the particular last five years. Whether you're seeking to restore your Chevy back to the factory glory or even you're building the pro-touring beast along with a modern audio system, those panels lower by your foot play a much bigger role than most people give them credit for.
The reality is definitely that original kick panels weren't exactly high-tech. These were simple plastic pieces designed to cover the cowl vents and maybe hold a small, underwhelming speaker if the car was optioned this way. Nowadays, though, we now have the lot more choices. You are able to go with regard to a direct factory-style replacement or transfer to the world of custom speaker pods that actually create your music audio decent while you're cruising at seventy mph.
Learning the Difference Between ALTERNATING CURRENT and Non-AC Panels
Before a person go out plus buy a brand-new group of 69 camaro kick panels , you've got to know precisely what your car was delivered with. This is the part that trips a lot of individuals up. In case your Camaro came from the particular factory with Ac, your kick panels are going in order to be flat. They don't have the particular manual vent sliders since the AC system handled all the particular airflow with the splash and the heater box.
On the flip side, if you possess a non-AC vehicle, those kick panels are functional atmosphere intakes. They have got those chrome-knobbed sliders that open up the flaps in the cowl in order to let fresh air flow hit your feet. When you're searching for replacements, a person can't really exchange one for the particular other without a few serious modifications. The non-AC panels are much deeper due to the fact they house the particular vent mechanism. If you try to place AC panels within a non-AC vehicle, you're likely to possess a giant hole in your include with no way to shut out the elements.
The Sound System Dilemma
Let's be honest: the particular stock speaker places in a '69 Camaro are quite terrible. If you've still got that single speaker in the center of the dash, you're basically listening to a tinny transistor radio. This is definitely where modern 69 camaro kick panels with built-in speaker pods come into play.
Most enthusiasts move this route due to the fact it's the simplest way to obtain a pair of 6. 5-inch speakers into the front of the particular car without slicing up the door panels. Door speakers are okay, however they often require slicing metal, and they will can rattle like crazy. Kick panels provide a much more strong mounting surface. Plus, they angle the particular sound up toward your ears instead of at your shins.
One point to watch out for with speaker kick panels is usually the depth. In case you pick a loudspeaker with a massive magnets, it may hit the metal behind the panel. You'll need to examine the distance before you begin drilling holes. The lot of the particular aftermarket kits out there there include the speakers already pre-installed, which takes the guesswork out of the fitment.
Dealing with the Parking Brake
Here is the particular classic '69 Camaro headache that nobody lets you know about till you're mid-install: the particular parking brake pedal. On many Camaros, especially those along with manual transmissions, the particular parking brake pedal sits very close up to the driver-side kick panel.
If a person install a group of 69 camaro kick panels which have solid speaker pods or even protruding grilles, there's a very great chance your feet will probably hit the speaker when you try to established the brake. Or worse, the your pedal arm itself may crush the speaker grille.
To fix this particular, some guys end up bending the particular brake pedal arm slightly towards the perfect, or they find "low-profile" kick panels designed specifically to clear the pedal. It's a little detail, but it's one of those things that will can turn a fun Saturday project into a frustrating afternoon of swearing at your own floorboards.
Choosing the Right Material and Finish
Most replacement 69 camaro kick panels are produced from ABS plastic material. This is usually a good thing because ABS will be way tougher compared with how the original things and it doesn't get brittle simply because fast when exposed to heat plus cold. However, the "out from the box" finish is generally a generic black.
If your interior isn't black, you're want to paint them. Fortunately, there are plenty of interior vinyl fabric and plastic chemical dyes available that fit original GM shades like Houndstooth Glowing blue or Medium Crimson. The secret is all within the prep function. You've got to wash those new panels with a good degreaser to obtain the mold-release brokers off, otherwise, the particular paint will peel from the lime in sheets the very first time you kick this with your shoe.
Some high end builds actually wrap the kick panels in leather or vinyl to complement the seats. It's a killer look, but it's a lot more function. If you're heading for that pro-touring look, a wrapped panel with a stainless steel speaker fine mesh can really increase the whole cabin.
Installation Tips with regard to a Clean Appearance
Installing 69 camaro kick panels isn't precisely rocket science, but there are a few methods to create it go softer. First, take the particular time to pull back your rug and check intended for rust in the cowl area while the panels are off. It's time for you to clean out any old leaves or debris that have dropped down through the particular cowl vents over the years.
When you're prepared to put the brand-new ones in, don't your investment weatherstripping or even the caulking cable. You want a good seal among the panel plus the body from the car, especially on non-AC cars. Without having it, you'll get nasty drafts or maybe water leaks when it rains.
Another pro suggestion: use some sound-deadening material behind the panel. A very little bit of butyl rubber sheets (like Dynamat) on the metal behind the kick panel will certainly stop vibrations plus keep the street noise down. Given that the front wheels are right on the particular other side of that metal, this makes an apparent difference in just how quiet the cabin feels.
Maintaining the "Original" Appear
If you're a purist, you probably hate the idea of big large speaker pods. I actually get it. Many people want the interior to look exactly like it did upon the showroom ground in 1969. In that case, you'll want in order to search for the top quality reproduction 69 camaro kick panels apply the initial grain pattern.
Even if a person aren't putting speakers inside them, new panels create a huge difference. Old plastic seems to chalk upward and turn grey. No qualtity of Shield All can conserve a panel that will has chemically decomposed. Replacing them with fresh, crisp dark plastic makes the whole footwell appear brand new. It's one of these "small wins" within a restoration that actually adds up whenever you look at the finished product.
Last Thoughts
All in all, your 69 camaro kick panels are a small section of a very much larger puzzle. They will might not end up being as flashy as a new steerage wheel or the chrome shifter, yet they tie the whole interior together. They protect your wiring, manage your airflow, and—if you need to do it right—provide the right mounting spot regarding your favorite tunes.
Whether you're adhering with the classic vent pulls or upgrading to a contemporary audio setup, get your time along with the fitment. Verify your clearances, match up your colors, and make sure that car parking brake has area to breathe. Your Camaro deserves in order to look of the same quality on the inside as it does on the outside, and a fresh collection of kick panels is the ideal place to begin.