How to remove top off cowl? First gen...

[Dustincoc]

I've got water getting into the passenger side floor. Since the truck hasn't been started in a few weeks because its apart, I doubt its the heater core. If it was I'd expect it to be low on coolant since I haven't added any since last fall. The level hasn't changed.

So I'm trying to get the top off the cowl to get into the gutter. I can't remove the windshield right now. I got all the spotwelds on the front and sides drilled out(except one that has a broken drillbit stuck in it) before I realized the panel goes up under the windshield. Right now I see my options as either cutting out the vents and fabbing up something to fill in the hole or to somehow cut the piece back by the windshield without breaking the windshield.

 

[fyre82]

You can get to a lot of that space through the wiper motor and arm plates.
Also through the drain holes after removing the fender Otherwise so far as I know it's butcher the vents.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I think the windshield seal is what is holding it in from the backside, I don't think it is welded. If you take it out you might as well swap in a cowl cover from an 2nd gen/Explorer that has the round holes rather than the huge leaf eating slats.

If you can find Copycat's old build thread he did it to his BII. I am pretty sure he got it out without removing/destroying his windshield.

You should be able to clean everything out by removing the two silver covers on the top of the firewall in the engine compartment though.