Patches? We don't need no stinking patches.

Unconfortable with and, frankly, sick of the patches, I ventured down a new path today. I made the decision to give up the patching and replace the whole firewall. After grinding away all the gobbed on seam sealer with a wire bruch on the 4" angle grinder, I exposed this seam that runs all the way accross the cab where the floor panels meet the firewall. I plan to cut the firewall just above the seam about a quarter of an inch.
Since my donor firewall is out of an '89 pick-up, I am not only eliminating the rust, but I am also prepping the ramcharger to accept the newr style wiring harness and heater box. The harness and heater bow will make the transition ti the '92 style dash a matter of screws and bolts. To the untrained eye, it will liiok like the '92 dash and instruments were in the truck since 1977.

I also exposed this seam next to the kick panel. I will also cut 1/4 inch into the firewall with the cut-off wheel in the air grinder.
Here I have made my initial cuts. The key-hole shaped hole is where the parking brake cable passes through the floor.
An hour and three cut-off wheels later, the firewall is loose,
Another shot from the other side. Prior to cutting this out, I "practiced" on a 1989 half ton gasser that I bought last summer. I bought it to supply a transmission for my 1989 ramcharger that is now for sale, for the cool, super-heavy-duty bumpers that were on it, and to be a sheet metal donor. Eventually, I will make a utility trailor out of the bed and frame. Currently the engine and transfer case are up for sale.