Removed Dash Pad / want to reuse defrost grills

[mstpn2]

I recently removed the old cracked dash pad from my truck and really like the all metal look. I removed the metal vents/grills from the dash, the ones that cover the defrost holes. I'm planning to clean them up and paint them in order to replace them directly on the metal dash. Not sure yet how i'm going to attach them, was thinkng of using silcone maybe. Anyone else done something similar or have any tips? Thanks for any input!

[sargentrs]

Although I have another dash pad to use, I planned on modifying my defrost grills to mount newer directional vents used on Ford F150 dash a/c vents. The original defrost vents never seemed to blow hot air in the right place. Thought I'd just cut a round hole in the defrost grill and mount them with some screws and flat nuts. Similar to this vent but one with a flange.

[dailyf100]

Do you mean you want to use the defrost grills that were in the dash pad? Like these? They are made to just screw in the dash so I'm not sure why you would do it any other way?

[mstpn2]

Those are the ones, didn't realize they would just screw in until I took them out of the dashpad. Cleaned them up, painted them and screwed back to the metal dash this weekend. Exactly like you have in your pictures.

[F100 Dad]

Those are the ones, didn't realize they would just screw in until I took them out of the dashpad. Cleaned them up, painted them and screwed back to the metal dash this weekend. Exactly like you have in your pictures.

What size screws did you use?

I'm going to do the same thing, I just painted my grills this weekend.

[mstpn2]

I just reused some of the screws that were holding down the dash pad i removed., they fit perfectly. I didn't put any of the retaining nuts back onto the screws but may do that if i find the screws are working themselves out over time.