Ken, I would still check behind the kick panels cuz theres evidently some stuff in there and its gonna cause rust. Maybe not even take it out...just see if theres a way to peek inside through the vent with a flashlight or something. Or you could take off the passenger side and check it, thatll give you an idea of whats behind the drivers side. If its never been cleaned out, its probably got stuff in it. May save ya a lotta work down the road.