Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

If you mean the LED lights needing anything added to the circuit, The answer is no just hook them up.

That said, if you replace the front bulbs with LED lights along with the rear LED's you will then need to add an electronic turn signal flasher.

If you just add the rear LED's and keep bulbs in the front all you need is a #552 regular flasher to make the signals flash at the stock rate.

Have fun, and don't forget Doc Evil say's you need more BLING

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Does someone even make LED's to fit into our stock front signals? I had no plan to do that but since you mention it I guess I should go do a search of the usual sources!

What I really need is info on improving our headlights. I have a relay kit that
I bought for the 911 I restored and sold before I installed it. That alone I THINK will cause my stock lights to be better, But I'd like to brighten them by using a brighter bulb. NOT the blue looking lights. Just not the dim yellow looking lights it currently has.

Anyone know how to do this?

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Check out the first LED
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/t...r,1157,21,195:

And http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/ca/full.aspx?Page=43 for the headlights

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

VERY interesting! Thanks for taking the time to post those links.

Have YOU done this upgrade?

I notice there are quite a few LED bulbs that have 1157 bases (I assume that's what we have?) I suppose I'd have to carefully measure what size would fit inside our signal lenses.

As for the headlights. I'd like a light that looks more "ordinary" than that photo on the LMC site does. I'm only thinking of something like a brighter, higher performance sealed beam. I have a relay kit already that I am hoping can be adapted to my truck. I think it can be.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Ordinary look, Thats EASY, just head down to your local Auto parts store and pick up a pair of Halogen sealed beam headlights and use the relay system you have.

NAPA has a H6024BL (Bright Light) that is brighter then the H6024. These are Wagner Halogen 7" headlamps.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Thats exactly what I plan to do.

Have you done the LEDturn signal?
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Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

I wasn't planning on it.

However Someone posted something about a LED that acted as a white Daytime Running Light and an amber parking light.

But I don't remember what forum I saw it on, could be on any of the 6 forums I frequent or some that I look at once in a while. Dang brain farts :banghead:

BTW Don't forget to get some :bling::bling:

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Ooh...now THAT would be cool!

Can't remember, huh? Well the only thing worse than getting older is the alternative.
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Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Hadn't physically done anything on my truck in a couple days so I did this quick upgrade:

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps22d51273.jpg

I bought this overflow tank from eBay a year ago. I still have to find a short length of some small diameter; maybe 1/4" plastic tubing.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

4-13-13 UPDATE:
I picked her up from the tiny auto electric place I told you guys about. Henry (the owner) surprised me by putting in a CHROME alternator and adjustment bracket. Needless to say I am very happy, cause 'ya can't have too much chrome! lol

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps61e51709.jpg

When I dropped her off there was a nice, original paint '56 small window short bed in his lot that he had just finished installing an alternator in! It had deluxe trim, a straight six and an uncut dash. Of course I was checking it out and Henry told me when the owner picked it up he was checking out my truck as much! Sorry, I forgot to take a photo - damn. I wondered if it was someone here?

Another chrome shot; just because:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps9a03407f.jpg

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Looks good.
Kim

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Thanks Kim. Your build jut blows me away. My truck doesn't even belong on the same website as yours - but I'm proud to be!

Have you decided what you will use to raise/lower your bed? I've not read EVERY entry onto your thread, so I apologize but o you have a final color selected yet? Are you telling?

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Thanks for the compliments. I honestly don't think my ruck is any better than any other truck on the board. I get a lot of inspiration from other builds as well as yours.
As far as color I'm leaning toward a light metallic blue similar to what Chevy had on there cars in the mid sixties. It should come real close to what I used on my intake and rocker covers.
I'm using a hydraulic pump and a couple of rams to lift the bed.
Kim

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Well, I still think your truck and the guys that do the advanced engineering and fabrication like you do are astonishing.

Me and the color blue are kinda funny. I generally don't like blue on cars, but the blues I do like, I LOVE. I really like the blue you're speaking of. It's a comforting, era-correct color without being boring. I don't usually care for the newer electric blue types of colors.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

4-16-13 UPATE:

R&R'd the tail lights, painted housings, polished lenses, and sanded/painted the area around them that I half-assed when I rattle canned my truck a few weeks ago - which of course is half-assed in & of itself :lol:


BEFORE:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...psf3607caa.jpg

AFTER:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...psaa673bb6.jpg

Still need to attach a 1/4" hose from the radiator to the overflow tank. Any reason I can't just attach it at the end of the existing stock copper overflow line? Do I need to shorten it for any reason....maybe to get the coolant to be properly sucked back into the radiator?

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Your stuff looks real nice.
The over flow should work just fine without shortening the copper line. The vacuum created when the engine cools should draw the coolant back into the radiator.
Kim

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Thanks Kim. I was hoping I'd not have to shorten it cause I'd have to pull the fan shroud to get at it cleanly.

Re: Danny Boy's '55 Big Window
 

4-19-13 UPDATE:

I wasted a bunch of time today I suppose.

My accelerator has not been fully returning to idle. I have no pedal, just the arm hanging down - been procrastinating but in this case it's a good thing cause I can hook it w/ my shoe to return to idle(!)

Took the assembly off thinking, "I'll just refurb it and it'll be good as new" NOT! I removed it - broke old bolts in doing so, wire wheeled it, lubed, painted, reinstalled.

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps5fe11c6c.jpg
In Process Photo (Sorry its a bit out of focus)

All for naught! No improvement. Yup the return spring is quite strong.

I'm thinking the whole assembly is worn and a little "cocked" in it's operation. Now to replace with stock or look for a Lokar?

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Today I also put the 3rd & 4th(!!) coats of chrome paint on the hood ornament.
Repops cost like $250+ and I just can't justify that right now. I'm just hoping it doesn't look TOO bad against the chrome grill & bumper.
As you can see, the chrome was waay dead. Yes, I tried polishing it.

BEFORE:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps329d83b8.jpg

AFTER:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps98cb5575.jpg

Yeah, the flash didn't go off or something so it's dark. What looks like a run on the right is actually a reflection of that line on the trash can lid! It's that smooth.
The first time, I red Scotch-Brite'd & sprayed - it fish-eyed like crazy - DOH!
After it dried I wiped the whole thing off with acetone. I primed the next time with gray primer, allowed it to cure overnight, wet sanded it and re-sprayed very carefully. Very, very close to perfect....for rattle can paint. After a few days (IF I'm patient) I'll detail it with black and red in/around the bowtie like original

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

"Repops cost like $250+"

$209 at Bowtie Bits. After seeing the pics of new ones in this thread I just couldn't resist.

MY name is Russell Ashley and I'm a chrom-aholic....

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

I get with the cost of new stuff.
I think the hood ornament looks fine.
Kim

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Yeah and that's probably what's wrong with it! It's "fine". Like asking your wife, "...are you ok?" And she responds, "Im fine" Which of course means she isn't. Lol

If I can manage to paint the red & black without ruining the "chrome" finish with the tape I'll install it and live with it a few days. If I don't like it, in the drawer it goes.
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Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Dan, I wasn't dissing your chrome paint job, it actually looks pretty good. The problem I see is that once it's installed and the hood closed it will be too close to your new chrome grill. You'll notice the difference even if the rest of us don't, LOL.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Oh I know you weren't. No issue Russ and I totally agree. It's the contrast between new and old (well, actually cheapo paint lol) that will make it look bad. If it weren't for the chrome on the truck the paint would kinda/sorta look like old chrome that's lost it's pizazz. Well from 20 ft. it might.
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Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

I actually do think it looks fine. Chrome is nice but I also like the subdued look your truck has going on with the flat paint. I know you'll be changing that in the future but I think it's great you're able to drive and enjoy it now.
That's my goal this year on mine, get it on the road even if it's not totally where I want it to be.
I will have very little chrome on mine if any at all.
Kim

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Your truck is gonna be extra special to me Kim cause I MIGHT actually get to see it at done point. I can't wait.
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Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Man, these vendors must read these forums or something.

Bowtie Bits has the hood ornament for $195! Dipping below the $200 line has me "jones-ing" for one and counting my pennies. Of course that will only make me want the side emblems all the more...and those are $270 a set.

If I go the $195 and someone suddenly has the sides for $195 I'm gonna think they're gunning for me!:lol:

I do NOT "need" this stuff. I am just being dumb even looking at this stuff.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Dan,
WOW!!! You are inspiring! I have read thru your ENTIRE thread over the last two days when I have down time (military exercise). I bought an "ole fix-er-uper" a little while back for me and my sons to work on. I promised the wife that it would not take every spare minute ans penny that I have.......but I was wrong!

I blew mine apart when I couldnt get the 235 inline 6 to start, so frame up resto it is! This will be my first auto rebuild of any kind, but I have tools and equipment and an attitude that "nothing can be that hard"! I am in the process of rebuilding the engine now, looking for a T5 tranny, and getting brakes, suspension, gas tank, etc like new again.

Sorry, I started rambeling about my truck!
I LOVE the colors on yours, and if you repaint yours, I might steal your current color theme! ;) with all that said, after I stripped my frame and coated it in POR15 semi gloss, I recoated it in, wait for it............ Rustoleum semi flat!!! It hides some of the minor flaws, and has a more even look! Below is a pic of how it turned out! I might start a build thread some day! Keep rattelin n sprayin, and chrome is more addictive than crack........ Ask a Harley rider as well!
http://i1349.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6aa9221a.jpg
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Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

JR,
Thanks for the kind words and for taking the time to read through TWENTY pages. I didn't realize I had blabbed THAT much! Ha Ha.

Inspiring? Nah, you guys that are doing full frame off jobs are the inspiring ones to me. I just know I'd likely crap out if I took mine all the way down to nothing. Plus I don't have the space for it anyway. But I DO plan to eventually blow it all apart for final real paint. And yeah, the color is beginning to grow on me even though it started off as an almost accident.

I really want to get to my frame like you but I'm forcing myself to weld repair the very minor rust holes in the bottoms of my doors, then I plan to paint the door bottoms in & out with KBS, and then....! I FINALLY get to put the weather stripping on and eliminate the door rattles.

But soon, I'll pull the bed off and go at the rear of the frame with scrapers, wire wheels and Ospho to totally eliminate the rust. Then I'm planning to roll on (yes, I said roll) Rustoleum Hammered paint even though I do have a compressor an spray gun. I've had extremely good luck with that paint, plus rolling it will allow me to easily touch it up if needed later.

JR, Please post a thread. I' love to see your progress!

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

I really like the POR15. I bought a quart, and still have about half of it left! It brushes on but dries smooth. If you get the metal clean, and then use the POR Metal Ready first, you cant hardly beat the paint off, and it completely seals/kills the rust!

Just a thought!
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Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

I've got a quart of KBS Rust Bullet I bought a year ago. IF it's not rock hard when I open it I'll use it but I didn't buy their "prep" - whatever it is. I assume it is a hard degreaser or maybe a light acid to etch the metal(?)

I wonder if the KBS and POR15 are the same thing?

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Not sure? The prep does seem to smell like naval jelly though (acid etcher).
Maybe someone else can chime in. After using it though, I POUNDED the kingpins back on with the axle sitting on the frame as you see it, and actually made a few small dings where the two were slamming into each other, but just a couple of small places lost the paint!
That is why I was so impressed with it!
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Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Not sure? The prep does seem to smell like naval jelly though (acid etcher).
Maybe someone else can chime in. After using it though, I POUNDED the kingpins back on with the axle sitting on the frame as you see it, and actually made a few small dings where the two were slamming into each other, but just a couple of small places lost the paint!
That is why I was so impressed with it!
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Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Sounds great. I hope my KBS is still useable and works that well.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Had chores to do today so only very minor stuff got done. I guess every little bit helps, huh?

The mountain bike inner tube I'd put over my tailgate chains a couple weeks ago were bugging me - too loosely fitting. I thought it looked half-assed so I stopped off at the bike shop Friday an picked up a roadie bike tube from their trash. Fits nice and snug now. I put tire dressing on it to get rid of the talcum gray looks it came with:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...psbcdb1716.jpg

I also made an attempt at restoring my side emblems. They came out only ok. They're "10 footers" but they'll have to do as the repops cost over $200! I'll wait to buy them until I get a wild hair one of these days.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps3ebdf173.jpg
Somewhere along the line someone had painted them black - correct for '56 but white is correct for '55 and I kinda like it. I think I WILL buy the V8 emblems for below these though. Hopefully their new chrome won't make these look worse!

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Looking good. Every little bit helps.
Kim

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

I guess.

Feels like Chinese water torture sometimes though.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

I think it is great that you get to drive your truck while working on it! I dont think Im ever gonna get the cab back on mine, with 3 young boys (4,6,8) it is nice having the "helpers", but then there is ball games, throwing the ball in the yard, helping them with whatever they think is cool at the time, and oh yeah did I mention I have a wife too!! :waah:

The small details on the truck are getting discouraging!

Keep up the work on yours, it looks great!
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Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Thanks for the compliments JR.

There's NOTHING more important than playing with those boys. My son will be 32 this summer (eek!) and I spent every day, all the time with him when I wasn't at work. He was my co-pilot at all times and we talked about ANYthing that came to his mind. He and I are incredibly close to this day as a result.

As for your truck? I worried "life" would get in the way if I took mine all the way down to the frame immediately....and I don't have small kids anymore. I think you'll get there IF you can find a way to source some funds for it. Just little-by-little. Maybe your water bottles/soda can recycling dollars? Maybe X% from your yearly tax return? Maybe you set aside $20 a paycheck? (yes, hard to do when kids are little). But something; however small so you don't feel like you'll NEVER have a spare dollar to use on your truck.

Personally, I'd figure out THE most economical way to get it back running. Rebuild the 235 or find a used one on Craigslist. Wire wheel, Ospho & roll that frame and get on with it. Maybe start a thread just to keep you motivated?

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

I am using the L6, my machinest is waiting on all of the components I have ordered so he can check them over before he gives it back for me to re-assemble.

The kids do come first, but I like it more when they want to work on the truck!! ;)