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

You know it's there and will see it every time you go to get in your truck.
Other people may never notice it the way you will.
The fix shouldn't take too long for a good body man (I would think an hour at most).
Kim

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

I preferred to slice, set gap, and weld. Photos don't do justice - turned out great. Cheers, Jim

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

Looks great.
Kim

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

Kim is right, you will see the gap every time you walk up to the truck. You might want to reconsider having it done.

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

Thanks. Also welded vertical seam between cowl and pillar/post.

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

Everyone is different and I probably wouldn't notice that gap on my truck. And at the same time, the other gaps look really good so.....like Kim said wouldn't take too long.

No wonder these trucks take so long to build....

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

Coming along real nice there Dan.... good to see the progress again.

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

Picked up the front fenders from the blaster today and dropped them off with the body shop.

I thought the truck had never been in an accident but it's clear the passenger side front fender is not the original. It is a '56 fender with the above-body-line emblem holes gas welded shut. I suppose the fender may have been swapped out due to rust but if so, why didn't the driver side rust too. Instead there's a VERY slight amount of rust through; especially for those trucks. Anyway, here's the photos I took:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...sral0n40r.jpeg

Passenger side fender. You can clearly see the original emblem holes and that the side metal was dimpled so fill would cover the welds.

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

Oops, forgot to post the next photo:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...scg1ekv5r.jpeg

Finally, closeto no rust on my front fenders. I think it's exceptional there is so little. Since I know I'm owner #3 and #2 only had it a year, I have to assume the passenger side got damaged/hit and the original owner simply got one from a wrecking yard sometime back in the 50's, 60's or 70's when these trucks were still plentiful. I've truly never seen a TF truck with so little, almost no rust-through on the front fenders!
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...svfonxjqr.jpeg

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

Those look pretty clean.
Kim

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

Thanks Kim.

I told the bodyman to go ahead and fix the J gap on leading edge of the doors. He admitted it was bugging him too, ha ha! So you guys were right, natch.

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

You won't be sorry. Hey, it's only money Dan! ;)

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

Yeah, that's exactly what I say too.....when it's someone ELSE'S money!:lol:

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

Hey Dan, you know what i noticed the other day?
After having my truck for over 40 years, i was jusot looking at it, and noticed that the front door pillar goes in more on the right side than the left.
I went over to a friend's house, he has a 58, and we compared the two cabs. Sure enough, his did it too.
Look at the A pillar, and then close the door. you will see that somewhere along the fit and jigging procedure, Chevrolet made a minor error, and the right doors tuck in farther than the left.
So just remember, they weren't perfect from the factory because they were trucks, and were work horses, not cars. so yea, they had to be adequate, not perfect.
Kudos on fixing the J gaps, and making sure the rest of the gaps look good.

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

You, you're right - they were never "all that" on fit & finish in the first place so most of what the average guy does is a big improvement over factory.

I noticed I didn't upload pictures of my front fender "before" condition and I'm using this thread as my "Log" of the build so that years from now I will remember what it looked like and what had to be done to get it into the condition I hope it's come out.

Inner Front Fender BEFORE:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...sn9c6gmtn.jpeg
Note gas welded holes for '56 emblems!

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

December 09, 2015. Front fender rust (Very minor) repaired and hung, guide coat on for start of block sanding:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...sdf1k2u9d.jpeg

Driver side front door gap is waay too big. Metal will be added to match door gap above:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...srrnvuneg.jpeg

Passenger side front door gap for comparison is nice and tight. A little hard to see in this shot. F anything it might be too tight!:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...shjzc396x.jpeg

Gratuitous additional side shot I laughed at. I work for Metro and I'm always in my company truck on the way home when I check the '55. He put the Metro "M" on it as a joke.
Next up is dropping off the hood and upper & lower valances above and below hood with sandblaster. Valances will be sandblasted and powder coated a color near the final paint as primer. The hood brace will PROBABLY be sent out for chroming, because...well...I like chrome!
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...s8sc1bffg.jpeg
I also told him to weld shut the ashtray and HVAC control panel openings. I've seen it done on one truck and it de-clutters the dash a lot without being as drastic as a totally shaved dash...which I like but think I might regret later.

Here's an example of a dash with the HVAC panel shaved. The ash tray is still there, mine will be shaved. The ignition is shaved but mine won't be because I have an ididit column without a key. Feel free to comment:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...sp8tak83a.jpeg

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

Looks like they're making good progress.
That dash looks real nice.
Kim

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

Thanks Kim. I can't remember if your dash is mostly stock or modified? If I had a lot more money is put a Belair dash in it but it'd add a ton.

That dash picture makes me reconsider dark red over my original idea of Porsche Guards Red, which is +/- half way between red and orange.

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

Any updates Dan? Hope you had a Merry Christmas!

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

Hi JJ!
We had a very nice Christmas and a good New Years Eve sitting out on the Rose Parade route (1 block from my house) with family members that decided to camp out, then came out again in the morning to watch the parade. Thanks for asking. How was yours?

Only progress is the hood and the metal cross pieces above & below the grill were sandblasted and delivered to the body shop for fitting. The upper/lower grill sheet metal was powder coated in color to act as primer. I took the hood cross brace off because i plan to have it chromed.

I don't know what other things I'll chrome? It used to be the inside windshield lower trim and the door interior trim over the Windows was kinda standard to chrome but I kinda think that's ver doing it. Suggestions are welcomed.

What's happening wth your truck? I haven't checked your thread recently but it seems you were in a holding pattern for awhile. Any progress?

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

We had a good Christmas too, thanks!

I've always wanted to chrome those three items also.

I managed to get a carpet installed that I've had for nearly 10 years and got a Altman Latch Kit too!

Also, got a little welding done to the large C-notch after cutting it down a bit.

More progress soon!

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

Stopped by the shop yesterday to check on the progress of my truck. Not too much to mention but I want to post a couple pictures I took as part of my "permanent record" of the progress on the truck.
I forgot to take a shot of the interior but the dash is complete and gray primed. The bodyman wasn't there but I spoke to his son who was block sanding my two front fenders separately. I'm going to set progress back a little but I'm going to have him shave the ash tray and the heater panel. I debated shaving the entire dash or even replacing the entire thing with a '55 Belair dash, but it's likely too expensive and though I'd love to have it, I'm gonna pass.

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...s1jwwynnm.jpeg

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...shylj7zpp.jpeg

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...szvf1pkxi.jpeg

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

Cab looks good.
I agree on the 55 car dashes looking real sweet in these trucks.
Kim

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

Thanks.
Yeah the car dashes look great but really? They should have put them or in the trucks to move the glove box to the middle where closer to the driver. Trucks usually only had a single passenger in those days. Maybe the car dash but only one humped?

I notice tpimuncie added a second hump to his dash - maybe cut out of a car dash? But the shape doesn't match the factory cluster shape.

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...ssddknnte.jpeg

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...sladddlrr.jpeg

Yeah, they look GREAT, to me anyway. While searching for those I even found one in an AD truck. I think it's a bit crowded. I'd like to see an AD truck with a car dash from that era, would be interesting.

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

How about the 59-60's?!!!:lol:

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

Ha ha, yes I like em too.

For me, part of the reason I want a car dash is that my dad gave me his black, purchased-new '55 Belair two door hardtop when I was 16 and I was so STOOPID :rolleyes:that I didn't really want it! I gave it back to him when I got a '66 Chevy van. Yeah, vans were the hot thing when I was in high school, geez.

I could kick myself for not keeping that car forever. This was 1972 and he ended up selling it via the "Pennysaver" for $450. Gotta remember it was just a 17 year old car then. Same as a 1999 Chevy would be today.

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

Wednesday, February 10, 2016:

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...sxsp2zctt.jpeg

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...sq4yyelcp.jpeg

Painter was waiting to see if I was going to modify dash. Ultimately decided no so interior will now be primered red too. He's requested I bring blasted and powder coated rear fenders next, then bed sides in pieces also blasted & powder coated after. I'm now trying to decide if I'll lose the tailgate chains and latches and go with a Mar-K repop gate. So far everything else is remaining stock so I don't know. I LIKE the originality of chains but don't want chipped new paint of course. Plus my original tailgate is nearly perfect...why spend $400? We'll see.

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

That's looking real nice Dan!

Are you still planning on using the Altman Latches, if so you may want to do the cuts in the doors so they can be primed as well.

Can't wait to see it in color!!

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

Looks real nice.
Kim

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

Thanks guys and yes JJ, I already bought the Altman latches. Thanks for the reminder. I haven't gone back and looks at the instructions in awhile, off hand I can't recall if the cuts are made to the door or the door panel? I guess I was thinking in the door panels and that's why I wasn't thinking its a hot priority to do it now. I'd better check.

As an FYI and reminder to myself later when this thread is a diary of the build: I am considering a color change from the red I'd always planned to orange. Either Chevy Hugger orange or the 2012 Jeep Wrangler "Crush" Clearcoat.

The reason? It was a strong suggestion from my oldest brother in law. He's been in our family since he was 18 and is now 70. He's much more like a brother than a brother-in-law to me. I was 8 or 9 when he met my oldest sister (I'm 61 now!). He was the best man at my wedding and has been diagnosed with an inoperable aortic aneurysm. The family knows the aneurysm could go/he would go, at any time. So is considering it as a surprise he may or may not live to see but it would be a tribute. I love orange, I just wondered if I'd get sick of it long term. Opinions are welcome. Thanks again guys!

PS: I'm trying to hurry up a bit now and am considering having someone do my IFS install and reared flip, plumb my fuel and brake lines, etc. The plan was do do this myself as retirement is fast approaching. Now I feeling a little urgency to get the truck driveable while my brother-in-law could still see it/drive it. Kim, do you know a reputable SoCal shop or guy that would charge and arm & leg?

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

Is Kab still doing them?

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

Ill charge you 2 arms and 3 legs if you like!!! :lol: kidding - I think you meant NOT charge you.... yes?

Sorry to hear about your 'brother' - its hard when that kind of news comes forward. IMO - The Hugger Orange is true and blue Chevrolet.... just add some flake and some pearl to it and I think you'll never grow tired of it in the sunshine or moonlight.

Hurry but dont cut corners at this stage...!!! it will all be good - prayers with you all !

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

Last I "talked" with him, no. He was struggling to maintain progress on his own projects. I won't bother him again with this unless something comes up on the forum indicating he's doing better.

Excellent suggestion though. He was/would be preference No. 1.

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

Thanks so much for the kind words! Yes, my brother is on my mind a lot these days. The hard part is knowing vthere's nothing to be done but wait, ugh.

You're a little far in Sacramento, and I'd prefer a person/shop local to me so I could drop in to monitor progress BUT.... I have family in Auburn and I own a big ass dually that could certainly haul my frame, etc up there! If you have any serious interest in this drop me a PM. It probably would be logistically difficult but what that's worth doing right ISNT difficult, right?:lol:

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

She's looking damn good Dan!! Hell I'm diggin the red primer! Ha

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

My chopper is orange with flames and I love it. Can't go wrong with orange if done right. Can't wait to see your truck at the local in n out. Go to the one off Harvey in Glendale I'm right around the corner!

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

Thanks, glad you like it...I don't! Ha ha.

When I bought the truck it looked BAAD and I needed to primer it just to make it presentable. It was going to be a rattle can job and my choices were light or dark gray and red oxide. I didn't want any of them and found the light green I ended up using. It didn't hold up so I switched to Rustoleum satin which is how it remained until this full strip and repaint effort.

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

How about some pictures of your chopper?

Man, I keep going back and forth on red vs. orange. I'll probably make a seat of the pants decision the day the painter says, "Here's the color books, pick!"

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

Looking good Dan go with Red but if you do orange go with Factory Omaha Orange

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

Hi Rudy! How goes things in the "other Glendale"? Still making progress on your own project?