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

Not trying to jack your thread but you asked for it:
http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/a...pszfswzyj8.jpg

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

Nice orange on bike, Dan everything good had some health issues had to rebound now working on two trucks as time permits :waah:

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

Kickass bike! Hard tail - it's gotta be thigh on the kidneys!

Rudy, Sorry to hear about your health issues. I hope you're feeling better and STAY that way! Best, Dan

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

Update for the record:

Took the rear fenders off the bed today and delivered them to the sand blaster. Boy, was THAT a pain in the neck!

I'd soaked the bolts with penetrant several times over the last few weeks and a few of them came loose relatively easily. The rest either broke or the clutch head "stripped" - for lack of a better term. I had to use a cut off wheel to remove 4-5 bolts and that wasn't too easy without damaging some of the braces and of course without damaging the fender. I had to cut them through about 1/2-3/4 and then physically break them with pliers.

The good news is there was NO rust through, even in the joint between the fender and side step - which I think is fairly unusual.

This rust looks worse than it is. It's just on the surface. I scraped the lip and what was left of some rattle can (I assume) undercoating inside the fender and it came off pretty clean.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...sepdihji9.jpeg

Closeup of the fender lip. Looks terrible but it's really not bad.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...s4vcrtfrs.jpeg

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

Looks like they will clean up real nicely.
Kim

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

Not sure if I should ask this here or in a separate thread but here goes:

I want the SIDE bed wood strips to be polished stainless. I've seen the covers they sell - does anyone have experience and pictures of them? Would you recommend them?

I know I can cut off my factory spot welded ones and replace with bolted on "real" polished stainless strips, maybe this is the better looking option?

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

Hugger Orange you say? I got that color too.
Rob
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...ldpicks020.jpg

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

Dan I don't have any good photos of my stainless corner strips but I really like the way they finish the bed off, You can check my build for a photo http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=576185&page=4
Rich

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

Thanks Rich,
The only picture of yours that shows them is post #95 on page 4 and I can't tell if they're the cover type or you replaced the factory side strips with real stainless one. Which is it?

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

Dan those are the cover type that sets on top. Rich

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

Maybe I should start a new thread in bed side strips!

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

...

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

You look at the above photo and notice the highlights in the paint of the body lines and the shadow areas.... those would be natural locations that many people would highlight using air brushing or pinstriping on basics paint jobs.

THese trucks have so much character by their natural accents due to the body lines already there. If you paint it right these accents stand out like this truck does with no pinstriping or airbrushing or any fake lines added or anything else!

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

Yes, that orange truck is absolutely gorgeous. But I am not painting my truck metallic. I think non-metallics in both red and orange can be beautiful too and as a truck that, I intend to used quite a bit as a driver I prefer non metallic.

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

03/03/16:

Picked up the rear fenders from the blaster's and delivered them to the body shop. Again I find my truck is very nearly cancer free and I'm very pleased. Painter shot them in direct-to-metal primer immediately because it's gonna rain this weekend in L.A.
Here's the overall shot:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...sw9a1i8w4.jpeg

Here's the only cancer found. It wasn't apparent before blasting so it must have been paper thin. Seems very very minimal to me for 60 years old, but my truck has always lived in SoCal.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...she311syo.jpeg

Only one small dent on one of the fenders:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...sdww5luoq.jpeg

The fenders had surface mount tail lights or auxiliary lights of some kind in the past. These old brazed shut holes are on both fenders rear-facing side:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...s7lrbk6kv.jpeg

And finally, both fenders have these messed up rear fender lip edges. I THINK it must be due to over sized tires at some point that rubbed at the same place. In the old days guys used to put ridiculously tall rear tires with their truck ass end kicked up in the rear. I'm assuming something like this just have been the cause(?)
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...siinojidf.jpeg

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

Those are in great shape.
Kim

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

They are. In this part of the country those are considered mint.

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

Yes, I'm very pleased.

I feel bad for the guys that have to start from what would be considered unusable or parts trucks here. But on the other hand, it's incredible what they manage to produce from those trucks!

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

March 23, 2016

This week's update is that the Altman latch kit I bought probably 1-1/2 yrs ago has been installed. Both latches work flawlessly but I have questions for those that have already installed them. I'll post a separate thread on that if I can't find info via search.

The rear fenders were blasted clean as shown in post 1215 above, the small cancer areas on the bolt flanges were cut out and replaced - but I forgot to take pics, DOH!

They've been primed with direct-to-metal primer and the minor dents bumped out. When I arrived the top of both fenders were in their first filler and though it looks kinda thick the painter assured me the fenders only had minor waviness, no true "dents" and after blocking 90% of the filler will be on the floor.

I've gone back to my original idea of using a dark red. When I told the painter I am choosing among Viper, late VW, Honda/Acura or Nissan non-metallic reds he seemed pleased. When I told him my original idea had been to use Porsche Guards Red I could tell by the look on his face he DIDN'T like that color at all. He's got a '40 Ford pickup in the shop in a very deep dark green that is gorgeous so I know he has a soft spot for darker, more era-themed colors.
Feel free to offer opinions

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

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

Can't wait to see it in Red!

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

These trucks look real good in red.
Kim

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

Thanks Kim and JJ.

I guess red is kinda trite, there are a lot of them in red. But there are a lot for a reason I guess, they look good in it. Anyway, I'm only trying to please myself and I want the truck of my dreams so red it will be!

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

Red always looks good on these body styles

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

Coming along Danny! wow you must getting excited about getting it all done? Looks like quite a few truck will be coming to completion this year possibly !!!!

Hope mine is one one of them too - Im trying like hell, just hard to find good help!

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

Best of luck.

Speaking of luck, my luck is that work has gotten so busy that if I want mine done I am having to pay to have more done than I really want. But I want it done before I retire next year and I still need to do the suspension work, new electrical, fuel and brake lines, yada, yada. Oh well.

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

Dan
Here is the pics I PM you about

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

Nice, I like that!

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

Rudy,
What am I misunderstanding? What is the purpose of this cross member? Is this reinforcement prior to removing the factory crossmember? Maybe you explained it in the PM and I misunderstood.

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

Dan after you weld the Fatman Cross-member, and bolted this across into place you can then cut the stock cross-member out so the front frame rails stay in place (Pictured not welded together yet). The square tubing I am using is 1/8 inch thick wall tubing for hanging trans cooler or other stuff, or you can use round stock thick wall tubing your choice.

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

Ah! Got it. It's so the frame ends don't twist. I think I'd use the same square tube because not only will it prevent movement but it COULD also be used for other things.

My first thought is maybe to conceal otherwise exposed wiring or some such. Besides, if I ever need to mount something on it, it's easier to mount on a flat surface than a round one. On the subject of mounting things, I want to mount my wiring and AC lines high in the wheel wells so there is nothing visible in the engine compartment. I plan to weld some elevator bolts (apologies to whoever posted about those, I forget).

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

Dan maybe use longer bolts that hold fender to inner fenders and use electrical clamps with an added nut to secure the clamp. The bolts are at top of fender.

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

Ah, excellent idea! Better than mine, thanks.

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

You know WHITE is not a color, but guess what? These trucks look GREAT with the proper white. Just a teeny tiny hint of blue in the paint.
Just saying.....

http://i940.photobucket.com/albums/a...pscnv7uqjm.jpg

Hmmm Letseee,
This is the biggest I can make it without driving up to your front door LOL

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

Coupeguy, Your truck looks great. I really like the Impala SS wheels on it too.

My truck isn't one of a series of projects for me. It's a result of waiting all my life to have what I want so it'll be red even though there are a number of other colors I really really like.

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

Thankx Dan,
I bought my truck in 1972 for $150.
It has been a lackadaisical fixup for me. I have driven it all my adult life. It has 342,000 miles on it, and I love it and hate it at the same time.
I love how it looks, and hate that GM took the cheap way out on so many things.
I hate that Harley Earl almost divorced himself from the truck group and focused so much on the "show car" ideal.
I hear you that you waited all your life. I have had this all my life, and there have been hundreds of people my whole life that have told me to get rid of it while it still had some value, and here we are, 40 years later, it still looks ok, and there are so many things I wanted to do to it, but in 1977, where I worked, the aircraft painter had 2 gallons of white left over, and I didn't get to do any body work to it, I just showed up that Saturday with all the chrome removed, and the truck sanded.
He put the paint on a mixer, and stirred in some thinner, and put it in the gun, and voila! I had the same truck, just white.
Luckily the truck wasn't too bad, so when he painted it, all I had to do was get everything rechromed. I didn't finish the chrome stuff until 1989 because my wife thought I should junk it and go buy a newer truck.
Over the years, she has tolerated it, and kept the grumbling to a minimum.
Since I redid the front end, she is more tolerant, but to her it is still just an old truck.
I drive it 3 or 4 days a week still, and it is part of me.
I know what you mean when you say you waited. I have waited patiently through out the years to get the truck I wanted because my wife hasn't been on my side with it, and I have had to do everything quietly and slowly so as not to spend, spend, spend.
I never wanted a red anything (except taillights) so we are different there, but I have spent very little time cleaning my truck inbetween washings because the white hides the dirt and dust so much.

I am glad that your truck has so little rust, and that you are doing it right.
I was going to do it right myself after I retired, but my boss let me go 3 years ago, and there isn't the larger paychecks any more, so it's been tough getting the funds.
Then I had some physical problems that are still lingering, and some days it is just a fight to get out of bed.
Most days, though, I'm ok. I still work as an aircraft mechanic, and sometimes that is a struggle to keep up, but God willing, I can keep working for 2 more years.
What ever you do, just finish it. I want to see your truck take first place in a show somewhere.

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

Thanks for writing. I like reading other guy's stories about themselves and their trucks.

My experience with older trucks is my dad had a series of AD trucks from very rough to one that was way too clean - according to him; he was a brick mason - it was dark factory green with all fresh chrome. This wold have been the early 60's and I was still a little kid.

He replaced that one with a '59 longbed Fleetisde and I "helped" him swap out the 235 for a rebuilt 283 and later a strong running 348. I say I helped meaning I went and got the wrench he yelled at me about. Dad was a VERY impatient man and I learned to work on cars not so much by instruction as by self preservation!

I remember riding in my Dad's truck a lot as a kid. Dad passed away in 1990 when I was 35 and in part this truck is an homage to him and a reminder of my childhood.

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

Great story!
I used to live in Burbank.
When I was 5, my dad's employer bought a brand new 55 Chevy small window shortbed in dark green. I have a black and white photo of it that my mother gave me, taken in 1955 when it was brand new.
In the summers, my dad used to come home and get me and we would go to a local hamburger joint a couple days a week in that truck for lunch.
I remember that truck very well.
when I went to camp, He and I took all the kid's suitcases and sleeping bags to the campground and back with that truck every year till they traded it in on a blue 65.
His employer's best friend had a blue and white 57 cameo with a V8 and hydromatic. My dad borrowed it a few times, and always said if we get some money ahead, this is what we would buy. We had a 1937 Ford pickup which became my first car in high school.
Probably no coincidence that I have a 57.

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

A LOT of parallels in your "truck life" and mine. My dad bought a brand new black '55 Chevy two door hardtop Belair with orange/red and cream interior right after I was born in December '54. The only new car he ever bought. He replaced his '59 Fleetside with a '66 C20 in butternut yellow, used of course. We both grew up with these trucks all around us.

Before my '55 I had a '46 short bed with 350/350 and Jag IFS & IRS. I liked that truck a lot but sold it cause I knew I wanted a '55 big window as my ONE truck. Still miss the '46 though.

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

This is too funny, My dad bought a new 55 turquoise and white bel air in 55. I still remember the night we got it. We took the neighbors across the street for a ride when we got home...
They traded it for a Buick in 63, and my dad kept saying that he should have kept it.
They got $350 for it.

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

Yeah, our pasts are SO parallel. My dad kept the car until I got it at 16. Of course I was a dumbass and didn't really want it. I wanted a van (WTF?!).

I got a '66 Chevy van for $750 that had been rolled but not too badly hurt and my dad and I did the body work, got it looking nice and I had it painted for $150, upholstered it, I fixed it up inside. He ultimately sold the '55 on the Pennnysaver - that's a freebie mailer for you younger guys - for $450. UGH, that kills me to think of it. I've tried to find the car, filled out a form with the CA DMV but they couldn't find it. If I ever find that car I WILL buy it - somehow - no matter the price.