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

57tailgater- What you’re describing applied to the ‘55-‘57 cars for sure. I remember that large glass jar under the hood of my Dad’s ‘55 two door hardtop BelAir I drove in high school. I remember the push button too. But I know for sure there was no button in the center of the truck’s wiper knob. I’ve never seen one and there wasn’t one on my Dad’s ‘59 Fleetside either.

But there must have been SOME way of causing water to be squirted. Not a big deal for me as I never intend to drive it in the rain or to use the wipers to clean the windshield either. Hell, I probably won’t wven put the wiper arms on the truck unless I get a ticket!

Still, it bugs me the stock wiper drive bezels have squirters in them and no way to use them.

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

Hey Dan, I believe Ididit makes a washer (push button) on the end of their turning signal lever. As I recall, you are running a Flaming River column - might be able to go that route.

Cheers, Jim

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

Maybe what I remember seeing was something someone took off a car to use on a Task Force truck. I was going to pursue finding one of those switch assemblies but that fell by the wayside. I do remember it had the small button in the middle of the switch knob and the switch knob matched the rest of the truck dash knobs so I assumed it was specific to TF trucks. The AD trucks had a foot pedal pump. It would be interesting to know for sure.

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

always had the spray nozzles on tf truck, never seen one with a pump
ford maverick had a push bellows on the floor that i always thought would look right in a tf
here's one on ebay for $13 you could use any oem reservoir
though a piece of 3" ss exhaust tube capped on the ends would look good under your hood :D
similar to what i used for an overflow tank, of course you'd need a filler neck/cap

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/phwAA...8I/s-l1600.jpg

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

Painless Wiring (as well as others I'm sure) has a 2 position wiper switch with a push for washer feature. Just mount original knob on switch stem.

Cheers, Jim

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

Thanks Jim!

For the record and anyone who finds this thread later, here's Painless' 2 position/push for fluid switch. $42.99 for the switch. IF the factory knob could be made to fit it would be a good solution.

BUT, somewhere in my searches I found a switch that requires you to drill a hole THROUGH the factory knob for a button. Though more work (marginally) it would look like the '55-'57 cars and I kinda dig the idea. I'll see if I can find it.

http://www.painlessperformance.com/w...arge/80173.jpg

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

Here's the "Rest Of The Story" on a windshield wiper/washer pump system for anyone coming along later:

Newport Engineering has what looks to be a nice compact little system except it doesn't include a reservoir for the actual fluid. They sell the switch as well as switch extensions of various lengths.

I checked eBay and there are many polished stainless radiator overflow tanks that could be used for this purpose. the smallest/cheapest of these is $17.99 but holds 14oz, which ought to be plenty for this purpose and be small enough to put under our hoods noticed if that's what you want. Here's the link to the tank:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-X-10-Poli...IAAOSwSata4os9

Here's a link to Newport Engineering: https://newportwipers.com

Related images:
https://newportwipers.com/wp-content...1431359518.jpg

https://newportwipers.com/wp-content...1430615278.jpg

https://newportwipers.com/wp-content...3481579246.jpg

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

I have a Newport wiper setup in my truck. An original style button fit the control perfectly but I don't think you could make the button-in-the-button work with this sealed control. Pushing the button starts the washer pump and swipes the wipers three times. I have an S10 reservoir with the attached pump to mount when I get to feeling like it.

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

Good to know the Newport setup works well for future reference.

I suppose all this info should be in a separate thread under "Windshield Washer System" or some such.

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

Monday, June 28, 2018:

Just posting these to record that the billet hood hinges were trial fit today and the non-vented cowl panel as well.

I'm stoked about the hinges but kinda, "Meh" on the cowl panel. Fortunately, we painted the stock vented panel and I have it to swap later if I want. I'm never intentionally driving it in the rain anyway, so maybe it won't matter which I use.

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

Looks good...Jim

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

Hinges are very nice.
Kim

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

Dan,

Your truck is coming together really nice. Looks great.

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

Thanks so much, Bam. Your kind words mean a lot.

Everyone has been very nice about my truck even though I didn't come close doing the work all of you have done.

I'm excited to get it done before the end of summer to do a little cruising with the windows down and the stereo playing.

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

Truck is looking sweeeeet :D
Almost there man, the small things are there to test you (so i keep getting told) Not far away at all and once you're driving, all the annoying stuff will just be distant memories.

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

Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Checking in. I've been out of town awhile. Stopped by paint jail today to see the reassembly progress.

The painter does ordinary insurance work since it pays the bills. I understand but it's frustrating. Anyway, the front clip is final assembled and hood installed, though gaps have not been set as the criss-cross bracing has yet to be installed.

After this:
1. Rear fenders will be installed w/welt
2. Install tailgate.
3. THEN he will repair the assorted paint damage.

Out of the paint shop I'll still need to do/get done:
1. Install & connect tail lights.
2. Charge AC,
3. Door panels, cranks & arm rests.
4. Connecting stereo & speakers.
5. Bumpers & rear license mount & light.
6. Longer rear wheel studs & 1/4" spacers

This doesn't even speak to having the upholstery finished, making an under-dash valance for the AC vents and I'm certain many other things I'm not thinking of right now.

If a moderator can rotate these pics I'd appreciate it.

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

OOOOh ! So shiny ! You're getting closer , Yea !

Oh and don't forget ... Bling Bling !

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

soooo pretty!


and you know the old saying, "(insert name-of-month-before-project-ends here) is the cruelest month!" :lol:

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

Looks really nice.
Kim

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

I needed to put my shades on to look at your pics.

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

Ha! It's actually a very dark red but shows as "glow-in-the-dark-red" online. It's the darkest red I could find in a stock, non-metallic color that isn't Burgundy. It's Honda Milano Red.

This, though when you Google it many of the examples show as super bright too.

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

Dan, looks great...Jim

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

Thanks Jim.

I REALLY love the color I chose but I'm not sold on the blingy and a-little-out-of-date Boyds Smoothies. Now that I've found out they have the wrong offset I will eventually be looking for something to replace them with. Maybe gray spoked Torq Thrusts, not sure.

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

Big D

Fandamtastic, so close. I'm so envious I wish I was as far along as you, my shed is moving all be it slower that a snail on his way to his next meal,
My sweet heart had emergency surgery in January for two blocked arteries, then urgent surgery to remove a calcified disk, on May 27. two horse shoe brackets one above and one below with two stabilizing rods torqued to 14 foot lbs on the set screw. All is going well. The shed is on perma-hold. But I gona get her done.

Keep on keepin on

NC

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

UGH, so sorry to hear about all the health related issues. Fingers crossed - my health holds out long enough to enjoy this truck. I had been wanting one since my 20's, had a false start with a '57 small window about 20 years ago I had to sell because of my divorce.

But now the road SEEMS "clear" to have and enjoy this for as many years as the Lord gives me.

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

Dan how about a 10 day update .... Whaaatttsssuuppp ?

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

Well, your timing is impeccable Glen.

I stopped by the paint shop a couple hours ago: Hood has been final fitted, rear fenders were being color sanded for polishing tomorrow and Marcos had re-painted the strip immediately below the doors because there was a very slight difference in color.

I have to get new wiper escutcheons so he can install the cowl delete panel, rear fenders w/welt & tailgate. There is also the damage I did to the interior paint putting the window in (GRRRR!), and tiny chips in the passenger step area and passenger exterior door that need repair. Once this is done he'll install the windshield and rear window.

MODERATOR:
If you can rotate these pics 90* I'd really appreciate it,.

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

Thanks for the update .

Last month my Dart was getting color sanded and polished and the pin stripping put on . I brought it home just to park it this month. It goes back for paint on the under side of the hood next month.

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

its very hard for me to imagine your truck as non metallic, because in the pictures it looks metallic! I like solid non metallic reds too, I had a cinnabar red 535is for 12 years, think of a cinnamon heart red.

truck looks outstanding! invest in some bubble wrap for daily driving haha

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

Glen, She's looking good. Somewhere online I saw a picture of a REALLY nicely detailed slant six - is that what's under the hood? I should have kept the picture. I was truly impressed with how great it looked.

Joe, Yeah, it's truly non-metallic. It's the same red you see on Hondas all the time. It's their very dark red. No poop on the bubble wrap comment. I took this build WAAY too far. My bank account is shrieking in protest.

Status:
I picked up wiper escutcheons, gaskets & squirters today along w/chrome tail light brackets, wire harness covers & poly tailgate trunions from The Car and Truck Shop. Dropped off the wiper stuff and the rear fenders were being masked to have undercoat sprayed on them. (I thought it had already been done) Marcos wanted to do it before final polish and mounting. I'm going back tomorrow to keep the pressure on and to take pictures.

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

Dan, keep on 'em. Can't wait to see it all together...Jim

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

Thursday, July 19, 2018

My beloved granddaughter Isla’s 4th birthday. What REALLY matters in life.

One fender installed with welt. I think the match is pretty good. Happy with it even though it came from a Ford parts provider, Bob Drake lol.

I think 1/4” spacers aren’t quite enough. Will probably need 1/2”.

I won’t be posting after next week for awhile but I’ll be back early in August.

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

Dan, fender and welting look good, enjoy the family...Jim

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

Thanks Jim.

I really wasn't certain about using welt at all and then concerned that if I did the color would be a little "off" - which to me is worse than just using another color all together like black. happy so far. Wish the pics would load with the right orientation. Oh well.

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

Cute granddaughter.
Welt looks good.
Kim

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

Has anyone else used welt between their rear fender and their side step?

I ask because I stopped by the shop today and that's what the painter told me he was doing. I asked why and he said to protect the paint at the joint from rubbing each other and creating a place for future rust. I said as long as he aligns the welt so it look good I was ok with it.

Anyone else?

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

Dan I run the welt on both my front and rear fenders on my 50. I just went to the garage and took pics of the rear fenders. Front is apart for paint...Jim

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

Thanks Jim. Yours looks great too. Did you have it custom made to match?

What I meant was not only between the bedside & fender, but welt in the joint between the bottom of the fender and the side step. That's where he's putting some welt on mine. If he does it right I think it'll kinda look cool. If not? It'll just be weird and I'll remove it.

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

Thanks Dan, I bought mine from a vendor at one of the NSRA events, he had alot of different colors. I don't have welt between the fender and board, but I do have rubber I cut to keep them from rubbing together...Jim

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

Happy Birthday Isla !

Looking Good .
Let's see if this worked, I cropped and rotated the rear fender pic for you.