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

Congrats Dan on Truck of the Month. Beautiful truck, well deserved win...Jim

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

Thanks Jim. I just went to the TOTM thread and thanked everyone. Some very generous comments. SO SO many nice trucks on this site.

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

As a follow up to all the patio project photos I posted above we FINALLY got the damn gates!

Pretty pleased with them. They match real good.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...370&fit=bounds
https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...370&fit=bounds
https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...370&fit=bounds

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

Back to our regularly scheduled program:

My nephew picked up some 17" steelies out of area for me. I haven't had time to test install them to see if the backspacing is going to work. But if they work I'm going to have them as alternates to my Boyd's Smoothies. I also have 3 ea. 1951-52 car caps from a full set I got years ago when my old '46 lost a cap. They're semi ok. I took 0000 steel wool to them and a couple polished up fairly well but inside they're rusty as hell. I've got one soaking in phosphoric acid overnight and will post how good it comes out. That stuff is miraculous but these ma be too far gone. Planning to paint them and use with 17" ribbed beaut rings.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds
https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds
https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds
https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

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

Is this stuff freakin miraculous or what?! Overnight in phosphoric acid - Home Depot calls it Concrete and Paint Prep or something like that. It didn't get all the rust around the edge but only because I didn't have enough to submerge the hubcap. Stuff I used had been used many times before. I tossed it and went for a new gallon today. Putting another cap in it tonight and it'll likely come out even better. Certainly they're not like new but compared to the rusted-to-hell "Before" pictures I am very very happy. I'll just put Gibbs oil on the inside and call it good. No need for paint in there.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...CD074B443.jpeg
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Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Yea , gates looking goood , Joey looking Great !

What’s with the junk in the truck ?

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

Ha! Only you Glen would have noticed. It’s the cover for the truck back there. I had just taken it off to let old Betsy get some sun!

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

So I'm observant .

I looked up hub caps like the one you are derusting , did you know that it's for a '54-'55 1st series 1/2 ton .
And that the FillingStation.com has them in Chrome or Stainless and according to my catalog the chrome ( L-91 $ 56.50 ea or
$ 219.00 set) costs more then the stainless (L-91SS $ 40.00 ea or $ 157.52 set) . If you need the clips ( SA-136 $ 2.00 ea ).
Hope this helps .

So how about a view of the back yard with Joey ?

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

Didn't take a "Before" picture This was a box my dad made when I was a kid so we'll over 50 years ago. He had masonry tool in it and if I'm not a carpenter he was waay worse than I am.

He never owned a power tool in his life. This box is 1x8 board w/plywood. His fitment was poor but rather than disassemble, recut and reassemble I just caulked the inside perimeter.

Painting our house one year he dropped a gallon of dark chocolate brown on the lawn. Rather than waste it he painted everything in sight with the spilled paint. 2 wood ladders, this box, other stuff. Yes, even with some grass clippings in it! Still, this was dad's so I wanted to use it.

I stripped w/belt sander, set the nail heads best I could, skimmed the splitting plywood, sanded, primed, and finish coated. It could use more finish work but it reminds me of him as he had it in the bed of his '59 Fleetside. I'll use it in my '55. It's more refined than he did it but I just made the best of what was there. I'll put a script "Chevrolet" emblem on it.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...182176303.jpeg

I was going to wet sand and give it another coat but I'll just leave it. Being rougher reminds me of him. I plan to spray rattle can bed liner inside and possibly put a black latch on it.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds
https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

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

Dan that came out nice. Are you going to keep it in the bed ?

I know the feeling of having something your dad built , I have kept a shelving unit my dad made out of 3 watermelon crates back in the 50’s , it’s out in the garage holding empty plastic boxes :)

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

Dan, nice touch...Jim

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

Looks right at home. Great way to tie in a family heirloom.

Marc

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

Thanks guys! Yeah, I'll leave it in there once I figure out how to anchor it using the existing bolts or possibly longer eyebolts in the same place as the stock bolts.

I still haven't gotten the rattle can bed liner for inside. It's so rough in there and I didn't want to take it all the way apart to smooth out the boards so that's what I'm opting for instead of gluing some kind of fabric or something in there. Ideas welcome. I've never used DIY bedliner before. No idea if its good or not.

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

Hi Glen,

I only have a few things that were my Dad's anymore. He passed away in 1990 at the same age I am now! But I do have an old Cutty Sark wood crate. The wood has darkened but the painted-on words & logo are still clear. I remember seeing it in his garage as a kid. I don't use it for anything but can't bring myself to toss it or to modify it with a top because it was his.

I also have a kerosene lantern he got on a job. It's cool because "Los Angeles Sewer Company" is stamped into it and today you would NEVER take an active flame into the underground for fear of sewer gases igniting. I worked underground on Metro rail projects my whole career so I know the modern regulations well and that would never fly! Though I took it to one of our Safety meetings after I told our Safety Manager about it. He didn't believe it until I showed it to him. He wanted me to give it to him for future new employee orientation meetings, I said, "Nah":lol:

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

Finishing up on my dad’s old box. The inside is/was rough as hell. I just sprayed it with bed liner. I’ve never used it before and expected it to be heavily textured - it wasn’t. But oh well. It still looks better than before. There latch and "Chevrolet" script emblem came today so I'll finish it tomorrow.

Before:

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https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds


After:


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

Good story, I enjoyed reading it.

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

Dan, your Dad sounds a lot like my Dad. Very few power tools and use what materials you have on hand. That's the attitude the generation who lived through the depression had.

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

Dan i think this is really cool you have the box you have from your Dad and incorporating it in your truck!
My Dad bought my 58 for me back when i was in Highshool for my first vehicle for $650 dollars and i Cherish that i still have it today, when i walk into my garage it makes me think of how blessed i was to have a Wonderful Dad who gave and taught so much to me!

That Box is Awesome and Looks Great Buddy!

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

^^^ This is exactly the case. I think he eventually got a half sheet power sander but he never had a circular saw for example. Definitely a child of the Depression, born in 1923 he came of age just as the Depression happened and it carried on until he joined the Air Force in 1944.

My dad would straighten nails to not have to buy new ones. Sounds silly to us now but to him doing otherwise would be wasteful and frankly, indicate a spoiled person.

He'd spend hours doing things that you & I today would never do.

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

Hey, I hope you guys get as big a kick out of this picture as I do. They're VERY few and far in between but there are still drivers on the road. Even the rarest ones. Here's a '56 Cameo I saw being used as an ordinary truck today.

I spoke to the driver at the signal. Younger guy who said he's owned it ten years. I thought it was a Hydramatic because I didn't see him shifting it while following him but it said it was converted to floor shift three speed. I initially thought it has light surface rust but since it's a Cameo and the side are fiberglas someone had painted it light gold at some point. Anyway, I get a charge out of seeing it.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

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

the only proper way to honor an old truck ... keep working it! love it.

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

Wow I love that Cameo...So cool looking.
Nice to see it out in the wild....

Marc

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

Hi guys, Yeah seeing the old Cameo in original condition was an eye opener and I had to push the Jimmy up to 90 to catch up to take pics!

Cold as hell here (SoCal cold, ha ha) it's 52* here and app says ("feels like 48*") so I can't put a final coat of red on my wood toolbox or black on the hinges. I want to get the black latch and CHEVROLET script emblem on it. Also need to glue drawer liner on the bottom and probably swap out a couple redwood bolts to eye bolts so I can fasten it down.

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

FINALLY finished re-doing my dad's old masonry tool box. 1954 car badge from eBay completes it. Glued kitchen shelf liner to the bottom so it shouldn't slide around but not going to count on it. I'll rig up something that doesnt show like velcro. It'll only ever have a few microfiber towels and some mag polish in it. I like the look but especially that it was my dad's in its earlier life.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

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

Looks great Dan, nice job on keeping something of your Dad's...Jim

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

Looks like it fits right in. Awesome that you got it looking so good. Gotta mean a lot to you to have it hanging out back there "looking over your shoulder". Cool.

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

Thanks guys. Yes, I'm pleased it's now got a 2nd life. I remember my dad using it when I was still a little boy so (gulp!) 60 years ago, sheesh!

My girlfriend asked why I didn't make it match the bed wood? But it's made of scraps my dad had in the garage. The bottom is bad plywood and the sides are old Doug fir fence boards all put together with ordinary nails, no finish nails. I set the nail heads as best I could, skimmed it multiple times with Plastic wood, sanded, sanded, sanded and put multiple coats of primer before painting.

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

Looks good Dan!

:uhmk:

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

dont know if this counts but i still have some things my dad gave me.
First is a set of Craftsman tools and tool box that he gave me when i was about 14.
Second is a 12 ga shotgun that he used when we went phesant hunting. Its mounted in a rack in the back window of my '49 - kind of red neck. but i love it. makes me think of dad & all the times we had together - good & bad.

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

^^^THIS^^^...is the point for me.

My dad died over 30 years ago at the age I am now! I don't have a lot of things from him, just a few tools. He treasured his things because as a child of the Depression he had very few possessions as a boy. I finally let go of most of his masonry tools when we moved because I had never used them in all those years.

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

Took a picture of her yesterday after taking her out for a ride into our local "Old Town" Glendora. Got a few thumbs up which was nice.

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

I love that color, looks awesome. Is it metallic?
Nice job on the garage too.
Truck looks GREAT!

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

Thanks!

No, it's not metallic. I wanted the darkest red I could get that was not metallic and wouldn't be mistaken for burgundy. I searched and searched and finally decided on a Honda color called Milano Red. They had it on their 2012 and newer cars - I don't know if it's still offered.

Thanks for the compliments on the garage. It still needs more work and I've been procrastinating but it'll get done eventually!

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

Looks awesome anyway. Nothing wrong with a solid colour.

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

Beautiful truck, I've followed it from when you got it to now. I'd have been one of those people giving you a thumbs up if I had seen you. I like that garage floor, is it textured like it looks? I want to do something with my garage floor but worry that the steel wheels on my jacks would damage the finish.

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

Beautiful truck. Enjoy the finished product. Steve

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

Hi Russ and thanks you guys for the nice words.

The floor is made by Race Deck but doesn't cost as much. It's vented so snow melt drops through to not make a mess or cause slips/falls.

I used it because I read on Garage Journal that the solid tiles make a bit of noise when you walk on them but these do not. The fix for that is to put down landscaping fabric before laying the tile on top. These tiles support a floor jack fine it rolls easily and does not deform at all when I've jacked up vehicles on it.

BUT, if you drop a small screw or nut it's a PITA to find it. Also, it just lays on the floor (VERY easy to install alone by the way) and I periodically lift the front edge a bit and use my blower to clean out dust. I strongly recommend using the solid tiles OR vinyl composite tile like I originally planned.

Basically, I use the truck very little, too little. I don't feel comfortable parking in an ordinary lot or where I can't see it - too easy to steal.

It still needs carpet, headliner and maybe door panels. Windows are difficult to roll up/down - need work but I'm procrastinating to avoid scratching paint. I've got air shocks for the rear and haven't installed them. I intend to raise the front too about 1". Someone on GJ said "What are you doing, preserving it for a museum?" and she's right. I need to drive it a lot more.

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

Beautiful truck. I really like the color. I almost went with a similar color for my 48 truck (I later settles on green and black).

Yes, please get it out more. That's the best part of owning an old truck. Scratches and chips happen as part of being used but it beats just staring at it in the garage. A stone chip or scratch pails in comparison to the joy of sharing your truck with other car/truck enthusiasts.

Thanks
Marc

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

Man, she's gorgeous.... I hope mine looks that good when it's done! :metal:

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

OMG, Beautiful!!!!!!!