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

Denee! I didn't know you were still here. Glad to hear from you and thanks for the nice words. What's your newest project and do you still have and drive your truck?

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

Hi Dan;) I'm still here following you and a few others, kind of keeps my foot in the door! Well, I got the hots for an Early ford Bronco not long ago, but something had to go in order to buy the Project bronco. I'm sorry to say my 59~ I sold it, got 17.5, just enough to purchase the '72 Bronco. The Broncos are very expensive to buy, but parts like everything else are available.

I've been having a hoot of a time with projects!

I brought the Bronco home in June, just a few short months ago; it's in a thousand pieces right now:lol:
https://i.postimg.cc/1XFJFVH9/72-Ford-bronco3.jpg

This is a project(Below) I did before the Bronco, a 92 Jeep yj Jurassic (total restoration)

before those I restored a '68 Willys V6/ps, super fun to drive, lots of power!
https://i.postimg.cc/7PsnPgnY/Jurassic_park_pic_usa.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/nh6vZg78/Denee_...02_07_2021.png

I don't want to take up any more of your thread, but you've known me for a while and consider you my friend;)
dne' ;)

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

Hi Dne’ glad to see ya , love the new place looks great . How did the Mustang fair in the flood ?
Fun project that Bronco .

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

Good morning Glen! I can say that the Mustang is alive and doing well;) It was a total re-restoration(paint was Ok). I was able to put more upgrades in it(T5 trans, a used engine out of a '90 Mustang police car(HO engine), runs stupid fast now! ;) Just a week ago I finally replaced the rack n pinion as it was rusted badly, bought a Unisteer and very pleased with it!!
Thank you for the compliment on my shop~ omg I love it!!
dne' ;)


http://www.classiccarsandtools.com/2...rack-n-pinion/

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

I think you should post your Bronco project in the Alternate Tinkering area. so we can all see and appreciate it!

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

Good idea!!

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

Hi denee, good to see you back. I have wondered how you were doing now, as your last pics that I remember were showing your shop flooded with three or four feet of water. I hope you were able to recover from that without too much trouble and without a lot of money lost. I second the suggestion of starting a Bronco restoration thread in the alternate tinkering section. You probably already know about Dennis Carpenter as a source for Bronco parts.

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

Hay Dne’ I third that and ad a link in you sig. to it.

Ok now back to You Dan ….

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

Really nice to hear from you, Denee. Glad you're doing well and I REALLy like what I can see of your new shop. I've bookmarked the link to your classic cars and tools site and will be going over it soon.

Thanks again for the kind words on my truck. Keep having fun out there and of course Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, Dan

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

Congrats Dan on Truck of the Year, well deseverd, beautiful ride...Jim

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

Thanks Jim!

The nicest thing about winning is that owners of other old trucks; who know and appreciate these trucks, were the ones who voted. But honestly, any of the nominated trucks and dozens of other ones here could easily have won. Win, win, win!

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

Dan, Amazing truck. Congrats on TOTY. Well deserved. Now it's time to drive your baby. It's always a concern with chips and scratches, but I finally said let's just go and we'll deal with it in the future.

If you ever head south down 15 near Temescal Valley would enjoy cruising.

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

Hi Dan ,

Now that you’ve had your truck on the road for a while tell us about your driving impressions .
But first list your spec’s , engine , trans , rear end ratio tire size .

Have you floored it from a dead stop ? If so what was the result ?

The reason I ask is so many here are building hot engines without regard to traction factored in .

In my humble opinion if you’re building a driver start with a stock 5.3 or 6.0 and you’ll be surprised at the performance . These engines came from vehicles that weigh 1500 to 3000 # more then these pick ups . That weight loss translates into h.p. and torque .

So Dan tell us about your experiences .

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

I don't think I have more than a couple hundred miles on my truck since I "finished" it - mechanically. I still haven't put the carpet nor headliner in it and haven't decided if I'll have upholstered door panels made.

All that said, yeah it's got plenty of power. I HAVE floored it from a dead stop and it doesnt spin the tires so the rearend ratio isn't as low (high numerically) as I had thought. But I'm fine with that. I didn't build it to be a stoplight to stoplight racer at all.

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

Nice warm day today so I took the old girl out to the grocery store. Ordinarily I would never do that but I hadn't driven her lately. There are only certain parking spots in this lot I'd be willing to use and one of them was available. If not I'd have driven her back home - it's only a couple miles. This spot is a diagonal next to a straight spot that leaves a lot of open space between so door dings aren't possible. Well, unless someone would do it intentionally - yeah, I'm a worrywart about her.

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

Looks great sitting there Dan!

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

The best part is driving them. Don't stress yourself out. Enjoy it (as much as possible). I love running errands in the Ol' bomb.

Marc

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

Thanks guys.

When I mentioned I hardly ever drive her because I’m worried it’ll get scratched, door dinged or just stolen a lady on another forum I frequent replies, “What are you saving it for? To put in a museum?!”

She got me thinking and I’ve been trying to drive it more, enjoy it more and worry less. Still a hard sell vs. my nature but I’m trying.
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Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

I say get a cold root beer, sit in the truck under a shade tree, turn the music up to the oldies and enjoy;)
dne'

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

When I had my shinny (Green and Black 48) truck I drove it everywhere. People would often ask aren't you scared to scratch it. My response NOPE. I built it so I know what it would take to fix it and most importantly I would rather have my truck out and about with scratches and road rash than one that sits in a garage that you just admire. Driving and showing off your hard work is the best part.

Marc

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

You just need to get the first door ding over with and realize that it's not the end of the world. You spent a lot of time building it so you should get initial and enjoy driving it, the looks you get doing that and the comments you get from people who can appreciate the work it takes to get a project to a finish like yours. Show it off and enjoy. It's why they make base clear, so you can fix and blend every once in a while as needed. Not saying park anywhere, we dont with our daily drivers, just saying stuff happens but it shouldn't make you scared to go out and enjoy.

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

Of course you guys are ALL correct. But of course I’m NOT going to intentionally take it anywhere it’ll get damaged. It’s already got one little spot where the clear coat has been damaged which needs repair.

I just need to rely on it more day to day as transportation and not solely use my Jeep.
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Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

It's hard to take that first step (first ding/rock chip). Mine was a rock chip. Now I drive it when ever possible and will repair the paint down the road. Then start all over.

Next time I will look into a clear bra for the hood (that seems to take the most abuse from the road). A buddy of mine has a '71 VW bus all restored and did the clear bra and drives to shows every where (even drove to Lake Havasu) and not a mark on the front. It takes a pretty good beating. Anyone have any experience with these clear bras?

Enjoy your truck as much as you can. They are fun to drive.

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

I suppose you’re right. I still have no chips on the front of it so I could put the 3M clear stuff on now - though I don’t know who does it or if I’d trust just anyone to do it
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Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Yes, but not on this truck. I had it on my Dodge R/T and my old Tacoma. In both cases, it was great and well worth the money.

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

I have had it on several newer vehicles. It is a computer cut product so the computer would need to have your vehicle in its data base. That said, there is likely some shop out there who can scan your truck into their system and cut/install what you need. I recommend using the 3m material as some off brands will yellow over time in the sun.
You gotta drive it man, that's what it's all about.just be carefull like you already are.

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

I took her out for a ride yesterday afternoon to my 8 year old grand daughter's birthday party at a pool place called Waterworks in Pasadena.

Hot as hell in SoCal yesterday. I have Vintage Air but the outlets in the cab have never been installed so it blows out under the dash. Not very effective at all.

I REALLY need to fabricate the under dash valence I've been talking about with Ogre and others on a different thread to get the AC working as it should.

I also need to adjust the front coilers to gain maybe 1/2" to 1" - I get rubbing at full lock, then install the air shocks in the rear to give a slight rake.

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

How sweet it is to make memories;) Even at 8 y/o, it will remain in her memories for a life time~ such a beautiful truck;)
dne'

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

Nice that you are able to take your 8 y.o. grand daughter out for a run. She will remember that I'm sure.
Dude, take a few minutes and get the ac working proper. The build deserves it as do you.

Actually, I just drove to the swim party yesterday. I’ve only taken her on one ride in it so far because until now she hasn’t been big enough to ride in it without a car booster seat. Now she’s graduated out of that and her little sister (4) has graduated INTO big sister’s no-longer-needed booster seat.
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You’re absolutely right that I NEED to not only get the AC vents in but to finish an assortment of little things in it so it can truly be daily-driveable; even if I don’t quite do that.
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Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

post 297......is that dust on the roof?
it needs to move more, haha.
looks awesome.

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

Wiped her down, checked tire air and took her out to lunch & for a few errands. Love it but also I worry like an old hen. People always walk up to look and I’m afraid they’ll scratch her. But as someone told me, “What are you saving it for, a museum?!” Of course they’re right but still fret about it.

Maybe I should have left it in its old rattle can shop truck look and just done the mechanicals only!

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

Dan, gotta say - still one of the best looking trucks I've seen on this forum. Please remind me what your wheels are, including sizes and tires too. Sure I could look back through, but this is easier. ��
Thanks, Jim

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

Ha, sure. They're Boyd's Smoothies; sometimes called Smoothie I's since there are now II's.

Nephew found them for what I THOUGHT was cheap - $375 for all four so I told him get them. But it turned out 3 needed straightening and 1 had lost a small piece of the back "lip". I had them fixed and professionally polished and they ended up nearly costing the same as if I'd bought new, But they looked fantastic! Oh well.

They're 17x8's and the tires are 235/55x17's. Pics are from the For Sale ad and then after I had them redone.

Bottom-line is they're too flashy for my taste. I wish I'd bought something else and may still. People seem to like them but they're kinda ghetto-fabulous for me. I'd prefer (and I already bought used) 17x8 "steelies". If I use them they'll be with 17" ribbed beauty rings and 51 Chevy dog dish caps. Haven't trial fitted them yet so I don't know if the offset will work. I have 1/4" spacers behind the rear smoothies now so they don't rub the bed sides. Thanks for the kind words.

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

Thanks Dan. Turned out looking great.

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

"...but they're kinda ghetto-fabulous for me..."

NOT EVEN CLOSE!!!! They look great!!!

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

nice lookin wheels, the great thing about polished aluminum is you can alwalys make them look new again

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

Thanks for the kind words. I REALLY wish I'd put old fashioned American Torq Thrusts on her, the kind with gray spokes and machine finished lips.

I also really like Coys with the smooth, bowed gray spoke. Polished Salt Flat wheels are also a possibility but the problem is I ALREADY spent on these.

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

Gee Dan your truck look fabulous as a garage queen , But looks even better out driving around !
Ya I get what you’re talking about the finish , my Dart got new clothes (paint)in 2018 that were more Armani then the Sears I would have be fine with . So far it hasn’t been out on the road yet . It’s waiting on me to put all the trim on and finish the interior .

Ya I agree if you left it in rattle can green you probably would have 20,000 miles on it by now .
Ok now go drive the wheels off that paint job and enjoy every mile.