67 GMC super custom build

[chewychevy67]

Here is my solution to getting my optics into the tailgate. Make a hole in the panel and modify the gate under the visible line when the gate is closed so you can't see it when the gate is closed and you won't be able to see it when the gate is closed between the bumper and the bottom of the gate.

[chewychevy67]

I drilled a hole in the headlight bulb holder and used 1969 lincoln optic line clips to hold the line into the housing.

[loudchevy]

Originally Posted by chewychevy67

Here is my solution to getting my optics into the tailgate.

Nice solution, I thought the Trunnion mod was sweet to get the wire in there.

[chewychevy67]

I really wish that it would have worked and still kept the gate damper working. The boot will be a bit more work. We'll see how much work once I start fitting it.

[chewychevy67]

So I decided I'm not putting those on the hood. Can't alter the hood lines. So I shortened a 68 corvette console piece. I might try to fit it into the e brake cover. Another option would be to mould it into the dash pad on top of the gauges but that would require some major work at just dashes. We'll see.

[chewychevy67]

So I finished the housing this weekend that holds the fiber optic ends for the front. I got a really nice chrome paint pen from canuckvetter and I used it to do the trim surround and I textured the inside like the dash and glve box. I also used the chrome paint pen to change my lettering on the gaudes frome white to chrome and finished my antenna plaquard.

[chewychevy67]

Finally got my rear optic parts and the new lense for the front optics. Installed the rear stuff in the light housings.

[chewychevy67]

And now that I changed the letters to chrome on the dash I needed to change the ignition plaquard too. The chrome actually is more transparent and let's the light thru nicer.

[chewychevy67]

So I got the optic cables thru the driver side thru the thru trunion and retained the easy lift rod. That wasn't easy but I figured I had to try it because I really didn't want to use a boot if I didn't have to. Wouldnt look factory and would be a dead giveaway that it was added. This way there protected better. Also I had to make a cut where the grommet goes to change the angle of the light reflectors slightly so it is more clear in the rear view mirror. This way they will be more visible in daylight. Also got a new tailgate damper. . That was an expensive hole I drilled in the other one, But it sure is nice to have it not slam down.

[chewychevy67]

I sunk the bottom part in 1/2 inch and now it is properly visible from the rear view mirror in the truck. These lenses have to be just at the right angle to see them clear and bright.

[chewychevy67]

I've kind of been thinking I'd like to have the front optics easily visible so I might get it into the dash pad centered with the gauges. I'd have to cut the foam out nicely and get it mounted. I would only set it back into the pad as far as I needed to keep it flush. Then send it to just dashes to recover the vinyl and dye it back to red. I'd probably have the clock base covered in vinyl as well.

[chewychevy67]

So tonight I started putting the front optic together just to make sure the angles allow you to see the lenses clearly. Looks like it should work just fine. Now to cut the pad and start mounting the bezel.

[chewychevy67]

I started cutting into the pad.

[IronCanine]

I'm so lost. I feel like it's becoming a computer...but my gosh, this is all just hella cool Rod. You gotta take this thing to some serious shows...not just cars and coffee business...but some honest to goodness getting judged for real shows. This is going to be a showstopper.

[chewychevy67]

Thanks Brad. I plan to do 3 shows before I drive it regularly. I welded up some brackets to hold the bezel tonight and now it's ready to go to just dashes to get the foam moulded and recovered. It's not cheap to send it there but I hear they do amazing work.

[chewychevy67]

Soi have talked to the guys at just dashes and we figured the pad might look something like the center of a 67 impala dash with ac but the indent would be over the gauges in my truck. Some pics from their site of a 67 impala dash they did. Looks cool

[chewychevy67]

So I changed the colors of the optic in the dash. I've always thought of red as a warning and I used a 72 blue bright light filter indicator in my dash so I did not want my low beams blue and bright light red on the optic. So now my brights will be blue on the optic like my dash and my low will be green. The amber will still remain. For the signal and park lights.

[Kronald_70GMC]

That is a pretty cool mod you are doing there!

[chewychevy67]

I made a cardboard template for the just dashes guys to look at tonight. There will be a slight rise to the pad over the lenses. I was hoing for none but the bezel was a bit too large. It shouldn't look too bad from the front. Now would you guys smooth out the edges on the outside ast the cardboard to gradually blend into the curve of the leading edge or would you just make it a flat edge straight into the leading edge (kind of how the cardboardlooks now)?

[DeadheadNM]

Just when I think the build can’t get any more impressive, “BAM” - it does.

[Day 2 C10]

looks great what about an above the mirror console fit for the optics?

[chewychevy67]

I did think about that and I thought about fitting it into the windshield Pillar but i think the metal work would have been more than wanted at this point. Plus here you don't need to take your eyes off the road to view your front bulbs I guess. The pad is already in California getting looked over for refinishing so it will be here now for sure.

[chewychevy67]

I made a little tool so i could attach the ends onto the new optic cables for the front and rear harnesses close to how the factory crimped it.. The back one i made from scratch the front one I used the corvette sub harness. It was very close to what I needed for length but had to cut about a foot off the end of each one. They are all done and ready to go.

[chewychevy67]

So I got the final pieces back for my cornering lights today. They turned out really nice. He added an area in the back to mount the driver so it wont be hanging in the bottom of the fender.

[chewychevy67]

I also added the lockout/emergency window switch to the driver door panel so the windows can be operated with the key off or the passenger side windows can be locked. Now I have to figure out how to make a plate that will glue to the underside of the panel that I can mount threads in that I can mount the switches with. First I have to figure out what kind of plastic the oe door panels are made of.