Protrash Re-hash

[shortbed70]

Well the weather must be nicer where you are. Nice to see your still working on it. Wish I could say the same its just TOO cold

[lakeroadster]

Originally Posted by protrash64

I've got this head lite thing figured out and just need to assemble it and do some welding.
smoke:

Subscribed.... looking forward to the headlight install!

[protrash64]

Originally Posted by shortbed70

Well the weather must be nicer where you are. Nice to see your still working on it. Wish I could say the same its just TOO cold

It's pretty good......chilly, but good. It chased me inside last nite when I was head scratching and not actually doing anything.

Originally Posted by lakeroadster

Subscribed.... looking forward to the headlight install!

Me too.....I've never been able to drive at nite. Also looking forward to your dash install.

OK.......cut and welded and got my grill support together. Fairly self explanatory but it coulda gone a couple different ways. The first pic shows the original grill support lip clamped on the new grill support. A few welds and then hung the thing on the front of the truck just to get it out of the way. Still needs a bunch of grinding and a little body work but I think its good. I will try to get the headlites mounted tomorrow.

[lakeroadster]

I have contemplated sinking the headlights back into the grille support panel too. (I never have liked the "profile" look of the headlights sticking out of the front of the truck) Problem with doing this is I would also need to cut the inner fenders and then make some type of bucket.

Will you be cutting the inner fender panels during you modifications?

I am thinking of using bigger than stock headlights and making a custom grille to replicate a 67 plane Jane Camaro. Basically a big flat grille that from the side doesn't protrude out past the grille support panel. Or go a similar route like you have, with a Ralley Sport look.

Thanks, any input is appreciated.

[protrash64]

This exactly how I came up with my original idea. I noticed GM styling thruout the years had basically a rough shape and then a pie-cut for the grill. Its noticeable on anything with a phantom grill and the hideaways.

I thought I would be into the inner fenders and decided to hack out whatever I needed to get the cosmetic and function I wanted. Turns out that I will not cut the inners. If you look, they bolt on to the core with a lip folded down which actually gives you about 2'' vertically. Some of the lip may have to go, but I dont believe the engine bay side will be touched(looking down from the front with the hood open). Also the grill mounts very low and to the outside. The only casualty so far has been the core support diaginal. I thought I would rplace this metal with square stock around my future headlite bucket, but it is so solid I may forego the work. There are only about 50 bolts holding this stuff together!!!

What I have considered so far are the following: any of this may stimulate a better idea than mine. My metal skills are just this side of caveman, so I'm sure there are cleaner possibilities

88-89 truck headlites (4 little peanut lites)
90's F-body thin, flat lites
70's-80's square lites....on just about everything(4x6'')
5'' round headlites (4 headlite 70's Impala's for eg)
stock 7'' rounds....cut out the original headlite bucket and flip it around backwards and it almost fits.

The problem with the smaller headlites (4 lite set-ups) is a separate high beam lite adding mounting space and complexity. I went with the 5x7's cuz they fit the 'rounded square' look of the truck and had hi/lo beams in one unit.


I also learned that the mount feet of the original grill will give you the offset of the grill support bends to allow you to measure a level behind the grill to aim the lite. If you look at it it will make sense.

good luck and enjoy my hacking away...all your parts are getting more valuable by the day!!!!

[ravens65]

How about rs/ss camero hideaway headlights , had thoughts of doing that to mine w/rs/ss taillights in a roll pan and a cowl induction hood scoop - noone has done it.....yet! the grill is shorter so you would need to graft 2 together with a plastic welder it would look wicked than add rally strips and rs/ss emblems and the front spoiler

[jgh64pkup]

they make a metal rs grill i think

[ravens65]

Originally Posted by jgh64pkup

they make a metal rs grill i think

I had looked @ plastic ones -the doors are metal of couse this isn't the easiest but.... it would be awesome to flip open the headlights grilles are bout 90.00 can't remember the doors and trim think it was all about 300-350.00 for new repo parts (not inc hood scoop and tail lights or emblems)junk yard parts would greatly reduce the cost!!

[protrash64]

I continued my headlite deal that I thought I would finish in one afternoon. Here it is 3 weeks later.....at least the pieces are in place and I can continue sanding as I'm trying to get on a new coat of primer. Some drive time would be nice too.

I welded tabs on to the headlite buckets and made a heavy duty version of the factory mounting. Only took 3 trips to the hardware store and about 15 bucks worth of stuff. Imagine that!! I also included a pic of the core support with the clearance cut out............still one inch away from the inner fender panels. It all fits in nicely. I pulled it back apart to rattle can the various pieces on the back.

[Dinos63]

nice work jeff!!

[tiggamonsta]

How do you plan to adjust the headlights aim? Do you have any pictures of this?

[jason65]

Lookin good Jeff.

[lakeroadster]

Looks like it was meant to be.

Do you think you will have to reinforce the inner fenders due to the clearance cuts for the lights?

[protrash64]

Originally Posted by tiggamonsta

How do you plan to adjust the headlights aim? Do you have any pictures of this?

The tabs I welded on the lite buckets will fit on 3 different lengths of bolts extending behind the grill support. I will use nuts to capture the bucket and make adjustments. There are some weird bends to deal with......

Originally Posted by lakeroadster

Do you think you will have to reinforce the inner fenders due to the clearance cuts for the lights?

The inner fenders are not cut. I am still 1'' away in the uppermost corner. The core support is still solid, too.

[lakeroadster]

So in this picture the notch that is shown (where you can see the front tire) is stock and uncut?

Thanks,

[protrash64]

Originally Posted by lakeroadster

So in this picture the notch that is shown (where you can see the front tire) is stock and uncut?

Thanks,

That is cut and its the core support.......the inner fenders are untouched with the exception of a small portion of the flange. It does not need reinforcement and is totally solid. Once I put the 40+ bolts back in it will not move at all. I was planning on welding square stock around the cut-out to reinforce but I can barely flex the metal by hand. I will then build a box to fit behind the lites and attach to the inner fenders and core support.

[ChiefRocka]

It better be strong.....once you start juice'n that front end, you wouldn't want to leave the headlights behind....

[lakeroadster]

Now I see... thanks for the clarification.

[protrash64]

Originally Posted by ChiefRocka

It better be strong.....once you start juice'n that front end, you wouldn't want to leave the headlights behind....

.....let alone just all the weight!!!! Mite need a supercharger, too.

[MacAttack]

Great looking work, Jeff! Nice pics.

[bama63]

great work protrash

[protrash64]

Originally Posted by bama63

great work protrash

Thanx, this has been collecting dust after being distracted by my BBC install and now working 12 hours a day and weekends........someday it'll get there.

[shortbed70]

Dang glad to see your still tooling around with your truck. So your building a BBC for it? Give us info...

[protrash64]

Originally Posted by shortbed70

Dang glad to see your still tooling around with your truck. So your building a BBC for it? Give us info...

Thanx Troy.......the BBC went in the 'burb. I havent touched the p/up in nearly a year. Hard to believe it's been that long.

[shortbed70]

I know what you mean I just went back through my build and though I would be done by now and actually said that in one post..Keep on truckin...