GMC parking lenses

[Andyboy]

O.k.just got my clear parking lenses, but noticed that the rivet heads are to big. Kieth showed some pics on a thread here, can you get the smaller rivets at a hardware store or a specialty store? Also how do they stay on, do they snap on? Sorry for the dumb ?'s.

[Bradydz]

Originally Posted by Andyboy

O.k.just got my clear parking lenses, but noticed that the rivet heads are to big. Kieth showed some pics on a thread here, can you get the smaller rivets at a hardware store or a specialty store? Also how do they stay on, do they snap on? Sorry for the dumb ?'s.

Not an answer to your question, but I remember getting the same lenses a few months ago, and could not figure out what to do with the rivets, too. I ended up just using self-driving screws, similar to these, http://2.imimg.com/data2/PH/VO/MY-40...ds-250x250.jpg
I think it turned out fairly well, but watch the torque of the screws, as soon as they are tight, stop, or the plastic will split. I can upload a picture later if you would like.

[jbgroby]

Andy, I plan to use stainless steel nails or aluminum nails (don't want the rust isue). On the back side I will use round push-on nuts.

http://www.abcorfasteners.com/round_push_ons.htm

They WON't fall off, you'll have to size them right and probally bend one or two of the prongs back so you can push them one. They will conform uniformly and you're set!

Cut and trim the nail to length and you're good to go. Remember the back side of the lip is proteccted by the metal opening, so your' proteccted on the back side as well.

[dugvera@gmail.com]

Dont know if you can tell but these are stainless screws.
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[Ledslinger]

Chuck your rivet in drill and use a file to reduce the head.

[thebeast61]

who did you order the lenses from?

Originally Posted by Andyboy

O.k.just got my clear parking lenses, but noticed that the rivet heads are to big. Kieth showed some pics on a thread here, can you get the smaller rivets at a hardware store or a specialty store? Also how do they stay on, do they snap on? Sorry for the dumb ?'s.

[dugvera@gmail.com]

I got mine from brothers and all id need to do is drill the metal part a bit bigger and I could use them.
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[dugvera@gmail.com]

I also painted the inside of the housing with some crome paint to reflect lught better. Here is a better pic.
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[dugvera@gmail.com]

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[Andyboy]

thebeast61 I got mine from truck man parts he's out of fullerton ca. He has a store on ebay. His phone number is on there.

[kieth]

Originally Posted by Andyboy

O.k.just got my clear parking lenses, but noticed that the rivet heads are to big. Kieth showed some pics on a thread here, can you get the smaller rivets at a hardware store or a specialty store? Also how do they stay on, do they snap on? Sorry for the dumb ?'s.

I got mine from the local fastner company that handles POP brand rivets...Kieth

[Andyboy]

Originally Posted by Ledslinger

Chuck your rivet in drill and use a file to reduce the head.

I did that on all 8 of them. Then I looked at the bucket and the hole is too small. So I'll have to use screws.

[Andyboy]

Originally Posted by dugvera@gmail.com

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Does the screw heads sit in the recess hole or are they sticking out?

[dugvera@gmail.com]

There isnt a recess in these lenses I have. The old stock ones had a recess. If there was I could have gotten screws that would fit in it. I did grind the tips of the screws off that came through the backside.
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[Andyboy]

Originally Posted by dugvera@gmail.com

There isnt a recess in these lenses I have. The old stock ones had a recess. If there was I could have gotten screws that would fit in it. I did grind the tips of the screws off that came through the backside.
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Mine have the recess holes, I'll try the stainless screws. Thanks and congrats on the first crusz of many Gramps.

[padresag]

this came from jollies gmc site---- no mine
I've done 3 or 4 of the 62-66 variety park lamp lens replacements and bezels
over the years and have always used rivets to secure the lens to the bucket with
the new gasket sandwiched in there. However, I've not used the rivets that have
come with the re-pop lenses (at least mine all did) since the rivet head
supplied is larger than the hole it fits inside of. The rivet should fit down
inside the hole, and the ones supplied were always too large to fit properly. I
used aluminum rivets in all cases, since aluminum is soft, and used a bench
grinding wheel to reduce the rivet head size so it would fit inside the hole and
come to rest down on the "shoulder" of the lens where there is some strength,
and because the aluminum rivet will "break" much sooner, and because aluminum
does not rust. If you were to use a steel rivet for these plastic lenses, I
think your lens would break before the rivet was ready to let go.

I did use a standard issue rivet gun for all of these that I have done without
any problems.

ron

[Andyboy]

Well I just put them on and I'm not satisfied, they are not flush on the ends. There in so I'm hoping for the best.

padresag Thanks for the info. I'll put up pics tomorrow. Thanks again everyone.

[Andyboy]

here they are.

[dugvera@gmail.com]

They look great! I need my front end looking that good! Did you jave all the chrome work done?
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[duallyjams]

I know your not happy but I like the look with the chrome grill and bumper.

[dugvera@gmail.com]

My post was suppose to say "have"
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[Andyboy]

Originally Posted by dugvera@gmail.com

Attachment 868213They look great! I need my front end looking that good! Did you jave all the chrome work done?
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I bought the truck like that. I got it from an 80 year old lady that bought it in the late 60's. I doubt she had them rechromed. The grill is cherry, the bumper shows its age.

[dugvera@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by Andyboy

I bought the truck like that. I got it from an 80 year old lady that bought it in the late 60's. I doubt she had them rechromed. The grill is cherry, the bumper shows its age.

Another person had the same story at a car show about their bumper being fair and the grill still good. Hiw was all original stuff too. strange. No 80 yo in his story though.

[duallyjams]

I wonder how hard it would be to put the chrome trim around the amber lens ?

[jbgroby]

Easy, you need to mask off the back side and spray or paint chrome paint. Testors make a good color called "Chrome" They do have it in a spray can but the 1/2 oz bottle witha an airbrush if you want better control. IF you don't have an airbrush. email me off BB ansd let me see if I can do it for you. I just got through airbrushing the dash panel incert for a client.

J Groby
jbgroby@charter.net