1957 Chevy truck re-rebuild

[Kim57]

I took my turn signals out and never really thought of putting anything in their place.
It should look nice when you're done.
Kim

[OKGMC4]

Tack weld studs to the inside of the fender, and brackets to the gills. Then you could bolt or unbolt them as needed. Could even make them an accent color. I like them no matter what, it's a totally original idea so far as I know.

[Stepside Jim]

Originally Posted by OKGMC4

Tack weld studs to the inside of the fender, and brackets to the gills. Then you could bolt or unbolt them as needed. Could even make them an accent color. I like them no matter what, it's a totally original idea so far as I know.

Thanks for checking in OKGMC4. I did consider making a bolt in system. One problem I had was the sheet metal from the head light to the bumper not only wraps around the front to the side. The surface is kind of concave. Not having any true straight metal areas left me without a way to have clean edges where the fender metal meets the gill metal.

We are thinking the same on the color also. So far my plan is a two tone paint job. Silver bottom, maroon metallic upper. With the silver bottom that would include the gills. I've never tried air brush, it may be time to learn. I considered at least airbrushing the edges of the gills darker to help bring them out a little more when done.

As for having an original idea......I know what you're saying. It seems everytime I think I'll done something original, grrrrr, I find an image somewhere that is similar to my idea.

As for the truck, I took a picture that shows the difference from the new to the old.


My issue of welding these in place and having was solved by cutting holes that matched the gills. This way I can insert the gills and do the weld from the backside. Sure there is going to bits of grinding to do on the exposed/front side but as for the majority of the weld will be on the backside where I can use the 4 1/2" grinder and smooth the welds.

[butchp]

What about using some of that body glue they repair corvettes with and it also works with metal.

[Stepside Jim]

Originally Posted by Kim57

I took my turn signals out and never really thought of putting anything in their place.
It should look nice when you're done.
Kim

Kim, did you have plans on any kind of turn signals when you were done?

[Kim57]

Originally Posted by Stepside Jim

Kim, did you have plans on any kind of turn signals when you were done?

I was trying to find some small round ones like my rears that I can french in or do the ones in the headlights.
The gills are coming out nice.
Kim

[Stepside Jim]

Hey butchp, thanks for checking in, perhaps a good idea, I've done the welding from the backside. Then came the grinding and more grinding, hmmmm, using a glue, might have been alot easier.

Ram, amazing what a couple of pictures can do to perk up some enthusiasm.

Kim57, I'm hoping to get the headlights ordered by end of this week. I haven't seen them other than in the catalog. I hope they help the look of the truck with the way they have a 3 bar look inside them.

The last picture was one side with the new and the other side with the new look. Here's both sides with the holes cut.


Now with the gills taped in place. I have the tape on the backside so the tape doesn't show in the picture.


After this comes a bunch of welding.