Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window

[Dan in Pasadena]

Well, lets just hope that’s all it ends up being.

We also need to swap out the oil pressure sensor Dakota Digital provided, figure out why the power steering seems underboosted - especially since it still has the gigantic stock wheel in it- maybe hydro boost related? I don’t know. Rroute & secure taillight wiring permanently.

Even after all this is done the AC needs charging, wrapping the exhaust piping under where I mounted the coils, and about a dozen other small things. Then? Upholstery!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Yeah, confirmed it was out of gas. Bed boards were pulled and gas added - fired right up. DOH!

[bobinbc]

There isn't anyone here who hasn't had a duh moment Dan.

How about the time MANY years ago I was putting an engine and trans in my 67 Firebird. Mid-way thru building the engine I bought some new wheels and tires for the car, of course I had to put them on right away so I could admire them. Back to the engine, eventually a few days later it's all buttoned up installed in the car, cam broken in, everything checks out great. It's 9:00 at night "let's take it for a little rip" I tell my buddy who helped me finish it up. So off we go down the block checking it out "hey this goes pretty good, strong torque!" all of a sudden what's that weird noise and vibration? Pull over, the wheels were almost ready to fall off. Lug nuts had only been tightened finger tight! DUH! RAN 3 blocks home and back to the car with a LUG WRENCH. I've never forgotten that lesson....

[Dan in Pasadena]

^^^Ha! I’ve done that one too....30-40 years ago. At least I’m consistently dumb.

Mike has acquired the shop next to his and is making it into a clean final assembly shop. He’s having the floor epoxied, etc. So my truck work will be pushed back til next week.

While there the other day they fired up a flathead he built for a customer. This thing sounds super badass. A lot more hardcore than my engine sounds. Hopefully this short video will work. I thought you guys might be interested to see/hear it. Oh well, video won’t load. Says “Invalid File”. But at least you can see a pic of the car.

[G&R's57GMC]

So Dan the tank was filled with Acme High test nova juice .

You’re going to have to loosen those purse strings and fill it with something with a little more body .

Glad you’re making progress, albeit a bit protracted. Keep at it and the pain will turn to smiles.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks Glen. There are a few things to finish that I can’t do or can’t do as well. The exhaust is finally being run fully to the rear. It was only done to the mufflers up to now. The AC will be charged, the hole in the factory four speed trans hump will be welded closed and maybe the parking brakes cables run also.

After that I should be able to do a lot of other stuff and then off to finish the upholstery - carpet, headliner and possibly door panels. Haven’t decided about those yet.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Ok, Ok, THURSday, February 21, 2019 LOL

Just a quick update to post the pictures for my future reference:

Exhaust finalized. Had to route under the rearend, not enough room above. I'll probably polish the stainless a little further back if it's visible once bed is back on.

Gas filler location had to be moved. The way it was made no sense at all and this is the Mustang-derived tank that Tanks, Inc. makes supposedly custom for these trucks! The filler came up partially on the bed strip and partially on the wood. Plus it comes up at a slight angle, maybe 5*. Moved over so it will be fully on the wood and straight up allowing me to use an ordinary boat type polished stainless filler & keyed cap.

[Dan in Pasadena]

As an aside, I am considering putting a reverse light on each side of the license plate - mostly to fill that open space. There is a lot of space around the rear bumper particularly since the TF trucks don't have a splash guard the way the AD trucks do (I think).

I have a picture of someone's truck from a show a couple years ago and I REALLY like the lights he used. From research it appears these are motorcycle signal lights. There are lots of crappy plastic chrome bodied ones on eBay but the good metal ones are pricey. I found some but can't say I like them nearly as well as the ones on the orange truck. If anyone can give me a good source(s) I'd really appreciate it.

Please offer your opinion. I'm using billet bed roll plugs from Mar-K instead of reverse lights but I DID consider their lights.

[nvrdone]

dan - I thought feb 21st was a Thursday. you must be breathing too much of that so cal gas fumes !!!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by nvrdone

dan - I thought feb 21st was a Thursday. you must be breathing too much of that so cal gas fumes !!!

Good catch, I fixed it. It's been in the 40's and 50's here for a week which is like 0 degrees to native Californians like me. Has frozen my brain a little, ha ha

[nvrdone]

I understand. for a cali boy in seattle with 15" of snow and 15 deg temps, its been real fun!! NOT !!!

[G&R's57GMC]

I wonder if the front parking / signal lamps would fit . Make a filler plate and mount them to that. Use a bright bulb . After all you would want a flood like light.

BTW could you post a pic of the exhaust pipes going under the axle.

[bowt1ed]

Originally Posted by G&R's57GMC

I wonder if the front parking / signal lamps would fit . Make a filler plate and mount them to that. Use a bright bulb . After all you would want a flood like light.

BTW could you post a pic of the exhaust pipes going under the axle.

X2 - thinking I may have to run my under as well due to pan hard bar and tank. What's your ground clearance on them? Looking good Dan!

Thanks, Jim

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by bowt1ed

What's your ground clearance on them? Looking good Dan!

Thanks, Jim

Thanks Jim.

I don't have the truck with me to measure but there's plenty of ground clearance. I'll measure for you but I'll be surprised if it's not close to 12".

[Dan in Pasadena]

Glen,
I was at the shop just an hour ago but the bed is back on so any picture now will be from below - not all that clear but I'll try.

DONE:
- Raised front end 1" - still very low and has a 1" rake rear to front.
- Front end aligned
- Tank modified, bed re-installed and filler hole cut.
- Problem: Filler is 1-1/2". Tank pipe is 2" DOH! Looking for turbo silicone reducer.
- ECM re-tuned. Truck has a little more noticeable rumply-rump @ idle.

FINAL ITEMS NEXT WEEK:
- AC system to be charged
- Trans tunnel hole to be TIG'd shut/insulation applied
- Tail light & reverse wiring to be final loomed and tied up out of sight.
- Wrap exhaust under frame-mounted coils.

That'll be it for now. Next I'll take it by the upholstery shop for an estimate on carpet and headliner and possibly door panels. I really haven't decided about them yet.

[Dan in Pasadena]

I should be picking up my truck tomorrow - fingers crossed.

The alignment seems to have improved the power steering effort - I'll see if I agree with that when I get it. While tuning and driving it the truck shut down by itself multiple times today - they think they have chased that down to a wiring issue but more test driving tomorrow to make sure. It also had the starter not engage a couple times - the starter is being replaced on their dime tomorrow.

The tail light and reverse light wiring is now final terminated and routed. I still need to buy the reverse lights similar to the pic I posted above. They detected/burped an air bubble in the cooling system. The trans tunnel hole was TIG welded shut and insulation installed over it. The AC will be charged tomorrow and assuming it holds pressure properly I will pick it up in the afternoon.

A lot of rain forecast for Sat & Sun in SoCal so no pictures until next week after things dry up but they're coming. Looking forward to putting some miles on her soon.

[oldman3]

Great news, hope all the little stuff gets straightened out...Jim

[Dan in Pasadena]

Took my truck out for a short trip today - the only day it's not supposed to rain for a week.

Got her first fill up with my dog, Joey. Yeah, I've become the stereotypical retired guy with tiny dog - oh well, I don't give a damn. My beloved huge blonde Lab, Sooner who was alive at the start of the project liked Joey so it's good.

It's got some bugs. First, I raised it 1" in the front and it's not enough. Sorry guys, I like them low but this is too low for me. I don't want to deal with rubbing tires (it barely does) or diagonal driveway entries. Besides, in this pic it looks too low in back - it's actually level - but I don't care for that either.

The steering effort is improved but still somewhat stiff at low speed. Stiff enough I may refinish the ginormous stock 18" wheel and use it...or...a ginormous stock Belair wheel.

All comments appreciated.

[Rude Dude]

Looking good Dan it is fine leave it level it so sweet!

Best Regards
Rudy

[Dongray]

I think it looks amazing as it is but if I had to go up driveways diagonally it would be getting a little lift.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Hey Rudy! Good to hear from you. How's Arizona living? How's your project?

Thanks for the good words. Still plenty to sort out but she's a driver and that's nothing but fun!

[Rude Dude]

Same as always retired just busy with life stuff, I did pickup another bed for the big window 55

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Hey Rudy! Good to hear from you. How's Arizona living? How's your project?

Thanks for the good words. Still plenty to sort out but she's a driver and that's nothing but fun!

[Dan in Pasadena]

VERY nice!

At a stoplight today(!) I had a whole conversation with a guy. He pulled up and offered to trade me his newish BMW 3 series wagon for my truck "straight up". I take it as a compliment.

He asked about a Cameo bed - didn't understand they're fiberglas sides over a conventional bed. I told him I'd come across a set of decent sides for $600 while building my truck and was hot for them until I found a lot (all?) of the stainless trim and other associated stuff is not reproduced and costs a fortune IF you can even find them.

Looking forward to seeing how your bed comes together.

[Rude Dude]

I like the Apache metal bed looks good on single eyed monsters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TL_nWVqE_

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

VERY nice!

At a stoplight today(!) I had a whole conversation with a guy. He pulled up and offered to trade me his newish BMW 3 series wagon for my truck "straight up". I take it as a compliment.

He asked about a Cameo bed - didn't understand they're fiberglas sides over a conventional bed. I told him I'd come across a set of decent sides for $600 while building my truck and was hot for them until I found a lot (all?) of the stainless trim and other associated stuff is not reproduced and costs a fortune IF you can even find them.

Looking forward to seeing how your bed comes together.

[Rude Dude]

The link might have to copy and paste in browser

Originally Posted by Rude Dude

I like the Apache metal bed looks good on single eyed monsters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TL_nWVqE_