Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window

[Dan in Pasadena]

Of course you guys are ALL correct. But of course I’m NOT going to intentionally take it anywhere it’ll get damaged. It’s already got one little spot where the clear coat has been damaged which needs repair.

I just need to rely on it more day to day as transportation and not solely use my Jeep.
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[Dan in Pasadena]

I suppose you’re right. I still have no chips on the front of it so I could put the 3M clear stuff on now - though I don’t know who does it or if I’d trust just anyone to do it
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[dsraven]

I have had it on several newer vehicles. It is a computer cut product so the computer would need to have your vehicle in its data base. That said, there is likely some shop out there who can scan your truck into their system and cut/install what you need. I recommend using the 3m material as some off brands will yellow over time in the sun.
You gotta drive it man, that's what it's all about.just be carefull like you already are.

[Dan in Pasadena]

I took her out for a ride yesterday afternoon to my 8 year old grand daughter's birthday party at a pool place called Waterworks in Pasadena.

Hot as hell in SoCal yesterday. I have Vintage Air but the outlets in the cab have never been installed so it blows out under the dash. Not very effective at all.

I REALLY need to fabricate the under dash valence I've been talking about with Ogre and others on a different thread to get the AC working as it should.

I also need to adjust the front coilers to gain maybe 1/2" to 1" - I get rubbing at full lock, then install the air shocks in the rear to give a slight rake.

[Denee007]

How sweet it is to make memories Even at 8 y/o, it will remain in her memories for a life time~ such a beautiful truck
dne'

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

I took her out for a ride yesterday afternoon to my 8 year old grand daughter's birthday party at a pool place called Waterworks in Pasadena.

Hot as hell in SoCal yesterday. I have Vintage Air but the outlets in the cab have never been installed so it blows out under the dash. Not very effective at all.

I REALLY need to fabricate the under dash valence I've been talking about with Ogre and others on a different thread to get the AC working as it should.

I also need to adjust the front coilers to gain maybe 1/2" to 1" - I get rubbing at full lock, then install the air shocks in the rear to give a slight rake.

[dsraven]

Nice that you are able to take your 8 y.o. grand daughter out for a run. She will remember that I'm sure.
Dude, take a few minutes and get the ac working proper. The build deserves it as do you.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by dsraven

Nice that you are able to take your 8 y.o. grand daughter out for a run. She will remember that I'm sure.
Dude, take a few minutes and get the ac working proper. The build deserves it as do you.

Actually, I just drove to the swim party yesterday. I’ve only taken her on one ride in it so far because until now she hasn’t been big enough to ride in it without a car booster seat. Now she’s graduated out of that and her little sister (4) has graduated INTO big sister’s no-longer-needed booster seat.
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[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by dsraven

Nice that you are able to take your 8 y.o. grand daughter out for a run. She will remember that I'm sure.
Dude, take a few minutes and get the ac working proper. The build deserves it as do you.

You’re absolutely right that I NEED to not only get the AC vents in but to finish an assortment of little things in it so it can truly be daily-driveable; even if I don’t quite do that.
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[dsraven]

post 297......is that dust on the roof?
it needs to move more, haha.
looks awesome.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Wiped her down, checked tire air and took her out to lunch & for a few errands. Love it but also I worry like an old hen. People always walk up to look and I’m afraid they’ll scratch her. But as someone told me, “What are you saving it for, a museum?!” Of course they’re right but still fret about it.

Maybe I should have left it in its old rattle can shop truck look and just done the mechanicals only!

[daveshilling]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Wiped her down, checked tire air and took her out to lunch & for a few errands. Love it but also I worry like an old hen. People always walk up to look and I’m afraid they’ll scratch her. But as someone told me, “What are you saving it for, a museum?!” Of course they’re right but still fret about it.

Maybe I should have left it in its old rattle can shop truck look and just done the mechanicals only!

Just make peace and let it get scratched...once you get a few dings you can relax, I hope! This is one of the main reasons I won't paint a truck. I want to enjoy driving it, not worry about what happens to my precious paint job, and focus on what I'm doing instead of thinking about the truck in the parking lot and doing a walk-around-inspection each time.

Life's too short, it's time to get your dings and scratches as proof that you've out living!

Edit: 3000th Comment!! It's a sign that I have spoken the wisdom and you must get out and drive the heck out of that truck and don't sweat the scratches.

[bowt1ed]

Dan, gotta say - still one of the best looking trucks I've seen on this forum. Please remind me what your wheels are, including sizes and tires too. Sure I could look back through, but this is easier. ��
Thanks, Jim

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by bowt1ed

Dan, gotta say - still one of the best looking trucks I've seen on this forum. Please remind me what your wheels are, including sizes and tires too. Sure I could look back through, but this is easier. ��
Thanks, Jim

Ha, sure. They're Boyd's Smoothies; sometimes called Smoothie I's since there are now II's.

Nephew found them for what I THOUGHT was cheap - $375 for all four so I told him get them. But it turned out 3 needed straightening and 1 had lost a small piece of the back "lip". I had them fixed and professionally polished and they ended up nearly costing the same as if I'd bought new, But they looked fantastic! Oh well.

They're 17x8's and the tires are 235/55x17's. Pics are from the For Sale ad and then after I had them redone.

Bottom-line is they're too flashy for my taste. I wish I'd bought something else and may still. People seem to like them but they're kinda ghetto-fabulous for me. I'd prefer (and I already bought used) 17x8 "steelies". If I use them they'll be with 17" ribbed beauty rings and 51 Chevy dog dish caps. Haven't trial fitted them yet so I don't know if the offset will work. I have 1/4" spacers behind the rear smoothies now so they don't rub the bed sides. Thanks for the kind words.

[bowt1ed]

Thanks Dan. Turned out looking great.

[Rickysnickers]

"...but they're kinda ghetto-fabulous for me..."

NOT EVEN CLOSE!!!! They look great!!!

[slammed57]

nice lookin wheels, the great thing about polished aluminum is you can alwalys make them look new again

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

"...but they're kinda ghetto-fabulous for me..."

NOT EVEN CLOSE!!!! They look great!!!

Thanks for the kind words. I REALLY wish I'd put old fashioned American Torq Thrusts on her, the kind with gray spokes and machine finished lips.

I also really like Coys with the smooth, bowed gray spoke. Polished Salt Flat wheels are also a possibility but the problem is I ALREADY spent on these.

[G&R's57GMC]

Gee Dan your truck look fabulous as a garage queen , But looks even better out driving around !
Ya I get what you’re talking about the finish , my Dart got new clothes (paint)in 2018 that were more Armani then the Sears I would have be fine with . So far it hasn’t been out on the road yet . It’s waiting on me to put all the trim on and finish the interior .

Ya I agree if you left it in rattle can green you probably would have 20,000 miles on it by now .
Ok now go drive the wheels off that paint job and enjoy every mile.

[dsraven]

get in and drive it man!
you can park it in the garage and polish and shine it and keep it all nice but then inadvertently scratch it or drop something on it there too. might as well just get in and drive it. you wouldn't buy a new truck and then not drive it, right?
get'er done.

[Dan in Pasadena]

I'll likely always worry about my "precious paint job". It cost too damn much not to care about keeping it nice. But I keep the paint on my daily drivers as nice as I can too.

Finally took her out to lunch today to "the Village" - the old town area here in Glendora. Parked it right in front of the restaurant where I ate and since there was lots of seating I sat in a spot where I could see her.

Only one couple walked over and looked at her, looked through the window but didn't touch her. As I was leaving another customer said "nice truck" and of course I like hearing that.

[daveshilling]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

I'll likely always worry about my "precious paint job". It cost too damn much not to care about keeping it nice. But I keep the paint on my daily drivers as nice as I can too.

Finally took her out to lunch today to "the Village" - the old town area here in Glendora. Parked it right in front of the restaurant where I ate and since there was lots of seating I sat in a spot where I could see her.

Only one couple walked over and looked at her, looked through the window but didn't touch her. As I was leaving another customer said "nice truck" and of course I like hearing that.

Okay, I'll just suggest it then.. come to the patina dark side. We have cookies. And we put our beers on the truck if we want.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Just a quick addition to my thread:

My adult nephew surprised me with these 1951 California license plates yesterday. I’m VERY excited to have them. I’ve always wanted some but they’re ridiculously expensive IF you can even find a matching pair. I’ve seen asking prices over $500 a pair. Currently on eBay one ‘55 corner tag is for sale for $100!

I plan to restore these whether they are DMV-clear or not. Nephew says he’s had them many years so they’re likely clear but of course I have to officially check. They’re rough but there is no rust-through, no metal tears (well, one tiny one at mounting hole) or cracks - except in one vintage frame which I will fix, of course.

I don’t know plates of the era well enough to know if these are commercial plates? Anyone here know? Even if not I’ll use them. I never carry anything in my truck bed and I doubt a cop would know or care. No idea why someone painted the sides yellow but no matter, I’ll take them back to “correct”

[Dan in Pasadena]

Wiped her down, gassed her up, and took her out for a ride to the "village" today for lunch. Got a lot of thumbs up and a couple of questions.

[daveshilling]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Wiped her down, gassed her up, and took her out for a ride to the "village" today for lunch. Got a lot of thumbs up and a couple of questions.

Dan, move up here to Roseville, you can join our truck club and then you'd have plenty excuse to take her out!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by daveshilling

Dan, move up here to Roseville, you can join our truck club and then you'd have plenty excuse to take her out!

I actually go through Roseville about every other year. My girlfriend's two sisters live in Auburn so we drive right past. But in my Jeep or my RV. Thanks for the invite though!