Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window

[bowt1ed]

Looks great sitting there Dan!

[youngrodder]

The best part is driving them. Don't stress yourself out. Enjoy it (as much as possible). I love running errands in the Ol' bomb.

Marc

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks guys.

When I mentioned I hardly ever drive her because I’m worried it’ll get scratched, door dinged or just stolen a lady on another forum I frequent replies, “What are you saving it for? To put in a museum?!”

She got me thinking and I’ve been trying to drive it more, enjoy it more and worry less. Still a hard sell vs. my nature but I’m trying.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Denee007]

I say get a cold root beer, sit in the truck under a shade tree, turn the music up to the oldies and enjoy
dne'

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Thanks guys.

When I mentioned I hardly ever drive her because I’m worried it’ll get scratched, door dinged or just stolen a lady on another forum I frequent replies, “What are you saving it for? To put in a museum?!”

She got me thinking and I’ve been trying to drive it more, enjoy it more and worry less. Still a hard sell vs. my nature but I’m trying.
Posted via Mobile Device

When I had my shinny (Green and Black 48) truck I drove it everywhere. People would often ask aren't you scared to scratch it. My response NOPE. I built it so I know what it would take to fix it and most importantly I would rather have my truck out and about with scratches and road rash than one that sits in a garage that you just admire. Driving and showing off your hard work is the best part.

Marc

[dsraven]

You just need to get the first door ding over with and realize that it's not the end of the world. You spent a lot of time building it so you should get initial and enjoy driving it, the looks you get doing that and the comments you get from people who can appreciate the work it takes to get a project to a finish like yours. Show it off and enjoy. It's why they make base clear, so you can fix and blend every once in a while as needed. Not saying park anywhere, we dont with our daily drivers, just saying stuff happens but it shouldn't make you scared to go out and enjoy.

[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.
Posted via Mobile Device

[bosco]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Thanks guys.

When I mentioned I hardly ever drive her because I’m worried it’ll get scratched, door dinged or just stolen a lady on another forum I frequent replies, “What are you saving it for? To put in a museum?!”

She got me thinking and I’ve been trying to drive it more, enjoy it more and worry less. Still a hard sell vs. my nature but I’m trying.
Posted via Mobile Device

It's hard to take that first step (first ding/rock chip). Mine was a rock chip. Now I drive it when ever possible and will repair the paint down the road. Then start all over.

Next time I will look into a clear bra for the hood (that seems to take the most abuse from the road). A buddy of mine has a '71 VW bus all restored and did the clear bra and drives to shows every where (even drove to Lake Havasu) and not a mark on the front. It takes a pretty good beating. Anyone have any experience with these clear bras?

Enjoy your truck as much as you can. They are fun to drive.

[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
Posted via Mobile Device

[Rickysnickers]

Originally Posted by bosco

Anyone have any experience with these clear bras?

Yes, but not on this truck. I had it on my Dodge R/T and my old Tacoma. In both cases, it was great and well worth the money.

[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.
Posted via Mobile Device

[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.
Posted via Mobile Device

[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!

[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.