53 3100 - complete rebuild and upgrade . . . .

[big_dan]

Still tinkering. Swapped in the 400# springs, set ride height, slapped on the hood and put a few miles on the old girl. Tracks good, runs at 190 all day, enough pep for now, and sounds awesome (to me at least). Finally!

Of course, you can never quit tinkering, right? I have a set of wilwood pro- spindles (standard height, no drop) that I've been eye-balling on the shelf......... install them and then I could run 20x8's and 22x12's........ of course the 6.0 is on my mind as well.......

It never ends! And I wouldn't have it any other way. More later -

Dan

[big_dan]

Another FYI for those researching headlights- after digging and trying to figure out what I wanted to use, I picked up the Holley "Retrobright" headlights. They seemed to have the best results, and WOW. Best light I've ever used on a project. Dropped right in, no issues, and I can actually see! They're a little spendy, but worth every penny IMO. More later -

Dan

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by big_dan

Another FYI for those researching headlights- after digging and trying to figure out what I wanted to use, I picked up the Holley "Retrobright" headlights. They seemed to have the best results, and WOW. Best light I've ever used on a project. Dropped right in, no issues, and I can actually see! They're a little spendy, but worth every penny IMO. More later -

Dan

How well do they fit the trim ring? Do they protrude? I tried some LED lights and they really changed the look of the front as they stuck out too far past the trim ring. Yeah for "plastic" headlights I couldn't bring myself to spend that coin on the Holley's.

Marc

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

How well do they fit the trim ring? Do they protrude? I tried some LED lights and they really changed the look of the front as they stuck out too far past the trim ring. Yeah for "plastic" headlights I couldn't bring myself to spend that coin on the Holley's.

Marc

They fit the trim ring and the bucket exactly as the stock lights did. The front of the bulb sticks out about 3/8" maybe? and is flatter than the stock bulbs, but doesn't look bad. I'll snap a pic later on.

Dan

[dsraven]

great to see the hood on there for a completed look. lights fit awesome and dont draw your eye to the change. like changes should be.

[youngrodder]

Thanks for the pics Dan. Yes they don't look bad at all but they stick out farther than stock and have a more square profile on edges. I run light covers that I'm partial too that would not work with the Holley set up nor the LED lights that I tried.

Pic for reference.

Thanks
Marc

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by dsraven

great to see the hood on there for a completed look. lights fit awesome and dont draw your eye to the change. like changes should be.

Thanks. The night time driving is greatly improved over stock for sure! Glad to be at this stage.

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Thanks for the pics Dan. Yes they don't look bad at all but they stick out farther than stock and have a more square profile on edges. I run light covers that I'm partial too that would not work with the Holley set up nor the LED lights that I tried.
Pic for reference.
Thanks
Marc

Definitely understandable. Everyone has different preferences; those covers look sweet. Lots of options these days; I definitely prefer them to the H4 conversions.

Dan

[big_dan]

So still getting the 53 dialed in.

Like I said before, ride quality with the Aldan 500# springs was a little rough, maybe a little due to the engine setback? Regardless, scratched my head, did some ciphering and decided stock height spindles with 400# springs should get me where I wanted. Spent a day on spindle swap / alignment (my FasTrax caster/camber gage is worth its weight in gold!) and back on the road again. MUCH better. Tracks like its on rails! It sounds a lot meaner than it is, but only I know that!

Slowly started a little cut/buff work to get the paint back a little more presentable; left side of the hood shows a little better now. I'll just keep plugging along around the rig.

And, as it tends to go, starting sniffing around for a 6.0 block for the next step on the old rig.

All in all - just having a blast getting some miles in!

More later -

Dan

[Chopped53]

Looking good Dan. Nice stance!

[youngrodder]

Well done. Driving is the best part.

Marc

[6DoF]

have you used the trunk box at all while out yet? i've been thinking about doing similar with an old job box that's been around since i was a kid.

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by Chopped53

Looking good Dan. Nice stance!

Thank you!

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Well done. Driving is the best part.
Marc

Absolutely. The old ride sure likes attention!

Originally Posted by 6DoF

have you used the trunk box at all while out yet? i've been thinking about doing similar with an old job box that's been around since i was a kid.

I have, yes. I keep a tools, jacks, and fold up chair for cruise-ins in it. So far so good.

Thanks for looking-

Dan

[big_dan]

So, the local cruise-ins wrap up this month. Been putting together a list of plans for the winter, so that's been fun. Fulton- style visor, maybe a 6.0 monster engine, take a little of the "dome" out of the hood, fix some paint issues, the list goes on and on. Only had one nagging issue - it didn't stop like I wanted. Finally tracked that down to a proportioning valve issue, so it's alot easier to drive "fun" with confidence. Absolutely love being able to hit the interstate and cruise at 70. All in all it's been a nice couple of months getting it dialed in, only gonna get better from here! More later -

Dan

[6DoF]

"the truck has been so much fun to finally drive so I'm going to tear it all back apart and change lots of stuff"

i know this feeling aaaalllll too well

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by 6DoF

"the truck has been so much fun to finally drive so I'm going to tear it all back apart and change lots of stuff"

i know this feeling aaaalllll too well

I've done it several times too! I think it's a "it would be a little better IF" kind of thing. At this point, nothing will happen to take it off the road until I have all the parts on standby! I.e., engine built, vacation days scheduled! Nothing has happened yet, though, still just planning. Thanks for looking-

Dan

[big_dan]

Still tinkering with the old 53. Been putting tons of miles on it so I'm reluctant to do too much 😆, but finally got around to fitting up the front bumper. Built a drop bracket to move it down and back to complement the ride height, and I'm pretty happy with it right now! Also swapped to chrome door handles for a little more shiny stuff, again, just little tweaks while I'm driving the wheels off it!

Oh - and the old 53 has a shop pal now; next project? Parallel project? Wasn't really looking, so it was a happy accident I found it I guess 🤷. 1965 Comet Cyclone. This'll be fun too!

More later - thanks for looking-

Dan

[62c30]

Truck looks awesome. The mercury is cool, I have a 66 cyclone gt.

[dsraven]

wow, nice find.
good to hear you're driving the wheels off the ol truck.

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by 62c30

Truck looks awesome. The mercury is cool, I have a 66 cyclone gt.

Sweet on the 66👍🏻. I've looked for a Cyclone for way too long - and found one twenty miles from home!

Originally Posted by dsraven

wow, nice find.
good to hear you're driving the wheels off the ol truck.

Yes sir absolutely! Just enjoying it and making little improvements here and there. Nothing big yet .....

Dan

[big_dan]

A few more little touches. Added the front emblem on the hood, plumbed in heat and defrost and got the door panels installed. Pointer on the cardboard door panels LMC sells; if you grab the stainless trim for the panels, be prepared to trim the cardboard a decent amount to get them to fit. All in all, just cruising and enjoying the ride!

Dan

[lv2tri2]

No air?

[dsraven]

looks awesome, grat job! I am partial to red though, lol.
will you install a cushion on the rear cab wall for a head saver on those quick launches? (just kidding).
the seats look really good in there and comfy looking to boot.

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by lv2tri2

No air?

No, no air. I left the cowl vent operational though . . . 😆

Originally Posted by dsraven

looks awesome, grat job! I am partial to red though, lol.
will you install a cushion on the rear cab wall for a head saver on those quick launches? (just kidding).
the seats look really good in there and comfy looking to boot.

No "head saver" either. Even if it grows a big mean 6.0, it shouldn't need it. The seats are very comfortable, yes.

Thanks for looking -

Dan