Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window

[G&R's57GMC]

BTW those images are from the http://www.fillingstation.com

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks GR. I guess they were cost cutting even in those days, huh? But I like that they didn't get around to it 'til the year AFTER my truck!

The V8 emblems are cheap enough but I wouldn't put them on without the main side emblems. I also really like that the white background is a one-year-only thing. It's minor but that kinda stuff is cool...to me anyway.
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[G&R's57GMC]

Task Force emblems 55-57 see above post for 55 & 56 fender emblems.

Below 1. 55 hood, 2. 56 hood 3.57 hood , Fender & door 'V'

[Dan in Pasadena]

I wonder why you could get the '56 hood ornament in either black-on-red or red-on-black? Was there a meaning to one vs. the other?

It'd be nice if the '55 came that way but easy enough to change I suppose.
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[G&R's57GMC]

The top red bow tie with black background is the '55 the other is a '56.

The big one on the right with the black bow tie and red back ground is the '57

[Dan in Pasadena]

Yes, I already knew the larger more compact one is for the '55.

I guess I just didn't realize the re/black combo was year dependent. Duh, I SHOULD have because years ago I had a '57. Oh well.

[Daze57]

dan

grill looks great!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks Daze.

GR is trying to start trouble. I think he's a secret agent for The Filling Station or in my case, The Truck Shop. He keeps showing me pictures of shiny new chrome and being the chrome whore that I AM, I find myself thinking of ways I can afford to get it

[G&R's57GMC]

Come on you know you want it ...

Here it is, you know you have to have it ...

Cool, shiny, BLING !

Come and get it .... I know your hooked now !

Muhahaha ....

[Dan in Pasadena]

Ha ha, I actually do want some of that stuff but not the hood spears. Those are '57 only so my hood doesn't have the bumps they ride on.

I debate the two kinds of window trim.

I ALWAYS hear the trim that goes IN the rubber is a total pain in the butt to install without damaging it. But I truly like it.

As for the trim that goes on the paint around the cab I'm not sure I'd want that AND the rubber trim. It strikes me as too much. Regardless, I've read here that the clips that attach it don't always hold it tight. And even if they did I'd be concerned that the holes for that many clips would eventually allow the re-start of rust.

[G&R's57GMC]

Come on Dan, you know you have to have those spears You can mount them on the fenders above the headlights .... Bling, Bling !

And to go with them you have to have these ! Muhahaha !

[Dan in Pasadena]

I'm gonna have to start calling you Dr. Evil!

[G&R's57GMC]

Psst, Danny,Danny you also need Theese ...

They're just what the Doctor ordered ..... Muhahaha Bling, Bling

[Russell Ashley]

"As for the trim that goes on the paint around the cab I'm not sure I'd want that AND the rubber trim. It strikes me as too much."

Dan, you aren't listening to me, LOL. How many times do I have to tell you: There's no such thing as too much chrome!

Chrome windshield trim is definitely in my future, and I already have the cab trim but haven't installed it yet.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Russ, Did you read the post (can't remember whose?) that said his didn't hold tight to the cab sheet metal with the clips provided? He ended up buying a different set of clips. Sorry I can't remember any specifics but I know someone posted about it in the last few weeks.

Yes, I DO plan to get the stainless tail lights!
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[Russell Ashley]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Russ, Did you read the post (can't remember whose?) that said his didn't hold tight to the cab sheet metal with the clips provided? He ended up buying a different set of clips. Sorry I can't remember any specifics but I know someone posted about it in the last few weeks.

Yes, I DO plan to get the stainless tail lights!
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Dan, yea I read that post. It interested me because of the fact that I do have that chrome and it does look like it will be a PITA to install, so I was curious to see how his came out. Learning from others is one of the benefits of this forum. The clips I have look like they will hold it tight and might be the same ones he bought. I don't like the fact that there will be holes in the cab with apparently no sealer used when the factory did it so I'm going to see if I can get some silicone in the hole to seal it.

BTW, I already do have the stainless tail lights. Even if you don't want the shine, stainless is the way to go IMO. Now I want a new hood ornament after seeing the pics in this thread. It never ends.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

... so I'm going to see if I can get some silicone in the hole to seal it.

Yes, that has occurred to me too. It SEEMS like it would be a good idea, but I'm still not sure if I will even put the trim on at all. I need to see more truck in person at shows to decide.

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

... BTW, I already do have the stainless tail lights. Even if you don't want the shine, stainless is the way to go IMO. Now I want a new hood ornament after seeing the pics in this thread. It never ends.

I put new black tail lights on right after I got my truck. I bought the chrome mounting brackets but not the stainless housings - I don't know why. I'll probably get the stainless ones on my next trip to The Truck Shop. But I'm also thinking of going with the LED upgrade because I'm going to put my headlights on relays - which should brighten them up. I'm considering H4's too. Do you know if these lights just connect right up or do you have to install resistors, etc. to lower the voltage?

As for the hood ornament and the side badges? I'd love to have them but they're SO expensive I can't justify it right now. I'm also curious what having mine re-chromed would cost?

[G&R's57GMC]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

But I'm also thinking of going with the LED upgrade because I'm going to put my headlights on relays - which should brighten them up. I'm considering H4's too. Do you know if these lights just connect right up or do you have to install resistors, etc. to lower the voltage?

If you mean the LED lights needing anything added to the circuit, The answer is no just hook them up.

That said, if you replace the front bulbs with LED lights along with the rear LED's you will then need to add an electronic turn signal flasher.

If you just add the rear LED's and keep bulbs in the front all you need is a #552 regular flasher to make the signals flash at the stock rate.

Have fun, and don't forget Doc Evil say's you need more BLING

[dubie]

chrome used to be my favorite color. now I prefer painted pieces. But the wife's 58 GMC is going to have a TON of chrome hanging off the front of it. But for my truck, I'm all about low maintenance on the body

Your truck is really shaping up quickly Dan and is looking damn nice!!! thanks for keeping us up to date man.

I now have the entire body bolted on the frame again and am working on lining it all up as well as I can. This truck was in a few accidents over the years so it's not going to be perfect. You can check out the progress in the builds and projects section when you're bored.

Does anyone have install instructions for the spot lights? I got a genuine 50's spot light that works from a buddy of mine and think it would make a cool addition to my truck. I just want to make sure I drill the hole in the right spot

[G&R's57GMC]

Originally Posted by dubie

Does anyone have install instructions for the spot lights? I got a genuine 50's spot light that works from a buddy of mine and think it would make a cool addition to my truck. I just want to make sure I drill the hole in the right spot

The ones pictured are dummy spot lights, so no big holes through the body.

You might check you county maintenance garage and ask who installs their lights.

[G&R's57GMC]

Oh Daaannn, Shop around for those tail lights.
I found them at http://www.speedwaymotors.com/1955-5...bly,25193.html
No Tax, Lower price and I got mine from them.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Good catch. I just checked the Truck Shop and at $32 I thought they were cheaper than Speedway....BUT....Speedway's price includes the LED's for $35. Truck Shop gets another $27 on top of $35 for a ridiculous $62 PER tail light! Yeow!

Thanks very much for cluing me in. I know lots of guys complain about the TS's customer service. I go there because I'm near it every other week when I go to visit my mother so no shipping and I can see the parts before I buy.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Does someone even make LED's to fit into our stock front signals? I had no plan to do that but since you mention it I guess I should go do a search of the usual sources!

What I really need is info on improving our headlights. I have a relay kit that
I bought for the 911 I restored and sold before I installed it. That alone I THINK will cause my stock lights to be better, But I'd like to brighten them by using a brighter bulb. NOT the blue looking lights. Just not the dim yellow looking lights it currently has.

Anyone know how to do this?

[G&R's57GMC]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Does someone even make LED's to fit into our stock front signals? I had no plan to do that but since you mention it I guess I should go do a search of the usual sources!


What I really need is info on improving our headlights. I have a relay kit that
I bought for the 911 I restored and sold before I installed it. That alone I THINK will cause my stock lights to be better, But I'd like to brighten them by using a brighter bulb. NOT the blue looking lights. Just not the dim yellow looking lights it currently has.

Anyone know how to do this?

Check out the first LED
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/t...r,1157,21,195:

And http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/ca/full.aspx?Page=43 for the headlights

[Dan in Pasadena]

VERY interesting! Thanks for taking the time to post those links.

Have YOU done this upgrade?

I notice there are quite a few LED bulbs that have 1157 bases (I assume that's what we have?) I suppose I'd have to carefully measure what size would fit inside our signal lenses.

As for the headlights. I'd like a light that looks more "ordinary" than that photo on the LMC site does. I'm only thinking of something like a brighter, higher performance sealed beam. I have a relay kit already that I am hoping can be adapted to my truck. I think it can be.