Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed

[reaper71]

Nice Progress Kees!

[RockinKees]

Originally Posted by Kim57

Looks real good.
I like the back glass idea.
Kim

Thanks Kim!
Hope it works out the way I want. Spraying paint on glass is a different discipline

reaper71

Nice Progress Kees!

Thanks Mark!

Some small things done this time:
Painted the back of the cab.
First semi gloss black:



Then white:





Then finally, two coats of high gloss red:





In the near future, when all is dry enough, I pinstripe a fine white line between the black and red.

Now some fabwork again, the doorlatches...
You probably know I use BMW latches. I want the original doorhandles to work with de BMW latches, so some fabwork is required.

To freshen your memory:



Some ordinairy homemade steel parts:



Turned a bushing that goes over the pin of the doorhandle:



Fast forward.....made the ordinairy steel parts into something I could use



When you push the doorhandle, this is what it looks like, actuated:



After several times of pushing the handle and lock and unlock, I made an adjustment: I made the lower lever 5 mm longer, now it's way better
Also it's fully adjustable by turning the bushing or the nuts



It's now rough, but it gets cleaned up before the steel plate covers it all





Again, this plate is going to be a lot nicer when I'm finished....
Next is to make the inside handle to work with this latch, but that should be an easy task...
Also, I wanted to use the electric BMW lock motors, the black box on the top of the latch, but that doesn't work, I don't have the room for it anymore.
Now I have to search for an aftermarket Central lock system that works with this latch. I think an universal set will work, we'll see.

Till next time!!

[Kim57]

Looking real nice.
Nice fab on the door latches.
Kim

[oldman3]

Kees, nice job on getting everything to work, and adjusted. Once cover is done it will look great...Jim

[RockinKees]

Thanks again guys!

Quite day at home...
A few weeks ago I cleaned the hood emblem.
Now all emblems are painted the way I wanted, it looks great!

Too bad I don't have the "Fleetside" emblems....

As it was when I bought the truck:



After cleaning:



Painted, you can hardly see the difference







Next I made some indicator lights ( or Idiot Lights as some of you call them ) and drilled them into the dash.
A high beam indicator, which is blue in Europe, at the original place, at the left side of it, a red charging light, and at the right side a yellow brake fluid warning light. All LED's.

[lowrodderchev]

I'll keep a eye for some if your looking. Once in awhile they pop up on Craigslist

[Kim57]

Very nice looking stuff.
Kim

[RockinKees]

Originally Posted by lowrodderchev

I'll keep a eye for some if your looking. Once in awhile they pop up on Craigslist

Thanks! That would be nice!
If only I could afford it then...

[RockinKees]

Spent the whole day making door latches
I think I've got them covered, besides the paint that is:







Only thing now is connect the inside doorhandles and make a central locking system.
So, on to clean the doors and put some paint on them!
Again, a little problem off the list

[lower50's]

Lookin good I'm using similar led lights in my truck.

[Cuttin up]

Late to the party, just read your thread all the way through today. Fantastic job, always amazed with what folks do with what they have around in other countries. Keep up the great work.

[Advanced Design]

Kees, that is some nice work there on the door latch and led's. Very creative!

[deejaaa1]

you are doing a fantastic job. looks sharp.

[bogape]

Hi Kees
A quick question about the inspection.
You say you had to change the headlights.
Did they not like the US ones?
Also do you have to drive there or can I take on a trailer?
I have my inspection in 4 weeks.
thanks
Nick
(Englishman living in Holland)

[RockinKees]

Nick, sorry for the late replay...

Sealed beam headlights are allowed nowadays, IF they give a good image, I mean you must have a certain line between the light and dark side of the light, as you have with halogen headlights.
Mine were not at the right hight, so there I was unlucky....
I also changed them because of the amount of light the halogen gives instead of sealed beams.

You can drive there, but you have to get an insurance and a day registration. That day of registration is called "éendags kenteken" in Dutch, it's free of charge. You can get it online at the RDW website.
It's only valid on the day of inspection.
If you use a trailer, you don't have to have an insurance or an "ééndags kenteken". It's what you prevere...

Where is your inspection taking place?
If you have any further questions, please ask!
Oh, and when will we see your buildthread coming??

[bogape]

Originally Posted by RockinKees

Nick, sorry for the late replay...

Sealed beam headlights are allowed nowadays, IF they give a good image, I mean you must have a certain line between the light and dark side of the light, as you have with halogen headlights.
Mine were not at the right hight, so there I was unlucky....
I also changed them because of the amount of light the halogen gives instead of sealed beams.

You can drive there, but you have to get an insurance and a day registration. That day of registration is called "éendags kenteken" in Dutch, it's free of charge. You can get it online at the RDW website.
It's only valid on the day of inspection.
If you use a trailer, you don't have to have an insurance or an "ééndags kenteken". It's what you prevere...

Where is your inspection taking place?
If you have any further questions, please ask!
Oh, and when will we see your buildthread coming??

Kees, thanks for all the info.. really appreciated.
My inspection is in Utrecht
If there are things wrong (likely!) then what is the process for retesting? Do I have to do another full test?
I haven't done a build thread yet, as progress is quite slow... I will have to find out how to load photos then do something... at least you have to recognise me if we meet on the road!!
Also any tips on insurance companies over here?

[RockinKees]

What should go wrong??

If all is in reasonable good shape, all lights work, turning lights, brake lights, low beam, high beam, you have brakes and a horn and not too much space at the steering and wheelbearings...you'll be the King!

If something is wrong, they only inspect those items, not the whole truck again.

For insurance you have to call a few, the companies are not used to big Americans overhere....
Mine is insured via my agent by Aegon, but take a look here:
http://www.oldtimerverzekeringvergel...g-vergelijken/

Slow build? Some guys are years in the build and they have a thread
Start one yourself, and you will see that your coming "problems" are easily solved
And we all love pics!!

[reaper71]

Looking really good Kees!!! love the 2 tone..

[RockinKees]

Small update this time.
Due to my downtime on wrenching, I like to pinstripe and make LowBro Kustom Art.
And maybe you noticed here or there, I am a Greaser, so the truck gets some of that art too.

I took the glovebox and painted it:

The Design:



Black and white stripes done:



Old Chevy logo in Silver with clearcoat in between the stripes:



Next was the aircleaner. It's a cleaner for propane filter, only 10" diameter:



This was fun doing.
In all my American Iron I always had homemade Tiki Shifters.
This time I am making something different: a giant Sparkplug out of an wooden pepper mill with aluminum turned parts
It's not ready yet, but I'll give you a sneak preview:



When it's ready I give you a full How To

[Kim57]

Very cool stuff.
Kim

[ChuckDriver]

Awesome work!!

[oldman3]

Nice job...Jim

[Advanced Design]

When I started at the top of the page and started scrolling down to see the updates, I was thinking about your pinstriping art. Little did I know we would get to see some. Very nice work Kees! You are really talented.

[lower50's]

Very nice work on the pinstripe. Love the shifter so far. I'm using beer tap handles.

[55 Chevy Dave]

The pin striping looks great! I also like how you two-toned the dash! Keep up the great work!