Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

someone needs to remove ''build'' from his signature link
life does get in the way, eh?

That's why it says "kinda" in my link. Not just cause my '55 isn't a frame up job but because I tell myself, "Life isn't a dress rehearsal, this is all you get. Better take maximum enjoyment from it".

I'm sitting on a small bluff overlooking the slow running Kern River, waiting for the BBQ to get up to temperature. I'm thinking how nice it'd be to have my '55 here towing my jetskis. We're gonna store the 5'er up here so if I can get her reliable enough, there's no reason I CAN'T do this. Maybe next summer!
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[G&R's57GMC]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

That's why it says "kinda" in my link. Not just cause my '55 isn't a frame up job but because I tell myself, "Life isn't a dress rehearsal, this is all you get. Better take maximum enjoyment from it".

..... We're gonna store the 5'er up here so if I can get her reliable enough, there's no reason I CAN'T do this. Maybe next summer!
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If you do store the 5'er up there don't forget to winterize it and take the batteries home and put them on a Battery Tender.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Yes, I agree though we'll use it at least a couple times more before "winter" - such as that is in SoCal. Even here in Kernville it rarely snows and freezes are infrequent.
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[Dan in Pasadena]

Ok, so back to my '55 and my addiction to chrome!

Yesterday I stopped in "just to look" at The Truck Shop and I ended up buying a new hood ornament and polished stainless tailgate chains. Along with the new windshield wiper bezels I bought awhile ago, this SHOULD just about wrap up all the exterior stuff. Well... Except for stainless tail light bodies....and deluxe exterior trim - if I do that.

Pictures coming after work today.
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[dubie]

a real sucker for the shiny aren't you Dan. I suffer from the same thing which is why building a shop truck was difficult for me. I was always battling back and forth in my head on whether to go chrome everything with base/clear paint or leave it with painted everything and keep the factory pitted pieces. I chose the latter of the 2 for this one but our 58 GMC will have pimp proportions of chrome

[Russell Ashley]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Ok, so back to my '55 and my addiction to chrome!

Yesterday I stopped in "just to look" at The Truck Shop and I ended up buying a new hood ornament and polished stainless tailgate chains. Along with the new windshield wiper bezels I bought awhile ago, this SHOULD just about wrap up all the exterior stuff. Well... Except for stainless tail light bodies....and deluxe exterior trim - if I do that.

Pictures coming after work today.
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Way to go Dan. You can never have too much chrome, LOL.

I put the stainless chains and clear chain covers on my truck about a year ago. A few days ago I noticed that they are marked right and left, and sure enough, mine were reversed. It doesn't take long to swap them but I thought I'd mention it so you won't make this same mistake.

I have a set of the cab trim but I'm having second thoughts about installing it as I can't make up my mind if I want to ever paint my truck or not. I wouldn't want to paint the truck with that trim on but doubt I could remove it without damaging it if I install it now.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

...I put the stainless chains and clear chain covers on my truck about a year ago. A few days ago I noticed that they are marked right and left, and sure enough, mine were reversed. It doesn't take long to swap them but I thought I'd mention it so you won't make this same mistake....

Oh, I'd never make that mistake. I'm waay too smart!

I'm sure I'd have never thought of such a thing. What makes them unique to a side? I thought that might apply to four eyed Fleetside trucks, but yours isn't one of those, right?

Clear covers, huh? I hadn't intended to do that. I figured the clear would get cloudy/crappy looking after awhile so I was gonna put the same bicycle inner tube covers on - yeah, makes no sense to get shiny chains then mostly cover them. Hey, it's a disease I tell 'ya!

[G&R's57GMC]

At a boy Dan , Your right the clear will yellow and look like c..p.

Besides the tease of just a little bit shine on the chains is like a scantly clad woman ....

Now go find a chrome ball for your 5th wheel hitch lever

[Russell Ashley]

I'm afraid "chrome lust" has gone way beyond teasing for me, LOL.

This is with the chains installed correctly. I thought the chain hooks looked more correct when I had them reversed. The clear covers haven't yellowed any after one year but the truck is garaged and only sees sunshine when I have it out for a drive. I like them and they're cheap so I'll just replace them if they yellow.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks Russ I see you have the chain on "right".

My Dad always insisted the hook had to go in the hole from the bottom up, then over - like yours is in this photo. NOT just hooked through the eyelet. I don't see that it makes much difference but I can't get myself to do it any other way even all these years later.
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[Dan in Pasadena]

BEFORE:


AFTER:


Polished Stainless Tailgate Chains
- MEH.....Doesn't Look like much in the photo but looks much better in person:

[Kim57]

Looks good.
Kim

[fabguy]

Looks really nice
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[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks guys.

I got so used to seeing it without the hood ornament I almost wonder if I don't like it better that way?! I'm sure it'll grow on me after awhile.
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[Zane M]

Dan,
I just got done reading the journey from the beginning.
Great job!
I love the approach you are taking with this.

[G&R's57GMC]

Hay Dan,

On another thread you were asking about making a trim panel for behind the seat,

Well in the latest issue (Oct. '13) of Custom & Classic Trucks there is an article on pg 26 titled "Kickin' off the back of the cab" that shows how to cover the area and adding things like an ECU and sub woofers.

Take a look very interesting.

Oh, BTW nice bling on the hood. LOL

[Dan in Pasadena]

Oh wow Zane. Thanks for doing that. I apologize in arrears for all the yada, yada, yada, blah, blah, blah about my fifth wheel trailer, and other irrelevant stuff, etc.

I actually went back through my thread awhile ago and was surprised how different the truck looks. I impressed myself! It's not like the guys that have theirs torn down to the frame, but I am having fun. Do you have a truck now or do you want one? If so, tell us about it or your dreams!

Thanks again, Dan

[G&R's57GMC]

Dan, Look at the post above yours

[fabguy]

Originally Posted by G&R's57GMC

Dan, Look at the post above yours

Dan,
I just read that article last night and it is a good one. About the only way to do it better is to get Ogre to come over and help me.
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[vht]

Dan, look at the before pics and the after pics of your truck, you gotta be proud! Looks real good, I ck every night just to see if you done anything else.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by vht

....I ck every night just to see if you done anything else.

Wow, no pressure or anything!

Thank you, I'm flattered. Now I WILL have to do more.

I've been sloughing off. I've got so many things lined up complete with parts but when I get home I'm usually too lazy to go out to the garage and work.

I've got the Lokar shifter to install, the Altman bear claw door latches, new rear glass rubber, seat belts, and more. Embarrassing to admit but there it is. I just need to go outside and DO IT!

[Baldeagle SR]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Wow, no pressure or anything!

Thank you, I'm flattered. Now I WILL have to do more.

I've been sloughing off. I've got so many things lined up complete with parts but when I get home I'm usually too lazy to go out to the garage and work.

I've got the Lokar shifter to install, the Altman bear claw door latches, new rear glass rubber, seat belts, and more. Embarrassing to admit but there it is. I just need to go outside and DO IT!

Dan I know how you feel. Sometimes I work 8 or 9 hours on mine and sometimes I work 30 minutes. I want to enjoy working on it and I don't want it to turn into another job. Rich
my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post6265491

[G&R's57GMC]

Don't feel bad Dan about not getting a few small projects done.

I've got 6 major projects in the queue and nothing is getting done or even looked at this year !!! Opps just thought of 1 more, dang !

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks Glen, I actually MAY have some unscheduled time this weekend to do one of more of these projects...plus complete the polishing of the lip on my vintage TT wannabe's that I started a month ago. I'm doing them with the truck acting as the lathe! Working good so far, BUT it's not posi so I have to move the rims around to the driven wheel in rear to accomplish the job.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Hi Denee!

No I haven't used them yet. They're sitting in a drawer awaiting their turn just like all my other parts.

A VERY generous member here has offered me a GREAT deal on an IRS setup off an '87 Vette I will pickup in Santa Cruz in November. The bending tools will get used sometime after that.

I had read only good things about those tools over on the HAMB so that is why I went ahead and bought them. Frustrating, huh?
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