Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window

[murd969]

Everything is looking good.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Not too much to report until Friday but the parking brake mechanism was installed yesterday. I'd originally intended to use a Lokar style that mount to the firewall & dashboard leading edge but since my dash is coming out soon and because Mike had a buddy that got us a deal on this factory type we went with this.


It seems pretty solid and I'll put some kind of better looking pedal cover on it eventually. The only issue right now is whether the factory vent cover will fit with it there? I think it will with some spacers. Yeah, I know with AC most guys get rid of the vents. But I didn't weld shut the cowl vent (kinda like it) and if I cover the vents then there's a dead end for leaves, twigs, rain, etc. Thoughts anyone?

[ChuckDriver]

Could it be moved up higher and the pedal arm lengthened?

[Dan in Pasadena]

Hmmm, not a bad idea. I'll ask about it.

[bowt1ed]

Hey Dan, is that a push release or cable release? What is it off of? Also been looking that direction.

Cheers, Jim

[Dan in Pasadena]

Hi Jim,
It's a push to release type. It's new so I have no idea what vehicle it fits. I THINK Mike said it fits GM truck's as original equipment but I'll have to check.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Here's a little bit clearer shot of the parking brake.


I confirmed it can't be installed higher with a longer arm fabricated, unfortunately. Too bad because that would have been a good fix. If it went higher the bolts would be above where the fender covers.

I decided the fix is to cut the vent flange off, trim 1/2" off the vent itself, and weld it back tighter to the kick panel. Spacers would be a bad idea because they would cause work hardening of the sheet metal over time and cause it to tear.

[ChuckDriver]

Might be easier to move the pedal pad over.??

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by ChuckDriver

Might be easier to move the pedal pad over.??

A little hard to see in the picture but the conflict is with the main mechanism, not the pedal itself. I WISH we could just cut/move over the pedal arm.

Ebernst, Thanks so much for the compliment. Tomorrow - despite a forecast of heavy rain (in SoCal? CAN'T be! Lol) I'm taking the day off work to rent a trailer and the frame goes to blast/powder an the cab & fenders back to the body shop.

I'm getting excited because after this it starts to be finalized. Chassis will be totally reassembled, brake & fuel lines run, pick wheels & tires, a few items to chrome, exhaust Jet Hot coated, real paint, etc. I'm shooting for totally done by Memorial Day so i can enjoy it all next baseball season - my favorite time of year!

[ebernst]

Looks great, Dan! I think it's a solid truck and I can't wait to see what you do to it.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Saturday, December 17, 2016

This is sort of a "note to self" for future reference.

Yesterday was a bit of a bust. Took the day off work to rent a trailer to transport the frame and body to blasting/body shop, there was a communications bust between Mike and Marcos and there wasn't room at the body shop to store the cab inside! Didn'tfind out til i got there with the cab on the trailer. After phone calls, a few trips back and forth, it was decided to put it into a spare stall in one of Mike's friend's shop until Tuesday when Marcos will have the room for it.

Also, the frame wasn't QUITE ready for transport as the temporary cross member prior to the Flat Out IFS crossmember had to be removed, along with some factory brackets no longer used - parking brake, and a couple welds completed because they were inaccessible until the cab was off, etc. ANyway, the truck is fully broken down again, and the build continues.

Merry Christmas and Happiest of Holidays to all my, "Friends I Havent Met Yet" here on the forum. Best to you and yours, Dan

70 mile round trip to rent a special trailer and $75, not exactly for nothing but a lot of wasted time and the frame will be carried by forklift to the blaster as its only 2 blocks away.

[Advanced Design]

Oh ugh....some days are like that. Hopefully next one you have will be way more productive.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

[oldman3]

Dan, Merry Christmas and Happy New Years...Jim

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks Doug, Thanks Jim!

Hope you have a wonderful season.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Can anyone tell me what brand and model these wheels are:

[Rude Dude]

Hey Dan I tried to send you a pm but it comes back saying you have reach capacity and can no longer receive messages?

[ChuckDriver]

Dan, they look like Billet Specialties Legacy wheels to me.




http://www.billetspecialties.com/whe...series/legacy/

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by Rude Dude

Hey Dan I tried to send you a pm but it comes back saying you have reach capacity and can no longer receive messages?

Sorry Rudy. I'll got fix that now.

[Rude Dude]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Sorry Rudy. I'll got fix that now.

Sorry Dan, it still not working but here why I am contacting you. I was wondering if you still have your take off steering wheel and any of the column parts meaning the turn signal cup and bearing. The reason why I am asking is my older brother in Cali just purchased a 55 1st series truck and is missing these items. They are the same for 1954-1956 trucks so if you need to rid yourself of these items send me a PM and I will give him your contact info

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks JJ!

I'm just starting to seriously shop wheels and I already know Billet Specialties are pricey.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Hi Rudy,
I gave the column to a guy I ran into at The Car & Truck Shop but I'll be happy to give the steering wheel to your brother.

I TRIED clearing my PM's last night and it would let me select a number of them and assign "delete" to them but I couldn't figure out how to make them actually delete. Must be a case of "lame old guy" disease, lol.

[ptc]

Those look like the old Halibrand Champ wheels.



Im sure somebody makes a knock-off alum wheel...

[Dan in Pasadena]

To me the Champ wheels remind me of what American Racing sells as "Salt Flat" wheels. I like them a lot.

[ptc]

Try these guys too. They have a "Dragmaster" wheel that looks like them.

http://www.etmags.com/dragmaster.html

[Dan in Pasadena]

Nice but YIKES on all their prices. They don't even tell you what a 17" costs but if the 15x9's are almost $500 each the 17's have to be more. I've spent too much on the truck already so I'm going to go with something less pricey. Appreciate the link though, I REALLY like all their styles too!