55 2nd serie GMC

[Kim57]

That's really slick.
Kim

[JML55]

Here is the latest, planning the exhaust system. Will have it come out the side at the steps.

Double exhaust tips reset in the edge of the step.


Christmas was a week early, got the grill pieces back from the chrome shop.




I'm not super happy with the chrome job though, all the pieces look good exept the bumper guards, those are always in bad shape. So I had ask this guy to repair the dinks and dents out of them before he chromed them but it looks like all he did was to polish the dents and pits then chromed over them. I don't know if its just me but i have been putting out lots of money lately for services in this hobby of ours and i don't think I'm getting my money worth.

[Kim57]

I really like the way you have the exhaust. To bad about the chrome not being up to snuff allthough in the pics it looks very nice.
Kim

[bensimmons_05]

A++++++ on the exhaust, and I'm sorry to hear about the chrome, but from the pictures it looks NICE!

[OrrieG]

Chrome does look nice in the photos, but a written work order should have set out the repair work and quality expected. Unfortunately there are too many people that think their lower standards apply to everyone else. I see it all the time in the construction trades: "that's just the way it's done now". Did you express your dissatisfaction with the job?? With the power of boards like this I would think he would want to do whatever it takes to get it right, or maybe he has so much business he doesn't care?

I like the cut in exhaust tips.

[JML55]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Chrome does look nice in the photos, but a written work order should have set out the repair work and quality expected. Unfortunately there are too many people that think their lower standards apply to everyone else. I see it all the time in the construction trades: "that's just the way it's done now". Did you express your dissatisfaction with the job?? With the power of boards like this I would think he would want to do whatever it takes to get it right, or maybe he has so much business he doesn't care?

I like the cut in exhaust tips.

I think they just don't care, he told me it was my fault if they came out that way and that i should have spend more time fixing them myself before he chromed them.

[CAL 58 GMC]

I like the exhaust tips under the steps!

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by JML55

I think they just don't care, he told me it was my fault if they came out that way and that i should have spend more time fixing them myself before he chromed them.

Lame a** excuse. If they were problems with the prep he should have warned you. Most people do not have the equipment or skills required (myself included) to work on heavy guage stuff like bumpers and get it perfect; that's why we take it to "professionals". If you are going to offer a specialized service do it right or go back to what ever low quality job you had before. I think you need to post a factual review in the vendors section on this company. But then I'm in a cranky mood today too.

[OKGMC4]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Lame a** excuse. If they were problems with the prep he should have warned you. Most people do not have the equipment or skills required (myself included) to work on heavy guage stuff like bumpers and get it perfect; that's why we take it to "professionals". If you are going to offer a specialized service do it right or go back to what ever low quality job you had before. I think you need to post a factual review in the vendors section on this company. But then I'm in a cranky mood today too.

Amen brother! I get so tired of the vendors that blame their faulty work on the customer after the fact. Paint shops will do the same if you do your own body work...mechanics will do the same if you supply your own parts, etc...no matter what it's always YOUR fault and there never seems to be anything you can do about it. Try not paying for the service and see how far that gets ya! Anyhoo...I think it looks great from here and I wish my truck was as far along as yours and I'm jealous. Plus there's always that karma thing, maybe that chrome guy will be a dung beetle in his next life or something. Hope that helps!

[hotrodsbyray]

I think your bumpers look good from the photos but know what you mean about shoddy, shameless workmanship.
I also wish my truck was anywhere close to where yours is!
Just a little plug - and no I don't work for them but I have seen a bunch of their work.
Advance Plating in Nashville does a pretty awesome job with repair and plating. If you see their booth at a rod show stop and take a look. They seem to notice the little things that go into a great job with chrome such as being sure things are straight and clean before beginning. They also do a lot of rodder business so they know what we want and need. Trouble is they are fairly pricey.

[Kabwe]

Hey man, I just wanted to tell you that everything looks great. I understand about the substandard work of others. You are right every time you out source something in the hobby you feel screwed. Pride in ones work seems to be missing now.
See I have a really bad temper, yet I'm very kind to people and people take it for a weakest until I explode. So when I do drop stuff off I tell guy I'm very picky and it needs be done right or there will be a problem. If you can't do it like I like just tell me now. Yeah they think I'm nuts, but my parts turn out nice or they tell me find somewhere else. Which is cool with me.

[57ToyBox]

Your forward dual exhaust is gonna be awesome. Tips look perfect under the steps.
Maybe some day after your truck is done you can send the bumper guard somewhere else to get them redone.
for now.. they look good in pictures

[JML55]

Thanks guys for all the good words. But I'm still PO about it. Here is a close up shot of the one bumper guard. Kind of hard to get a good pic without to much reflections with all that new shiny chrome (ha ha). You can see the dent on the right side and all the small pits at the bottom.

[Kabwe]

Yeah I can see it, I understand why you are pissed.

[JML55]

Put the front bumper together today. I think the overall look is very good even with the small flaws in the chrome bumper guards. I like it.

[Kim57]

That looks very nice.
Kim

[Tri5Nerd]

The bumper looks real good, what type of (mesh) material did you use for the inside of the bumper?

Tri5

[57ToyBox]

Your bumper looks real good JML
That billet insert makes up for that dented/pitted bumper guard.
LOOKS GREAT

[ChuckDriver]

That looks awesome!

[JML55]

Originally Posted by Tri5Nerd

The bumper looks real good, what type of (mesh) material did you use for the inside of the bumper?

Tri5

The mesh is aluminum, its a old exhaust stack shield from a big rig i had laying around the shop.

[ya it is a classic]

Originally Posted by JML55

What wheel should i use? front or rear one

i like the front one. shouldnt the curved spokes go the other way though. i know im a little late. its on page 5 if anyone wants to check

[JML55]

Originally Posted by ya it is a classic

i like the front one. shouldnt the curved spokes go the other way though. i know im a little late. its on page 5 if anyone wants to check

Thanks for the input but since then i decided to go with S10 extreme wheels, post #118.

[JML55]

Well one more thing of the check list done today, fuel lines.

[CAL 58 GMC]

Originally Posted by JML55

Put the front bumper together today. I think the overall look is very good even with the small flaws in the chrome bumper guards. I like it.

Looks really good!

[JML55]

Thanks Cal, I'm still picking at the list today, trying to get a few more things done before going back to work on Monday.