Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window

[Dan in Pasadena]

Well, I don't now why it finally let me upload, but here they are.

[Kim57]

Looking good.
A little closer every day.
Kim

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks Kim, yours too.
I ordered a billet steering wheel for it yesterday. Ordered it in red but the red is too bright I think. I'll probably replace the leather(vinyl?) with material matching whatever upholstery I end up using.

[ChuckDriver]

It's all looking really good Dan! The attention to detail will really show the quality of your build!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks JJ,

Once the steam port plugs come in & spark plugs wires I THINK there's nothing left to do - in terms of the engine- to start it and tune it.

Otherwise the front calipers need to be installed and the system bled.
- Then the truck will be "done" mechanically but I'm still waiting for the bed sides to be painted. And since that's inside and outside, base coat and clear coat plus color sanding & polishing, plus installion I still have a way to go to the completed project.

[lower50's]

Ooo it's getting so close!!

[bowt1ed]

Hey Dan, what grommets did you use for the A/C lines passing through the inner fenders? Thanks, Jim

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by bowt1ed

Hey Dan, what grommets did you use for the A/C lines passing through the inner fenders? Thanks, Jim

No grommets.

There are hard line fittings clamping each side of the lower forward passenger side inner fender. As far as I know these black anodized fittings were provided by Vintage Air with the kit - but I can check with Mike to make sure. Anyway, they clamp on each side of the inner fender so there are no lines "passing through" - but maybe I misunderstand your question(?) or what you're referring to?

Maybe this crop of the other photo will help. You can see the fitting is glossy metal.

[ptc]

It should be a bulkhead fitting of some type --- heres an alum AN type



Project is looking good Dan!!!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks ptc, Yeah it's probably exactly like that but black. Passing through from inside the cab into the wheel well he used a quad bulkhead. You can kinda see it in the photo with the heater control valve.

[bowt1ed]

Yep, got it. Thanks!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Stopped by the shop today to drop off the wiper motor. I cleaned it up - couldn't stand the idea of re-installing it with 60 years of dirt on it.

One of the guys was making final connections under the dash for the AC.

I asked why we can't just get spark plugs wires at the local NAPA? Mike explained he wants to use factory LS wires. Says he's had problems with fitment on the coil ends with aftermarket wires before.

I am a little pissed because there is a fairly large chip in the passenger side footwell. The area would have been repainted anyway because there's a slight color difference between the interior & exterior colors - they were painted at different times. It's the only paint damage so far but I want them to be extra careful.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Headlight and signals are in. Michael installed them with disconnects so that if I ever need to remove them for any reason I won't have to cut anything.

QUESTION
Does anyone have experience w/headlight seals that go between the chrome surrounds and the headlight? He couldn't install them without forcing them and didn't want to chance chipping the paint. The truck didn't have these seals when I took it apart - but no surprise after 60 years.

Bed sides have been painted - kinda. Compressor died in the middle of the job when only a single coat had been laid down. They'll have to be sanded and recoated but the paint at least shows the body work is great - to me. These are the factory bedsides and were in great condition. I think the truck was used as a back & forth to work driver only. Holes in bedside tops for a camper shell were welded shut and are undetectable from above AND below.

[oldman3]

Dan, bed sides look great, with more paint they will look super....Jim

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks!

All the exterior paint is 3 base cots and 6 clear coats. One apiece gets sacrificed to color standing but it should still be extra shiny!

[Kim57]

Looking really sharp.
Kim

[II_Slow]

Wow! Can't wait to get some color on mine. Congrats and great job!

[joedoh]

looks like my favorite color!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks Joe! It's a 2012 Honda color called Milano Red. It's very deep and dark and doesn't photograph correctly at all. I like bright fire engine reds but I thought it might get tired of that after a while.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Another daily visit:

Steam port plugs came and finally the driveshaft. I didn't get a pic of the driveshaft.

Holes were being drilled & threaded for a frame mounted transmission cooler. It was going in when I was there.

The SecretAudio (SA) head unit is already permanently installed below the driver seat & ECU below passenger seat. I'm concerned about interference between the ECU & audio so they're as far apart as possible w/o being visible when entering cab from either side. The woofer will be behind the passenger seat. The control panel for SA is about 2" x 5"-6" w/a black trim surround which will be mounted on an upholstered valance below the dash - will match the rest of interior. Billet AC vents on either side and one at each end of under dash too.

I'll use the area behind driver seat for miscellaneous storage. I bought a pair of Costco ammo boxes that I'll paint or powder coat red for behind driver's seat - no glove box anymore.

[ChuckDriver]

Loving the progress!!

[oldman3]

Little by Little...Jim

[Dan in Pasadena]

Chinese.............water............torture.

[Russell Ashley]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Chinese.............water............torture.

Dan, I feel your pain, although on a much lower priced level, LOL. My son works on the vehicles where the customers are actually paying first so my truck takes a back seat to them.
Regarding the headlight covers, my chrome covers had a rubber seal that goes around the light and mine went on with very little effort. It probably will be fine to leave them off as the seals on mine had about a half inch space between the ends of the seal. They won't be watertight but might help keep out dirt and dust. My lights are standard halogen sealed beams.

[bowt1ed]

What, no interior pics?