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Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Thanks guys!
Hey JadXtreme, I like how your also using a BOP large engine/4speed. Keep on plugging away! its pretty exciting as I am getting so close, but as with any build... As soon as I see an end in sight I start hunting the next project! :banghead: I really need to learn how to stay to ONE project!! |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
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some people call that hoarding.. i call it collecting! |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
More progress!!!!
After reviewing the modifications required to install the one-piece window kit, I decided to just take the vent window setup from my spare doors and install it in my doors. After the paint cured I installed the door window hardware from the old door... It will probably be swapped out later with newer glass/frames but I wanted to get the glass in so I can install the doors. Bear in mind that my poor iPhone had a very difficult time with the light contrast on the black doors... Doors with window hardware, all primed up on the exterior, painted on the interior http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...nePhoto241.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...nePhoto242.jpg Then I installed new Doors with new hinges http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...nePhoto243.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...nePhoto244.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...nePhoto246.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...nePhoto257.jpg After I installed the doors, I put new locks in the door handles and installed them http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...nePhoto254.jpg Then I test-fit the door panels http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...nePhoto250.jpg and figured I would throw the door handles on as well http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...nePhoto255.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...nePhoto256.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...nePhoto258.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...nePhoto259.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...nePhoto260.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...nePhoto264.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...nePhoto265.jpg And I didn't take much of the exterior, so here is the one photo I have off hand of how the passenger door looks from the exterior http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...nePhoto253.jpg Now I can finish fitting the front end and worry about the brake light wiring... almost time to go cruising! Thanks for looking... |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Looking good. You're making good progress.
Kim |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
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Looks good - I just bought a frame that was set up pretty close to the way you did yours. Did you go back with the original wheelbase or extend it forward an inch? Here's a pic of mine.
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Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Not a ton of progress but I did get my front end bolted down and alligned better. The hood hinges are messed up but the fenders and rad support are firmly in place. I also drove it around my yard, only to find my brake pedal is riding on the cab and sticking. gotta pull it and file more clearance, and maybe add a return spring...
got a few good shots of it outside the carport though. Don't mind the locking strip on the roof, I still can't get that damn thing in! http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...2-10-11191.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...2-10-11193.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...2-10-11194.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...2-10-11195.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...2-10-11190.jpg |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
the last month has been pretty quiet on the truck. I did manage to find a much better conditioned firebird wheel for my column, so sadly the hot gold one had to go! hah...
Before: http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...kPhotos285.jpg After: http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...kPhotos286.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...kPhotos287.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...kPhotos288.jpg |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
IMHO the new wheel looks better.
Kim |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Those doors look terrific! Your project is coming along very nicely. Don't worry about the speed of your progress... at least you're getting stuff done!
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Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Thanks guys!
Spent this weekend ripping through my under dash harness, after 4 hours, I finally have it just about figured out. Headlight switch is in and working, and my new Tach is in and working! the first gauge is reading out properly! now I need to figure out if im using the stock cluster or an aftermarket... anyways, a couple pics... Photo with the headlight switch in, and tack in http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...kPhotos313.jpg Photo of the tach on the column http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...kPhotos314.jpg photo of the tach all light up http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...kPhotos315.jpg |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Looks good. I like those Sun tachs.
Kim |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Got some more wiring done!
After sorting out the turn signal switch wiring and testing the headlight wiring, finding out its all working (!!) I decited to toss in my front parking lights in after I got off work, in the half hour of light I had. I hate daylight savings... Anyways, I was able to install the parking lights, get them wired and test the parking lights/turn signals, and again, both worked! I think the only wiring question I have left is my brake switch, and that one is only two wires so I am in pretty good shape... photo is of bad quality, and I need amber bulbs for my clear lenses but here is a little proof for you non-believers!!!! http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ck/photo-1.jpg hah thanks for reading... |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
A daylight pic of the parking lights installed
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ckPhoto002.jpg |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
maximus: just read thru your build, nice work.
i'm somewhat envious of the quality metal you guys in ca are able to find. they salt roads here, everything is gone in a few yrs. in my opinion the 55-59 instrument cluster is one of the best looking truck cluster out there. follow the link in my signature to see how i rebuilt my cluster, including converting the amp gauge to volt meter. for the fuel gauge, there is a way to use 30 ohm gauge with a 90 ohm sender, read this post by docvette on hotrodders.com. or do a google search for 30 ohm to 90 ohm conversion. a little paint, new bulbs and some cleanup makes for a good looking cluster. http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/n...e/truck063.jpg glad to see i'm not the only guy out there that's been working on my truck for ever. |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Well, I finally did it. I drove the truck to the parts store, about a mile and a half away!
the trip told me four things. 1) I confirmed to myself that I have a terrible exhaust leak out of the y-pipe flange to the manifold 2) apparently my temporary heater bypass line is leaking coolant 3) my brakes may be slightly dragging 4) My truck ISNT quite roadworthy yet.... hah. my exhaust leak was a great feature for the THREE cops I had to pass on the way to the parts house. luckily the truck is insured and up on registration so if anyone wanted to hastle me it wouldnt be a big deal... it was a blast to drive for the first time any significant distance. I have driven it up the street and back, but that was when the truck was still in pieces, at least now I have all the proper lights and unlike the last drive, my fenders are even bolted down!! hah, the good news was, dispite the possibly dragging brakes, my booster worked, and the power steering was flawless. still more work to go but it sure was nice being able to take it for a spin!!!!!!! :) now I just need my ClassicParts.com order to arrive so I can take my temporary brake lights off (tow lights :) ) and install the real tail lights. I may even put my new bed together, but for now I bolted my old bed on just to be able to drive the truck. I have nice primered rear fenders, a brand new repop front bed panel, a repop rear bed support and a brand new GM Tailgate waiting to be used... but I may wait till im closer to paint before I pull out the new parts to get weathered... I am also amazed at how hard getting my rear window beadlock in was! I spent a solid two hours of painfull inching to get that dang thing in! here are some pics. P.S. I know the front end sits high, the No-Limit engineering way of using the camaro subframe makes the front end sit a little high, I will be getting lowering springs when everything else is dialed in... I also am waiting on parts for my gauges - for now ill be using the original cluster. here are some photos: Before: http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...1-15-12160.jpg Sandblasted: http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...1-15-12161.jpg Painted: http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...1-15-12170.jpg The '55: Headlights in, and WORKING thank god... http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...1-15-12169.jpg Since I was planning in driving the truck, i figured I would throw my temporary headlight bezels on, as well as my painted grill so it looked a little more complete while I figure out if im buying chrome or not... http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...1-15-12172.jpg This shot is at the parts store parkinglot, proof it left my house! I know you all are jealous of my magnietic towing lights, i mean my taillights ... http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...1-15-12175.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...1-15-12176.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...1-15-12177.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...1-15-12182.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...1-15-12184.jpg |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
No front plate would get ya a ticket here.
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Since I don't drink or do drugs, I really have nothing to hide from police, so if they wanna pull me over for the plate, ill just bolt it on, have em sign it off, and be on my marry way. But you are correct, it is against California law as well... |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
That's very cool that you were able to drive it. Good luck getting all the little things taken care of.
Kim |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Very cool build! Even cooler that you are driving it!
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Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
In Idaho you can run vintage vehicles with a year of registration (original 59 plate in my case) without a front plate. If you run vanity or current plates you need to run the front one. If registration is current you will get a ticket but can take it to the clerk of the court (not dmv) and get it dismissed. That takes mimimum 3 hours with travel time, finding parking, going thru the metal detectors and waiting for the clerk to be available.
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but again, you have to have both plates for any of that stuff to be valid... I had black plates for the truck, but since the DMV couldnt authenticate that they went with this specific truck, and the black plates were from 63-later, I couldnt use them. I thought about getting "Custom" plates with the exact reading that my black plates have and use the black plates but it all became too complicated, so this vehicle gets the new plates. My caddy and mustang both have original 60's Black california license plates (in the 50's/60's the state made people turn in their old plates, or my caddy would have had a Yellow/black plate instead of a black/yellow one... |
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Idaho thru the 60's had a new plate each year is different white/green combinations. The year is stamped on the plate. Looking at it I can see places for the metal later year renewals, but I have not seen the renewals for sale anywhere.
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Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
the old girl looks good and bet it was looking cool going down the road!
Ray |
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But, I would rather have minimal rust and leftover sand then the ladder... |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Got my new gauge lens today so I threw my new lens and bezel on my freshly painted gauge face and screwed it together.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...k/photo1-4.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...k/photo2-5.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...k/photo3-3.jpg |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
looks good.
Kim |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
54000 miles, I hope it is orginal.. Mine had 74000 orginal miles and still had the orginal paint when I got it.
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Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
I remember those days of sand blasting, i don't care what you did sand got everywhere, and i mean everwhere lol
Dash looks great Ray |
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weird... but the speedometer is totally free on the newer gauge cluster, which is why I chose this one. Quote:
About the sand - I cant agree more, I am glad now that on small stuff I can throw them in my small cabinet and contain the sand. The cabinet has saved me hours and hours of cleanup when blasting smaller parts! A MUST for any hobbyist!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
I sometimes wish I had went with the orginal gages and had them upgraded for modern alternator and oil pressure, I went with Autometer gages work but not the orginal look .
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Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
that is sweet! amazing how a little elbow grease makes that bezel shine.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...k/photo3-3.jpg |
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funny thing, i had 4 huge shelves full of new parts, now i only have like 5 things left on the shelf... that's how I know I am almost done with the assembly lol... The bezel and plastic face were replaced, the metal background was repainted and the gauges were just dusted off/cleaned lightly. |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
I remember u said you were going to have the gages work as new ones. If you do that,and get gages from a jy vehicle , do u get the sending units also, and if u do what vehicle or vehicles do/would recommend to get them,the gages, from....????
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Part 2
If u do this what do use for the speedo? Itvwould have to be some kind of electric sending unit, as most transmissions today don,t have a mechanical hook up for it.? Posted via Mobile Device |
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I wanted to do one of two things, the main thing I wanted to do was buy a Dakota digital dash, the new dash comes with aftermarket sending units, including an electronic speedometer sensor i believe... the second thing I was thinking about doing is modifying the original gauges (Oil, Volt/Amp, Temp) I think temp will work as-is and not worth modifying, cutting up the amp gauge and replacing it with the guts of a volt gauge has been talked about, and a similar thing can be done for oil. as for sending units, if I did the oil, my 1978 pontiac firebird engine came with a electronic oil sending unit so I could always buy one from a auto parts store, and my transmission is from the same car, and so I wouldnt have to worry about the electronic speed sensors of the new age cars. I would think that there are aftermarket speedometers that have electronic speed sensors, but I doubt it would be easy to find one that has the same throw that our original speedo has - if playing with electronic transmissions you can either A) update to a modern speedo or B) modify the trans speedo sensor to use a cable if its capable, and use the stock speedo... For now, I still need to buy suspension and bumpers and other stuff so I am going to worry about modifying the gauges later and spend my time/money on the rest of the parts i need Good Luck! |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Installed my real taillights, and tossed my gauge cluster in the dash, as well as the glove box door..
piece by piece... http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...2Photos005.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...2Photos004.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...2Photos003.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...2Photos002.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...2Photos001.jpg |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Piece by piece your getting there.
Kim |
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