Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window

[Dan in Pasadena]

Saturday, Cinco de Mayo, 018

Journaling this just so I will remember what a total PAIN IN THE BUTT installing my bed has been.

Short version, the bed wood has been on and off the truck twice so far and may come off again tomorrow.

Today I thought I FINALLY had everything ready to install the bedsides - which are absolutely perfect to me.

My son-in-law came over to help me lift each into place. I had the bolts in position, Never Seize on them, wrenches at hand etc. The front aligned perfect with the front bed panel. The bolt holes at the rear of the bedside did NOT match up! GRRR. Off by almost a full bolt diameter even though the bedside itself was up against the oak! Installation cancelled for today. I had somewhere I had to be at 4:00pm

Tomorrow I will attempt to remove just the outer side boards to see if the bedsides will then mate up to the rear cross sill. If not the wood all has to come off again - #@*!&%. If it does and I tighten everything up minimizing the tolerances at each board & strip MAYBE the last side board will fit. If not I will consider my options carefully but wil probably have to rip a narrow strip off both side boards and refinish the boards edges. UGH UGH UGH!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Sunday, May 6, 2018

Two outer boards removed easily. S-I-L and I got the bedsides on in a couple minutes, no scratches (YIPPEE!), bolts aligned easily. Never really like seeing the lock washer & nut at front bed side corners so I decided to try chrome acorn nuts. Bought the traditional pointy ones and I'm not sure how I feel about the look. They makes some flat ended ones...may have to swap them eventually. Opinions welcome.

Now I have to cut the bed fill door into the wood & center strip correctly. this will be a case of measure THREE times, cut once with fingers and toes crossed.

[idbeast]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Sunday, May 6, 2018

Two outer boards removed easily. S-I-L and I got the bedsides on in a couple minutes, no scratches (YIPPEE!), bolts aligned easily. Never really like seeing the lock washer & nut at front bed side corners so I decided to try chrome acorn nuts. Bought the traditional pointy ones and I'm not sure how I feel about the look. They makes some flat ended ones...may have to swap them eventually. Opinions welcome.

Now I have to cut the bed fill door into the wood & center strip correctly. this will be a case of measure THREE times, cut once with fingers and toes crossed.

I like the look of the acorn nuts! I wasn't really happy with the look of the lock washer & nut at front bed side corners either.

After the measure THREE times, drill a 1" hole and look to see if you are centered where you need to be, if you are off you can correct it.

I decided to go with a fender door, instead of a bed fill, this is out of an 89 Ford Aerostar, has the same reverse curvature only needing an 1/8" rework.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Fender fill looks really good. I wanted to do that too but at the time I had sen way too much up to then and decided to let it go. I kinda regret it now but oh well. yours looks great.

[idbeast]

Yours is coming along really nicely, a few bumps but it is really coming together! Hopefully mine will be on the road, unpainted, but on the road!

[oldman3]

Looks good Dan...Jim

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks Jim,

Trying to get it done enough to take it back to the body shop later this week for the hood to be fitted and repair on the interior window where I spewed it up!

Tomorrow is really all the additional time I can spend on it before it has to go for awhile.

[joedoh]

gorgeous!

I dont mind the acorn nuts, looks like something you would really only focus on if you were staring at it.

[lower50's]

nice touch.

[MIKESAD50]

Dan truck is looking good. I think the Acorn nuts look good. I getting ready to start my bed wood and getting it in. I've
been told to put a plexiglass bed floor, I thought a tilting one I could open at a show.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks so much, Mike.

If your rear suspension and frame are worthy of being under a plexi floor they must be REALLY great looking - huge congrats!

I don’t know anything about how that would be done, hinged, lifted or secured but would you cut in slots for faux bed strips? Use a tinted plexi to coordinate with your paint? I can think of lots of ways to potentially customize it with details. It’s going to look SO great. Please post detailed pictures.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Just a status update:
Shortest possible version is that I continue to screw up!

I have to lift the entire bed enough to tighten the fuel lines. I was so focused on getting the strips over the gas tank tightened and the electrical connections right that I put the fuel lines on then didn't go back to tighten them - DOH! I'm just a dumb**** anxious to get my truck drivable with no one to blame but myself, dammit!!

Anyway, I am hatching a plan (hopefully this isn't yet another dumb move) that won't require me to find four friends to come over and fully remove it. I am thinking of temporarily replacing the through-frame bolts with large eyebolts, then use my engine lift to pick it up 1 ft. I can then tighten the fuel lines, double check the strip bolts, then lower it back on the frame with minimal disturbance.

[gigamanx]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Just a status update:
Shortest possible version is that I continue to screw up!

I have to lift the entire bed enough to tighten the fuel lines. I was so focused on getting the strips over the gas tank tightened and the electrical connections right that I put the fuel lines on then didn't go back to tighten them - DOH! I'm just a dumb**** anxious to get my truck drivable with no one to blame but myself, dammit!!

Anyway, I am hatching a plan (hopefully this isn't yet another dumb move) that won't require me to find four friends to come over and fully remove it. I am thinking of temporarily replacing the through-frame bolts with large eyebolts, then use my engine lift to pick it up 1 ft. I can then tighten the fuel lines, double check the strip bolts, then lower it back on the frame with minimal disturbance.

I feel your pain. I was anxious and ran all my wiring throughout the truck. Then had to pull it all and reroute after adding casing around the wires. Should have done it all at once, but I was rushing through it.

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Shortest possible version is that I continue to screw up! DOH! I'm just a dumb****

haha I just did the same thing, installed my bed before starting and the fuel pump had gone bad sitting. had to pull the bed and reinstall it SOLO, broke the gas cap doing it.


screwing up is actually called "experience", better than being a hair dryer (all hot air) in my opinion.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by joedoh

haha I just did the same thing, installed my bed before starting and the fuel pump had gone bad sitting. had to pull the bed and reinstall it SOLO, broke the gas cap doing it.


screwing up is actually called "experience", better than being a hair dryer (all hot air) in my opinion.

Joe DOH! Huh? I should be “Dan DOH DOH DOH”

I WAS feeling like a “hair dryer” before when Mike as doing all the mechanical work and Marcos all the body work. That was due to my mom being in hospice and not wanting to sell my truck as an unfinished project. It now i just feel so damn inept. Seems the more I try to plan things out and the more careful I am the dumber the mistakes I make. Wouldn’t be so bad if it wasn’t in finished paint already, but SHEESH!!

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Joe DOH! Huh? I should be “Dan DOH DOH DOH”

I WAS feeling like a “hair dryer” before when Mike as doing all the mechanical work and Marcos all the body work. That was due to my mom being in hospice and not wanting to sell my truck as an unfinished project. It now i just feel so damn inept. Seems the more I try to plan things out and the more careful I am the dumber the mistakes I make. Wouldn’t be so bad if it wasn’t in finished paint already, but SHEESH!!

dont sweat it, too many guys these days will talk about the clarity of the ice, the smoothness, the thickness, the best method to skate, the best skates to buy. they know everything; everything except snow on their butts. the guys who get out on the ice and slip and fall, get respect. I loved reading about your problems with the wing windows because that is real experience that is going to help someone, no matter how it felt for you there is a guy who will read it and say "aha". if you want to apply your experience and discount the mistakes, just build another truck!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by joedoh

.....if you want to apply your experience and discount the mistakes, just build another truck!

I always thought that if I EVER got a chance to build my dream truck - specifically a ‘55.2 big window - I’d never ever consider selling it. Ironically, when I finally got the chance I kinda “overdid” it - at least by my standards. I know it’s nowhere near the show truck some guys build but for me its too nice to park and leave unattended for long.

We’ll see what the future brings but if someone ever offers me stupid money for it I MIGHT consider building a little more “useable” version.

[Daze57]

hey dan

what about 4 good ratchet straps for lifting the bed and tie them all together at the top to lift the bed --- instead of the bolts --- use blankets to protect paint .
just an idea

[FAKKY]

Originally Posted by Daze57

hey dan

what about 4 good ratchet straps for lifting the bed and tie them all together at the top to lift the bed --- instead of the bolts --- use blankets to protect paint .
just an idea

Did that myself once and supported on some PVC schedule 40 overnight.

Works well.
Be careful when coming down though ...... ha !

[Dan in Pasadena]

I have really considered using ratchet straps around the outside of the bed - I have two very large ones, not the little 3/4” wide ones sold at Haror Freight. But I’m scared of bending the bedsides inward AND I'm afraid of leaving abrasions on the paint. Blankets would work if I double/triple them up and use painter’s tape to keep them from slipping.

I have two of those ratcheting bars that go across the bed in my big truck to keep cargo from moving that I might be able to use to keep the bedsides from bending inward - again if I somehow protect the new paint in the bedsides from where they hit. Maybe a couple layers of cardboard. I’d not consider any of this but the chance the eyebolts might open up under the weight of the full bed occurs to me as a nightmare! I keep thinking, “How many other ways are there that I can screw this up?!”

[ChuckDriver]

Dan,

If the bed is not bolted down, you might try jacking up the truck and placing jack stands at the corners of the bed or under the cross sills, then lowering the truck, leaving the bed elevated.???

Make sure to protect the back of the cab!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by ChuckDriver

Dan,

If the bed is not bolted down, you might try jacking up the truck and placing jack stands at the corners of the bed or under the cross sills, then lowering the truck, leaving the bed elevated.???

Make sure to protect the back of the cab!

DAMMIT! You're smart, JJ. Why didn't I think of that! (Because I lack his imagination is why!)

Of course it's already jacked up and on jack sands but I certainly could do what you suggest and it would work. I only need less than 1 foot of space. 6" would even be enough. Totally agree on protecting the back of the cab. Thanks for the suggestion, JJ!

PS: What's the latest on your main truck?

[G&R's57GMC]

Oh the humanity ...
Nothing like DIY screw ups to make you humble .
But then you can say I did it my way and learned what not to do.

On the plus side you can proudly say I built that .

[Dan in Pasadena]

Friday, June 1, 2018
Ok, so I FINALLY finished assembling my bed today.... the 4th time. Sheesh, this was a p.i.t.a! I wish I could blame it on something other than my own stupidity but I can’t, damn!

Anyway, she gets flat bedded to the paint shop tomorrow for final hood fitment, to repair chips on the window trim (ANOTHER stupid thing!) & install rear fenders. Glass shop is next door so the front & back windows will go in too.

I bought polished stainless hood X bars and I’m debating billet SS hood hinges - expensive but cheaper than when I started on the truck.

Anyway, that’s the current status.

PS: These rims are 17x8’s and offset is wrong. I will replace them eventually but for now I’ve ordered spacers. i put washers on the studs to get it on the truck tomorrow. I used 7/16” washers so I assume that’s the stud size. Anyone know what replacement longer studs I should order? I know zip about Fords and this is a Ford 8.8 rearend. Any advice appreciated.

[Black_Sheep]

https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performa...65111/10002/-1