The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Should I consider an exterior Sun Visor?

Hi all,
I have Grandpa's old original 1950 3600 Chevy pickup. I am wondering if I dare install an exterior sun visor on it?

In doing some reading online, it would appear a Fulton 807 would fit the bill. But in corresponding with Loupeestuff Classic Car Parts, I was told the Fulton 807 is for solid windshields only and not splits such as the one I have. I've read that Pekats are the best but very very rare. I don't know much about the Dieterichs.

Is there anything I should consider about sun visors? (1) Do they make a significant impact in keeping the cab cooler? (2) Can the process of bolting it to the cab result in any leaking down the road? I'm really leery of having some guy drill holes into this truck and make a mistake. (3) My truck has the original 1950 Forester Green paint and if I cannot find a visor that color I imagine I'd need to be confident in future plans to repaint the entire truck.

These are very expensive and is there anything I need to watch out for when buying one online?

Any other thoughts/comments would be appreciated.

Don't know your reason for wanting one. There are many more negatives than positives. The only positive is possibly the look of it. If you really like the look. You will not like the fact that it obstructs the view of the trees and the sky and the traffic lights. It will not make the cab cooler. A "real" one is high dollar if you can find. Go from there.
Original paint with original pinstriping?
One company sells one specifically for split windshield. VS800s. (Says: Fulton type)

I had one on my 1950 DeSoto, it was nice if you went to a drive-in movie and it was raining, I didn't have to turn the wipers on! Driving in the rain, when stopped at a light, it keeps the rain off so, I would end up turning off the wipers and then once the light turned red (and I noticed it change!) I would have to turn the wipers on again.

That said, Bartamos is spot on as far as cab temp and limited field of vision. I do like the looks on some vehicles though!

Fulton visors, like Carson tops, extreme lowering, dual carbs, and a few other things are just eye candy on a stovebolt- - - -they have no practical purpose and usually have a lot of downside. You'll most likely end up with a butchered-up truck with leaks, squeaks, and many other maladies. If you're building a trailer queen that gets towed to the local show and shine event every few weeks and spends the rest of its time garaged, go for it- - - -otherwise, it's probably a bad idea.
Jerry

The low riders have used them for many years. Probably has raised the price.
You would have to drill holes.
I guess it all depends on what groove you are looking for and how you want to roll.

Personally, I like the looks, and like to look at them....but do I have one on my panel...NO.

I am putting one on my 51 3100. It apparently had one at some point, cause there are the 4 screw holes on each side (in the door sill) for the dog-bone brackets, (and these are small holes). Far as I can see, these are/would be the only holes needed to mount the visor, shouldn't be any leak issues. Center support doesn't use screws, it clamps to the center windshield strip.

I was fortunate enough to happen across an original visor off a 1953 3100, the real deal, not a repro. bartamos is correct, compare an original to a repro, and you'll see. They are rare, and folks who have them for sale, know what they have. Nothing wrong with the repros, there are plenty of them sold everyday, they fit and look good, but they are not the quality of an original. Had I not happened across mine, I was going the repro route.

It's your truck, you're the one that has to be happy with it.

Mike

I know it is not needed as much today as it was "back in the day", but, did you (will you) add a traffic light/signal viewer (to keep things "period correct"?

Aftermarket/ & Accessory, original-style viewers.
This style (that I never saw before searching, today) suction-attaches to the windshield.
Many types/styles of viewers.

(Feel like I'm hijacking grossie73's thread)......

Will probably have to add the viewer. From what I've seen and read, you about have to have it, or bend way over every time.

"Period correct'? I'm adding a side-mount spare tire carrier to the 51. I know, I know, a 51 never came with a side mount, but Kade (the grandson) said it had to have it. According to his grandmother (my wife), it ain't about ME being happy with it, it's about HIM being happy with it.

grossie73, check your PM.

Mike

Thanks all for your input. This will give me something to consider through the window while it sits in storage. I was unaware about the traffic light signal viewer so this helps put in perspective the reality of my cosmetic adjustment (which is a big part.) No worries Kade - if you think of anything else to say, say it!

Allow me to be the devil's advocate. I have a Fulton on my '38 and love it. It does in fact make the interior cooler in that it blocks some of the solar radiation from coming in the windshield. Some left hand traffic turn signals can be blocked so a viewer can help. I have one on my '38. The clam shell type of viewer mounts to a garnish molding screw so there's no need to drill holes to mount it. There will indeed be four small holes to be drilled in your door jamb for mounting the visor. Don't drill them into the drip rail as I've seen some done. I personally do not like the sleepy sombrero look that the stock mounting brackets provide so I made an extended center support bracket arm to get the front of the visor up. Be sure to mount it with about a two inch gap across the trailing edge to let air out.

You may want to consider a 1953 GM truck visor that was made for GM by Dieterich. It does not require any drilling of holes. It clamps to the driprail. I installed one on my '48 Chevy 1/2 ton. A detailed visor album is in my Photobucket picture file.

Good luck with your choice.

LUKE

I've had my Fulton visor on for almost 20 years and over 100 k miles. Re-read that sentence if you like. I agree with Tiny regarding the solar radiation, that part is very real. One analogy would be walking around on a sunny day without a visor on a hat, it can be done but how much easier is it to shield the sun from your eyes?

Below are some images of my Fulton. Two show the dog bone mounting and two the finished product.

Nice hearing both perspectives, thank you! I'm going to check out all your photos and Luke's album and give this some serious thought.

grossie73,

Just finished installing an original 800 series Fulton visor on my '49 3100. Took a lot of prep work, sanding, priming, sanding, painting to match the Mariner Blue and color sanding and buffing. Turned out great and I too like the look. I also agree that the visor helps to reduce the radiant heat form the sun through the windshield. Use heavy blankets or packing blankets on the roof and hood and cowl during installation to prevent scratches and dents. It also helps to have a few extra hands during the install too help center the visor and start the nuts, screws and brackets. Installed mine by myself, but I'm sure it took me at least twice the time.

Tim

My 54 3100 was bought new with one installed (I talked with the original owner some years ago) and it was on it when I bought it. I love the look and would not want to remove it. Yes, it restricts vision upward some, but like other things with our trucks, you adapt and/or get used to it.
Samantha

I agree with Samantha , it is something you can get used to . Just like the modern cars with their forward slanting A pillars that are a terrible blind spot (well my wifes' PT is) so too the dip of the head to have a wee look somewhere becomes just something you do.

Yep , got a visor on my '40.

ps; my visor is a little similar to Lukes , in that I have made brackets to clamp the drip rail , so no holes drilled in the cab.

I removed the exterior visor that came with my ‘50 Styline. Big improvement in visibility. Can see traffic lights, clouds, sky, etc.