The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Custom Window Cranks

hello guys.

i fabbed up some custom window cranks for my 57.

a while back i made some custom door latches from wrenches, and made the window cranks from 1/4 inch drive craftsman ratchets.

there are 10 pics on my web album here

http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/...00/?action=view&current=DSC01842.jpg

i got tired of the chinese pot metal cranks stripping out, so i made some more cinch nuts like i did for my door handles, welded the ratchets on, welded a 9/16 socket to the stub, removed the guts / inside ratchet system, and put it all back together so it turns freely.

just thought i would share my latest project.

leonard

i really like the window cranks and latches!!! reminds me of something i might do except yours looks a lot nicer! i like the idea of letting them freewheel, just like original cranks. can you unsnap the socket or is it retained? in fact that whole truck looks great. i checked out all the pictures and videos- very nice.

thanks for the comments hoggyrubber.

the 9/16 socket is welded to the stub inside the socket. i tried it the regular way, but every other crank up or down, and the socket would fall off, so thats why i welded it.

thanks again.
leonard

Doesn't that void the warranty?

Good job, great look, and made in America(by you).

Thanks for the pics.

LOL. yea, i voided the warranty on a bunch of different issues.

thanks.
leonard

Nice work Leonard! You know, you have about the cleanest 56 I know of. What did you do with everything off the firewall? You do really neat stuff - and it sounds great RRK --- What size motor is that??
Dale

thanks dale.
i bought my 57 already painted and motor and trans installed. the firewall was the way it is now when i bought it.
i did clean the engine up a bit, with new wires and valve covers.

i lowered it, putting a new front axle in, power front disc brake conversion, and a few other things.

the engine is a 1980 350 4 bolt out of a 1/2 ton truck. trans and rear from the same year truck.

thanks again..
leonard

Did you chrome your grill yet?

hello ken.
nope, sure havent. i think for the time being i will leave it the 2 tone paint that it is. i am now thinking it might be too much chrome up front if i do.
and i dont really have the money for that now, so thats another reason. LOL.

thanks.
leonard

leonard,
Your Handles look SUPER!...neat idea.
Keep em coming.
Tim

A very unusual idea,but it looks good.Unusual ideas are what makes this world go around.

Craftman wrenches? Those must be some expensive window cranks.

nah,
the ratchets were like 12 bucks each and the sockets were another 3 bucks each.
but now i wont have to buy new chinese made window cranks every 6 months. LOL.

leonard

Leonard,that's a cool idea,love it.
No more chinese crap and you just might pull off a life time warranty with them ??