Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 20

Thread: Ham's '48: Twinkle Twinkle Little Truck ...

  1. #1
    Super Moderator LarrBeard's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Ft. Wayne, IN
    Posts
    2,480

    Ham's '48: Twinkle Twinkle Little Truck ...

    Well, it started out kind of low key; “Honey, they are going to have a Parade of Lights the Friday after Thanksgiving. Wouldn’t it be neat to light up the Old Truck”. I think you see where this is heading already.

    I made some sort of half-hearted excuse about not knowing how to do something like that, but then – the Man Challenge Flag was thrown; “Well didn’t that guy down in Alabama (she didn’t remember GMWillys by his nickname) put lights on his cute little old Jeep in a parade last year? Maybe you should ask him how he did it?” Ask for help - NEVER!

    Well, thanks to Amazon Prime, it didn’t take but a couple of days and we had the makings of a mobile light show. Now the ’48 doesn’t have the 110-volt power plugs the new Jeeps have, so we were limited to battery power – so we decided to use little twinkle lights to accentuate the classic lines of the Old Jeep with a splash of color from a set of net lights to add flair to the display. Oh, it also had stars on the doors, reindeer horns on the windows and a red nose too.

    When it was done, using most of a roll of paint tape to stick the lights to the truck, my wife declared; ”It’s really tacky in a nice way.” Now, just what does that mean? So, I showed up at the parade – there was a conflict with another family function and no one else was able to come- they might not have wanted to be seen with the display.

    I asked the guy organizing the parade where he wanted me. Now, this guy is one of the neighborhood kids who knew the truck in its mid-70’s second lifetime and he replied; “Right up front, just behind the police car leading the route”. So there I was, out in front again.

    It was a typical small town event with fire engines, horses draped with lights, and other tacky vehicles with blow-up Santas, Elves and Grinches. Guys, I have to admit that it gives you an ego boost to hear; “Nice Jeep Truck” or to hear a Dad tell a little kid’ “Look, it’s an old Jeep Truck”. The new Jeeps with their gaudy LED lights were at the back … I guess they didn’t want them to detract from the classic look of the Old Jeep.

    It was a fun event – but I’m not sure the ’48 will ever be able to hold its’ head up in public again. What the heck, it’s an Old Truck, have fun with it!
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
    Senior Member TJones's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    Akron, Ohio
    Posts
    1,150
    Right up front again, as always!!!!!
    Looks pretty good Larry, the best part is you made the Bride happy a” Yes Dear Moment “!!!

  3. #3
    Super Moderator bmorgil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    Northwestern Ohio
    Posts
    3,546
    Quote Originally Posted by LarrBeard View Post
    The new Jeeps with their gaudy LED lights were at the back …
    Anyone can have a new one as long as they have the cash or, willing to make large payments. Now to have your 48'..... priceless. It always belongs in the lead. The man who told you to put it there knew that before you showed up!

  4. #4
    Super Moderator LarrBeard's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Ft. Wayne, IN
    Posts
    2,480
    I almost made a tactical error.

    I found out that the living room tree (7-feet tall, all kinds of flashing light options) operates at 12-volts and needs two amps. I have plenty of spare capacity on the LED headlight inverter. Imagine a 7-foot tall flashing tree sandbagged in the bed of the '48.

    I kept that information to myself...

  5. #5
    Senior Member TJones's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    Akron, Ohio
    Posts
    1,150
    That probably would’ve been a “Tactical Error”
    Your a Wise Man Larry

  6. #6
    Super Moderator gmwillys's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    Alabama
    Posts
    3,559
    Looking good Senior Chief.

    I'm in the process of working on this year's float for the B and C team cheerleaders. Sorry guys, no Heep involved in this go-round. 30 girls wouldn't safely fit. The parade was to be tonight, but with some heavy storms coming through, it will be put off till Thursday night.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  7. #7
    Super Moderator bmorgil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    Northwestern Ohio
    Posts
    3,546
    Cant you pull with the Jeep in the Parade? Your Jeep is a classic example of how these things keep going. I am constantly amazed by how totally original and still running your Jeep is. It would look great in its old age pulling a 40' sled full of Cheerleaders!

  8. #8
    Super Moderator gmwillys's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    Alabama
    Posts
    3,559
    The trailer is a little much for the Heep, and not a trailer brake connection and too many hills through town, not a good idea. Too many young children walking the route in front of us, so it will be better to be safe then to make a show. An accident just happened in North Carolina where a little girl was run over and killed during a Christmas parade, so we will stick with what is proven. Someday, the wagon will be available for parade duty.

  9. #9
    Super Moderator bmorgil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    Northwestern Ohio
    Posts
    3,546
    Good point gm, it could be a bit of a push down hills! I did see the runaway parade truck. What a shame. It looked like the pulling truck was lifted and modified. I wonder what went wrong?

  10. #10
    Super Moderator gmwillys's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    Alabama
    Posts
    3,559
    We just got home a little bit ago. Everyone had a pretty good time.
    Attached Images Attached Images

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •