Thread: Got some questions for some of our hot rod builder's about my 1947 International truc

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1st question is about the window wipers. My truck has a split front window that is angled to either side from the middle of the window. So I am not sure if there is 2 separate motor's or a bar that goes accrossed to both wiper's. Does anyone know of a complete kit I could get to work in this truck with wiper arm's and all the hardware. The arms come down from the top of the windows.
2nd question is I would like to buy new fender all the way around the truck The back fender I think I can pretty much replace with a wider fender that speedway offers. But the front I am not sure about, the front fender has a body line that goes strait back from the head light in the fender like the 40 or 41 pick up does that speed way offer's but I am not sure if this will fit or line up with the front grill since mine is a 47 international instead of a 40 or 41 GMC. I am not worried about the bolt holes as long as the shape will line up with the grill. I can always fill in the old holes and drill new holes for the fender if the shape is right.
Plus I like the fact that you can buy a beauty ring for the headlight with a lens built in it for a turn signal.
3rd question is about my gauge cluster in the dash. Is there a place I can send the original gauge cluster to be restored it has oil pressure, temp, gas, and amps plus speed.
4th Question is about weather stripping around the door. there is a deep trac around the door for the weather stripping the weather stripping that in there is below the top of the trac so it's all dried up. who might sell that stripping. I called soft seal and they don't have it, they said.
5th or last question is about the side door windows and felt around them.
Who could tell me what size the windows are and who sell's the rubber or felt that goes in the doors around the windows. I am gonna buy a complete electric window conversion kit for the doors from Speedway. which will work good since the hardware in the driver's door is missing along with the glass. So I will have to get the door glass cut or made for the doors along with the front and back window glass that is separating in the middle so it looks like glue is in between two pieces of glass. Thanks for any and all help guys.
Kurt
Link for video of truck. https://www.flickr.com/photos/kurtvara/15094368558/

Here's some info on glass: Classic Auto Glass | Sanders Reproduction Glass

If they don't have what you need, all you need is one side window or one half of a wind shield, to serve as a pattern, from which both sides can be made.

The last resort is to make a pattern of your own from 1/4" hardboard and sent that to the glass company.

The "felt" around the window is called a run channel. A common width is 5/8", with a height of 9/16". Whether this will work in your truck, I have no idea, but it's a place to start.

Glass Run Channel - Speedway Motors, America's Oldest Speed Shop

As for the weather strip, you may just have to measure the height and width and try to find something similar, from some other make and model.

Here's a link to wiper kit that will work for pretty much any street rod:

Specialty Power Windows

Here's a link to a company that sell window channels and rubber products. They also have section dedicated to Internationals:

Restoration Specialties and Supply, Inc.

I doubt you're going to find any fiberglass front fenders for that truck. Your fenders look to be repairable. If so, that would be your best bet, IMO. Even if you have to pay someone to do it.

You might check in restorer mags like Hemmings. You might find some NOS fenders, but they would most likely be pretty expensive. Also, check online for any International clubs. Someone might give you a line on some fenders and other parts.

One word of caution when talking to some restorer type folks. Get a feel for their opinion on street rods before revealing that you have one. I've actually had one guy clam up and refuse to talk to me when he found out my car wasn't original.

You are most likely going to have to make your own patterns for the glass. Any good glass shop can cut safety glass for you. Just make sure they can sand the edges after it's cut. Don't make your patterns until after you have all your channels in place.

Mike

Thanks Mike and Dave.
Ya the channel and glass plus all the working's is totally gone so I can't even match it to anything.
I knew it would be a challenge, but I figured with all the hot rod builder's on here I could get a line or two.
Which thanks to you guys I have now, I'll keep you guy's informed on how my search is going.
I've seen guy's building all kinds of things on here the last 15 years or so I know it can be done.
I've actually been here a little longer then what it say's my join date was, but there was a computer crash
and I had to re join to get back on the site, glad they have all that stuff fixed now.
Thanks again Kurt.

Kurt I specialize in metal working and believe me when I say Ive seen it all. As far as the fenders go Id softly sand blast them to see what you really have. Looks like your in the desert so no need to throw paint back on them right away. Once blasted if you have rot issues they can be repaired fairly easy. if you find a lot of bondo due to wrinkles and old impacts it would be a good time to do some hammer dolly work and get them back in shape. That truck body style was fairly unique and not really thought of as a hot rod as much as a work truck. Because of that re pop fenders might be next to impossible to find. Your fenders look great to me and Id just fix them. What ever its worth?

I was thinking that, but both fender are torn or ripped at the top of the wheel well on both front fenders.
I guess I can weld them and see how it goes. I will say though from the photo's the 40 & 41 look to be the same shape as mine.
And I thought maybe just maybe International used the fenders off of the other cars, ya know like AMC used to do with miss matching
parts from other cars on to all of theirs. I know wishful thinking but I was just hoping some would pipe up and say, ya they used those
fenders from the 40 & 41 on the International's in 47. HE! HE! HE!
Kurt

If they are torn it is an very easy fix and easy to weld them back together. Use a mig welder and just spot weld them back together right on the crack. keep doing continuous spot welds until the whole tear is welded back together. be sure not to get the metal too hot a good rule of thumb is if you cant hold your hand flat on the fender about 2 inches from the weld it is too hot.Let it cool and then continue. Grind of the excess but don't dig into the fender material and you should be just fine.

Thanks I am pretty good with my Lincoln Mig Welder, but a good tip is always appreciated.
The tears are only about a inch long, I probably would have just drug my weld, till you told me to spot it though.
Thanks for the tips, that's why I love this site, very helpful.
Kurt