Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Very clean look Rian. I have always liked that color combo.

I do too.

However, Green is king.

Sunday.

Remembrance Sunday, and to me a serious business. Having served too, I do remember those no longer with us, those who,paid the greatest price so that I can live a good and easy life.

Because I worked yesterday my weekend was a bit short, so I had lots to do.

Starting with another bad nights sleep, I ended up doing loads today.

Bringing the truck up from the garage, the plan was to tint the windows and then head for town, but they were more complex as you need a five armed monkey to hold, stretch and apply the film when there is a breeze out like today.



Cleaning the inside window glass, I realised the whole thing needed a wash.



I also found evidence of a previous tint in the rear.



Quick wash, still took quite a while.






Another observation.

I need to find a replacement headlight, this one works but the milky glass does not appeal to me.



What it should look like, other side.



Once the car was washed, I took it down the tight drive.




And first time it was out of the property since I bought it and Lee delivered it.

Confrontation?





I was headed up to the farm to get a few decent photos......

We like a nice photo, don’t we?

Before alignment time.

[Grizz1963]

So I went up to the farm to see if I could get some nice pics that justified the truck for what it really is.

Not as bad as I have made it out.

I do not think this truck has ever been in an accident and all the panels seem to be straighter than one could expect from a 40year old.






I had removed the license plate whe. I started to look at getting the Towbar made up.

It was held in place by two rusty panel screws, one broke off in the backing plate, the other came out, so I just taped it in the rear window.



Thames river in the background.



From the farm I headed toward Rochester......

Of course stopping in for some fuel.



Then a drive down the bypass motorway to get a good feel for the handling.

It weaved lightly,and drew to the right all the time.

[Grizz1963]

So after filling the galactic sized tank with enough fuel to run 10 Smart cars for a month, I headed down to Strood to get the wheels aligned but typically the original £30.00 offer was not available as they did not have the details for the Chevy Blazer in their system.

They not so friendly guy behind the counter suggested I go to another shop.

So off to STS I went.

Friendly, knowledgeable guys, relieved me of £65.00 and sent me off with a truck that felt completely different to the one I had taken there.

WIN !!





The results spoke for themselves.



From there I went driving around, looking for another decent photo venue.





Eventually got home with a silly grin on my face.

The truck is Happy at 70mph on the motorway.

Brakes work beautifully

30 miles test drive, worked for me.

Reversed down the tight drive, planning to give the window tinting another go.

Realised the garden has grown a lot over the last few years.




So trimmed that lot back and raked up all the dead winter leaves.....



With the weather constantly changing between rain and not raining I decided to open the rear tailgate and service the window raiser mechanism






Greased all the gears, sprayed the invisible parts with STS and then tested and shut it all up again, happy.




And them thought I would give the window tinting another go.......


Big mistake, again.

So I left it alone.




So that ended up a great day for me.


Only the MOT left to go do when I get my day in lieu back.

Then lots of fun, random things after that.

I hope.

[realvc]

Glad to see you are enjoying your not a project as much as you are.

I've done a little on my 62 truck. It is a many faceted project. Also I've bought a few new tools.

Don't you get cold wearing those safety flip flops this time of year?

[Palf70Step]

Looking good Rian. Glad she is cruising well. I am still looking thru electrical Gremlins on min e. Found and fixed some, but hopefully this week I'll make some headway. Blazer is going to looking really good with those top hat caps.

[Indian113]

Do you feel Sorry for the people on the freeway driving those little itty bitty cars? Or do you STOMP on the Loud Pedal as you Pass Them?

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by realvc

Glad to see you are enjoying your not a project as much as you are.

I've done a little on my 62 truck. It is a many faceted project. Also I've bought a few new tools.

Don't you get cold wearing those safety flip flops this time of year?

Hi Vince,

The best about these trucks will be their patience.

They are in no hurry and will wait for us to get back to them.

Regarding my flipflops, no, not at all cold.

I am fine as long as the soles of my feet are insulated.

I do wear shoes, rarely, when it gets really cold.

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Looking good Rian. Glad she is cruising well. I am still looking thru electrical Gremlins on min e. Found and fixed some, but hopefully this week I'll make some headway. Blazer is going to looking really good with those top hat caps.

I think the centre caps will be nice too.

Let’s hope it’s not overkill.

Loads left to do on the Blazer too, but the big jobs are done. (Hopefully)

Originally Posted by Indian113

Do you feel Sorry for the people on the freeway driving those little itty bitty cars? Or do you STOMP on the Loud Pedal as you Pass Them?

You saw right through me Ray.

I do have to remember it’s size and how big it is.

Passing people with windows down, I certainly do tickle the gas a bit more

[Grizz1963]

Funny how the little things, like looking out and seeing this lump,outside now makes me smile.



I was asked on another forum about English property sizes and access and how I got the truck into the garage.

I guess TIGHT FIT is not an understatement.

Reversing the Blazer down the side of the house gets the best results.

I actually have to swing it around every concrete post as the mirrors are too wide to just go straight down.

Makes me chuckle at the madness every time I do it




Prozac the Berlingo is an easy loose fit.



Mate Darren of Unit Engineering had a bunch of random items in his £5.00 bargain bin on FB this week, so I bought the stainless Stormtrooper for the Blazer.

He will also later cut any other design on request and does all sorts of engineering and batch engineering manufacturing

Still need to figure out where it will go.

[Grizz1963]

Had MOT booked as first customer in this morning.

I was going to use the same station that gave it last years certificate.

(Did not realise it had changed ownership in the mean time)

I was there early and got attacked by the shop cat while looking at the Toyota Camry the owner has for sale.

The cat was insistent and just lovely.




So when the station opened, the truck went in and we started, lights, hooter, indicators eyc.

When the tester entered the Registration and VIN number into his computer he cross referenced the VIN number on the truck......

OOOOPPPSS.

SERIOUSLY ??

He was on the phone etc trying to find a way to test tbe truck.

Ultimately though......








So now I have sent a letter, photos, previous MOT certificate, V5c document to the DVLA.

Now the waiting begins.

More later.

[Palf70Step]

Sorry to hear that news Rian. What does all that mean in your countrry, a VIN issue or ??

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Sorry to hear that news Rian. What does all that mean in your countrry, a VIN issue or ??

Hi Bill, yes it is.





I am going to try keep it as simple as possible.

The MOT certificate and V5C both have a 12 digit VIN number.

The Blazer, on it’s VIN plate has 13 numbers.

Somewhere in the recent, or dark distant past, someone has missed out on a single number (number 10 in the sequence) which happens to be a 1 and it has never been picked up, until yesterday, by the tester, who is a new owner, originally from Afghanistan, and who is clearly intent on keeping his business.

So the question could be, where to point a finger and who to blame, or just get on and get it sorted.

I spoke to a lovely Welsh lady called Steph at the DVLA in Swansea yesterday, and she explained about me writing a letter, photos and returning the new V5C in my name, and they would then correct this number.

I do hope that it is as simple as that.

Fingers crossed.

[Grizz1963]

Yesterday was not a great day, and my day job has me a bit stressed at the moment too. Probably not ideal to discuss work and opinions in a public forum.

So at about 5.45 I am on the computer at home (we work from home) doing some admin, when the doorbell rings, and I think it’s Mickey coming to borrow some eggs or a cup of sugar.

Go downstairs and it is the local postman, delivering an international parcel that he had left a collection car for at 13.40 earlier in the day.

He had a flat wheel 4 miles up the road, and been delayed by two hours on his return journey, so when he drove past my house and saw the lights on downstairs, he turned around and came to deliver my parcel and get the signature on his tracking gadget.

THAT IS SERVICE.

I continued with my admin and then looked it over, and opened the parcel.

From Russia with Love.

Well, actually from Siberia.

Sent by Stas, who I got to know on Garage Journal https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/...d.php?t=376409






Covering letter says it all.



And then the item he sent me.....

A chopping board, perfect for the smoked and dry sausage we sometimes have here with our BBQ or when visiting.

I am absolutely stunned, again at the generosity of people, thank you Stas !




After the day I had had and the emails that had landed (a few more landed by 10pm that had me pi$$€d off) the next photo is of me, truely losing it completely with laughter.
I could not stop for a few minutes........

It’s a rare thing to laugh uncontrollably these days, and had thee been a drink in my office, it would have been all over the computer.



Stas had printed off and included for my pleasure, a photo of his beautiful wife, Katya, who happens to be a lawyer in Siberia.

I could not have been more surprised.

Katya is a legend in Stas’ garage thread on GJ and well loved and respected by the guys on there, like Harley my cat, she makes occasional appearances to brighten the days of this who are interested.

I give you Katya.



And all together now.




Funny how a bad day can end so good, thanks to another person on the other side of the world.

I chatted with Stas on WhatsApp overnight, and he is currently working in China.

Tough life ehhh.

Headed to London again today.

[ibrown50]

By absolute coincidence I had DVLA issues with my Blazer, they insisted it should go for an HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) test as opposed to an MOT, I had to take it to an inspection centre so they could satisfy themselves it wasn’t an 18 wheeler

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by ibrown50

By absolute coincidence I had DVLA issues with my Blazer, they insisted it should go for an HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) test as opposed to an MOT, I had to take it to an inspection centre so they could satisfy themselves it wasn’t an 18 wheeler

Thanks for the reply Ian.

It will be interesting to see how this one turns out.




Cold, wet, foggy and dark outside.

So not a lot that I can do to the Blazer, but I still went and sat in it.

Messed with the radio, that I have not touched yet and sat and took stock of little jobs that will need doing.



Need. To make up a complete new roof liner.



And will be on the lookout fot trim that surrounds the radio too.




In other news, Dennis sent me a bunch of pics, seems they had up to 8” of snow overnight.

Of course in England a National disaster would be announced




All this may be pretty, but when you work for yourself, it sucks.



Bedtime.

[Palf70Step]

OOOhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, white sandy beaches. Dennis must be having a blast ;lol:

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

OOOhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, white sandy beaches. Dennis must be having a blast ;lol:

I am sure he is......



Awake early again today, it is Saturday so not ideal, as I would love to just sleep in and get 8 hours straight.

Still, out the house by 07.30 to drive down to Rochester, my local town and get to the Post Office Depot.

I had an undelivered parcel from Glasgow yesterday that has to be signed for, so could not be left with the neighbours.

Knowing exactly what it was, and where it came from meant I was a bit excited.

Nothing special for most people, but car parts, especially the dress up stuff, gets me going.

So Collected at 08.05 as I was no 3 in the row, despite being 10 minutes early, then straight home to unpack my treasures.


“I BRING YOU GIFTS O’ GREAT WHITE BLAZER



Never been fitted to a car, but dusty from sitting on top of a wardrobe for years, awaiting their turn for glory.

So into the kitchen sink along with the few bits I had to wash this morning.

That is the right way to do it, not so?



And after a quick wash, rinse and drying off with a clean dish towel they do look exactly as described by David who sold them to me.

Money well spent, despite me knowing that I really do not need to spend any more, as this truck is certainly draining my wallet faster than anticipated, still, the cash comes from the Red ‘66 C10’s personal account, so not threatening the mortgage repayments, yet.


Shiny Happy People.




I have another full day to myself today in the garage, so will be doing a load of small tinkering jobs, they all take time and need doing, some, in fact all will be pretty much unnoticed, like fitting the radiator shroud I bought a couple of weeks ago, making up an ally backing plate for the radio, to temporarily fix the visible damage to the surround, turning the choke knob around and refitting it, removing the steering wheel and refitting it correctly centred, stuff my buddy @CraigRK would approve of.
I also need to look at the mounting tabs for the Towbar and make extra, gusseted tabs to fix it more securely to the chassis mounting points, as I do not have an original Towbar to fit.



I was alerted by an angry friend in Germany this week that my old Ford Taurus Transit had made the press again, I think it’s the third time it has made it into a car magazine, twice when I had it too.







The new owner has been changing it radically since buying it 5 years ago.

I am personally a great fan of the “Your ride, Your way” school of thought, and it’s good to see it evolve into something he wants to own and drive.







Off to the garage now, the Blazer awaits.

[Grizz1963]

So my day started earlier than I would have liked, but in exchange I got to collect the centre caps for the truck.

Did some laundry, single life rocks.... ermmm maybe.

Got out by 10am and chatted to Mickey next door for about half an hour, then got the cars swapped around, started the truck up and reversed it down to the garage.

First jonpb to do as to mark and drill some holes in the license plate backing plate, get some nuts and bolts to attach said number plate.

I wanted to mount it up high against the top of the rear bumper.

Got that done, ensuring maximum space for when the Towbar gets fixed in there.



Remember in the engin bay, the radiator shroud was missing, as it had been removed and not replaced and subsequently thrown away by a previous owner.
Then I found one to but over in Essex, including cost of fetching it, as £25.00

So having undone the top radiator hose and removed it, I managed to wriggle it into place over the fixed fan. Slipping it into the S-clips,I also had to move the lower hose Jubilee clip to allow the shroud in.
For the top fixing, it was two tims of nuts and bolts. Allowing me to find pieces that fit into the look, and the right size.

The two top corner fixings took forever to seat and get to grip, and my sausage shaped fingers could not get in to hold it all in place.



Fixed.



After seeing @Disasterbus success with his air filter and aluminium foil, I thought it prudent to try the same method on mine.

Starting here......



Removed.






Halfway there.



Resulting in this.




Back in place, far from perfect, but certainly improved.

[Grizz1963]

Late afternoon, I got to the bit I had been looking forward to.

Fitting the centre caps, and then the Stainless steel trim rings.

So Centre caps.



And add the trims.



All together now.

Really needs to be out In Good lighting with a decent background.



Front end.



And my personal favourite angle today.



By 3.30 it was getting chilly out on the drive, the breeze did not help, at that point I was trying to get the Towbar made up and mocked up, but have realised that finding a C10 Unit from a hedge or the back of a shed, makes more sense. And I was not in enough clothing layers, so I thought, bu66er it, another day, another battle to be fought.



I had planned on making a backing plate for the radio today to support or at least make look better, the broken and missing section under the dash.

However, chilly weather and forgetting about it altogether made me come in.

However, weirdly I got a message from friend Bill in Gulfport, Mississippi tonight on Messenger to offer me these pieces.



Serendipity

Life.

[Grizz1963]

So.....

WINDOW TINTING.

Make sure you select the right shade.

I went for 35% and should have gone to 70%

Too late now, as it’s done.

Under £10.00




Going to try keep it short.

Mate Kevin came over from Maidstone in his absolutely envy provoking chipped, lowered and pimped out VW Van.




Cut the tinting film to size on the outside of the glass, keeping in mind, there is a sticky, or outside, side.



Once trimmed to size, move to the inside of the vehicle, spray the glass wet, as well as the tint film once you remove the backing sheet.
Slide into position, squeegee all the water out while getting it smooth.



Many hands, octopus and all that.



Repeat prep.



I also used a heat gun to help remove and smoothe any kinks out.



While we were at it, Nicola’s dad popped in for a chat and to check up on the new car, he has always loved cars, especially V8’s



Result






And out in the street after Kevin and I did a 10 mile test drive, where we found the front wheel beauty rings popped off after 5 miles.

So it’s back to looking for trim rings that work.


Final pic of the tinting, here you can see it, not dark enough, but nice.




End of the weekend and another job jobbed.

Few more pics tomorrow, bed now.

[65c10restomod]

I went for 35% and should have gone to 70%

isn't 70% lighter than 35%

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by 65c10restomod

isn't 70% lighter than 35%

That’s how I understood it to be, based on what I did to my Berlingo




So for those who have been patiently following this thread.

Here is a short clip of the Blazer coming out to play.

Enjoy.


https://youtu.be/XX83qJc8UpQ



After Kevin left, Joy, who has been incredibly tollerant and patient with the work that’s been going into the Blazer and her dog Wyzz, came over for a walk down to the Thames River at Allhallows.

Once back, I needed to open the side gate to reverse the truck down to the garage and Joy moved her car over a bit.

Came back and found this.......




Random pics.



Along the way, some waterways.





Tide was out on the Thames and the wind was cold and biting.

Essex over the other side and French canal to the right.




And looking up river, toward London, with more of Essex on the other side.



Have a good week, mine will be hectic.

[Palf70Step]

Guess he is OK without being in the shotgun position.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Guess he is OK without being in the shotgun position.

His favourite




Thought I would add an oldie but GOODY tonight.


Most of us know KC as a painter.


Slight change of occupation here.

Enjoy.


https://youtu.be/2m7F7jMIE9k



And then we have this idea.

I have had it in the back of my mind since Oblertone sent me two pairs of stirrups.


Background.

THE TSURIKAWA STORY

Sushi, sumo and samurais... Japan in a nut shell right? Well, the country of the rising sun is a bit more than that! And tsurikawas are without a doubt a part of our rich culture…
Stolen in trains by our local young gangsters, also known as bosozokus, the tsurikawas were originally attached inside cars so passengers could slide their wrist inside the ring and safely hang their body outside the window.
They quickly became the symbol of a reckless youth and bosozokus started to attach them outside heavily modified bikes and cars to show rebellion and disrespect to authority.
Nowadays, hardcore Japanese car enthusiasts are still flaunting them to express their freedom.




Went down to the garage after work tonight, raining.

Found a stirrup, old leather belt and pulled my hoody over my head...

And got Photobombed, remember it’s wet, cold and windy out there, but madam wants to be down there .




Better pic.



Expecting,much hate.

Remember , it’s just an idea.

[Grizz1963]

Well.....

What does $80.00 buy you??

Dinner at Harry J’s.

Half a trolley of burgers n fries at Walmart.

Or 36 gallons of Fossil fuel for the Blazer in St Louis, Missouri this week.




Or if you are Dennis Jones in St Louis, then postage to the U.K. for some shackles for the Blazer.



Unpacked and a quick Catscan......

Approved.



Also included were some Disabled plates for my collection from Dennis and some of @CraigRK ‘s Coke purchases that were delivered after we departed the USA in September.



So what have we got for the Blazer this week?




Just a trim, bit off the sides and then a two inch drop in the rear.

Lovely pieces of kit.

Grinder and wrenches at the ready.




Hard to see on some pics, but here the same rake on both pics, and pic no 1shows the real state of the nation.



So trust me, the 2 inches will be just right, thanks to @PaulY





More when the sparks have flown.

Roll on weekend.

[Indian113]

Rian, Don't let the Cheap Gas Prices fool you! They are just teasing us with them at the moment. By Spring we will be paying premium prices again. Although our highest prices might just be cheaper than your Lowest. Looks like Dennis came through again and The Blazer will drop it's Ass Properly! Thanks for the Pictures of the Thames and your countryside, makes me want to Go to the UK even More. Ray