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

[clemdaddy]

Rian... You are a very driven man. You constantly fix, improve, tinker and create everything around you. Your space is very cool, the vehicles you touch are fantastic and the stories you tell are a great read. Thanks man, I don't comment often but I do keep up with the antics. By the way... it's maybe time to get back on the truck that brought us all together... maybe?

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

Rian... You are a very driven man. You constantly fix, improve, tinker and create everything around you. Your space is very cool, the vehicles you touch are fantastic and the stories you tell are a great read. Thanks man, I don't comment often but I do keep up with the antics. By the way... it's maybe time to get back on the truck that brought us all together... maybe?

Thank you Clem.

You are right, my head is ready for the truck again.

At age 60 I was hoping to drive it, not sit and stare at a pile of new parts and body that needs paint. (And a load of work)

Watch this space, I am.

[Grizz1963]

Had lunch.

Job done.

More to come, but the structural stuff is done for now.

There is a “Plan B” for further damage control if needed, but not for now.

Started off and stepped back, thinking errrrmmm…… NOPE.



Carried on, redid plate no 3 as it is different and was visibly wrong.

Still not sure.



Then did numbers 4, 5 and a short 6 and it looked tatty.

Started to add in the red, stabilising structural strip at the bottom…..

Feeling better.



And then the second part added made it look a lot better.



Finally added a short strip to the end where it meets the garage gable wall.

Tidy enough now.



A few more visual bits to add and it should look good enough.

Also, the daylight is still more than enough in there.

What shall I do next then?

Tempted to mess with the Rezin Rockit but wiring is just not my thing.

[Grizz1963]

Added a bit of detail.

Also did some small jobs like painting all the screws white etc.





And happy with the result here.

Just need to find the red hose for the pump and do a final assembly.

Beer time I think.

[Braunschweiger]

It's become a great shop, you might as well go to the gas station, annoying with the belt. Dangerous... who knows, but we're also more scared today. or?

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

It's become a great shop, you might as well go to the gas station, annoying with the belt. Dangerous... who knows, but we're also more scared today. or?

Thank you, it is mostly just cosmetics now.

The function was built in 2020 and some in 2021 and it is a great place to work and play.

Especially in bad weather.

Message from Ebay seller is that he sent me the 15 meter as one piece.

However, I replied that the first order was 10 meters, which he screwed up.

Lets see if he fixes it.








Slim pickings at the bootfair today.

New garden sprayer £1 (I stood on the old one)
Pack of 50 @ 1mm cutting discs
£20 Candle tray for American artist friend £2
2 superhero Mugs 10p each
Good Scissors 50p each
Batman Multitool £1

[Grizz1963]

Sunday afternoon and @nickwheeler laying down on the job.



But the rear lights and splash guards were fitted, changed the screw in bracket to two pairs of Studs in order to make seating and tightening a lot easier.

Ultimately, the wiring ended up entering high and on the opposite side, so original access now surplus.

Should make a huge difference to splatter and keeping things clean out back.



Late afternoon photo when wrapping up for the first time (Nick likes to find more small jobs that need to be done)

Lenses back on for the first time in a while.



One of the jobs that kinda stalled was to get some automotive carpet in behind the pedals and onto the firewall, to cover the high density foam I previously added.

I was not going to buy a roll of carpet just to use a 500x500 piece.

So I rummaged in the bits of carpet from the original floor and found it……..

The original piece.


Bucket of fairy liquid, washed followed by three rinses and set out to dry, it was a hot day.

Edited and cut to fit as footwell dimensions have changed slightly.

Brutal contact adhesive and fitted.



Next small job I needed to do, which had waited for the carpeting to get completed was a left side footrest.

I had desperately wanted to use the one GRIZZ footrest that Andy in Oklahoma had cast for me.

Only problem it turns out, was it was a right foot, so only good for an accelerator pedal.

So I went to plan B which has laid in the wings for years.

Can you tell what it is yet? ( I used to have a coffin shaped one too, gave it to,someone)





Some planning, finding a long enough bolt to go through the floors etc.

Remove the carpet before drilling, as you know what happens if you don’t.



Job done.

Nick holding the i side down while I tightened up the Nyloc underneath as my arms would never reach.

Really happy with the result.



While I played with these cosmetic finishes, Nick continued to make up magical wiring harnesses, extending non extended, 10mm cut off wires etc to give us a pair of these……

Working.



In the mean time again while he was measuring up the handbrake for missing parts that need custom making, I did some woodwork, after finding some solid Oak.

Supports for the front indicators and marker lights to rest on when fitted.

The new lights are slimmer by 20mm than the originals, so some filling in will need to be done.

Part one.





Remember the small jobs Nick keeps finding after closing time?

Back to the pedal box and clutch pedal.

A 3mm change is needed to make things work more smoothly.

No way we are adjusting the firewall etc.

So out came this guy.

Watch this space.



Weekend over.


Thanks for checking in.

[Grizz1963]

Looks like the indicator/side light infill piece works just right.

Finishing and painting it when wired up and fitted.

[Grizz1963]

Always worth asking everywhere.


WANTED:


I am hoping to get extremely lucky here………


My 2001 ZQ8 S10 4.3 Extended cab and long bed has an Extang cover fitted.

It is way beyond pretty, sort of still works, but a previous owner added cable ties to keep the cab end attached to the frame.

They are not manufactured anymore.


HOWEVER…..


Does anyone have a very good used one, or even a led for a new unused one for sale?

I will be in Wright City, Missouri near St Louis in Late August and first week of September.


Please post here or send a PM if you have something


Thanks.


My current cover.

[Grizz1963]

4 hours on Teams, in training.

Enough to make me reach for the blunt razorblades.

So after work around 5.15 I headed down, bucket of water and a lot of ambition.

Dulllllllll as dull can be,



So G3 compound on a Scotch pad, followed by some electric polisher action, and more hand buffing.



Got me here.



Followed by T-Cut, Mer and Zymol polishes.

Not doing any more, but it is an improvement on what I started with.



Not sure why I made all the effort, but at least I feel better after a day watching the screen.

[Grizz1963]

Made a small handle last night from some climbing rope I had stashed away.

Started with a hangmans noose to create the handle and locking it in place.

John the lodger was down here too.

Celebrating their team “My Left Foot” coming 4th out of 70 teams at the Red Bull Soapbox race on Sunday.

Certainly does not fit the bill for “disabled”

He is always game for doing stuff, the riskier the better.















Mocked up.

I am sure a passenger, if I have any, will appreciate it.



Walking back from the house after fetching us a drink, I noticed again how much I like this profile, and though the camera loses some of it, just how low this thing came out.



Washed the webbing and hung it out to dry as the Ebay seller is certainly a d!ck who wont replace the incorrect order he sent.

[Braunschweiger]

That's strong, you have great things to start with. It's progressing.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

That's strong, you have great things to start with. It's progressing.

Thank you Harald

More in a bit.



Finished the pump and hose tonight.

I think I do like that.



Completely useless bit of furniture that looks better than it functions.

[Grizz1963]

.

BAI-JEEZUS Handle.







Next job, rear cross bar.

Padded.



Then wrapped.

I used contact adhesive spray on both lengths of foam to help the webbing grip and not shift.

Once I made it to the last 300mm I added a narrow webbing loop into the wrap to aid pulling the end through and locking it in place once cut back.

John the lodger suggested it as the most secure way to actually ensure it did not come unstuck.



Use the narrow webbing to pull the wide stuff through under the wrap.

I adde a small length of masking tape over the contact glue to ensure the pull through was easier and did not get stuck halfway.



And pulled through.



Cut off, and wrap pulled back, allowing me to tuck it in and pull the wrap over the end with long nosed pliers.



Harnesses refitted over the padding and seems to fit well.



Job done.



Really pleased with that result.

Friday.

[Braunschweiger]

Ha, someone should say that you don't learn anything here, great Job Rian.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

Ha, someone should say that you don't learn anything here, great Job Rian.

I love these forums because of the “hive mindset” and massive knowledge resources available to all of us.






Remember last year, dismantling the Horse stables with Craig, his son Kyle and Fil?

Well, the new concrete floor and a 4 brick foundation wall are all up now.

Two extra brick courses will give some more headroom than the stables did already.

Last night, this was the state of play for Craig and Kyle on their own.

The next big job once the rest of the walls are up, will be to get those super sized roof panels up and screwed together.

Certainly a job for four or more guys.








Bootfair today:

Slim pickings.

VW Golf stepdown pipe unused £2.00
“Axe” £1.00
Single hinge £1.00
3/4 box screws 50p
10 flap wheels for £8.00 normal price £1.00 each.

[Grizz1963]

Always said I was not going to do this job.

Getting it done by a refurbishment specialist would be £300.00 or more.

But 5 plus hours of therapy, cleaning, prepping, masking repeatedly, followed by two cans of a louder Gold than was on there, and two large cans of Satin Black to cover the rear inside bands and front hub faces, re-inflating, detailing the axle hubs and drums in black made me very happy, despite the very hot day out there.

Rears cleaned, prepped and painted.



Front side masked.



Painted



Before and after.



Painting



Both Golds done.



Black centres prepped, masked



And a pic of them before and after paint.







So different from where I started.


Side



Rear



Front



Low-ish.




Closed shop, showered by 3.30 as too hot really to have fun.

Cold Beer time I think.

[Braunschweiger]

You deserve the Beer, it looks great, nice look, I have to do that with the C10 too.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

You deserve the Beer, it looks great, nice look, I have to do that with the C10 too.

Thank you Harald.

I am really pleased with the result.

Puts money in my pocket.

I love free cash.









Bit of a story on this one.

Bonnie the rescue dog loves water.

On Sunday it was really hot and Sally put out a washing up bowl filled with water for her. Twice.
Played it dry both times.

https://youtu.be/hLiilwSEKd8

So I said a Little Tikes kids sandpit/splash pool would be ideal.

Tonight after work I stopped in the village to get bread and then headed home.

Saw a skip. Full. And on top was the lid.

U-Turn and knock on the door, ask if I can have it, body was there too.

Loaded.



Unpack

Mucky



Price Check

Thank You



Pressure Cleaner

Plus Rag and Amonia cleaner.

Result



Off to Sally

Greeted with a WTF ? (Where That Found)

Water + Dog added.



Toys brought into pool by Bonnie.



I think you can call that a result.

Half an hour and she has not got out of it. Still playing.

[Grizz1963]

As I stopped at home on Wednesday evening from work, @nickwheeler pulled up and parked as well.

Hot and sticky outside……

Indoors, cold drink, chat, catch up.

Nick had come bearing gifts that had been burning a hole in his pocket for a while, but with,certain situations out of his control, it was the first chance to get over.

Remember the clutch actuator he took away a few weeks ago?



Replacement made with offset lever, and paint….😉

Also some custom nuts for the brake light switch and a spacer for the handbrake on the rear axle.

Christmasses all in one…..



Looking forward to fitting these parts of the puzzle.

Thanks a lot Nick.

[Braunschweiger]

A good deed and a very happy Dog.

[Palf70Step]

Very Nice. I feel like joining Bonnie

[realvc]

What a great result for Bonnie. That is one fine dog.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

A good deed and a very happy Dog.

Animals always come first in my world.

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Very Nice. I feel like joining Bonnie

Thanks.

She would love it]

Originally Posted by realvc

What a great result for Bonnie. That is one fine dog.

Yes, great result.

And a cute, but headstrong dog.

[Grizz1963]

Bought some relays for the headlights.

Seems I bought the wrong ones.

Need the other type.

Bugggerr.



Nick suggested….. They need to be double 'make or break' and not 'changeover' like a lot of 5 post relays,

But I still managed to get it wrong.

Seems the MX5 has some or other positive earth or whatever, I don’t understand.

So the LED headlights need some cleverness.


Grrrrrrr.