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

[Grizz1963]

Some of you will know, because of inner circle privilege (rofl) that I may have spunkied some cash on a new car.

Keep it to yourselves for now inner circle. Please.

Thought a Christmas teaser was appropriate here.

I will be selling the Galaxy as soon as I have moved the registration plate on it, to the new car.

The Rezin Rockit can keep its own thread because it is a silly, fun thing.

Picture of what a 21 year old, 38500 mile belly looks like on the MOT ramps an hour after I bought it.

Guessing and replies on a postcard below.






MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL.


THANK YOU FOR FRIENDSHIPS ANF SUPPORT THIS YEAR.


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[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Grizz

Further clue, maybe.

[53Sparky]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Further clue, maybe.

Here are some things we KNOW.

You need to fuel up somewhat soon.
The redline is reasonably high, so 4 cylinder?
100MPH is the max on the speedo, so it's not likely a sports car.
There's a warning light that has been "fixed"
You have decent Oil Pressure.
Either the engine hasn't come up to temperature, or you might consider replacing the thermostat.
It's not a stick shift.
Alternator's probably good.
The fuel fill up is probably located on the right side of the vehicle.
It idles around 600 RPM.

[Palf70Step]

[realvc]

It appears that the wood grain could match that of the S-10 Rian was looking at earlier.

Another Chevy truck for the Grizz collection.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Well, I hope your Christmas was good.

Mine was lovely

Originally Posted by 53Sparky

Here are some things we KNOW.

You need to fuel up somewhat soon.
The redline is reasonably high, so 4 cylinder?
100MPH is the max on the speedo, so it's not likely a sports car.
There's a warning light that has been "fixed"
You have decent Oil Pressure.
Either the engine hasn't come up to temperature, or you might consider replacing the thermostat.
It's not a stick shift.
Alternator's probably good.
The fuel fill up is probably located on the right side of the vehicle.
It idles around 600 RPM.

How to make me chuckle madly....

Make a list.

Brilliant observations.

Thanks a lot.

Originally Posted by realvc

It appears that the wood grain could match that of the S-10 Rian was looking at earlier.

Another Chevy truck for the Grizz collection.

Virtual beer Vince. Congratulations




Well.

Christmas came and went.

Zero stress, thanks to Sally cooking us a leg of lamb based roast dinner that had me making weird noises with every mouthful.

It was spectacular.

With her cars engine expiring in April, costing her £2000, then her boiler went for £1800 and some other crisis I cannot recall, but all culminating in a pretty bad 2020

So we decided no presents, no frivolous washing, which is not really her way.

All of this meant that she spent time at her place sewing, and I worked on fine tuning the carport some more.

Weather has been chilly the last few days, with a keen breeze, but 4 top layers and some long John’s under my tricky pants, and a woolly hat and garage gloves..... toasty.

First thing was to complete the frame at the rear, stabilising the sheets.



Then the back corner where I plan to have a door or curtain to keep the last of the weather out, needed a bit of clear conservatory roofing

.

Screwed into place. Chuffed.





Then called Sally out of the warm house to help me unload and move the tall cabinets under the roof.



All four in, and about 20mm short of getting the right hand unit, slid in behind the steel upright post, so quick dismantle of the sheets against the shed, a spacer fitted and screwed in place.
You will notice the right hand side still had a small gap where you can see the hedge.



Then moved them and the small units into position.



Looking in just as light failed, I felt pretty chuffed with what I have managed to achieve the last few months with help from various friends, some for minutes, some for longer.



Once again thanks to all who had and have a hand in this build.

It will keep a lot of the weather out and afford me a dry place to work on the Rezin Rockit and other builds, including the 66 C10 patiently wair]ting its turn.

Tonight it seems we have a storm and possibly snow by tomorrow.

Life is good, yes, really.

[Palf70Step]

Looks real good Rian.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Looks real good Rian.

Thanks Bill.

Happy with that.


The last time I used the term Bucket List, this was what I bought 6.5 years ago.

https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...hort-fleetside

Subsequently I chose not to have bucket lists, in fact not even lists.

But there has always been a LUST LIST.

Prozac the Berlingo was such a revelation on so many levels, and to be honest, it again underscored how much fun smaller capacity cars have.
Add into that the amazing functionality it proceeded to unfold in my ownership.
Sold to Mickey next door for his son to use for school run and DIY work, it continues unabated to impress and work daily.

Replaced it with the 2001 Galaxy 2.3 Auto.
Valeted it
Removed the seats
Added a rubber mat
Used it.
Replaced the battery.
Failed MOT for welding and a couple of lightbulbs.
Sorted and passed test 2.0
Towed a trailer twice for stuff
Again...... super reliable car, huge capacity.
But sooooo BLAND, it just goes on and on, doing its job.
I ended up not even lowering it.

I have always loved trucks, commercial vehicles and functional equipment

So my eye continued to always be open for certain Cars.

I had a specific, rigid wish list for these.

Chevrolet S10 pickup.

A Mk 2 truck, despite series one popularity
Colour: Sandalwood metallic
Extra-cab
4.3 liter V6
2WD not 4x4
Decent condition
Tow bar

Colour options



I was looking around Europe for years on various German, Dutch, Italian and Spanish websites, plus had a few guys help me. Notably @Mk3rob in Germany.

Not one came up that was aligned with my want list though.

Then two weeks ago.

BINGO !!!

Saw an ad for a 2000 Chevrolet Trax for sale.

Contacted the advertiser who was selling for a friend....... usually these peee me off before I even contact them as they are often just infuriating deals to see through.

Andy took his time getting back to me, but of course he has a day job.

Then a garbled text message, typed with a pair of safety gloves.

At this point I was ready to walk away, but I persevered as the truck specs and what was described, suited me and ticked the list.

Eventually managed to get an appointment set up for 11.00 and contacted @pauly to see if he would come do the fine tooth comb checks for me. He knows stuff.
But he could not do 11.00, so I contacted the advertiser to see if we could view at 09.00 , within minutes he got back to me and agreed to 09.00
Got an address and description of how to get on the turkey farm, sudden, hidden turning off the motorway.
So Thursday morning 06.00 I was up, left home by 07.00 all excited, and drove over to our meeting point in 4’C weather.

In the mean time I went into the history online.

Confirming the advertised mileage and what appears to have been reasonable maintenance or lack of use.





So the motor

K&N air cleaner, divides opinions



As mentioned, an extra cab was a prerequisite



I have seen a few of these trucks for sale and the interior was really tidy and intact.



Space for beer.



Fleetside badging, rear step bumper may hide a tow ball fitting space.



Cragar wheels fitted, they will be gone ASAP.

Truck comes with a set of lowering springs as well.

Stripes are also opinion dividers. I am not yet certain.maybe remove and replace with ghosted type stripes



Front end is nice, orange indicators will be going and getting replaced with clear units.



So after PaulY and I spent time on our knees and crawling around in the wet, thanks Paul, it was time for a run down the motorway, grab some fuel and return via the local village, which gave me a feel for it in all conditions.

Even the load bed, which comes with a cover, has actually never been used.
The Raptor liner was applied in Missouri, and is still unmarked, no dents, scratches etc.

So I bought it.



I decided not to pay the government for a months road tax for five days of use, which would be about 100 miles.
So collection agreed for 01012021
Nice way to start the new year.


Happy yes.

.

[realvc]

Congrats. on your new truck. I'm happy for you.
You will enjoy it for sure.

[Palf70Step]

Glad ya got it. They are OK. My $.02, don't lower it. They tend to ride like dookie.

I kinda like the Cragars, but then again those and Keystone classics were the wheels of my youth.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by realvc

Congrats. on your new truck. I'm happy for you.
You will enjoy it for sure.

Thank you Vince.

I guess patience paid off.

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Glad ya got it. They are OK. My $.02, don't lower it. They tend to ride like dookie.

I kinda like the Cragars, but then again those and Keystone classics were the wheels of my youth.

Ah, the lowering thing. Agreed.

Cragars are on borrowed time.

[Grizz1963]

.

So today I spent some time outside, it was 3.5’C

Yes, I know there are colder places in the world, but there are also warmer places.

First I removed everything that did not belong to the Galaxy, from it.
Rolled up the bloody heavy rubber mat that was on the floor.it will go into the S10 truck Ed.
The I vacuum cleaned it, wiped every surface and cleaned it all with various products.
Then unpacked the rear seats from storage, removing their wrappings and refitted them all.

Various configuration available of course.





Inside front cleaned up nicely.





On 17 November we were here.



And of course where we stand now.




So once I remove the personal plate, it will be put to the market.

I still have the lowering springs as well as the set of Mercedes Benz wheels and new tyres to move on.

But it’s bedtime now.

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[mjh1965]

You should be able to transfer the plate at the same time as registering the S10 in your name online . But only if you have insurance and tax and MOT on both vehicles. If one has been off the road but not declared SORN in the last 5 years , that’s when it get to be a pain and they want all documentation sent to DVLA. I know this because when I purchased the Porsche it had been in jersey for a year in the last 5 years so it was a pain in the ass .

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by mjh1965

You should be able to transfer the plate at the same time as registering the S10 in your name online . But only if you have insurance and tax and MOT on both vehicles. If one has been off the road but not declared SORN in the last 5 years , that’s when it get to be a pain and they want all documentation sent to DVLA. I know this because when I purchased the Porsche it had been in jersey for a year in the last 5 years so it was a pain in the ass .

Still need to check it all out.

May end up calling you.

[Grizz1963]

Wheels.

A very personal choice.

I am still in two minds, both are my minds and opinions about the Cragar wheels currently fitted to the truck.
They are 17’s and need to be cleaned for me to really form an opinion, the whole truck needs a decent valet to get it up to scratch.
It comes with a full lowering setup, so the wheel arch gaps on the 17’s can be closed in, tyre sidewalls are 45 profile, and possibly could be increased a bit to change the illusion.
The ride on the 17’s as they are is actually really comfortable, unlike some low profile setups.

As it stands.



What’s in the bag, well, loadbed.



I saw these wheels a few times before on S10 trucks and like them, they are 15’s with a 65 profile.

https://www.need-a-wheel.com/rim-sho...v=3e8d115eb4b3





Available to me.

I think that they would look good on the truck, and allow it to function as well as the Cragars.









Same seller also has an original steering wheel available at sensible money.





Complete with connectors and cancellation gubbins as they would be removed when the sports steering was fitted in the past.



I am also hoping to find someone breaking a 2000-2002 model S10 Blazer for the front grille, which is actually chrome.

Could look good.



.

[Palf70Step]

Those are nice wheels for them also Rian and will hold up better than the Cragars. I do love Cragars, but they sure to deteriorate quicker than what I remember in my youth. Another wheel that looks good are the Camaro IROC or IROC clone wheels. I believe depending on the year they are 16s or 17s

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Those are nice wheels for them also Rian and will hold up better than the Cragars. I do love Cragars, but they sure to deteriorate quicker than what I remember in my youth. Another wheel that looks good are the Camaro IROC or IROC clone wheels. I believe depending on the year they are 16s or 17s

Second set would get my vote Bill.

And yes, chrome chrome smoothies do the same deterioration if not looked after.

[Grizz1963]

MOT Station pics, as expected





Happy

Happy.

[Grizz1963]

We are a bit behind on the updates, as I have been busy dealing with other stuff, sorry.


So I bought the truck recently.


Happy so far, 90 miles later


27mpg at 70mph from a 4.3 V6 makes me happy too.


Any build code readers on here?


What have I bought? Rixtrix reckons I may have lucked out a bit on spec sheet.


I do not read these things or know how to interpret them.






Feedback so far..........

G80 and ZQ8 are posi track rear and sport suspension
G80 is the LSD, nice.
ZQ8 is a code and a trim package, so your truck is a ‘ZQ8’
They had a factory lowering kit, around 2in or so, springs and leafs. A tighter steering box and some other nice things. The Xtremes got the same setup but got a body kit and some badges.
This is kind of an aside since you're curious about rpo codes, but the guys who have the super sport S10’s look for the B4U code. SS trucks were the first to receive the ZQ8 suspension in 96 until they stopped the SS in 98. The ZQ8 then became its own trim package so to speak
That is the rear end. I think the codes that start with G are the gears for the rear. Not 100% but I think that's what it means. And G80 is a locking or semi locking rear end if I remember right.


Thanks for the help.

[Palf70Step]

This link gives you the info and access to the complete list of RPO codes

https://www.newgmparts.com/decoding-...tors-rpo-codes

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

This link gives you the info and access to the complete list of RPO codes

https://www.newgmparts.com/decoding-...tors-rpo-codes

Thanks Bill,

I have managed to find a few more bits.

May copy and paste later.

[Grizz1963]

HIT AND RUN TRUCK COLLECTION.

In the end, I capitulated and decided to just pay the road tax and not mess the seller around, risking my deposit.

So off we went.



And on and on the road went.



Made it to the sellers place, played a pretty good game of remote hand over, electronic fund transfer etc, then two old guy from the same area of South London touched base, comparing notes.



Good byes said, Mickey headed home on his own, I headed for the local gas station with a thirsty truck with empty tank.

55 liters meant there was some distance left in it after the previous owner had put some gas in for the test drive.



On the way home I did a detour to drop off some air tools for @pauly to use on Woody his C10 that he is quietly getting on with.

Paul took a happy new owner pic for me.

Freezing cold out there.



Then headed home.

Stopped at my local gas station, and missed out taking a pic of the signs on the gas pumps that say: “DO NOT TOUCH OUR PUMPS”

But the ladies who fill the cars and trucks soon make you forget that, with their friendly approach and service.

Real old skool



So 85 miles and the consumption at presto much mostly motorway speeds around 70mph.

27mpg or 10km/l

Happy for sure.



Sunset outside at the gas station.






Then back home, 2’C outside meant I just reversed up the drive, locked up and went indoors.

Grinning.

Happy yes.


.

[realvc]

WOW, Rian your truck is so much nicer than I thought it was. All the factory upgrades make this S-10 a very desirable ride.

Congrats. again on your purchase. Enjoy and "Keep on Truckin"

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by realvc

WOW, Rian your truck is so much nicer than I thought it was. All the factory upgrades make this S-10 a very desirable ride.

Congrats. again on your purchase. Enjoy and "Keep on Truckin"

Thanks so much Vince.

I have coveted these for years, wanted one, but only in a very specific line up of features.

I honestly feel very fortunate and lucky, but also happy to have found this truck to buy.

It is far from perfect, but nothing is unsurpassable on it.

[Grizz1963]

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So the video, taken. By @PaulY after I delivered some air tools to him en-route after collecting the truck.


Paul sent me an accompanying message which read something like “Nice Truck, but you get 1/10 for effort, not even an attempt to smoke they tyres”

So here is my limp attempt at joining the traffic on a wet, cold road.

https://youtu.be/ZppLk-f7nBs

Maybe a better attempt next time.

No need to break it.


HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL.

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