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

[Grizz1963]

End of one, start of another.

Rezin Rockit got collected on Valentine’s Day

And it clearly didn’t want to go.

Kicked me in the nuts as I started it up to drive it up onto the transport trailer.

I had ensured that it was perfect for the new owner during the week and gave him a run through of its functions.

A video showing him what he was getting.

It still looked so good parked in the carport.

But when I started it up, there was a squealing sound and the silence as the fanbelt, original to the engine, shredded itself and knocked the crankshaft crank position sensor off its mounting point. Rendering the engine unable to start.

So we pushed it over and used the winch to load it.

Totally gutted.

https://youtu.be/z1pTAbEPMOY?si=gGR28eY30EAdfQeD

I absolutely hate selling stuff and not delivering on expectations.

This time though, the car had the last laugh.


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[Grizz1963]

Not a lot done today. But a video filmed.

35’F outside today with a breeze

Started Moving stuff around

Clearing workspace

Little steps

Easy.



The trailer loaded with a pile of wooden shutters.

Swept out the carport as well.

Then unearthed the cab roller as well as the cab hoist.

Remember this tool Martin and I made 9 years ago.

https://youtu.be/vfTC9wyQKK0?si=npy_ZEtnD1rmPXS9


More clearing space to do tomorrow.

Hopefully a little bit every day.



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[Braunschweiger]

A big help, that's how I moved my cabin too.
We had -9° at night, the next few nights aren't going to be any better, no desire to do anything in the shop.
Regards Harald

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

A big help, that's how I moved my cabin too.
We had -9° at night, the next few nights aren't going to be any better, no desire to do anything in the shop.
Regards Harald

Hi Harald
Yes, cold gets into my bones these days.

I have no heating in my shop or carport.

Not ideal.

[Grizz1963]

Getting back to the truck is going to be a slow process.

But…….

George will ensure that I get out of bed.

Stuff will happen.

Slowly.

Possibly.

So more clearing up and moving stuff around has resulted in the wheels turning a bit.

https://youtu.be/_UoaTCgT-Kk?si=60t7DyeEggjWj-fL



More to come.

I have no choice.


Seems some people watch closely.



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[Palf70Step]

Glad to see you getting back to the ole girl. Looking forward to the progress

[Braunschweiger]

I'm also happy that it's starting, it's going to be great.
Greetings, Harald

[Grizz1963]

So back to the task at hand.


I love slightly weird challenges.


Nothing like building a robot or rocket



Just things nobody else has done yet.


Some of you may remember John one of my lodgers a few years ago.
He moved in here as a temporary resident while an apartment or flat was being renovated for him to move into.
Originally he said 5-7 weeks maximum

7 Months later, he moved out.


But in the meantime, he had actually become a real good reliable friend.
You know, the kind who would help you kill a bottle of Jack, Rum or pour your next shot.
Also, a conscience and the guy who would challenge some of your best ideas or tell you to pursue the doubtful ones.


So a solid friend.


Problem solving on the Rezin Rockit electrical circuit when one pink wire, cut by Nick while editing the MX5 wiring loom, needed to be traced.


John was there on the first fill and starting of the motor.


https://youtu.be/26uEIRMZdrk



Various other collaborations have followed that build.


Also, just a nice, easy friendship with zero demands in either direction.


So when John mentioned that his 5 year old Hyundai Ionic had over 150k miles of Driving Class miles on and was due to be replaced by a new automatic Hyundai Kona Hybrid I was pleased for him.


A few days later he contacted me to say that unfortunately there was not a dual control installation available for this car, would I be prepared to help him fit something so that he would have control from the passenger side…….


My first thought was “Well, there’s no way we will be drinking on the driveway “



My second thought was….. Aaahhh this is what mate Martin does for a living so end of January I contracted Martin to see if he could help Martin would always help if he can, but as we knew, nothing existed on the market, so it was just John and I against the world



Problem solving 101


https://youtu.be/NSIPODCbZaI?si=WghwV_zm4dEx5R51



I had obviously agreed that I would help and my shop was totally available.


So we got going with planning, research and scavenging (yes, even for a brand new car you might have to scavenge) to save on costs because the price of a similar installation was around £700/$850 and thats a lot of cash, even when parts are available



And a plan of action started to form.




INTERESTED ???





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[Grizz1963]

During the week, couriers were delivering a few boxes of parts

A new roof box, an extra cable (unlikely to ever get used.


John had found a FAT pedal box he felt we could make work. It is set for throttle and brake. He only needs to be able to override the brakes.


So we would plan out and cut and fit, match some 30mm and 45mm x3mm as well as some 5mm steel plate to create a solid base for the pedal box to be mounted on.

Really important, was to use the cars factory mounting points and also not to cut carpets or damage the firewall or plastics.


Hopefully the pictures will tell the story.


VIDEO also illustrates more clearly the process.


Measure, Plan, Cut, Grind, Weld.


Firstly the feet for mounting to the firewall, followed by a bridge between them.
Once that got done, I cut and welded some 5mm steel plate and welded it front and rear.
The feet were also gusseted or triangulated.
Total overkill in this structure but making it a solid immovable base for the pedal box and its cable operated pulley system that transfers through 90’ and a cable through, behind the centre console, over to the brake pedal.
Brake pedal cable and pulley system also mounted via custom bracket to factory mounting points in firewall to connect to instructor brake pedal.


After welding these parts together, i used a flap disc to blend the welds as a friend says. Then some satin black paint and all bolted down finally. Cable fitted.


Once fitting was completed, John tested it all, as shown in the video.


I would say that between the two of us, we got this job done.






I trust the video was not too long



For those with limited time, there is the short version



Well, not really a short version, rather a summary of what John does









Thank you for your comments and advice.
​​​​​​​

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[Grizz1963]

Well

One big job done today.


Then did some much needed maintenance on the trailer thats lived up in a wet Shropshire for a few years.


I am going to ask Uncle Bob if he’s prepared to let me store it in his farmyard.
It will still be outside in the open, but I need the space more now than my usual neurotic insistence that my stuff lives under cover.


Mudguards are steel, held in place by 13mm bolts in Rivnuts.


So I removed them, ground away the powder coating and rust as best I could.
Followed by galvanic spray paint, primer and satin black paint. Left overnight to dry well, I will do another coat tomorrow before assembly.


14 minutes of your life that you will never see again.

https://youtu.be/BOBhYmfM7zM?si=8brXtsp9unLssx_m


Hopefully Uncle Bob will say yes to storing the trailer.


Having done the C10 cab and chassis split today, and of course hurting my back (no idea how, it just jarred at one point) in the process was not ideal.
But it’s a brilliant feeling to have done it.


Tomorrow I hope to create a video of the process, and post some pics that the Patreon supporters will have seen this afternoon ��



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[Palf70Step]

Looking forward to seeing more work. Heal up well Rian.

[Grizz1963]

Sunday brought this………

PROGRESS

VIDEO

https://youtu.be/nm7gl_cYlag?si=W2dc3cE8zXYfZfp7

Small steps.





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[Braunschweiger]

Great Rian, it continues,
I will follow you with curiosity and monitor your progress.
Greetings Harald

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

Great Rian, it continues,
I will follow you with curiosity and monitor your progress.
Greetings Harald

Thank you Harald.





When is a wasted day, not wasted?


Hard to define

I had some 12mm ply left over from the shed build. Kinda typical of my maximising every sheet approach.


Of course now I need all the space in the garage back. So I posted it for sale on FB marketplace for £12.00

SOLD.


Problem was buyer has no tools.
He asked me whether I had a jigsaw to sell, in the end I realised he just needed help and suggested he come to my house on Tuesday to measure and cut it down.


While waiting for him to get here at 11.00 to start, I prepared everything, tools etc.

I also started messing with a vintage silver plated dinner fork. Turning it into a keyring.


Video of how quickly a day passes you by.


https://youtu.be/ZbT-DFT2qsY?si=vmbzbVIX4taIv1VU


Fork and wood, plus shopping trip progress in the video.


photos are of fork as well as woodworking which was done in two parts as he forgot to get some measurements.
he offered my £40.00 for the wood and helping him, I declined as the plywood was only £12.00 and helping was a pleasure.




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[Grizz1963]

Part of the “wasted day” was spent going out to meet up with mate Martin (has a 65 C10 and does disability conversions) about 15 miles from here, he had collected two lots of used spanners for me.
A small bundle for £5.00 that was a 5 minute walk from his home in Whitstable, 45 miles from my place, and a larger £25.00 bundle (including many King Dick) that was delivered by a lovely lady seller 10 minutes from his office/workshop at A10 Mobility in Essex about 45 miles from my place again.
So collecting 15 miles from here as part of a trip makes sense.


Start your guessing as to why all these spanners, when I probably have them already



Some time ago @joca sent me 4x 3meter lengths of climbing rope to use to make a pair of swings for the carport.
Basically if “you” come visit, you can just hang out with me.


Making the swings I needed some small U-Bolts to stop the ropes from pulling out.


I went to North Kent Fasteners on the way back from Martin as they supported me all the way through the Rezin Rockit build but they didn’t have what I needed. So they suggested I go to Medway Sling Company, this was just up the road from Morrissons when I was also heading to, to buy some food.


What a shop Medway Sling Company is.
Awesome staff, incredible inventory.
The kind of one stop shop for allsorts of fitting and fixing accessories.


Bought my clamps and went to get food.


Then headed home.


Only got in by 4.30pm and decided not to go to the shop.


Yesterday I spent on the phone and in town getting my broadband sorted out.


On phone to EE and managed to cancel them etc.
Three has unlimited broadband for £21/m
Going up to £23 in April 26
Current EE is £50/m going up in March.
Criminal.
Even if I cancel their £50 broadband and pay for useless service and phone as before, and take the Three £21 service out, I will still be paying less.
Problem will be getting old service cancelled, they will hang onto it as long as possible. I guess.

Good News- Got all of EE cancelled.


Next job…… order in 4G Broadband from Three. @£21.00/m it makes sense.


Unless there are better options out there.


SOOOOOO……….



Sometimes a wasted day is a gainful day.



Today I am going back into the workshop and clearing out the C10 cab

If I get that done, including removing the pedal box, brake master cylinder and wiring loom…….. Winner !!






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[Grizz1963]

Back to easing into the Chevy truck restoration

I guess that unless you have done one yourself, some of this will not make sense.


When I originally stripped the cab, I didn’t remove the wiring loom in the cab, and also left the brake master cylinder or booster as some call it.
The brake pedal and box stayed as well.


So along with other yard jobs, seeing the GP at 11.45am for some bloodwork that had to be repeated because in December my thyroid levels were abnormal and reminding her that the growing lump in my side was scanned weeks ago and nothing had come from it…… she then looked, prodded and measured it. Adding notes and said it would be discussed at the practice meeting later.
My faith in the UK health system, and more specifically my GP practice is a flat horizontal line at zero….
Shock Horror…. By 5.12pm a text came through to say I was being refered as a matter of urgency to my not so local hospital surgical team for further triage.


So a late start, but I got my planned tasks on the cab done.


I also went out to see Uncle Bob and found and bought a dumpster find, dead, vintage, bench grinder from him for £12.01

I love old vintage machines and tools.


There were two firewall grommets that slowed me down as I didn’t want to use excessive force removing them.


VIDEO


https://youtu.be/JN4nCOhphYs?si=jpd-YXkwjF0cjKcU



Sorry if the video is a bit long.
just look at the photos ��



Next stop will be dusting and cleaning the inside and outside to get another coat of black Hammerite paint on the floor and inside firewall.


Cold is still a bit of a problem.


Today started at -3’C or just under 30’F and the garage is seriously cold.


Bit by Bit ehhh





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[Grizz1963]

So where did we get to?

Wiring and last few parts removed.

Next up a few garage jobs.

Clearing more junk, sorting overalls and various hoodies for extreme weather. Washed, dried, folded etc.

Put my Esse Dragon wood burning stove up for sale to gain space.

Moved my 5 years unused motorcycle into a better location to maximise space.

So first small job was dry cleaning the cab with broom and brush.
Then compressed air blowing out.

Yesterday was a good weather day.

So I painted the interior of the cab with brush on enamel paint.
It will all be sound proofed, padded and a new “factory” carpet sed installed once painted.

I also closed up all the firewall and trim holes in the cab in order to prevent paint getting through and running down the outside.

Biggest problem of course it that it is still cold and winter

So when I moved the cab out onto the driveway at 07.30 this morning, the paint was still distinctly tacky and a long way from being dry.

I hope it does get dry over the next few days. We have 10’C plus forecast this week. Possibly as much as 14’C today.

Fingers crossed.

Video for the watchers.

https://youtu.be/VNgfbnM-R84?si=R-Bfq5I38g4OvAza


Today I will be leaving the cab alone as much as possible.

However, mate Henry is coming over to play.

Not sure what we will be doing, but I think we may do some cutting, grinding, drilling and welding to create a mobile, driveway use grinder stand for the grinder I am currently restoring.

Stuff will happen.

[Grizz1963]

I bought a small 1950’s outboard motor.

Not running. Yet.

Video

https://youtu.be/3GL-OpR2JWE?si=bP1PCAJz11en40zA



Hopefully it gets going.

[Grizz1963]

Up bright and early

Welder and grinders at hand.

Mocked up

Glooped together.

Video too

https://youtu.be/0mRMzfpX_Ds?si=dNL9yU5z5JK6Zga8



Almost done.

Bit more to get done.

Happy with the results



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[Braunschweiger]

You have a very creative mind, this is just fantastic, great work.
Greeting Harald

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

You have a very creative mind, this is just fantastic, great work.
Greeting Harald

Thank you.



Here’s Part Two of the Grinder station.



VIDEO.


https://youtu.be/0mRMzfpX_Ds?si=ze-mmADdO4kd7bQt






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[Grizz1963]

Saturday was Chevy truck time.


There id 59 year old underseal, black paint of unknown origin, blobs of filler etc.



VIDEO SHOWS IT BETTER.


https://youtu.be/0EWhlH9PPYA?si=kpciH2z_pYFDqJTC




Mate PaulY had problems with his truck

Eventually he got it sorted out.


Happy days.


Sunday morning I got back onto my cab and cleaned the firewall once I had figured it out the most effective method.




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[Grizz1963]

Sunday turned out to be a lovely day.


Sunny, warm and I spent around 5 hours on the cab.


Hard to believe when you look back at the progress.


But I was still trying to figure out what I needed to do to remove the various finishes to the firewall.


VIDEO








Mate John came around with his kids for a while too…… letting them blow off steam in the garden.


These distractions are actually great because they tend to break the monotony of the jobs at hand.


So in a fit of creativity, I fetched some woodwork scourers and used petrol from the lawnmower can to address the black paint. That worked, albeit slowly.


Next brainfart saw me grab an empty spray bottle and fill it with fuel, so I could spray onto the work surface constantly because the fuel dribbles out of the scourer faster than I could use it.


A job where you just keep gping over and over.


I didn’t want to scar the metal before painting.


I closed shop as having John over was a perfect excuse by 4.00pm



It was a good day.




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[Grizz1963]

FORGOT TO ADD VIDEO

https://youtu.be/TV4M6oaUpFU?si=QHAzlXlRPNneaCdi


PROGRESS


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[Grizz1963]

She broke the squeaker out of it.

Life is all about her squeaky balls.

https://youtu.be/vRiA6NDUREk?si=I69dLjMuCTVtvbLr


Yes, I guess I am mean.


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