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

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Glad you got the wheel thing worked out. Like the Optimus Prime center caps.

I had Optimus Prime on Prozacs rear tailgate too.

I like a bit of fun and tongue in cheek approaches

The wheels will be sorted in a week or two.

[Grizz1963]

Did about 60 miles today.....

Went to fetch some free furniture for Sally’s spare room which she is getting ready for a lodger too.

On the way back, I came Up to a roundabout on a left hand curve where I needed to scrub off speed a bit.

Suddenly I felt some vibration on the left front wheel.

Pulled over, inspected and drove off carefully to pull over in a nursery car park to check the wheel nuts, all good.

Full lock, nothing hanging off the suspension or front end

Then drove the remaining 25 miles cautiously with the brakes juddering and clearly not capable of handling an emergency

Why???

I hear you ask .....

Coz I chose not to take recovery service on this car.

This means I will be getting it serviced and stuck on a machine this week as it’s been shouting for a service since I bought it.

Getting the brakes seen to will be part of the job.



So.......

Leaving, empty.



Headed back, before the brakes threw a wobbly, the guy gave me a set or genuine Seat Alhambra roof racks too for the Galaxy too.



More the sort of look expected from Prozac..... Loaded.



And of course carried upstairs and set out.



Remember the state of my wing mirrors??

Been looking for a set, but not prepared to pay the prices charged online.

Then tonight a surprise call from MercDan to say he had possibly found me a pair of working mirrors from a Galaxy that was being stripped and broken up.

Still to be collected and then brought over to my place.



Amazed that the weekend is pretty much over again.

Thanks for checking in.

[Grizz1963]

Did I mention that Christmas does not do it for me, due to its commercial nature and the absolute gluttony associated with it.

Tonight Sally brought me a shy gift.

A Christmas tree.



So to celebrate the tree, I bought the Galaxy a microphone for the @PaulY radio that’s waiting to be fitted.




And on the way to work this morning I booked the Galaxy in for a service that will include new discs, pads, filters and lubricants.

That’s booked for the 16th.

Now my head is wondering if a reprogramming or chipping for this motor is doable, and worth doing.

[Grizz1963]

Measure Twice

Cut Once.


Remember that bit of advice?


I did not.


Also thought I had ordered Optimus Prime centre caps for the wheels.

But it seems on delivery that I did not order them.



I did not even get out of my work suit, straight away popped the Benz cap out and tried the new spider one on.

Poop.



Compared to the Benz item, which is 70mm this 57 mm spider ended up too small.

I think I measured the spigot ring reducer, which is 57.1 and seeing the cap advertised, just hit the buy it now.

Now to see if I can order some 70mm caps.





In other news.

Harley, my buddy, my cat, my therapist has been a bit off colour a few days.

Eating changed, and also drinking a lot, including from the toilet and kitchen sink, both never done before.

This morning she was shouting from 05.00 till after 08.00, so I booked her in at the vets for 6.45 tonight.

Thorough inspection and it seems she has a massive mass inside her mouth, under her tongue.

Either an abscess from a fight (she does not fight) or a cancerous growth.

If it is the latter, it’s bad news.

Antibiotics and steroid injections and booked in for a week from now.

Let’s hope it is an abscess.

[realvc]

Prayers for Harley.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by realvc

Prayers for Harley.

Thank you Vince.

All I wish for her is comfort and no pain.

She is not exhibiting much pain response, but cannot seem to eat and drink.

Sitting motionless on the armrest next to me, even her purring has gone, and that’s where her name came from, the loud, Harley Davidson like purring at all times.

The dribbling is a clear sign that all is not well.

Wish I could help.

[realvc]

I know what is like to care for a friend/pet that has been attached to your heart. They are special beyond words. The level of animal and human interaction is truly amazing. She knows she has you to see her through this.
Take care bro.
Get better soon Harley.

[Indian113]

Rian, I wish I could take your worry and pain away for you! I know that anybody that loves their pet as You do will suffer along with them. Prayers that Harley doesn't suffer long.

[Palf70Step]

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by realvc

I know what is like to care for a friend/pet that has been attached to your heart. They are special beyond words. The level of animal and human interaction is truly amazing. She knows she has you to see her through this.
Take care bro.
Get better soon Harley.

Thank you Vince.

That’s the truth.

She would do the same for me. Maybe

Originally Posted by Indian113

Rian, I wish I could take your worry and pain away for you! I know that anybody that loves their pet as You do will suffer along with them. Prayers that Harley doesn't suffer long.

Hey Ray, yes, I do love animals, more than most humans.

Same thoughts about her suffering, not fair, so will keep an eye on the Fair-0-Meter.

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Thanks Bill.

[The Rocknrod]

Only cat I ever loved recently got killed by the local coyotes. That bothers me.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by The Rocknrod

Only cat I ever loved recently got killed by the local coyotes. That bothers me.

Sorry to hear that.

Cats are b@stards..... they crawl so deep into our hearts, and often dog people don’t get cat people, and vice versa.

But regardless, these animals become incredible friends, and often therapeutic conduits for us in modern life.

I have had many cats move in with me over the years and to be honest, never had a bad one.

But a good cat, like Harley and two others I had around 25 years ago, are even more special.

I hope you can process and celebrate your cat, even in its absence

[Grizz1963]

I guess it is still progress as parts come in.

My Hermes delivered the new Mercedes Benz Vito wheel bolts today.

Longer than the Ford Galaxy items as the Benz alloys are quite a bit thicker.






Not sure when I will get a chance to trial fit the wheels and tyres, but certainly looking forward to seeing them on and the first drive.

[flashed]

Rian , sorry to hear about Harley , seems I have been adopted by a stray cat for my shop . Have not been on much lately , had no internet for a week and been busy with work and truck stuff and the Youtube channel .

[aggie91]

Sorry to hear about Harley. Prayers for a smooth return to her glory! Cats are a special breed that as you said, can get deep into your heart. My Mom has 2 right now, as I don't get over to see her and Dad as often as I should, they are slow to let me interact with them. Thanksgiving, they did both let me pet them for a moment...progress I hope.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by flashed

Rian , sorry to hear about Harley , seems I have been adopted by a stray cat for my shop . Have not been on much lately , had no internet for a week and been busy with work and truck stuff and the Youtube channel .

Thank you John.

I saw your one truck has come out again, liking it.

Your cat would have chosen you because it feels safe, and an affinity for you.

By implication you are a good man.

What colours is your cat?

Originally Posted by aggie91

Sorry to hear about Harley. Prayers for a smooth return to her glory! Cats are a special breed that as you said, can get deep into your heart. My Mom has 2 right now, as I don't get over to see her and Dad as often as I should, they are slow to let me interact with them. Thanksgiving, they did both let me pet them for a moment...progress I hope.

Thanks Karl,

Cars are weird, and they choose whatever they want to do.

They need to either trust you, or know you hate them, in which case they will come sit on your head.

As with all of us who have animals, we only wish the best for them.

Harley has been so valuable to me as shadow, buddy, therapist over time, and I selfishly want her for much longer.

But at 15 years old, she has had a good innings, and unfortunately life and old age does catch up.

She had half a minced up chicken breast last night and again started on one this morning, so I will continue to do whatever I can to make her comfortable



Taken one of my left over vacation days today.


Sally is off work too. Has 5 days in a row.


Mini road trip planned later, after I do some more online study modules.


Hopefully all will be good on the mini trip, with a result.


Still wet and cold outside.

[69 C10 LWB]

Rian, sorry to hear about Harley. I just had to say goodbye to one of mine for the same thing. Had a growth in his mouth that popped up over night. It was an aggressive cancer we were going to try and treat but he stopped eating before we could. It’s a hard thing to go through. Thinking of you both and hoping for the best.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by 69 C10 LWB

Rian, sorry to hear about Harley. I just had to say goodbye to one of mine for the same thing. Had a growth in his mouth that popped up over night. It was an aggressive cancer we were going to try and treat but he stopped eating before we could. It’s a hard thing to go through. Thinking of you both and hoping for the best.

Thank you very much

Sorry you lost one too. Never fun.

Not sure where this is headed, but it seems The growth is fast

Harley won’t let one look either.

[Grizz1963]

Vacation today.

Lazy start.

Cat



Did some online training modules before we left.

Then headed down to New Romney in the Galaxy after getting a call from We Weld Engineering yesterday to collect the Chevy C10 parts that I dropped off on 4 November for blasting and priming.

When we got there, I loaded the parts.

Much more space than in Prozac of course.






Once all loaded, I paid for the work that had been done.

I was quoted at £30.00 per piece.

The job seems to have been done with a gentle, sensitive hand.



Once the job was paid for, Sally and I headed homeward via McDonalds, and I got us each a kids meal and coffee.




Check out the street name for heading home.



So then headed homeward via Morrison’s to get some food.

Then home to unpack the treasures.

[realvc]

Truck parts, looking good bro.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by realvc

Truck parts, looking good bro.

Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh..... Yes.


Fooled you Vince.



Stand by.

[Grizz1963]

.




SURPRISE !!!



.






.


SOOOOOOOOOO..........?.



The question remains.....



What remained of the 53 year old “ex-CALIFORNIA TRUCK” ?



Answer: “A Lot Less than Expected”



My expectation was carnage, for it to be really bad after the sand blasting and primer, to prepare the parts for me to start cutting, welding, repairing and preparing it all for filler and paint ultimately.


But my expectations were EXCEEDED BY A MILE.


I will just post up a load of photos here of most of the damage and rust that needs to be sorted.


Unfortunately, the primer and late afternoon winter light, does not show the full extent of the damage.


NEW TO ME, INNER FENDERS.




One buckled, at least they have no rust, so hopefully hammer, dolly, heat will improve the look.



Drivers side fender.

Patch panels may not be big enough.






Passenger side. Some small dents up front to address.....





The rest of it though.......

I think I may be needing either a replacement used fender, or a half a used fender, or a pattern part, complete fender.

This will be interesting.



Very interesting






Sally seen here just finishing off saying a sentence starting with “Take your camera” and ending in “....gger off”

Hates photos.

But worth mentioning that she carried every part from the Galaxy down to the garage for me and stacked them like a man would, sensibly.

Front radiator support panel.

Spotless, not a speck of rust on it.

It makes sense, if the truck had some front end damage before being exported in 2004 from California, after a colour change, motor and trans change, that it may have received a new front panel.




Carrying on with the unloading and cataloging of the chaos.

Front panel damage, only this bit, needs a small panel made up and welded in, unless I found a piece off one.



Good overall, no further damage.



Doors, passenger side, replacement California door, bought a few years ago.



Drivers door upper damage where convoy mirrors must have been fitted before.



Drivers side lower leading corner.

Needs extensive metalwork.

Including filling the hole where the speaker hole was cut in before.



Mirror mount, needs much welding, Rivnuts, and dent repairs.





Lower drivers side rust.










So all unloaded and stashed in the garage.

My Christmas break pretty much mapped out then.





So there you go..........


Interesting.

[Palf70Step]

I always hate to see what is hidden beneath the paint and bondo of our old stuff. Most of it seems to be very repairable Rian. Those wings would definitely challenge my skill set though..

[realvc]

Put it back together as is and enjoy your truck on the road.
Find new or better parts and repair and replace as you go.

Hows that for a plan?

Oh, wait that's the plan for the 62 in my shop.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I always hate to see what is hidden beneath the paint and bondo of our old stuff. Most of it seems to be very repairable Rian. Those wings would definitely challenge my skill set though..

If it were not so cost
Y to bring in a wing or other bits, I certainly would look for new pattern or replacement parts, but add in all the costs and it becomes a bit costly.

So repair is the way.

Originally Posted by realvc

Put it back together as is and enjoy your truck on the road.
Find new or better parts and repair and replace as you go.

Hows that for a plan?

Oh, wait that's the plan for the 62 in my shop.

Morning Vince.

No way would I even attempt to reassemble a rotten truck now.

Only way is forward.



Bit of history here......

Been asked by a few people why I started the resto on the truck when it looked so shiny before.

Of course the results of the Blasting and etch priming kinda answers it. It was in much worse condition than the photos implied.



Harley in June 2013 when the Chevy landed, as always inspecting and ensuring my safety.

With restarting the truck resto now, I will miss her if she ends up not making it after Tuesday.



Currently I am feeding her 1/2 a chopped chicken breast twice a day which she is managing easier than the dry food or even her favourite Dreamies

This behaviour is also completely alien to her, only the last 10 days or so has she jumped onto kitchen units and been trying to drink from any cups in the sink, I now leave a cup of water for her..... she never used to do it, so another sign that all is not right.



So truck as it stands now.




Was chatting to my cousin in Cape Town yesterday about the cost of the blasting, at £240.00 for 8 pieces.

He felt it was a bargain, compared to the cost of my time and materials, as did I.

If you look at the other sides of panels and the Complexity of cleaning them up for repairs and paint, it would have taken a lot longer than 3 hrs per panel to clean and prime at £10.00 per hour.

Sally and I went down to the garage to grab some more detail pics yesterday.



Speaker hole needs to be closed up too as part of the repair work.



I think this will be interesting....

Yup, scares me.






Garage temperature this time of year stays between 0’C and 6’C if it warms up.

Yesterday was 3’C which obviously interferes a bit with working in there.

Hence the small caravan on the drive that can be heated really fast and is insulated to stay warm enough for welding and also for priming panels once welded and finished up.




Should be gooderer.... 😉