Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Glad you made the decision to do a full rewire. I've seen a few cars burn to the ground while several fire extinguishers failed to help. It's a scary situation I'd hate to see happen to one of these classic trucks.

Fyi - your package will be leaving later today.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Rian will be making the:mm: while I rewire the truck. I owe him big time any way as the amount of time he has spent at mine building my car port to put the truck in . Thanks again mark for the bulb holders . It's good to help others if you need anything that we can help you with from over here let us know Martin

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Will do Martin. It's nice to have friends, both nearby and long distance!

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

:agree:

Cheers Mates!!!
:metal:

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Thanks guys, this is part of what makes these forums so good, the friendships that are struck across the world.


Tonight the truck worked again.

Nicola is involved in a charity The Milly Foundation http://themillyfoundation.co.uk

To Assist in the treatment and care of persons suffering from Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) or in need of rehabilitation as a result of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, by the provision of facilities for recreation.
To advance the education of the general public in all areas relating to AML.
To provide a holiday home for patients and their families during treatment for AML, in a home-from-home capacity, to be used either during a break from treatment or at the end of treatment.
To promote and protect the physical and mental health of sufferers of AML through the provision of financial assistance, support, education and practical advice not normally provided by the statutory authorities.

She had ordered a load of furniture and a flat pack shed for the caravan/park home that the foundation owns in a caravan park near us.

So we delivered the goods, saw the lovely place they had set up and then took a drive around the site.

These are the times I really love this truck, and also love the fact that Nicola made me buy it a year ago.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps525eb773.jpg


Overlooking the Thames River with the end of South End, Essex over on the other side.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps521177fd.jpg


On the train today I was messing around with a photo editing app and kind of liked it.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps8ae8df3a.jpg


Tomorrow evening it is the Chatham Dockside American car and Hotrod gathering again, so guess where I will be going?

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Cool pics...:mm:

…another car get-together...:metal:

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Hard to believe it's been a year already! Hope you have a great time at the car show, looking forward to the photos!

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Ordered a complete new wiring loom for the truck tonight.

I have gone with EZ as Martin has gone that route, and he will be overseeing my rewiring, so if he has done one, a second one should be easier.

The EZ 21 wire/18 fuse kit was £144.00 delivered, and the Rebel kit, locally sourced is £159.00 so price of EZ is better, but I have also not heard one complaint yet.


I did order my EZ Wiring loom today, and less than an hour later got the message it had been dispatched.

Tonight was also the monthly hot rod and classic car gathering at Chatham dockside.

Loads of cars and a couple of quirky bits.

I was contacted last week by a member on Rods n Sods with a single electric cutout and pipe to sell.

So after looking at it and testing the close off valve, I bought it.

Now the trick will be to find or build another one.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps01bfddda.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psbb97d70f.jpg


I did not take many photos tonight, but there was one very quirky attendee which I hope some of you will like.

This Citroen was one of about 100 build for over night, transcontinental newspaper deliveries. Most were driven into the ground or crashed as drivers fell asleep.

However the 1964 Piper Comanche plane that had been converted into a small sleeping caravan was what got my attention.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps045c385f.jpg

Table and stools


http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps66446e30.jpg

Sleeping space.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psaeb196a3.jpg

Forward dash area.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps69e00e0b.jpg

Self contained galley.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pse6c340b2.jpg


Now I just need to find someone who can cut some ally on a CNC machine for me to the same spec as the one cutout valve.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Seriously Streamlined Trailer!!! :metal:

…and that Citroen is Looooonnnng!!!:metal:

Spotted your Truck in the Cockpit Pic! :uhmk:

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

I went straight to the garage from work, in a suit and tie to measure and photograph the measurements.

This is what I got for those who have opinions and advice on replicating these plates etc.


Ally: 13mm thick
Hole 57mm sideways.
Max hole 60mm downward.
Butterfly axle 60mm downward.
Hole 57mm minimum, with lip to cover max size at 60mm

Ally 139mm inc motor plate. Ally plate 133mm alone.
Ally plate 115mm wide

Y piece entry and exits on a O/D 64mm

64mm = 2 33⁄64in Which I guess is a 2 1/2 inch outside diameter.

Loads of photos, as I measured everything.

PLATE THICKNESS 13mm

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps02258511.jpg

Exit hole, widest width. 60mm

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psf2b156dc.jpg

Exit hole smallest size 57mm

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps10f1c4e3.jpg

Butterfly spindle 60mm

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psb6ffce2d.jpg

Clearly bottomed out in some application.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps721fb73d.jpg

Motor mounting plate 6mm

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps91ce653a.jpg

Spindle end view.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psbb1b4fab.jpg

Top to bottom height 140mm

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psfae31ba2.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psd8590e2c.jpg

Sideway width 115mm

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pse6d805de.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psfc093041.jpg


So that is all I have at the moment.

Beyond this, I guess it becomes a touchy feely measuring thing.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

That looks like a QTP cutout. Perhaps that will help find more specs, etc:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/818/4iye.jpg

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

MOT results???:thumbs:

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Woke at 04.00 (result of a great pizza dinner) and now wide awake.

MOT is only at about 09.00. Leaving here at 07.00 to get there for 08.00 as they do not book times, but rather use the "First come,first served" rule.

So hope to get the truck done early and then leave Martins Merc there while we go to some spares places.

Will let you know later.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Crossing my fingers for the MOT Test. And yes that looks just like the QTP I have on my Camaro.

Bret

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

mot pass !!

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

:metal:

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

I had forgotten about my MOT expiring this month, so when Nicola reminded me it was panic stations for a while.

Last weekend Martin came over and sorted out the side lights wiring etc.

This lead to me ordering in a full replacement wiring harness from the USA. £145.00 well spent I think.

So today I followed Martin who had his Mercedes booked in for MOT to a testing station, after which we were going to a spares warehouse.

Happy to say the truck passed its test (not that I had any concerns)

The tester commented that he thought it was a lovely bit of kit and he looked forward to testing it again once restored.

The station operates on a 1st come first served basis, so we were there by 08.10 for an 09.00 spot.

CHEEKY MONKEY, MARTIN suggested I just weigh in the truck for scrap as we were next to a scrapyard.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psa1d294b7.jpg

Up on the ramps and on with business.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psfba08535.jpg

After the test we went spares shopping, and I bought some long reach 1/2 inch sockets, a stumpy ratchet with 1/4 and 1/2 inch drive.

Then we went to Dartford to get some timber, taking a shortcut over the Woolwich Ferry. Only one ferry running, meant we had a 20 minute wait, but a chance to chat about the plan for the bits of equipment I would be building later.

Thames river in the background.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps230b02cd.jpg


After the DIY shop, I came home with 12 meters of 6X2 inch lumber, and Martin went home to disconnect everything on the truck and remove his windscreen etc.

The design is a direct copy of a picture of one built by Pimpston65 in Corktown Misouri.

I came home to build a single handed cab lifter attachment to fit to the end of a 3 ton engine hoist which will be used tomorrow, and later possibly on my cab as well, If I do fool myself into removing my cab.

This actually fits just outside the door rubber ridges, stopping the cab from slipping off when you lift it.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps3d2ca3cb.jpg

This is the upside down view, imagine the diagonal timber is the boom of the engine hoist.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pse66e52be.jpg

While I was at it, I also prepped all the wood for the cab trolley, onto which the cab will be mounted, I will also make up, or we may weld another 500mm raising table so that one can get to work on the sills.

This lot gets bolted together with 10mm coach screws. And then the wheels are mounted underneath.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps68f0fc7f.jpg



Looking forward to tomorrow.

Only problem is that Marin keeps on putting Carp ideas in my head, which creates more work for me.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

I'm glad it pasted the MOT test! I'm not sure I am reading this right you are going to pull the Cab off the frame. What was all that talk about never taking it off the road for very long. Did you get biten by the bug?

:hmm:....

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Hi Brett

I still do not want to take the cab off, but of course it will be a better finish in the end.

And a job well done is best done well.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Today was a great day for me.

I spent about 5 hours over at mate Martins place today.

We removed his cab, which has set me thinking that I should maybe remove mine as well, to get better access to the underside of the chassis.

On removing the cab, he found a lot more rust, terrible historic patches an a load of sand inside the chassis outriggers.

I will post up the pics to tell the story of getting the "special tool" in and moving the cab away.

Final inspection before removing the last two chassis mounting bolts.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psf80fb9a8.jpg

One broke off, despite all preparation.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psde9de650.jpg

Lifting jig fitted to three ton hoist.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps74496cfc.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps3c23c54a.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps6b0699a5.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psfb23e31e.jpg

AND THIS IS HOW IT WAS DONE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxcu...lt8TvG8KEwT5Kg


IMPRESSIVE STUFF, AND RESULT.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps03c4cf7b.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps0815d072.jpg

Next up we parked the cab out the way, the trolley needs another 24 inches of height, which will happen later.


http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps356c9480.jpg

Farmer Brown........

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psfa112079.jpg

Lastly Martin removed the welded on front bumper and the truck was put back into its tight spot.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psfb63875c.jpg

That was it for this weekend.

As we go on working together, I am learning more and more.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Posted on Martin's Thread…
Looks like a fun project and day...:metal::metal::metal:

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Another small safety related purchase today. Thanks to Martin for picking them up for me.

The existing mirrors were 5 inch round ones, tired, rusted and not very good as mirrors.

So I decided to go for the 5 X 7 inch rectangular ones so that I could see what was going on around me.

Another £28.00 out of the kitty. But a good spend in my view.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps6f95425a.jpg

Also went to the Exhaust doctor to start investigating the full cost of a complete new stainless system, including a pair of cutouts.

Price quoted had me taste bile.

More homework.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Crawled under the truck at 05.30 today (yes, insomnia is a *****) to double check my headers and exhaust pipes.

Weird that the headers run at 3" but then get reduced after the flange to 2 1/4" for the rest of the way.

Starting to think of self building the system at home after initial prices.


While I was there I noted the front cab mount rubber bushes on both sides, between the cab floor and chassis outriggers were very Donut shaped and badly cracked. The rear sets were perfectly fine as well as the front lower ones.

Looks like I will have to either get a full cab rubber mount kit or source a pair of the rubbers that are cracked up.

And the cab will have to be lifted.

Fun Fun Fun.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

An envelope landed from Spokane Valley, Washington today.

Contents: Used light sockets for the trucks side lights on both my and Martin's trucks, thanks to Markeb01

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pse297955b.jpg

Even though the truck passed its MOT with the repaired lights over the weekend, I will replace them with new once the new wiring harness gets fitted and the body is all done.

Getting closer to that point where I cannot procrastinate on the teardown any more.

Marathon session planned for tomorrow evening in the garage, again to create more working space.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Marathon Session plus being closer to teardown...:metal:

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

HMMMMMMMMM...??

May be some more madness over the weekend.

Details as it unfolds.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Im in .

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Thanks Buddy,


Loud, Raucous, Antisocial Thuggery is how my old neighbour would have described what I am planning.

Courier delivered delivered these today.

Note the can of Pepsi Max for perspective, the can fits inside the pipes loosely.

3 inches of deep thundering joy once I build the rest of the system.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pse21323d2.jpg


The other thing I got today was a 2 berth caravan that had been used for some time as a large dog kennel.

I gutted the curtains, floor mats and all the mattresses before I even towed it home behind Nicola's car (which was today exchanged after failing its MOT )

I had been looking for a small shed to put up around the back at the garage, in which I could store all the parts of the Chevy as I stripped it, when the idea struck me, as I knew the local pub landlord had a 2 berth caravan to sell for £50.00

Before I went down there, I called him and offered £40.00 which he accepted.

This is what I fetched........ 7 foot wide, body 13 foot long.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pse85f6711.jpg


Back home I started to remove all the stuff inside, which includes a full awning, port-a-loo, water roll, cutlery, glasses, pans, and some other random stuff, including a spare wheel.

Tomorrow I will vacuum clean it on the inside, then take my pressure cleaner to the inside too and wash the inside down, after which it needs to dry out, while I wash down the outsides.

Then park it around back, and start packing truck stuff from the garage into it.

Landed.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps3558fbb0.jpg


With some of the treasures.

Despite being terribly grubby, it has a small toilet onboard and has potential to be restored to use once it has served its purpose as a spares shed.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pse6da8703.jpg

That's all for tonight.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Nice Score on the Caravan… Looks like another project in your future!!!...:metal:

Nicola's car failed it's MOT??? :waah: So you traded her's and 3500 English for another car???

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

That's a nice looking trailer no matter how it gets used. It certainly seems nice enough to return to travel duty after it's served its purpose as a storage shed! What a bargain!

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Yes. Catastrophically on ABS and a few other bits I cannot do anything to.

Dealers are unfortunately in a position to rape you in broad daylight.

Also she has wanted a small car since mum died in January so Friday 13th which I have never feared came and delivered.

Pity I had to steal from our emergency savings and my "truck fund"
Of course home mortgage etc always comes before toys so kinda gritted my teeth and paid.

Will post a couple of pics for you later. Its a Peugeot 107 with massive 1.0 liter engine and only £20/year road tax.

Thanks Mark, I agree.
Its economising like this that allows me to have a truck.


I just do not see any reason to pay £250 for a 6x6 foot shed that I need to assemble at home when this one cost me £40 and came with a load of extras.

Granted it smelled of dog, and so far I am less than halfway through hand scrubbing it like only a Boer can. But when its done as a shed I may turn it into a "car show camper" with two narrow fixed bunks and its kitchen and toilet restored.

I also am strongly considdering asking some Photoshop god to photoshop it into some 80's Nascar colours with a red theme to hook behind the truck.

Or maybe even better, what I would love is Sinclair Oil Corporation colours and a Dino or two on it.

Whatcha think?

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Go Sinclair on the Caravan!!! :metal:

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Neat looking parts shed!

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

I have a real thing for Sinclair.

I was thinking of a Dino on the rear, tail in the bottom right corner and head coming around to the door as if it was looking in.

The Sinclair red is close enough to the trucks red as well.

Did you know that Sinclair did soonsor a NASCAR team years ago??

But very little details or photos to use as examples.

Thank you Bill.

I just think its perfect for storing doors, hood, fenders erc while the truck is ripped apart.

Just indoors for coffee n bread rolls. 5 hrs to do first pass on the interior. Next up pressure clean the exterior.

Inside could be made habitable now.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Collecting parts, learning along with Martin on his truck and actually having a spare pair of hands is all part of this build.

The caravan/shed has been baptized by a South African friend as "THE KENNEL" and even if it becomes a camping caravan later, it will be known as The Kennel.

As usual I already have the next two incarnations in mind.

Once the truck is completed, the plan today is to have Nicola turn the inside into a cool little weekend away space.

The exterior may well end up in some mad NASCAR livery........ Think Sinclair Oil Corporation, or other similar with Red as a major component. I like the idea of having a Dinosaur on the rear, with its head poking around to the side of the door.

Today I spent about 5 hours washing the interior surfaces, undersides, topsides etc by hand with a rag and loads of Cillit Bang! About 6 buckets of water etc. I also cleaned the Porta Potty and other items that were in it when I got it. The awning and poles were wiped down and packed away under the mattress-less bunks.

The caravan was really only good for a bonfire, and to be honest, anyone who kept his dog in that thing deserved to be punched in the face.

After the interior, I spent a few more hours with a pressure cleaner, getting the roof, sides etc cleaned up.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psf86c4281.jpg

Imagine a Dinosaur looking around the corner.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psaba8c527.jpg

After that I parked it up outside the garage in front of the woodwork shed.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psb105625a.jpg


BEST NEWS AT LUNCH TIME TODAY........

My E-Z Wiring complete replacement loom arrived from America.

This is probably one of the most sensible lumps of money I will throw at the truck, you do not spend all the time and money on getting an old car sorted, and then have it catch fire and burn out due to faulty wiring, a lot of what my truck has.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps5979296c.jpg

Looking forward to bootfairs in the morning.

May also put a coat of good quality paint on the interior of the caravan, as I scrubbed a lot of the print from the ply walls inside.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Grizz,

I used that same kit to wire my 56 pickup. Really works well.

Where are you planning to put the fuse box?

Good work on the 'van. My wife was looking over my shoulder earlier and,as only a Safar can, told me not to get any ideas!

P. :D

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Tell your wife "N BOER MAAK N PLAN"

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Most of you know my neighbour Mickey.

He is 69 now and gave up his Mercedes Sprinter vn with intergalactic mileage at the end of last year after the engine blew up.

He has not stopped working though, as his head does not work that way.

He now works at a scrap dealer/recyclers yard, doing everything from cutting to moving and weighing.

Last week he came home excited that he had something come in which just had my name on it.

So this morning at 06.00 we were standing chatting over the hedge as we often do early mornings when he showed me the pics.

Later today he saw me and said that the yard would let me have the chassis for £15.00

Gotta be worth it. Of course this raises the question....... What to do with it??

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps561767db.jpg


http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps3fb6e882.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps8f510c36.jpg


This is the original with wheel barrow wheels.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2280/5...0b05f70c4c.jpg


He also had a pic of this little wagon, he reckons its worth a fair whack, but offered it to me for £35.00

I offered it to mate Martin to move his parts around with and then when he is done with it, it will be coming back to me to be turned into a rather large "Radio Flyer" tug-along with solid sides and painted red.

Nicola has laid claim to it, for towing her chocolate around in, said you can never be too prepared.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psfb180d62.jpg

Maybe not as big as this though.

http://sandboxworld.com/wp-content/u...-flyer-car.jpg

http://www.bambinogoodies.co.uk/wp-c...agon-741-p.jpg

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Spent a few hours today dismantling the interior, masking up window frames, cabinets etc and then proceeded to paint the first coat of Magnolia.

This is what the interior loooked like after my marathon cleaning session yesterday

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps1be16690.jpg

Next coat will probably go on at 05.00 tomorrow.

Then I will try to leave it alone.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Today's bootfair netted only two items, but both appropriate for the truck.

Firstly this single spotlight for £2.00 that needs a light resto.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps4763ac6e.jpg

And secondly, this cheapish spray bun.... UNUSED, and perfect for primer or underseal.

Cost a whole £1.50 Got to be worth that.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps5ce73e1e.jpg

This again falls in line with the preparation I am doing, gathering stuff for the truck.