|
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Astro Love.
I am quite ruthless (if there really is such a thing) about the cars that are on my drive Anything is for sale or possibly even for trade if the trade item suits my quirky needs. @Marm Toastsmith is looking for something interesting that can be applied in multiple ways. The Astro would suit his needs in so very many ways and possibly even the value I associate with it. But I realised (tbh I know) that I was not yet ready to see it burble off into the sunset. After having mate John sort out replacing the radio that was fitted to it when I bought it, along with the new dash I managed to find in Arkansas, and knowing there’s a few more maintenance type jobs to get it up to the next level of ownership, I decided that I was not ready to see it off. Maybe I never will be. I have maintained for years that if you don’t look back at your car when you walk away and smile, you have bought the wrong car. This Astro is really weird. Until I sell the Rezin Rockit, it has to live outside my kitchen window, then it will move into the carport. It deserves that treatment. BUT……. I honestly find myself looking at it from indoors or when walking in from the garage, that it always makes me smile. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Back to the reason for this long write up This week I was using the van to donPost office runs, not the cheapest way to save money, and to go food shopping Stopping at the post office I realised again that unless someone really needs this car a lot of queens faces more than me, ir may be stuck here for a while This view really makes me happy https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Yesterday I was busy working in the garage, still clearing up and finding stuff that was shoved into boxes, onto shelves etc the last 7 years. Rediscovered my Big Foot gas pedals that Andy in Oklahoma had made for me. And so I went to see if I could find a way to fit one into the van. It does kinda make the van’s residency more permanent here. Looks like a fit. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds And so a bit of etch primer. Followed by masking around the edges https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds And some Chevy Engine block high heat orange followed by clear lacquer. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Later today I will get back to it and polish and sand back all the proud surfaces and then drill and tap some holes in the rear for some mounting holes and brackets. In the meantime I’ll get to a frw other jobs as well. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
I too am a big Astro/Safari fan! Great vans! Yours is beautiful. Also, a v8 goes in pretty easy... LOL
|
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
1 Attachment(s)
Love my foot pedal too. I've had it on many vehicles since 1976.
|
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Quote:
I have absolutely no intention of taking a perfectly good van and making it perfectly good. I would buy it but no way build one over here in England. Quote:
I have three with my name on. This one is for the C10. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Mate Martin sent me some very old photos that time when we were young.
Details of the cab lifter are clearer So I can go measure up the cab, find some lumber in my store (yes I have one of those for wood) and make up a new lifter. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds My C10 is ready and waiting. Cab needs four big guys or friends that I don’t have to lift off. So this will be a great tool to have on hand. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Maybe that will be a job for later today. I am still struggling to get the trunk of the 206 open. But it is Friday again. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Progress.
What does it look like. Sometimes you really have to look. This current phase of trying to get back onto the C10 build started around the 20th of February. So I make it four weeks of work and brainstorming. Now keep in mind, none of you have a clue of what junk I have and just how chaotic my stuff may be. Hidden in so many places, sheds, the house etc. So despite the progress seemingly being tortuous and slow, it is progress, more so than if I were watching long Netflix episodes. And as my mentor (bollocks me gently if I screw up) and friend Fil says, it’s a lot like going to the gym. You know you should but you don’t So when you start, it is slow, but you keep going and start to reap the rewards. Of course as another wise man said “Touch it, Feel it, See it. Move it, That is Progress” So Wednesday Night I was on a roll came in, had some dinner and saw Sally who popped in for dinner, for an hour then went back to the garage and carried on till 9.15pm Not happened for a very long time I managed to get this far https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds George was down there the whole time He says nothing, doesn’t judge me, but I suspect that if I died or got mortally injured, he has his knife and fork ready, along with a bottle of hot sauce https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds At about 8.30 I came in to grab a glass of Pepsi Max. Walking back the view made me smile again. There has been Progress here https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Then came in by 9.30 to shower, thought screw it, watched an hour or so of YouTube videos and got to bed Lying in bed, I ran through the last four weeks and thought about how much better I feel about this . And of course I made some cash out of the clutter Life is good |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
One of yesterday’s tasks was to try open the Peugeot 206 CC bootlid/trunk
Amazingly patient guidance from Eddie Honda on thedarkwob saw me continue to fail. Three hours, yes really….. 3 hours in total spent trying to get mechanisms addresses. Failed. I have to admit that since getting the car home in November, it has done less than 2 miles, being surplus to my needs. So I actually never even opened the roof, it was WINTER after all. I am also petrified of opening the roof partially or something like that and getting it stuck only for the weather to change and it to become a big green bucket. Removing the passenger side rear seat back allows you to get a hand, pokey stick or eyeball through the hole. But not all three or even two at a time. Space in the rear is also tight and limited access unless you are a contortionist or masochist or both. So in preparation for this event I made up a pokey stick with a 90’ hook and LED light at the end. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Overall, this was the battlefield. Trust me……. It was not fun. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds I may try access it all again some time today. Fooling the roof mechanism into believing it is safe to open may be the way to get access to the rear. Though I don’t really know what to do after it opens halfway. In the mean time the garage and sorting out all of that stuff means I have enough excuses to not get started either. We will see. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Copied from a 206CC forum group written by the guy with the problem.
QUESTION Any good ideas out there-I can't open the boot! It should be easy, just unlock the car, put the key in the boot lock and turn to the left-but it doesn't work! The problem is that the little bit of wire which connects the lock to the operating switch which is marginal in length at best and has probably bent a little so it won't make contact. If I turn the key any harder I will break the key off! Next I tried accessing the boot by opening the roof. Yes, you're right, the cover in the boot is rolled up so the roof will not open and I can't open the boot to pull the cover over! What about opening the roof manually. Well the key to switch to manual is in the boot! You can't access the boot via the back seats because behind them is solid metal. My local main dealer had a go - and failed miserably! They think the only solution is to drill out the boot lock, operate the connecting wire manually through the hole and then refit a new lock. For this little job they want to charge nearly £300! Apart from the cost there is nothing wrong with the lock itself and I don't want to destroy a perfectly good lock. Anyone know a good car thief who can open it without damaging the bodywork? ANSWER Hooray - I'm in! Thanks for the steer Ron. For anyone else who comes up with the same problem the procedure is: 1. Remove rear seats buy undoing the 4 10mm nuts holding them. It helps to have a long socket but an open ended spanner will do. 2. There is a 4" square access panel behind each seat. Inside the car and facing the rear (very cramped!) the right hand one is covered only by some boot lining which can be pushed out of the way. 3. With the help of a good torch the micro switch for the roof boot blind is visible on the far side of the boot out of reach even if you have a long arm! The micro switch for the roof needs to be pushed down to open the roof so I made up a 'special tool'. This consisted of 36" length of 1/2" square wood with a small nail in the end stick out at a right angle by about 1/2". The nail was too thin to push the switch down so I wrapped insulating tape round it until it was about 1/4" diameter. I then poked the rod through the access hole and hooked it into the boot blind catch to operate the microswitch. 4. Ignition on and the roof then was able to fold back. When the boot had hinged back I stopped the operation and removed the boot trim. The boot lock can then be opened by hand from the inside. 5. The roof can then be closed again and the boot opened with the key as normal. It may be a bit fiddly but its better than spending £300 with a dealer and waiting 2 weeks for a new lock! By the way, in the short term, in order to prevent the problem happening again I removed the short wire that goes from the lock to the central locking actuator which I left in the open position. The boot lock now continues to work perfectly but has to be locked and unlocked using the key. As you have to use the key anyway after the central locking has been on I can see very little problem in continuing to do this. Isn't technology wonderful - sometimes! Will try again when the rain is gone. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Quick wrap up of yesterday in the garage.
More parts moved about, sorted, shelves liberated. Found stuff I forgot I even had. Adventure beckons. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Looking into this space, it is much better than before. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds And the most rewarding part of the whole day…..? A quick fix. A special gas pedal for the C10 A nod from Andy in Oklahoma to my safety shoes, (flip flops) After polishing off the excess paint…….. BOOOOM !!! I like it. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Friday night. Chicken curry with Peshwari Naan. Life really is good. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Rubbish nigh sleeping (well, not sleeping really)
But waking at 04.00 my head was already in the garage. Know what I mean? https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds . |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
I guess sometimes a single PowerPoint slide can sum up a lot.
Case: https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds But often we don’t see what else happens in the dark. The black dog manifests itself in so many ways. Not a case of black and white. Still…….. We all progress. Some of it less than others. But it’s progress. So right now it seems like I need to unfurl my spinnaker while the wind blows through my head. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Maybe it’s just because life is actually so good. Time for another cuppa tea and some toast. Then wash the green car……… Got a viewing tomorrow. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Would be nice to regain the space. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Amazed nobody threw a wobbly while waiting for more.
Maybe a longer hiatus between reports is appropriate. Summer or spring must be coming in fast. Rapeseed canola is flowering already. George is over grooming and has been out of sorts the last week, today I found some Frothy spit and grass, assuming he is trying to get a hairball out. But certainly out of sorts. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds As I am now actively starting to think about the C10 and what needs doing, I am noticing how much prices have increased. My speedo and instrument cluster was broken to hell when I got the truck. So I bought and imported one that should be able to be combined with mine to make a good one. Prices. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Anyway Yesterday was a massive milestone and for the first time in 7 years, the chassis rolled out https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds We also had the Google Earth Camera car in attendance, filming the proceedings. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds When I had moved all the parts that had been removed from the truck and stored next to it down the side of the wall and truck I moved the chassis back in. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Pretty pleased with that You all better be as well. And Make some Noise !!!! |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Spoiling you all.
Giving too many reports. Spring is on its way. Cleaning stuff is part of the rhythm. On Friday I swept the driveway and cleared the gutter outside the house. Unfortunately I have weeks of flowing water down the street because maintenance is not done as it used to be. So ditches, drains and outflows are blocked and water flows down the road. Resulting in the road gravel being sprayed onto the sidewalk. I put a lot of it into the garden bed next to the driveway. Looks better, tdy, clean. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=boundshttps://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=boundshttps://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=boundshttps://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds I cleaned cars today. Cleanliness is next to godliness irc. Green car being viewed tomorrow. Rezin Rockit will be more actively pushed for sale. This should liberate some space. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Lets hope ehhh. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
I really like thelook if yhe caddy, such a nest looking vsn. I have one or nultiple 60-66 dash, so hollar if you need something.
|
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Quote:
I will try figure out to see if I can combine the two busted units I have. Fingers crossed again. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
It's amazing, you're in the flow, you keep everything moving, it's hard to keep up with the commenting.
|
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Quote:
Thank you. It feels good. Progress. Dusty. Sawdusty. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Person * who was coming to view the green car at 11.00 called at 11.00 to say he is delayed due to flat wheel, I asked how long he would be, 30 minutes he replied. I think he is lying. I had come in and changed out of my garage clothes. But I had a coffee at least. Time wasters. Speaking of which……. Fokken Romanians. (Yes I know where he is from, also not first or second idiot who refuses to read and understand an advertisement thinking itd a reality TV show)! How much is radio? I send pic of ad he responded to. He replies 20? I reply 30! He says no thanks. Time wasters. Saying that, the majority of buyers are good as gold. Just for some reason, electronics attract numb nuts. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Admit it…….. You are still grinning at my irritation. Back to work till the car guy arrives. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Journeys of discovery
They are all very different, I recall the first breast I fondled, clear like the light of day, under the mulberry tree. The first car I drove (a 1968 Mini Pickup my dad owned in 70, 71) metallic green, as he had a thing for having cars repainted. Driving it around our town oval stock car racing track. The first time I was Shooting a gun (rifle) at someone in anger. I also remember getting these replacement parts out of a Chevy truck in Arkansas https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds So the last four weeks have certainly been a Journey of discovery for me Little by little I have discovered parts for the truck that I have forgotten about over time And most came off the truck and will need cleaning up and further sorting out But it is rewarding and fun to some extent Saturday I got on with all the used parts that came off the truck originally and put them in places, containers and marked them more clearly than before At one point, @nickwheeler popped in, after his Saturday bell ringing session to cast an eye over my progress. Though he says little, I think he is quietly impressed that I have binned used split pins, toilet tissue and empty Pepsi Max cans I found my old registration plates and though I love American style plates, and planned to fit some to the truck, these also look good, due to the sheer size of the truck We will see what happens when the truck is ready for plates https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds I carried on after Nick left and found more treasures. Sorting, packing and cleaning some of them. Resulting ultimately in this……. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds There will be a few more things to find, figure out and sort but hopefully they will surface soon. I recall buying some really good quarter windows and rails, much better than what was fitted to the doors, they will be interesting to fit when the time comes There are newly powder coated Rallye wheels and new trims, center caps etc. All to be rediscovered I also moved the blower unit that Ian Brown customised for me many years ago back in with all the parts I remember rebuilding this unit years ago For anyone who is interested, the blower motor and power switch from earlier Mazda MX5’s are an incredibly easy retrofit here. I used some foam insulation to seal it in https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Happy with the result https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Sunday was planned for a few tasks as well Report later Maybe �� |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Drip feeding.
Too much of a good thing and all that. Sunday was a slow day after all the rummaging around on Saturday. But I was onto a bit of woodwork again Being creative is a lot nicer than just moving stuff around. I wanted to make a cab lifter again so that I could remove the cab from the chassis when I needed to work on the cab, on its roller jig. So based on some photos I took years ago, I measured up, then found some lumber in the store. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Cut it all up to size as needed. Dealt with a time waster who cost me over 90 minutes. Changing from my garage clothes into jeans, trainers and hoody, before his 11.00 appointment, waiting for him, then getting called to say he had a flat wheel ( I have no doubt he is just a tardy timekeeper) and was running 30 minutes late, which turned into an hour late, ultimately not buying the car after some pretty dumb questions, and going to look at some other cars. Wood cut up and ready, then assembled it. Mickey popped in to supervise me and of course help while smoking a couple of smelly roll ups. At 78 he is still going strong. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds VIDEO OF PROCESS. https://youtu.be/W7P0pxKO3Eg?si=8jFOl4LZQFLaigjh Shut shop by 4.00pm as I had dinner being cooked and needed to spend time with Bonnie. I also decided not to paint the lifting tool. Famous last words. By Monday afternoon I was on it, having dug out some old paint. One metal tin had rusted through the bottom before and was stood upside down on my paint shelf. And a plastic tub of what was left over of a purple/blue made perfect volunteers for random mixing https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds And done. Pretty stupid but hey……. Makes me happy. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds In the evening I took a look to see if there were any of the Little Tykes Woody cars for sale online. A few popped up. Clearly valued by some. Me included. And then some dreamers. But of course if someone paid the price, I would be wrong. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Back to Bonnie. Loves a ball. Nonstop. I try hiding them…… Not a stupid dog. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Wednesday today. Hump day. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Seen at my local food shop.
No…. Not Walmart or ASDA. Morrissons. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Be interesting to see the check out process. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Well it seems spring is here.
The Rapeseed Canola is already in flower. Time for pretty car pictures. But also started my yearly 6 months of non sedative antihistamine Went looking for my left over pills from last year as I start on them and get a repeat prescription which unfortunately takes up to 5 days. NHS at it’s most efficient. I rediscovered a steering wheel that I bought from mate Darren about 8 years ago for a big wad of cash. And tried out some checkered vinyl in the rear. This used to be fitted to my 1963 Ford Transit van. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds I don’t think so. Conversely, the steering wheel has still got the same appeal. For the C10. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=boundshttps://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Been a busy week. Not a lot to show, but certainly productive. Weather still is not done with winter. Last night rain and wind. Thankfully moved the van by 18.00 Woke to this today. The neighbours own that fence, thus responsible for replacing it. However, they sold or are trying to sell the house so no interest in spending money on anything. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Good Friday. Public holiday in England. Lots to do today. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
You know those days where you are busy all day but have nothing to show for it?
Couple of them this week. Some of you may recall that I built a small raised sandbox for Sallys grandson during Covid. Sand was super expensive but my time was not. Harry her older grandson always plays in it when he visits. He has been joined by a brother, Alfie now, about a year old. So the rime had come to replace the plywood lid and to repaint it more appropriately. I used some checkered vinyl that was in the back of my 1963 Ford Taunus Transit. Painted it all. Then headed to Sallys place and painted the box. Also made a new name and redecorated the step. I will tackle the paving with my pressure washer some time in the next few weeks https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Box done https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds New name plate and step painted. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds And put together yesterday. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Sallys younger son, Ryan, was 24 this week. His choice for a birthday dinner was a kebab and chiips from the kebab shop 200 meters from home. I passed on my normal choice of fish and chips and went for a lamb kebab, salad and chips. We also watched Topgun. Maverick on Netflix and Sally stayed awake for the whole movie. Today is Saturday so shops are open. I have a parcel to post. The excess from the garage continues to sell out in fits and starts despite the number of illiterates not becoming any less. Still, despite the irritation, cash is king. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Every time you think it’s all over, you trip over something else.
A 14 year hoard of nuts and bolts, washers, brackets, hinges, wood screws of every conceivable kind, and many more small items was a full day’s worth of sorting out. Hard to believe? You never saw my hoard. Ask any previous visitor to Grizz Towers. Cake tin after cake tin of imperial, metric and unidentified fasteners and random stuff was poured out and sorted through. Keep in mind that I also ha md to create and rearrange all the storage space and containers. One thing I did, with a heavy heart was to jettison all the traditional wood screws that were stored in various locations and containers. Modern Pozi-Drive type, self cutting screws are just so much quicker and easier to use and I certainly don’t create artisan level work any more. I didn’t take any photos of this at the start, but trust me…… It was a lot worse than that. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Eventually I also cleared the “electronics table” where most of the Rezin Rockit nuts, bolts, washers and electronics plus paints etc lived for three years. Could be cleared of a few more bits. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Looking at this lot, it is hard to believe that this is the result of a days work unless I mention that stuff found it’s way to possibly as many as 10 destinations from the sorting table. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds There still are jobs to do as part of the clear out and preparation for the C10 build but it’s not easy to understand unless you’re actually here on site. The cash fund that started with an imaginary target of £500.00 in junk sales has made it up to £1670.00 so far. Yesterday I spent just over a third of it on two new mattresses for my lodger’s bedrooms. Possibly a better investment than buying another car for now, especially that red Camaro. It still blows my mind that despite low prices and cheap selling of excess junk, this amount of money has come in over four weeks. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Coming back from town, I had offered Salky our usual 3-6 monthly treat of a quick cheap Turkish lunch, she declined and asked for a McDonalds Biscoff Frappe and something random to eat. Now McDonalds is something I don’t eat as a habit but I have to remind myself once a year why I don’t eat anything from these “restaurants “ Crispy Chicken Ceasar wraps and caramel Frappes eaten in the carpark like the common people. Dodged a bullet with the heartburn too. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Came home after this and Sally went home to work in her garden and I started on a two day job that I do yearly. Spent 4 hours out there hurting. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Like Prozac the Beelingo, the VW Caddy continues to earn its keep.
Every time it does a new job, it ticks a mental bank account box for me, justifying its existence throughout igu “man maths “ Two double bed mattresses, two TV’s, a wooden TV stand, some other random junk. Tomorrow it fetches a wooden double bed frame and disposes of a double bed base. Yup……. Function over Form. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Caddy delivers. And at an average of 43 MPG (imperial gallons)! I think it’s a bit more special than it looks. Almost the weekend too. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
You are hard-working and have the right tools at hand.
|
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Quote:
I am feeling more and more like myself I used to have so much drive and energy to get jobs done. I am pleased to see change on my builds. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
So the Caddy continues to deliver great service both as a cheap daily (cost me £1200.00 as it stands) and as a load lugger and functional tool.
Amazingly I saw it early, and bought by it mid October. Making it 6 months ago. So in doing basic man maths, (which usually includes insurance and fuel) the car as it stands on the driveway cost me £200.00 per month. If you include insurance pro-rated to 6 months and diesel it probably comes to an unscientific £250.00 per month. The longer and more it works here, the cheaper it effectively becomes. So a tip run to dispose of my two lodger spare room double bed mattresses and two large TV’s, two TV stands, cardboard and polystyrene resulted in me scavenging out of the metal disposal bin (with permission, in the UK where I live, you can be prosecuted for removing a paperclip.) a small rotten kids size cast metal garden bench. Bench as seen and into the Caddy before I got rid of the mattresses. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Back home I quickly unloaded my treasure and took stock of what I had. Hmmmmmmmm……?? Why do I do this every time? https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Coffee and a digestive, chat with a buddy, check email etc Then headed out to go play Disassembling with caution as its old and I really don’t like breaking stuff like this Also headed into my secret wood store to find some correct wood. Something the right thickness, texture etc I love old bed frames, IKEA shelving and such as its already planed, smooth and usually good quality, so the Caddy could pick those up when you drive by https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds After preparing the wood I cleaned up the rest of the frame and proceeded with etch primer and then painted the parts Originally I had some dull blue to use but the can (was 50p years ago on an end of production sale) kept failing I eventually switched to a can of burgundy, which actually turned out to be a good choice https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Overnight the paint dried nicely. So yesterday I continued with assembly And this was the loose assembly. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds And finally completed. Looking a lot better than 18 hours before. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Stepping back, I noticed that there was more to do. So another piece of wood liberated from the store. My £20.00 bootfair router from a weekend away about 10 years ago came out, along with a sander Mickey threw out years ago. So I made and detailed a name plate for the grandkids. Sally’s, not mine. Harry is 5 years old and Alfie 9 months old. After a quick practice session I free handed the names. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds drilled holes in the sides just for detail Painted……. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds And finally the 24 hour turn around If I were to value my time, this becomes an extremely expensive bench for a couple of kids that are not even related to me https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Delivered to Sallys place Now she wants one in adult size as well Looks great with the sand box I fixed last week Not sure what to do today |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Wow, that's a real gem, you really have talented hands and imagination for what you can do with it, the Caddy is amazing, my neighbor, who is an electrician, bought a new Caddy second hand and says: he doesn't know how he ever got by without it, the car offers so much space.
So everything was done right. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Quote:
Thank you for taking the time to write up your replies. Many people have no clue how useful these small vans can be. I love this Caddy. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Cut the grass at number 1 position yesterday.
I tend to keep to setting number 2 throughout winter to keep it tidy. I also washed and polished the Astro van as I was heading out to a late afternoon (4.30 onwards) car gathering about 30 miles from here. I also had some multi ton lifting straps to deliver to mate Darren, so the van was being used as a van. I keep saying it but I do love this thing Pleasure to own, drive and look at https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Got to go fill it up before leaving, despite still showing a 1/4 tank of petrol. My dad brought me up not to leave on any trip with less than 1/2 a tank and to replace a battery the first time it refused to start a car. Do remember that this is an American commercial vehicle that would have been destined to do loads of long distance work so a 30 liter fuel tank would not have been needed https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds The trip there and back was pretty good, van loving to hover right around the legal speed limit, I have had this dancing Elvis for years and he made me chuckle when the road conditions made him move about erratically as only Elvis did Sad reflection on the state of our roads And also points a finger straight at local councils who continue to squander our taxes on non important things while allowing the infrastructure to fall apart https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds I made a short video, including some pics of the cars that came out, despite the crappy weather There was a relatively large contingent of Toyota Celicas and Corollas. Mostly rough, but all someone’s pride and joy VIDEO LINK Today is Sunday, not yet decided what slow job to get going in this morning Thanks for checking in and any comments |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Summer is coming.
Antihistamines and cutting grass. Also parts of the garden waking up, bringing once a year beauty in the form of certain flowers and plants making their reappearance. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds I just couldn’t get going yesterday. Opened my woodwork shop and started dragging parts out to build an oil can ukelele with. Mickey popped around, twice. We had coffee, chatted, I enjoyed the distraction as I really wasn’t feeling the shop. I searched for a small cheap, working ride on mower for him. Unsuccessfully. I am sure Wolf tools used to make an extremely simple one, but finding something that works is not that easy. Then went around to his place to help him lift some stuff in his garage. He is 78. Years old and forgetd that he is slowly getting older. He offered me a gazebo frame, before he scraps it. So I now need to order a 3x3 meter canvas roof for it. Could be useful when working on the C10 outside in the sun, if we have a summer. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Of course after all the wind and drizzling rain the van once again looks like a step child, grubby and neglected. But I did take a few pics and took some measurements…… Based on a conversation I was having with a long time friend. My Suburban comes in right around 80 inches to the tyres, The ##### is 79.5(ish) to the widest point on the arches and the K5 Blazer is about 79.5 too (not including mirrors on any of them!). Makes the Jag and Merc look positively skinny! Always something brewing. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds When I reverse (the only way I park cars out back) down the alley, the mirrors both have to be folded in. You can’t get down there unless you have done that. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Measurement of the alleyway. You need to subtract 3 inches from the 80 inches to accommodate the boiler pipe and windowsill on the one side. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Life’s challenges ehhh?? Saved by the tape measure? Have a good week. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Some of us Americans have an appreciation for British machines. This one comes to mind:
https://aircrafttechnic.com/wp-conte...-1-735x380.jpg |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Some of us Americans have an appreciation for British machines. This one two comes to mind:
https://aircrafttechnic.com/wp-conte...-1-735x380.jpg |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Quote:
I will guess it’s a Spitfire? Iconic for sure. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Jobs that I really hate.
Pressure washing all of my concrete surfaces every year. Then sanding in all the joints with kiln dried sand. For those who have no idea, a lot of my hard standing surfaces have what is known as block paving. Small individual bricks laid and compacted as driveway. Pretty, but a bastardo to clean up yearly. Those in sunny climates like Africa, Australia and lots of the USA will never understand. Moss and fungus, weeds and whatever can germinate will grow there in the grooves, so you need to spray poison like Roundup or pull the weeds twice a season as well. When you then come with the pressure cleaner, and I buy the most powerful one you can get for the money, you blast all the sand, moss, roots of weeds out. Keep in mind that every brick has four bevelled edges to deal with plus the flat, mossy green top surface. Yup……… I hate it. Takes me three days to do all of it. Keeping in mind you cover everything in a 10 meter radius in sh!t and constantly have to go back to clean where you left off. The amount of debris from the cleaning builds up so sweeping it up, collecting the dirt etc is more time consuming. LAST THING. I am 1.83m or 6 foot tall. The lance or sprayer is made for a 1.65m or 5’5” short person. So you are bending over all the time to get the nozzle working 80-100mm off the ground. Don’t tell me about those sexy round brush things. THEY DON’T WORK for my application. So I started at the garage. First job……. Clear all my junk, left after the big clear out the last few weeks. Clear a years worth of leaves and dirt under the hedge. Then start the torture. What you have after a year. Junk moved. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds The target. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Takes time. The before and after images give an idea of how important this actually is. Never looks that bad, till you start. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Two hours to do this section so far. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Next day some more. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Once it is dry, the idea is to sweep and brush kiln dried sand into the grooves. This prevents stones moving once you drive over them. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Wet sand is not ideal. But I paid for it, so I would use it. Right? Garage area done. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Concrete strips next. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Video shows it a bit weird but trust me…… horrible job. Then area behind the kitchen, followed by alleyway and out front. Kitchen parking done. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Front area. Bloody storm winds were not helpful. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Almost done. By this point, I was cold, sore and tired. But I finished the rest of the drive. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Next job was to grab the VW Caddy and go fetch a massive wooden double bed frame. The rest was good, but I almost couldn’t get out the van I was so stiff and sore. Loving this van doing it’s job. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds So next job is to go buy some fresh kiln dried sand for the driveway block paving. Till next year. Three days worth of work in 6 minutes video. Enjoy. https://youtu.be/-WhOu6tTYkg?si=HbIVrREXmGkTbMP4 Thanks for watching. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Final part of the pressure cleaning job.
Wait for a sunny day, wait for pathways to be dry or even warm this time of year. Slow, systemic and meticulous spreading of the sand, and cleaning away all the excess. Gaps up to 7mm where heavy stuff like a loaded Transit van used to park daily for years, creating grooves and movement of the stones. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Then start high, spread the sand in a way you can push it about with the large yard broom. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Done. Till next year. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Short video for those who like it. https://youtu.be/mVWgthHIQdc?si=rodrWZA-pbllDy1r Friday evening was good, typically beautiful sunset as we have this time of the year. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Perfect weather for my first BBQ or Braai of the year tonight. Summer soon. I hope. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Weekend is over.
Sleep sucks. Life is good. I will Copy and paste a single write up. So apologies for duplicate pics, but you love pics…… Right?? Saturday I washed the van in preparation for Sundays breakfast meeting. Cleanliness is next to godliness I hear. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Making a fire earlier in the day to burn a load of broken furniture wood (non recyclable) it became apparent that the crack in the structure was growing. I possibly caused this a few years ago making a massive fire in the middle of winter. I made the decision to smash this down after 13 years of service. That will mean another job. More money. Buggerr. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Dinner was good. https://youtu.be/d2glX9aZ3KQ?si=GbrW5mmeUFxd_Bzl https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Sunday I headed out in the van. Made a video of the day. Met some nice people. Had an offer to buy the van. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://youtu.be/49Tf7UnY8Pk?si=2avF4Vy002_JP3Hh https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds All the cars at the meeting. https://youtu.be/iCkqrX8dV2U?si=gn5LgDBs0sP82Nr8 Afterwards I headed out to Uncle Bob’s yard to see him and Uncle Peter (86 year old retired builder) about buying some “new” recycled, cleaned bricks. I did a rough count of the face-bricks used above the preparation area. I plan on leaving the concrete foundation and cabinets plus cast, reinforced floor of the chimney as it all seems intact. Approximate count is around 500 bricks to replace what is there but I am going to change the design a bit or a lot. Smashing down the rest of it, the rubble will be processed into another job. More about this later. Uncle Peter was busy pointing the brickwork of one of the barns where he had rebuilt the corner that was smashed by a truck, years ago. So I dragged him away from his mortar and we spoke bricks. He has about 800 cement style, pressed bricks on some pallets that could be for sale. At 50p per brick it’s not as cheap as free, but finding something where the price, look and availability cross on a sweet spot it not that easy. So I agreed to taking the 800 and fetching and transporting them myself for £400.00 unless he changes his mind. The excess will be used on another job which is planned for the short term future. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Lastly……. I looked at this again, not easy to access as it is stored, if you can call it that, in the rear of a massive, disused, damaged greenhouse with loads of junk in front of it. Uncle Bob the Hoarder owns it. Wants very strong money for it. But I do like it. Think re-body. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Eventually I left them and headed home. Moved to green 206 CC down to the workshop as I have done nothing with it and getting the roof to open since weeks ago when I walked away to get on with more important things. Parked the van and headed to Sallys place to use her broadband to upload my YouTube videos that I can’t do at home due to Sky and Openreach’s terrible service. Have a great week. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
So today the Astro, which was professionally lowered a lot, if you look at some photos from the side etc, got to work for real for the first time.
550kg is not a lot, bug when you place it over and behind the rear wheels and diff, it certainly affects things. There is some stuff about to start happening at Grizz Towers soon, so I am getting a lot of peripheral stuff done, prepared and planned. The fuel tank was about 40mm off the drive if you zoom in under the rear. Luckily I only had about 1.5 miles or 2.5km to drive. Including a hill, two roundabouts and my crappy road outside. I have one more load to collect tomorrow morning from Uncle Bob the Hoarders yard and Uncle Peter to pay. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds This part of the story will unfold in a slightly different way depending on how many people complain, compliment or question. So make some noise. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Right
A quick explanation and illustration for those who want to add all sorts of suspension modifications to the van. Some of which would double the price. I rather do four trips and spend £10.00 on fuel than modify the van. Part of its appeal lies in the stance and how low it was built. It is no longer a commercial vehicle. You cannot see it in the photo but the tank never touched the road with me driving it at up to 35mph. Limit here is 40 in parts and 30 mph. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds In other news. The photo and video clip will show you my little win for today. Yup…….. Sesame opened without a fight. So back up for sale, just in time for summer. Check out the short video clip. https://youtu.be/_hV8J4FBHgI?si=v1M1qpWJHrgnuw-u https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Right. Headed out to fetch another load in the Astro. Later. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
The Astro is not only beautiful, it can also work.
Great news about the convertible. Summer is coming. |
| All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:45 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com