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

Cool to see the truck getting some sun and love!!!:mm:

Cheers!!!

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

Today started slowly....... Woke at 05.45 as usual, got up, fed the cats, opened doors and made a mug of tea, then surfed the web, had my brekkie..... All the time killing time so that I could get to the garage and make noise by 08.00 (That is Nicola's rule)

Truck time had been slow the last few months with the new job, I wanted it to take precedence over everything else, as I wanted ithe new job to be a success.

Anyway, went to the garage before 08.00 and cleared up stuff, burned some wood etc.

Having cleared the garage, driveway, advertised some stuff on Facebook, including the 1940's steel trunk I had in the back of the truck before. Sold.

I then got a crisis call from Martin, as he was trying to load his old V8 engine and gearbox onto a pallet, headed for the Isle of Mann where it was going into another truck. So drove over to his place with some cargo straps, wood, hammer, nails and then got that all sorted. Back home via the hairdressers and Coop.

Then rolled out the truck onto the driveway, first time in months.

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

I needed to get the hood off, but it is not a one man job, due to the sheer size of it, so I called Mickey next door to give me a hand as Martin would be around later when he and Amanda had done food shopping and walking their pack of dogs.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps7krzjt6m.jpg


http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psbhk1x3ld.jpg

Once the hood was off, it was the hood hinges and springs, no idea how I am gong to get the springs back on.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pskv6k0stx.jpg

What did I do...???

No going back now.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps6bjuwcam.jpg

Look closely at Martin's face...... Who needs friends like this?

At this point Ta2Don texted to see if I had time for a FaceTime chat....... Replied that I was digging a hole, for Martin.


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

Once the inner fenders were off, which necessitated removal of the radiator support frame/bracket it became clear the radiator needs replacing or recoreing. So looking for a new radiator now, then the transmission oil cooler was removed as I have a nice new one that Martin gave me for my Birthday when he bought a frame mounted one.

Loads of other bits like the radiator mounting kit, new fender bolts, rubbers, seals etc will be ordered from LMC etc.

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

Well, it is broken good and proper now.

Next up, clean the front suspension, engine, firewall and get it all painted up and looking good.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pstsrpvsr9.jpg

Parked up, never expected to go this far, and I do not think it is the end yet.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pshjb9cygv.jpg



Still love my truck, and that has to be good.

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

Next time I am over to help the bed is coming off . At that point I will be happy because if you are going to do the truck you do it once . No cutting corners that way when it's all finished you can be proud of what you have achieved . Or you could just throw it together and enjoy it till it lets you down

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

[QUOTE=mjh1965;7245343]Next time I am over to help the bed is coming off . At that point I will be happy because if you are going to do the truck you do it once . No cutting corners that way when it's all finished you can be proud of what you have achieved . Or you could just throw it together and enjoy it till it lets you down[/QUOT

exactly right...

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

That looks like a good days work,:metal: there are so many jobs on these trucks that need two pairs of hands, you certainly find out who your friends are :lol: It might look a bit scary right now but you can't make an omlete without breaking eggs.

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

Problem is young Martin........ Every time you visit, I have this intense need to dig a large hole before you get to break my truck further.

I think you for one, knows I do not do half-arsed.

[quote=clemdaddy;7245417]Hmmmmmmmm.......? Yup.

LOL @ Breaking eggs.

Interestingly, Kerry Disasterbus said exactly the same from Canada.

I will be spending a load of time on the prep of this truck, it always pays off in the long run.

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

After a late, but good boot fair, some other chores, I got into the garage just after 1pm.

Pulled the truck forward, jacked up and put an axle stand under the chassis, then removed the front wheel and proceeded to scrape all the years of congealed sand, grease etc from all the suspension parts and chassis.

Not a hard job, but it just takes a lot of time to do right.

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


A long knive, along with some scrapers, screwdrivers and a steel brush brought me to the point where the next step will be cleaning the oily bits with some petrol and then some Gunk followed by a pressure cleaner.

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


After the afternoon cleaning the passenger side suspension up, I thought an almost typically American dinner would be a good thing.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps2lj1ikek.jpg

Well, tried to post a pic of a BBQ but this one of Clem's shindig keeps replacing the BBQ pic...... A sign?

Now fed, and relaxed with Mrs Boss.... End of a good weekend.

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

Rian, great to see that things have "settled down" and you have time for the truck again:thumbs:

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

Glad you got some more truck time in today . While I was walking around the show in the sunshine. You were up to your elbows in muck, I definitely chose the right day to help stripping is better than scrubbing.

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

Doing it Right!!! :metal:

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

:metal: Now I am hungry...time to bug my Mrs. :lol:

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

chow looks gooooood. i'm expecting to see you and my girl doing some grill magic. can't wait to be the recipient of what you guys cook up.

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

Trust me Ian, so am I.

It will never be a done deal type job, you always need to update, but at least I can get back to stealing time over weekends without feeling I am not ready for the day job.

Some nice stuff there, the Priory shows are always good value and at 10 miles from me, quite local.

No choice Don, as I am inherently lazy, so hate to redo stuff.

Why bug her?

Show her who is boss..... And do the cooking yourself ;)

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

Morning Clem,

In my book that little BBQ was a bit bland and insipid, as it really needed some ribs, steak and wings, I LOVE chicken wings as well as maybe some roast peppers for extra colour.

I myself cannot wait to be mentored by your Girl..........:mm:

Even found her this little item yesterday.

Not my size.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps96cpl3qi.jpg

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

Just saw these on FartsBook.

At $10.00 each they seem cheap enough.

Looks like the 60-66 trucks are getting into print now, not a bad thing.

Of course I have no idea who or where Kohl's are. My total reference to US shops is Walmart and Sears and of course HF.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psggvi8q7s.jpg

Just in case anyone missed them out there.

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

Kohl's is a local department (discount clothing store) there is one around the corner from my house................Kieth :gmc2:

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

Thanks a lot Kieth.

Grrrrrrrr...!!!

Managed to delete my whole entry as I was about to post it.

Received my 210 cm ski bag in the post today. Perfect for transporting my side trims home after our trip to the USA in October.

Funny how such a simple tool, costing £20.00 plus the extra baggage item at £60.00 can put the finishing touch to a project. People forget that it is a lot more than just the purchase price of the item to consider.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psfjsg4n4c.jpg

After work I sneaked down to the garage for 4 hrs to take on the drivers side cleaning up, scraping 50 years worth of sand, grease and who knows what else off the suspension etc.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pszdn3dox3.jpg

Really hard to believe I spent 4 hrs there, but as Ta2Don said, the evidence is on the floor.

Next up I will lift the front end high enough to get in underneath and clean up,the underside, then petrol and a brush to remove more oil, grease, followed by GUNK degreaser and a brush n bucket, finally followed by the pressure cleaner and grease gun to refill all the zillions of grease points before paint.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pszb1ug7fb.jpg

While I was under and about the engine, I noticed it needs new engine mount rubbers as these are shot.

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

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psa3oxet6p.jpg

As are the rubber bump stops, which I will source from LMC or others.

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

As I go along I find more and more evidence that this truck really is 50 years old.

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

Mock up time again.

I always wanted to fit or make a gun rack for the rear window of the truck.

And carry some replica rifles for shows.

Got a stock delivered to Nicola's work from someone on the GS site.

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

Add in a snooker cue.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psrfbsak64.jpg

And an off cut from an old crutch as well as a 22mm socket. Plus a bit of pine, painted black.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psm0cusdj9.jpg

Not at all complete, but opinions ?

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

I like it ,looks good .

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

I like it!

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

what caliber was that cue?

you come up with the zaniest ideas. too fricken' much...

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

Kool Idea!!!:metal:

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

I know you are in the garage this evening… :mm:
Looking forward to any updates...:metal:

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

:metal::uhmk:

Thanks

Adult size, but will get cut down a bit more.

I have a constant stream of poop ideas flooding my brain Clem, but hey, it keeps me busy.

Thanks Donald.

LOL, never made it out there Don, but have been and am still surfing web to find best compromise between cost and value for money, based n other people's experience tonight.
Only finished admin, car washing, and other tasks at 6.30 followed by beans on toast for dinner, then decided the web surfing was more important.

Hopefully Friday night some garage time, as well as Saturday.

Bee looking at these guys for a new radiator, waiting for a reply.

http://www.championradiators.com/Che...radiator-63-66

Hopefully they have UK representation.

And that the price fits.

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

I used a Champion aluminum radiator in my 72 truck ,good looking and very nice but it was pricy .Good luck with whatever you find and will patiently await more updates.

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

Well Rian your adjustable Panhard bar has been ordered and on its way to Dons

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g1...psx3vghxsa.jpg

He's going to need a bigger shed soon

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

;)

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

I sold my '64 C-10 a few weeks ago as I've decided I need an American Muscle Car in my life so I'm on the lookout for a Mustang / Camaro / Challenger but here in the UK good ones at sensible prices are not so easy to find.

I needed a runaround while I'm looking and this little MX5 belonging to Grizz ticked all the boxes - fun, convertible, retro, cheap and easy to sell on when I find and buy that Yank muscle car.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...psngjjko9y.jpg


A quick meet up in an M25 service station with Grizz and Martin and the deal was done........

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...psafjp7n5z.jpg


http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...psype3k4ah.jpg

Typically, since I bought it yesterday it hasn't stopped bloody raining! :lol:

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

Not worry mate, I had plans for the truck as well, and ended up clearing the garage bench so I can get other stuff done on there, and building that replica "Vermin Hunter" with the snooker stick and bits of fire wood.

Good to see you as always Kerry. And meeting Mrs Disasterbus at last has set our minds to rest about you and the little car (saying that, it was the first time I ever drove it any distance, other than a mile down the road to fill it occasionally for Nicola on a Sunday as she is a bit "lazy" and it really is a nice little car. I can see why people do get addicted to them.

Thanks also to Martin for going along in his car (his choice) at stupid-o-clock to give me a ride back.

He did think it was funny that you are going to fold all 6'7" of yourself into the MX5


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


I trust it will give you great service till you find your next car.

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

When's the Engine and box coming out of your truck mate? :mm:

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

When I next go over to give him a hand . I have the hoist and all the tools Don, it's coming out with or without his knowledge, even if I have to go over there myself when he's out, and leave a note saying the truck fairies did it . :lol:

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

Oooooo! Engine out ............. It's a slippery slope :lol:

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

Indeed Ian.

But..... Logic dictates that the oil loss has to be found, the gearbox can do with a service and while it is out, the engine bay and engine can get a decent splash of paint.

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

Bootfairs were rubbish today.

Came home to work on the truck.......

Errrrrmmm....?

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psp5qa0zxy.jpg

So I had to keep busy.

Started by moving tools and stuff about in the garage and shed, tried out the very nice, like new router I bought at a Bootfairs a few months ago.

Once done, I started on the "Vermin Hunter" my replica rifle for the back window of the truck.

Scraping off all the old varnish etc, then sanding and sanding.

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

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps3hrmmwfc.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps4an3d32o.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psfvzvzk1p.jpg

Got all the bits together, got perspective, trimmed it a bit more......

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psjd2lpzja.jpg

Then disassembled it all, painted the "barrel and magazine" and waxed and polished the stock before assembling the lot.

Yes, I am pleased. Should look good on display at shows etc.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pslu2zccvo.jpg

After this I tried to find my engine numbers as the ones on the front of the block have been machined away, and I needed to find out exactly what I am dealing with, as my mate (not sure he really is a friend anymore) Martin convinced me that I will be better off removing the engine and gearbox, replacing the valley gasket as well as the valve cover gaskets as the engine does lose some oil when driven.
So while it is out, I will clean up the fire wall, engine and also service the gearbox oil etc.

Another thing getting done is to replace all the steering components like ball joints, bushes etc......... What did I get myself into?

Numbers as discovered.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps4an3d32o.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psmrrqyus8.jpg

Symbols on passenger side front of block.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psichns7l5.jpg

These show the engine possibly being from 1968-1979 and probably a 350.

And chassis and cab numbers match, unlike some, which would not bother me at all.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psn213zzhp.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psdluxgrx9.jpg

After all this I started on this heater unit I which proved to be dead, so I will be finding a blower unit from a Mazda MX5 and grafting it in there.

The core also seemed to have a leak, and will get replaced.

Wiring could have been a clue

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psw0kirrn3.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pskdsqv1t4.jpg

That brought my weekend to an uneventful end, and it is still raining.

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

I may have a spare heater core...:mm:

You had rain, we continue with the oppressive heat…:waah:
…so today, the only thing accomplished was enjoying the day with my lovely wife and JoJo in the pool,:metal: grilled a roast and veggies for supper and that's it for today…

Glad you are well-equipped for the slippery slope as well as that tiny snowball in the distance...:lol:

All joking aside mate, you got this, and you will be thrilled once it's all sorted and tearing up the road again… Oh yeah, Camel Hump Heads! :metal::metal::metal:

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

Rian you don't want to be driving around with those "guns" in your cab you'll have the old bill round your house:lol:

I had a 3970010 block in my model A it came from a '71 Chevelle 350. It was a four bolt mains too, not all 3970010 engines are four bolt, but they all can be, they are a really good strong casting, a nice discovery:metal:

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

fake gun looks good, but as Ian says maybe a bit too good for UK law !!

yep bloody rain here too, its been a crap summer so far

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

Thanks Don, I am sure I will be pleased in the end.

I would use the replica only at shows Ian.


Rain......l agh yes.

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

Seeing as the engine and gearbox are now coming out, I had to pop into my favourite local treasure scrap yard to see if I could find an old trolley or something to rob and buy the wheels from.

Usually these cost me a 300g bottle of Nescafè and two pounds of sugar or a mega pack of teabags.

When I got there, I was pulled around the side and shown this little treasure that came in yesterday and was for sale.

Mechanism still works, one of the flanks which I purposefully did not show is badly rusted away.

Not sure if Nicola wants it on the property but will see what happens.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psunna3fhw.jpg

Then we went scavenging around the yard looking for a wheel donor and some steel to build a trolley to put the engine and gearbox onto.

Some bits came into view, but suddenly the magic words "Would a pallet truck not work?"

Of course, but do you have one to sell?

We went around to one of the hangars and found and dragged this out.......

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps0jtyabxc.jpg

Along with a heavy duty pallet, modified to suit, it should be perfect to wheel around the engine and gearbox when doing other tasks.

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

Total cost for this little treasure??

£3.00 and getting Mate Martin over here to pressure check the engine, picking it up along the way and bringing it in the back of his Ford Mondeo.

Thanks Martin, good to have a good mate about.

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

That is quite a good score there ,many uses too.