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

Still here and sorry the trip is coming to an end .

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

A great trip was had by all. Thanks for sharing your American journey.

Y'all come back anytime.

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

What he said^^^^ :metal:

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

Thank you guys.

Vince, Phil, trust me, given a chance, I would be back again.

Problem is I have a mortgage to pay etc, so always other priorities to consider.

But I do feel welcome.

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

So after leaving Rusty in Waco, we drove to Fort Worth where we had booked a room in the La Quinta Inn and Suites on Anderson Boulevard, Eastchase.
I need to mention all of this as this hotel delivered way over the top.
Clean, efficient, inviting, comfortable, staffed by a team of winners that should make the owner very proud, we were impressed, compared to the same money we had spent at another chain of hotels over 4 nights, La Quinta hit it out the park.
There is cheaper out there, but with the amount of distance we did every day, our minimal sleeping, and general self abuse...... The room had to be half decent.

This was our hotel. Looks good ehhh?

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pse90b8ymu.jpg

After being booked in by an incredibly efficient, friendly and just way above expectation, Britney, we were also invited to have a few beers and a light dinner free of charge on the hotel. Seems they have a free guest dinner and deserts plus drinks on a Wednesday evening so our plans to go out for a burger, pizza or other fast food went straight out the window.
In stead we had good company and food, plus the chef was as sweet and motherly as you could wish for all the way from the Deep South.
Just how good did I mention this trip got on a daily basis? There really were silver linings to our silver linings.

One of the reasons we had left Rusty by 3pm was that we could go online on the complimentary hotel computer to book ourselves in 24 hours before our flight, we hoped to get some nice seats again.
When we went online, there were no nice seats, so we ended up with a pair of adjacent aisle seats.
The hotel also supplies a complimentary printer, Internet etc...... You have to agree, this is very good service.

We had a whole hotel trolley to get all our combined treasures up from the car park to the second floor.

Our room was massive and had two King sized beds, large clean bathroom, massive telly for Martin (I tend to us them for hanging my laundry over) fridge with complimentary half dozen beers. What was not to like.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psdzkiql53.jpg

After dinner we went out to a couple of shops, including Walmart that had Gas Monkey T-Shirts for $7.50 and long sleeved shirts for $10.00, so I was hoping to get a XXL for my friend Alan in the UK as he is a massive GMG fan. No luck, so we went back to our room and Martin started to sort out his packing, getting the weight subdivided between his cases etc, I watched telly with one eye and him stressing with the other eye, but really should have tackled my cases, a fact that would come back to bite me in the butt in the morning.

Another late night, and good nights sleep, we woke up and went to breakfast downstairs.......

Fresh, modern furnishings, loads of food, including sausage, scrambled egg, muffins, biscuits, gravy, waffles, coffee, juice, fresh fruit and a load more stuff to eat. Life was certainly good.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psqier6unl.jpg

My favourite part of breakfast....... Cereal and great coffee.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psf8dq8ocg.jpg

After breakfast we went up again, and it was my turn to pull out Martin's hand held scales, a must have on a trip like this. The other thing, if you have not been to the USA before, is locks that the TSA can open, so they are special ones. Get them.

The idea was to distribute the 84kg or 185 pounds in baggage and spares I had bought in such a way that I ended up with 23kg or 50 pound bags, and that they were done in a way that would not leave heavy items rocking and rolling around inside a bag, destroying other fragile parts.

Yes, it was a challenge.

Martin was clearly enjoying my discomfort at this point......... After all, the previous night he had told me more than once to get on and do this. But did I listen..??

I also had my 2.1 meter or 7 foot tall ski bag with stainless bed strips, side mouldings, my treasured Original Auto steering column bought from Clem and my new panhard rod already packed up, at close to 23kg, so the rest of the stuff had to be thought through sensibly.

I failed dismally the first three times I tried to split up the baggage.

Eventually I did have them sorted into exactly the right weight, balanced with padding, packing and in a way I hoped they would not destroy anything inside.

I chose to take my new cab mounting kit, the 24V LED lights, new chrome door handles and lock set into my hand baggage along with some bolts and heavy stuff, in order to offset my hold baggage.

Martin tried to warn me that Security would pull you over for many reasons, so anything that could be deemed a weapon, dangerous or just weird, could have the rubber gloves and drug dogs out in force.

In the mean time Martin with practiced stress and concern kept an eye on the weather and flight departure schedules as there was a bit of bad weather over Texas in the time we were there......

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psj1xpwvv4.jpg

We were leaving on Thursday late for an overnight flight back to the UK.

Looks like we chose the weather just right to leave.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psj1xpwvv4.jpg

Eventually, well, by 10.30 we were packed, right down to our back packs.
So armed with the hotel trolley we went downstairs to say our goodbyes and settle up and check out.

Not included in the photo was the ski bag.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psdpkn5dyx.jpg

So we left and stopped at a few shops along the way to the DFW airport.

The faithfull, out of date SatNag took us straight back to Alamo car hire where we turned in the car, unpacked, almost rented a trolley each for $5.00 when a lady called Missy who was part of the check in system, offered to help us drag all our bags to the bus stop to get to the departure area. At this point we were about 4 hours early...... A $5.00 tip meant we had "rented" the trolleys for half price.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psg830guwn.jpg

We get on the bus, made it to departures.

Then sat around, watching the world go by, surfed the net, read up on some forums and generally got bored.....

Still stressing about whether my oversized ski bag would be allowed on, whether I would get the rubber glove treatment for my 24V LED Lights or have them confiscated as undesirable or dangerous, we could only wait.

Last bit in a while.

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

hanging in there for the final chapter in this epic tale - can't wait to find out if you got selected for the 'intimate' search :lol:

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

I have never flown so I have never had to worry about the glove treatment .

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

You would be there laughing too.....:mm:

Don't need to fly to get the gloves.

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

Seems I screwed up on the link posting for the plane schedules Martin was watching.

Despite the bad weather that everyone had warned us about, all flights seemed to be pretty much on time.

So we would be off as planned.

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


So there we were, hours early.

A long time to go before we could check in, weigh in and pay in for the extra baggage I knew I had.

Waiting.....

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

Eventually 2pm got there and Martin and I could wheel our bags over to the ever friendly British Airways ground staff to weigh in and make our way through security.

For the sake of all those who want to do this sort of road trip to buy spares etc, I will do a break down of the baggage and costs as I experienced it.
Martin had done this US trip a few times before with Amanda, so his learnings helped me get it right first time.

So BA gives you 23kg of "free" hold baggage.
A cabin bag, size as per protocol, we did not know, but you can take up to 23kg in it (think power steering pump) as long as you can pick it up and put it in the overhead area yourself, otherwise 10kg if you cannot manage it.
And a"laptop bag" or handbag, we both had small back packs.

Before we left the UK, we both paid for an extra bag, costing us £65.00 online for 23kg into the hold.
Then as my pile of spares etc grew, I realised I would need another bag. Thankfully Kim and Clem had a old large suitcase in their garage that I took along.
My second extra bag cost me £140.00 or $200.00 for the pleasure of 23kg
I eventually weighed in the ski bag as both oversized "sports equipment" and my second extra bag, paying the $200.00 was a 3 minute job.
Then dropping it off at the oversized baggage gate, another 3 minute job.

How easy was that all then.

From there we went through security.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psa7petjmm.jpg

Weirdly, the security personnel were amazingly relaxed, friendly and the lady I passed voiced her exasperation at a passenger ahead of my for being a bit (well, very) thick.

So my backpack and cabin bag went through the X-Rays, I went through the scanner, hands aloft.

No noises..... Phew. Made it !!

Then security asked whose bag my cabin bag was..........

Buggerr !!

So he called me over, told me my bag came up suspect and he needed to go through it.
"Is there anything sharp in the bag that can hurt me?" He asked, I heard myself say "No Sir"
Next he told me to keep my distance, not to speak unless spoken to, not to point anything out to him or touch anything in the bag or that came out of it.

I was worried...... Not a lot, but only because I wondered what had caused them concern. I certainly did not want to leave anything I packed into my 16kg cabin bag behind.

First thing he pulled out, and opened the box of (I had not opened them after collecting at LMC as they were neatly packed, was my new cab mount rubbers and mounting kit..... I think the rubber being organic is the trigger on X-Rays.
He wanted to know what they all were for and his questions were quite naive. So I replied, trying not to point or touch, describing to him what they were for. He then pulled out my new door handles and new lock sets. Once I told him what they were for, he was happy, then back to his screen and pulling out the two LED lights, his interest was even more intense, seems there is a circuit board or something inside them. Anyway, I told him and explained what it was for, even showed him a photo on my mobile of them fitted.
After that he shook my hand, thanked me for my cooperation......
Then he changed completely, from business mode he went to petrol head mode..... Yup, he wanted to know more about my truck, the lights, where they came from and why I was restoring a 1966 Chevy C10 truck.
I suspect Martin was wondering what was going on....

From here we took a walk through Duty Free, nothing of interest there.

Then we went to look for a late lunch.

Finding a place, I ordered a regular (remember, this is Texas and everything is bigger) brisket sandwich and fries plus another of those massive, bottomless drinks.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps8cnvkahd.jpg

They keep some good beer as well.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pswzsk5snx.jpg

After lunch we settled down to people watching, and waiting for our departure.

Boarding was trouble free.

On the plane I landed next to a super nice guy who was 1.5 times my size, poor guy was stuck in the middle seat, turned out to be a super nice guy from the U.S. who was married to an English girl. His size meant I was sat sideways on takeoff and landing. So the rest of the flight I was mostly standing up, walking and trying to watch a movie while he tried to sleep.

Landing, customs, passport control and the return to out car parking to get my car and head home were all uneventful.

So that was really the end of the holiday.


As a final comment I will post a few pics of the Internet.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pse4wm9awr.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psl8gpj20n.jpg

Travel whenever you can, go places you never imagined, never thought possible, just go. You will not regret it.

Create a Bucket List, and tick the items off.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psri0t9jbf.jpg

Lastly, this road trip delivered no over delivered every day.

I have to thank Nicola my wife for insisting I go with mate Martin who had bugged me for more than 8 months to join him for his 50th birthday party trip.

Every person who reached out and offered us accommodation, advice, friendship and took the time to speak to us.

My world is a better place and my year has been turned into the year of my life after this trip.


I will never forget this.


http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psh3jyo5jd.jpg



Thank you all for the comments on the threads I created on various forums.

You made me revisit and enjoy the whole trip again.

Looking forward to the next trip.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pst9ix7wea.jpg

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

Thanks for taking us all along with you on this great trip .We love to travel in our Malibu convertible all across this great country and it seems those of us over here take it for granted .It takes guys like ya'll to make us see how lucky we are to have these wide open places to see .So far we have driven our Malibu thru some 44 states thus far and want to get to the rest someday .I still hope we get to meet in person one day but til then I will follow you as you build your trucks and other projects .
John

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

I knew u did a lot and seen a lot but man that's a great trip Followed the whole trip

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

That was one hell of a trip Rian. Thanks for sharing it with us. :metal:

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

Great rehash of your trip. Wish I could have made it to Clem's event to see how the other side of the world does their trucks. Thank you both for the great review of the colonies.

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

Been on the edge of my seat for this epic adventure...:metal:

Bill, in the event you decide to make a trip north for Clem's throw down, he holds it the 3rd Saturday in October and Clem never fails to amaze...:mm:

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

Rian, Martin, thanks for sharing. I've enjoyed every instalment, my wife even read the Gas Monkey part!!
It's been great fun, no idea what I'm going to do in my spare time now,I'll have to get back to work on my truck:lol:

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

Thanks for taking us along for the ride.

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

Thank you all for taking the time to reply.

I do appreciate it.

I am glad I could share. We do not all get the opportunity to travel. Some have other priorities and some have responsibilities.

I am fortunate Nicola makes me do these things.

For those in withdrawal...........

CLICKY LINKY:

http://www.wilddog.za.net/forum/inde...topic=106063.0

That is another bike road trip I did 2 years ago.

You may enjoy it as well.

Back to the truck soon.

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

I will check that link out later ,about to start work in a few minutes.

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

Funny how life is..... Twists and turns, ups n downs.

Anyway, after winning the award for the USA road trip at the end of last year, I was approached by a contract company to work for an American company in the Non Hodgkin Lymphoma market in May, so in June I started what felt like a dream job.

Friday we were all called in and told the Americans were closing down the European and UK operation through no fault of our own. Today they confirmed we were all being made redundant and as the team was up for less than two years, there is no payout or benefit to be had. So I guess I am out looking for a new job again. Timing sucks, but hey...... Not much we can do about it.

Tonight Nicola and I decided to go see a movie, a good way to redirect your attention. Bridge of Spies with Tom Hanks. Good movie.

When we got back, I popped around to Mickeys place as there was a parcel waiting for me that was delivered through the day.

Going by the box, I told Nicola it was her Christmas present......

She was not impressed.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psdfa5qonl.jpg

Remember what I always say about Random Acts of Kindness???

Well, Dennis Jones a friend from Missouri knew I was looking for a hood ornament for my truck some time ago, last week he sent me a message asking for my address.

He had found me a patina'd one and wanted to send it, along with a T-Shirt representing his business and some fire proof working gloves and other working gloves for,mate Martin and I.

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

You see, despite the ups n downs......

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pstzue2ik4.jpg

We have a great life and much to be thankful for.

Thank you Dennis, you are a kind and generous man. Karma will kiss your butt whan you least expect it.

PS. I will get back to the truck when things allow me to.

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

Nicer stash.

Sorry to hear about the job. Hope you find something soon.

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

That really sucks about your job but you will find something better .

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

Bummer about the job situation. Could their timing have been any worse? Just after your vacation, and just before Christmas. I feel for you.

Hopefully, you find something (better) soon!

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

I know that a better career move is on the horizon. You are a killer salesman and when you put the word out, it will happen.
Hope you find a little bit of time to get out in the shop and take a vacation from your vacation.

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

Rian, so sorry to hear about your job situation.

It's never easy to deal with these type things but you seem to have a good and positive attitude. I agree with Clem that there is a better job out there for you.
Prayers for you and Nicola and for a job that is way better.

God Bless you bro.

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

So sorry to hear about the job. I know you will find something soon.

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

You got this mate… Prayers...:mm:

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

Rian, gutted for you mate and like Johnny said the timing sucks. But I know what great bloke you are, believe me something better is just round the corner.

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

So sorry to hear about your job, what a knock after such a high on the road trip. I guess that's life as they say! Knowing you you'll bounce back pretty soon. But still not nice at this time of year. But think positive thoughts for 2016. We must meet up next year maybe at one of the swap meets and me and Mark will come down to Kent and see you and Martin.

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

Morning Rian, Pete and I are heading out to Eddies salvage today to check out some stuff needed for an upcoming build. We're looking for a big steel bed off a welding or service truck. The thought of going back made me think of the day that we roamed around Eddies with all the guys, picking up parts and exploring his place… made me smile. We'll get you a few Ford parts maybe… NOT.

Have a good day my friend, hope you get a little shop time, enjoy the good stuff in life and make one of those crafty little doodads you're famous for.

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

Rian, so sorry to hear about your job situation! I could only echo what everyone else has said, you will find a better job! I know to many times life has thrown me lemons but you just got to keep moving! you sir are a wonderful person and I know this will not keep you down

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

I hate this bloody iPad.

Just posted replies to all of your comments and it lost all the entries.

Anyway, thank you all for your concern and comments.

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

All sorts of stuff going on in the background since I got back from the USA, so to much truck action.

In the mean time, the truck continues to fight me every nut and bolt I try to move forward. I think it is called "LIFE"

Remember these two....?

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

Lower control arms or Wishbones.

Well, they needed to be refurbished with new parts, including the ball joints and pivot arms.

It's a two man job ideally, and we previously did Martin's set here, they came out perfect. So had no reason to think my pair, including the replacement unit from Ian Brown and my trucks original passenger side would not just screw together.

So we did the drivers side..... Perfect !!

Then we did the passenger side and it ended up self destructing on the outer thread on one side. Grrrrrrrrrr!!!

Once we pulled the unsuccessful one apart, we checked them against each other...... Note the difference in width.

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

And one very mullered thread. Which meant that I needed to find a new used LCA.

I tried around the UK, but of course there are no trucks being broken over here like they are in the U.S.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psv4l85aaw.jpg

I believe I have one sourced. We just need to arrange logistics, shipping etc.

Did I mention that this truck is fighting me every step of the way....??

I decided that because the truck is getting so much new stuff, the $24.00 for a pair of trailing arm bushes was another thing that needed doing. Replace the 50 year old units while the truck is in bits.
Getting the old ones out meant unbolting the trailing arms from the chassis, and then one needs to burn the old ones out.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psgtsbcxb9.jpg

Thankfully I have a butane burner that I use for the branding on my woodwork stuff when I turn or build items.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pste1ixsma.jpg

Once burned out, petrol cleaned the channels and made sure they were ready to receive the new bushes.

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

New ones fitted.....

Next problem, getting the trailing arms back up and threading the bolts through.

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

I decided to kick Martin out by 8.30 as he had more people to see and more stuff to do.

I will use the Jack later in the week to lift both arms up and hopefully get the bolts seated, or else I will have to unbolt the rear of the trailing arms and then refit the front, followed by the rear.

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

Felt good to be back under the truck.

Hopefully I can get back to doing some stuff again.

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

I remember back when I did mine I had to bend the tabs that the bolt goes thru out just a lil to help with the install! since the new bushings were a lil thicker! when to tighten the bolt it will pull it back in some, a lil love from a hammer will help also!

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

You have luck like mine but it does get better.

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

Here it is!

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

Good to see you back on it Grizz.

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

Thank you guys.


Interestingly, the Lower Control Arm I needed has made an appearance, in Ada, Oklahoma from Paul "NevEno" who is doing a crazy build and will not be needed get it. Paul's build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=651979

Thank you Paul.

However, yesterday, Brandon his friend went to ship it, and they quoted him $500.00 for shipping.
Brandon's build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=653691

So my next problem is to find an agency or way to ship it out to the UK for a lot less than that.

I know it should not cost that much as I have shipped stuff before.

So if anyone has ideas, recommendations to make on who to use to ship it out, please let me know.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psaoj2qhjf.jpg

In the mean time, it's almost the weekend...!!

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

Just sent you a message

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

On its way!!

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

Well, after starting out at a crazy quote for getting the LCA to the UK yesterday, today got a lot better.

I posted the same basic question on various forums I frequent as well as messaging Steve Lang of Langies Hot Rod Shop, who I had used before to bring in my complete front end rebuild kit at sensible money.
I also contacted my friend Dennis Jones who is involved in NASCAR Truck racing and other motorsports in Missouri via FB and then gave him a call this morning early before he went to work to check out prices for me too.

Various replies from various people left me still looking.

By 09.30 U.S. Time I got a text from Paul in Oklahoma to say he had managed to get the parcel sent off at $100.00 for shipping.

I was happy to pay that, could not collect the part in the U.S. for that.

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

Thank you all for the input and advice on getting this here.

This is why the interwebs rocks.

Thanks again NevEno Paul.