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!