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

[Grizz1963]

Ooopps

[Grizz1963]

Quick bit of random stuff to add.

Some of the other good things that has happened under the hood.

Like the suspension parts, brakes etc that I have replaced, regardless of condition so that I know we have a decent baseline....

The truck has benefitted from a new water pump, new hoses, HT leads, plugs, oils, filters and a brake master cylinder and rebuilt front brake Callipers, radiator fan to replace the original viscous unit. Tyres you will note are new...

So loads of good stuff.






ONCE AGAIN, LOOKING FOR SOMETHING.........

A SMALL KNOB.





At Dennis things are really coming together.



Interior.

Insulated, wired up and thick Wood panelled

[Grizz1963]

So....

Friday night.

Been a busy week.

Worked with the new boss on Monday, the rest of the week was busy, read busy.

Today I was booked into an all day Skype training course on Cancer and Cancer Associated Thrombosis, or CAT in short.

Since temperatures dropped, it seems I have a CAT in bed nightly.




I have realised I need a “Cowl Hood” to replace the one the truck came with.

And looking around FB marketplace for a hood/bonnet, I happened on a radiator shroud.

Messaged the seller over in Essex 50 miles from where I live, while on my Skype training, agreed to a price, based on Autojumble prices of £10.00 or $13.00 which if you realistically added the Darford Crossing Toll fee and cost of using my company car at 11p/mile worked out to around £25.00 or $35.00 for the fan shroud......
I could not get one from the USA for that money.
So after training, I drove over to Sean’s place, Met his dad and cats, and spent an hour talking cars, trucks and Triumph bikes.....

The shroud came from this 1908 GMC Truck, currently diesel, and actually sold tonight.

Sean also has an Advanced Design Chevy truck, getting a monster diesel.

The guys like their diesels.



While in their shop, his dad showed me the hood to his truck.

Love the pinstriping. @mrtiki should approve



Now this is another Item I would absolutely love to have for myself.



Back home by after 4pm, I just unpacked and then fed the cat........

Took pics of my bit of joy, front and rear.

Will see if it fits tomorrow






Lastly, I found this on the floor under the truck.

Wonder where it came from.



Tomorrow it’s back under the front end.

Wish me luck.

[Grizz1963]

4X4


Naaaahhh...

[Grizz1963]

Insomnia Sucks.

Waking at 04.00 on a weekend sucks.

Waking to this does not suck.

Insomnia sucks - YouTube

Garage time today.

[Palf70Step]

Nice sunrise!

Living down here on the beaches everyone is into sunsets. Me you can't beat a sunrise with a good cup of coffee!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Nice sunrise!

Living down here on the beaches everyone is into sunsets. Me you can't beat a sunrise with a good cup of coffee!

Agreed.


I have started a copy and paste thread in the Blazer section.



So one of the jobs that we just had to walk away from last weekend after 10 hrs in the cold, was the passenger side lower control arm and its cross shaft, which has locating pins on the cross me,her.

These have to be seated, or else you cannot tighten the U-Bolts.

In the dark at 7pm it was never going to happen.

So today I had to fix it hat as a first priority.

I certainly was not going to disassemble everything, so took a long look, and tried to see in there, but of course there is a lot that goes on there, and even the LED torch could not give me enough of an idea as to where the pins and holes were




So I undid the U-Bolts a bit, lifting the whole assembly gently with the jack from under the spring cup.

No matter what I tried I could not see what needed to be done, did it need to be twisted forward or backward and did I need to attack it with a rubber mallet from the rear or from the front.

So I came up to the house for a coffee, and cookies...... thinking power food.

And thought that the only way to figure out where everything was in relation to everything else, was to poke my finger in there, and then twist and hammer into various directions.

But my thick fingers would not fit in the space I had available.

So I used some wire, sharpened it, created a simple handle to give me leverage.

This way I got to “feel and pick”the invisible space between cross shaft and mounting point and the locating pin and hole.




Trust me, this was a long job, simply because I am not naturally talented like some mechanics.

My neck hurt, and I was hurting because despite,the,carpet on the floor, the cold does come up into my back.



EVENTUALLY I GOT IT ALL SORTED AND BOLTED DOWN.





This job was followed by the steering tie rod ends.

Theoretically a simple take it off and replace it job.


Errrrmmm,mmmmm........?







These old parts really are grubby, rusted and a pain.

34 turns to remove the old unit.




THEN THE FUN STARTED.

I could not for the life of me, get the new part to screw into the jointing section, at least not the way it had come out.

I think in the end I may even have cross threaded it too.

Copper slip added, but all to no avail.



So the question is this: Do these units come in a left hand and a right hand flavour?

The two that I got sent are exactly the same, and an hour later I still had no progress and shut shop as I had a dinner date after showering and feeding Harley.

Packaging.




Both are exactly the same.





Tomorrow morning I will go try to do the drivers side and if it is a simple task, then who knows, it may be that there are Left and Right Toe Rods.


Anyone know?

Bedtime.

[aggie91]

Rian,

I saw it on FB too, but was not where I could help out. Yes, they are left and right threads.

The ES409LT is the INNER Tie Rod End. You need to get the ES409RT for the OUTER Tie Rod End. I recommend getting the new adjuster sleeves too. You can put them together in the comfort of you living room before heading out into the cold garage. Pull of the set on one side and make the new set match the length of the old set. This gets you close on the toe adjustment. the Adjuster sleeves are part number ES2004S in Moog ($7.08USD each) or Quick Steer ($1.81USD each) on RockAuto.com.

FYI - Moog and Quick Steer are BOTH brands from Federal Mogul which is now part of Tenneco.

Once you have both sides reassembled you can adjust the toe as needed till you can get to the alignment shop.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by aggie91

Rian,

I saw it on FB too, but was not where I could help out. Yes, they are left and right threads.

The ES409LT is the INNER Tie Rod End. You need to get the ES409RT for the OUTER Tie Rod End. I recommend getting the new adjuster sleeves too. You can put them together in the comfort of you living room before heading out into the cold garage. Pull of the set on one side and make the new set match the length of the old set. This gets you close on the toe adjustment. the Adjuster sleeves are part number ES2004S in Moog ($7.08USD each) or Quick Steer ($1.81USD each) on RockAuto.com.

FYI - Moog and Quick Steer are BOTH brands from Federal Mogul which is now part of Tenneco.

Once you have both sides reassembled you can adjust the toe as needed till you can get to the alignment shop.

Thank you Karl.

See yourself quoted below.........





So Sunday morning I approached it all again.

Based on various comments on the forums I looked closer at what I had.



Karl “Aggie” from Longview, Texas also commented and added further advice. Making sense to the ownership of a 40 year old truck.

Originally Posted by aggie91

Rian,

I saw it on FB too, but was not where I could help out. Yes, they are left and right threads.

The ES409LT is the INNER Tie Rod End. You need to get the ES409RT for the OUTER Tie Rod End. I recommend getting the new adjuster sleeves too. You can put them together in the comfort of you living room before heading out into the cold garage. Pull of the set on one side and make the new set match the length of the old set. This gets you close on the toe adjustment. the Adjuster sleeves are part number ES2004S in Moog ($7.08USD each) or Quick Steer ($1.81USD each) on RockAuto.com.

FYI - Moog and Quick Steer are BOTH brands from Federal Mogul which is now part of Tenneco.

Once you have both sides reassembled you can adjust the toe as needed till you can get to the alignment shop.

I have decided to replace the sleeves as well.
New parts should only improve things further.

And looking at the receipt and numbers from my order it seems the order was correct but wrong items picked and shipped.



So these are the inner tie rod ends. Based on the LT code.





So once I realised I could not complete the job, I removed, cleaned and greased up the drivers side too and refitted both sides



Next up was further cleaning up of all the underside parts, nuts and surfaces. Then greasing up all the grease points.



Once all was cleaned up, bolted down, I torqued down every nut, keeping in mind the control arms needed to be done under full load. This was done by making a small adapter for the jack to fit the lower ball joint grease nipple into and raising the front suspension till it lifted the truck, creating full load. I followed with a final coat of Würth underbody sealer.



Happy with the outcome.

Passenger side.



Drivers side.




I then refitted the wheels and brought the truck down to the ground.
Rocking it hard in all directions it was almost dark but I got one photo. Will do some in daylight after a drive.

The final wheel arch height has gone from 680mm up to a much better looking 740mm
So a ain of 60mm with thenew parts and springs.





Final job to do will be to get sone DOT4 Brake Fluid to top up and bleed the brakes.

Then it should be all go for MOT when I get a chance.

Did I mention that this is “Not a Project”

Later.

[Grizz1963]

Wheels.......

Last week a member on a FB forum directed me toward these Stainless trim rings.



Advertised as this.

So including courier cost DPD who certainly will not get my business again for taking 4days to do an overnight £10.00 delivery, it was £60.00 for the trim rings.

So I agreed to buy them.



Similar to the trim rings I have ready for the C10 along with the Rallye wheels I bought a few years ago.

I did try them on the Blazer rims, but no fit.



Plan is to go satin black Centre and Chrome/Stainless trims.



So tonight after work I got home to these.



New, in the box, actually nor even opened since they were shipped.

Quick Catscan from Security cat.

68mm deep trims, should look good.



I never went down to see if they fitted, as it was cold and damp and dark.


On the way to Physio I stopped in at my favourite spares store and got som brake fluid to top up and bleed the brakes.





Hope to get the brakes done by Sunday.

Thanks for checking in.

[aggie91]

Thanks for the quote...I am glad to help even if I am 4708 miles (7,576 km) away...

The internet and cell phones in today's world have made many things possible that could not have been done so easily 30 years ago. It was nice to have the "face to face" chat Saturday morning with you.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by aggie91

Thanks for the quote...I am glad to help even if I am 4708 miles (7,576 km) away...

The internet and cell phones in today's world have made many things possible that could not have been done so easily 30 years ago. It was nice to have the "face to face" chat Saturday morning with you.

The whole Messenger video thing has put us all in each other’s kitchens and living rooms.

Good to chat with you too Karl and thank you for the advice and encouragement



Well.....

What a good day today turned out to be.

I discovered a supply of this........

One of my all time favourites, and I do not care about anyone else’s feelings, opinions, and advice, unless it is on where to find more

This is my emotional link with the USA



Got a message from a friend in Siberia.

Stas has sent me something by post, amazing weather they are having, yes I guess it is winter.



While this was what my car said when I got back to it in the afternoon.

Unseasonably warm weather for the first week of November

[Palf70Step]

Ours is bouncing all over the place too. 2 days ago it was 40, today its in the 80s, by Friday we are back down to the 40s again. Oh well, you don't feel the rain in the shop. The rain noise and falling acorns makes me feel like I am at small and large arms training again

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Ours is bouncing all over the place too. 2 days ago it was 40, today its in the 80s, by Friday we are back down to the 40s again. Oh well, you don't feel the rain in the shop. The rain noise and falling acorns makes me feel like I am at small and large arms training again

Amazing, how one forgets the arms training.

I am thankful that the weather has stayed so good.



Had to spend a few hours at my desk this morning, working from home has its advantages too. Just not sure what they are.

But.... The doorbell went, usually I would be long gone by then.

Went downstairs to answer the door......

Wooohooo.

Brown Van Man.

Bearing gifts, well one gift, that I had ordered and paid for yesterday.

Less than 24 hrs delivery, certainly beat DPD and their four day overnight delivery.




Opened the parcel once I had done my admin and before I left.

More Steering parts.



After work tonight I got home and found an envelope that had been sent by Dale who hadnotived the truck was missing a knob (other than me)

Thank you mate.



So once I had changed into house clothes Iwent down to the garage.

Knob fitted and wipers and washer tested.



While down there, I noticed gauges were all showing different lies.

Ignition not on, but oil pressure, temp gauge showing life, and the clock broken completely

So more investigation to come,



I have to say that a few guys have been really helpful since I bought the Blazer.

Most of all has been Dennis in St Louis, he owned a few of there Square bodies and knows their deepest secrets, so he has been advising and ensuring I do not screw up completely from behind the scenes.

I love the internet.

Then the fun part.



All threads also covered in Copaslip..... future proofing the steering parts.



And of course all the grease nipples in place, primed and cleaned up.

Nothing like a DIY selfie to wrap up the evening.



Plan is to take the parts to a wheel and tyre shop to get the toe and allingnment set at the same time as fitting these parts.


Brakes still need to be bled, and because I do not know what type of brake fluid is in there, draining the system as well, is on the cards too. That way ensuring the brake fluid is both fresh as well as uniform.

[Palf70Step]

I am working on my dash/gauges now Rian. Yours look like mine a bit. I am going to say you are missing the ground circuit for the guages to start with as that was the issue on mine so far. On mine it looks like some dummy (that would be me in a fit of non thinking) cut the main ground wire by the headlight. Yours could be a crack in the circuit board, or an issue with the ground lead for the cluster.

Glad ya got the tierods back together again.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I am working on my dash/gauges now Rian. Yours look like mine a bit. I am going to say you are missing the ground circuit for the guages to start with as that was the issue on mine so far. On mine it looks like some dummy (that would be me in a fit of non thinking) cut the main ground wire by the headlight. Yours could be a crack in the circuit board, or an issue with the ground lead for the cluster.

Glad ya got the tierods back together again.

Thanks Bill,

Yes, who knows what has happened over the last 40 years of maintenance and “maintenance”

Remember that wire I found on the floor a few weeks ago?

Could it be that one...?

Who knows, but we will find out in time.




Courier delivered this yesterday.

So tell me what and where it is headed.



One step closer.

I stopped by at a local wheel and tyre shop yesterday to find out if they could set the front wheels up for me.

Yes, but I needed to fit the steering parts myself, due to corporate policy etc. Which is fine.

Priced at a reasonable £30.00 after a call to a different company got me a quote for £50.00

May just go down on Sunday if I can get the brakes sorted, but working day job all week and all of Saturday.

I thought the road tax ar £225.00 was pretty good too.




And finally, in these days of politically correct and then the rest.....

This made me laugh, especially as its all being rammed down our throats so much now.

[Grizz1963]

Remember the stainless steel wheel trims I bought last week?

Forgot to try them on, but also the day job has kept me busy.

So tonight after work, in the dark I went and tried to fit one on the truck.


I have to say.....


I love it, the result is even better than I had anticipated.




I will be honest.

After the trim ring fitting, I decided screw dinner, it will be there later (left overs from yesterday) more fun down at the garage.

Chilly down there.



But I decided to get on and strip down the front steering parts and replace them too as it needs to be done before I take the truck in to get the wheel alignment, Toe etc set.

Once I had the truck up in the air, it was big hammer, spanner, sockets and some crawling around.

Harley was constantly under my feet too, weird cat, but good company.



The two ends weirdly have different sized nuts.

There has to be a reason of course



So first the one side, then the other.

Harley was laying next to me while i was undoing things.



Finally, all the nuts, bolts and whatever else was tightened and torqued up.

Very happy with the outcomes.




I checked all the four corner wheel arch heights and it seems the rear had come down by 10mm after the front end rebuild.

Now with all the parts replaced, I am hoping for many years of good, easy motoring in the Blazer.

Just added up the costs of all I have done to it so far and it totals up to £630.00 but it was the right thing to do.

Still not convinced about this truck, whether it’s really not a Project, but it certainly has done me too.

[aggie91]

Good job Rian. It's not a project if you are just doing "cough" routine maintenance!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by aggie91

Good job Rian. It's not a project if you are just doing "cough" routine maintenance!

I am doing maintenance that was not routinely done.


Pleased though.

[Grizz1963]

Message from Dennis this morning when I got up.

Not good news.

Seems snow overnight in St Louis.



Anyway, my day was loads of admin, then run around trying to find out some inside info from clients, never easy, but succeeded.

Skype video conference with boss at 3pm booked for an hour.

On the way home, I called Stuart the neighbor to see if he was available after my video thing to help me get the brakes pumped while I drained them, of course he said yes.

So we got onto it by 4pm and by 5pm after a good chat, we were done and he headed home.

Brakes bled, means Sunday could be wheel alignment.

Then drive, fun and MOT .



Failing light meant no decent photos of stance and arch height.




Also found a set of Bootfair valve caps that will go on once the new stainless trims get fitted.



While down there I realised that I do need some hubcaps if I can find a set.

Eyes open.




You know what they say about idle hands....?

Well.....

2.5” single exhaust pipe from behind the cast iron headers.



So I started to look around on EBay

I was under the impession that that I had one in the garage, but must have given it away years ago.







So, if you have a full set of top hat caps, of know of a set somewhere in some for sale or dontation somewhere, please let me know.

[Palf70Step]

Blazer is looking good Rian.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Blazer is looking good Rian.

Thank you Bill,

It makes me smile.



Saturday.....

On the High Speed train to St Pancras station in London, then a black cab to St Barts Hospital for the day.

Working to get a day in lieu later when I need to take the Blazer for its MOT.

However, last night, sitting with Aaron Kauffman’s Shifting Gears on in the background and surfing the web, I had a Rum and Pepsi, later I followed it with a 500ml Mountain Dew, fully aware of the caffeine in there.......

Not a clever move.

Woke at 02.30 and then tossed and turned.







But....... Sometimes waking to an invoice is actually quite pleasant.

Add shipping and we have a dropped asss on the Blazer.





Instructions include the use of a Grinder and cutting disc.



To get these babies fitted.





Another bit of fun to add to this truck.

[Grizz1963]

Been a long day.

Slept an hour in the chair downstairs, care of the Captain.

Anyway, put the word out that I was looking for a set of centre caps for the Rallye wheels on the Blazer.

Got a reply from Glasgow in Scotland.



These.



To go with these.



In other news.......

Dennis posted out the drop shackles today.

So soon we may see more action.

Working in London today, all the streets were blocked so I did a good walk after the cab driver gave up.



But it allowed me to see loads of beauty in the city I dislike so.



Late afternoon after we left the meeting and I got back to St Pancas for theb35 minute high speed trip back to my Station n, the weather had turned decidedly worse.





I will be honest, I had planned on taking the Blazer for a drive tonight but it will have to wait for tomorrow.

Armistice day

11/11,18


Looking forward to driving this truck and feeling it’s new constitution

[Grizz1963]

Yup

Its not a project.

Becoming more than that now.

Becoming fun.

Looking to see if there are any modern estates, 4x4’s like Pajero, Shogun, Discovery etc that has a set of roofracks I can rob off it.

This is where it could be headed.




Any advice or pointers appreciated.

Thank you.

[Palf70Step]

Very clean look Rian. I have always liked that color combo.