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

[Grizz1963]

In the ongoing introduction to the truck and all its woe's

Because I post on a variety of forums, from trains, planes and automobiles to teardrop trailers, so stuff may not be of interest to all, but I cannot write entries for every forum, so here goes.

Tonight I am posting the main dings and dents to the trim.

Right, some idiot, at some point had obviously locked themselves out of the truck, and then proceeded to try enter through the quarter light with the help of a crowbar. With the repaint 9 years ago the mirror was relocated and the holes filled with chewing gum, maybe.... The quarterlight rubber seals as rotten too, fortunately the front and rear screen seals are good.



Next up, passenger door flipped open by wind and put a crease all the way down, taking the shiny trim with it.

Not particularly repairable in my book.



Front spear passenger side.



Passenger side door and cab trim.



Fleetside rear passenger side. Inbetween the trim there used to a sticker and some idiot removed it with a screwdriver or knife, damaging the paint.
You can see how the paint has been damaged.






Driver side, some of the trim had been bent over and pushed back.



Front grille had been struck at some point over the second "E" and repaired with a ballpein hammer.
The grille is very scratched from some "attention" it had been given in the past.



There is rust on the trailing edges of the fenders that needs repairing and a variety of other bits to be fixed when the paint gets done.

More later.

[Grizz1963]

And a few more from the farm

















Just goes to show, this is one photogenic truck.

Despite the flaws, it is going to be good when I am done with it.

Looking forward to it evolving with Nicola and I.

[McMurphy]

Just the fact that the English folk even acknowledge the American Holiday of the 4th of July and all that it signifies piques my curiosity.
I find that interesting and would enjoy hearing more of it.

Having been abroad, I am aware of how Americans and the US are perceived, and none of them help celebrate our independence....

I finally have all the parts of that silly PS pump for you!
I wish the gear box was not so painfully weighty to send to you, as I have a spare one of those as well !!

What took so long was that I realized I had removed the belt pully from the front of the pump, and had to do a bit of searching to locate it for you.

Sadly I do not have the specific bracket you will need for your engine style.
Perhaps someone else on the board has one they dont need....

Should know shipping for you tomorrow, if I manage to not endure a crazy day at work that is....


Good looking truck, it photographs very well indeed

[Ta2Don]

Originally Posted by McMurphy

Just the fact that the English folk even acknowledge the American Holiday of the 4th of July and all that it signifies piques my curiosity.
I find that interesting and would enjoy hearing more of it.

Good looking truck, it photographs very well indeed

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

Well Michael, Don..... I think that there are people who love Country music ( my wife included) and people who love Rap, Rock n Roll or Death Metal.
So people will allign themselves appropriately and wear a Stetson in the UK rain or black eye liner at a Megadeath concert.

With the whole American car/truck hobby here, we will try to immerse ourselves in the culture.
Think about it, if we did not have America as an idependant, you would all be like the British ( need I say more?)

I think it is a great thing, and like many Americans who like their Irish roots or English Queen, we should always celebrate your success.

If I rode a Harley, I would probably have all the silly kit, rather than actually riding the bloody thing. I often feel like an idiot when touring on my 1200 GS wearing the protective suit, but it makes me feel 2% safer.

The answer is really much longer than a quick thread entry on a forum thread.

I can also only speak for myself as I am an "Imported Brit" being South African, we do celebrate peoples successes and joys.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Grizz1963]

TONIGHT'S TRICK QUESTION....

When I bought the truck it had just had a full roadworthiness test, which included the headlights.
On the day we looked, the seller proudly wanted to show me the lights which had historically failed from time to time, but always came back on when he fiddled with the dim/bright switch.
On Saturday they refused to work and still do.

Ideas, tips etc????

Do I teplace parts outright or are there logical yrouble shooting to be done?
Posted via Mobile Device

[R_W]

If the harness is all original, here are some things to try:

Right around the radiator there is a 3 wire plug, it's to the left of this red wire nut, make sure it is in good



Make sure the firewall connectors are in good



And if none of that works, take the three wires going into the foot switch and try a direct short like the switch would do, to see if the switch is faulty. I don't have a diagram in front of me, so you'll have to figure that part...


Posted via Mobile Device
Posted via Mobile Device

[bj383ss]

Rian. The switches are really cheap. On my switch the low beam side was out so I just wired it directly and they worked. So i knew the switch was bad. Can you buy this type of part in the uk. Or do you have to order it?

Bret
Posted via Mobile Device

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by R_W

If the harness is all original, here are some things to try:

Right around the radiator there is a 3 wire plug, it's to the left of this red wire nut, make sure it is in good



Make sure the firewall connectors are in good



And if none of that works, take the three wires going into the foot switch and try a direct short like the switch would do, to see if the switch is faulty. I don't have a diagram in front of me, so you'll have to figure that part...


Posted via Mobile Device
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks RW, will check it out over the weekend.

Originally Posted by bj383ss

Rian. The switches are really cheap. On my switch the low beam side was out so I just wired it directly and they worked. So i knew the switch was bad. Can you buy this type of part in the uk. Or do you have to order it?

Bret
Posted via Mobile Device

Hi Brett, I have not investigated yet, but suspect one can source them at a premium, so I will probably source from the USA once I have investigated,

It may just be a connection.

[Grizz1963]

Short report tonight.

Spent the day reading clinical papers, summarizing them and did some other studying and online training.

Postman had dropped of a 8000 pound capacity towball today, it has a 32mm stem, so now I need to have the hole in the bumper enlarged to fit it.
Thanks to mate Tim for sending it.





I have also bought a pre-wired plug to fit on Saturday with Scott "Jabbo" doing all the actual work.






By 19.30 I had had dinner (thanks Nicola) and then sneaked out to the garage for some "Wax on, Wax off" action to help me unwind a bit.

Took the truck out and before I parked it, Mickey was there..... he loves the truck.

On the front bumper I used Wenol metal polish on the right, then mate Jon took a pic showing the left a bit dull.
This convinced me to take of the number plate to clean up properly at least once.



Left side not yet polished, it all came up really well, also did the front grille and rear bumper. Satisfied with the results of my efforts.



After this I took my time and polished up the Chrome smoothies..... thought they were clean, polish proved me wrong.

Next up I used Autoglym tyre/tire polish for the tyres.

Before tyre polish but after rims were done.






Couple of pics to show size perspective of the truck, in relation to my daily Audi A3 for those who are interested.






Next to Nicola's Peugeot 1007




Truck now ready for 4th of July tomorrow :beer:

[McMurphy]

Well Happy 4th of July over there across the big pond, hope you are enjoying all the attention I am certain your truck is getting !!

Here is what I dropped into the mail for you yesterday:




That is the pump, pully, a pressure line I had detailed for my build but did not need (you will still need the return line from the PS gearbox to the pump), and a baffled/flanged cap. Sorry they are a tad dusty, they got rained on in the back of my truck and I did not have a cloth to wipe them off with...
I did send as "gift" and marked the item worth as only $7 US, so hopefully that will be good enough to get them past any tariffs on your end !!

Enjoy, and glad I could help !!!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by McMurphy

Well Happy 4th of July over there across the big pond, hope you are enjoying all the attention I am certain your truck is getting !!

Here is what I dropped into the mail for you yesterday:

Attachment 1128909


That is the pump, pully, a pressure line I had detailed for my build but did not need (you will still need the return line from the PS gearbox to the pump), and a baffled/flanged cap. Sorry they are a tad dusty, they got rained on in the back of my truck and I did not have a cloth to wipe them off with...
I did send as "gift" and marked the item worth as only $7 US, so hopefully that will be good enough to get them past any tariffs on your end !!

Enjoy, and glad I could help !!!

Hey Michael, Happy 4th of July to all of you over there from us over here.

Just got in from the meeting, 23.00 here.

I am busy uploading 106 photos I took, but will post them in the general section with a link to here for people to go see.

There will be loads of cars you guys do not know.....


Thank you so much for sending the parts.

Please send me a PM or email, text with your Paypal details and the cost, then I will drop the postage money in for you ASAP.

I was looking in the engine bay yesterday evening with Mickey from Next door and he asked me where the pump went......

I would say there were over 120 cars tonight, I did not photograph all of them.

Very good turnout for an event that does not exist.

[McMurphy]

No money needed sir, if we must, then call it an early Christmas!
I am certain that somewhere, somehow, you will pass the kindness along, and Karma will be as satisfied as I am!

I just wish the gearbox was not so heavy, else I would send you my spare one of those as well.

[Ta2Don]

Hoping you got to see a Morris or two, and the old school Minis are cool too!
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[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

Hoping you got to see a Morris or two, and the old school Minis are cool too!
Posted via Mobile Device

Your wish will be granted later tonight Don.
There were no pretty Morris cars but a couple of radically chopped ones.
The Minis were a lot better represented.

I have a teleconference at 09.00 then its off to London by train for the day.
Tonight I have 6 weeks worth of expenses to do.

Tomorrow a friend is over to help me wire the trailer plug and see if we can find the fault with the headlights.

So your pics will get posted, just not sure when.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by McMurphy

No money needed sir, if we must, then call it an early Christmas!
I am certain that somewhere, somehow, you will pass the kindness along, and Karma will be as satisfied as I am!

I just wish the gearbox was not so heavy, else I would send you my spare one of those as well.

Thanks again Michael, I always say Karma is a *****, but I love her.
I have no doubt she will be getting her fair share.

Know what you mean regarding the gearbox. Pity someone is not flying over emptyhanded. What do they weigh?

Our postage is quite exhorbitant over here and sometimes I just have to turn a blind eye when posting out stuff.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Grizz1963]

After work yesterday I raced about and took the truck, with Mickey my neighbour down to a local industrial estate to see if we could get the hole for the towball enlarged.

I had spoken to an engineering shop already who said bring it in after work, but he insisted we go try an old friend he had not seen a few years.

Got to where Raj had his shop before ..... Nothing. Turns out he moved a few years ago to much bigger premises less than a kilometer away.

Got there and the big guy was not there but "the boys" were impressed by the truck and prepared to give it a go (This is now after hours and Raj allows them to earn "a drink" (English term for a few pounds for a small odd job off the books, a bit like a tip)

Out came the Mag drill and some clamps along with a bit of 10mm steel plate. The drill has a strong electro magnet that allows it to effectively clamp onto the job and work as a pillar drill. With Mickey applying the cutting compound we soon had a 40mm hole for the 32mm bolt to fit through, yes I know, but a couple of heavy duty washers will sort that out. Everything still fits correctly.



Many hands make light work.



At this point Raj came back from a job site into the shop and if Mickey was a puppy he would have peed all over Raj's feet. They obviously have good friendship that has stood the test of time.

I gave the main operator £20 for a "drink" which he was very happy with. I believe in fairness and this will allow me to go back another day with some niggly job.


Job done.

[Grizz1963]

And a clip of the job being done.

I do love a good tool.

Grizz's Redneck Express Towball fitting. - YouTube

Still got no idea how to post these things so the pic shows, lets see if this works.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

Hoping you got to see a Morris or two, and the old school Minis are cool too!
Posted via Mobile Device

Writing up the thread now, will post a link when I am finished.....

But in the mean time, just for you Don.

[Grizz1963]

4th July Photos from Car show in England......

Please click the link.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...45#post6158045


Trust you guys like the "weirdness" from over here.

[Grizz1963]

Well I had Scott "Jabbo" over here today, he got called out to work last night, so had a quick few hours sleep this morning and then came over by 13.00

Scott had wired up the Grizz-Pod Teardrop Trailer a few years ago for me, I had a regular light board which he then wired up to the Taxi cab lights I fitted to the rear.

When it cam to wiring the truck for Euro lighting, I contacted Scott to ask if he was up for a bit of abuse..... to which he thankfully agreed.

I had cut and broken some of the driveway this morning and mixed a batch of concrete to redo the bits I had removed, just wrapping up when he got here.

Soon we had the truck out, and this was the view.



I decided to mount the plug under the load body, behind the bumper for looks and also to keep it safely tucked out of harms way, so this as the result.

My mate Peter "Goose" with whom I traveled in Europe on our bikes last year and his wife came down for an evening BBQ and sleep over as they wanted to join us for bootfair in the morning.

We found via Vernier caliper that the US Spec 2" chromed towball is about 1/2mm bigger than the UK Spec 50mm towball.

So he suggested stripping back the chrome to get it to fit securely into the trailer hitch.

Some time spent in the woodwork shed, gently sanding the ball on my linisher left us with a perfect fitting union.



Of course we needed to get some photos.






Scott and his family had recently moved to a new house and behind the shed he found this......

Seems I have a spare wheel rim now. Just need to get a tyre onto it. Thanks Buddy.

Next up I will clean and refurbish the rim.



That's all for now folks.

Bootfair in the morning.

[Grizz1963]

Right, went to bootfair this morning with some friends who slept over last night.
Got lots of bits n bobs.

Then right at the end, last stall, there was a steel trunk.

Asked the price..... Got it for £10.00

Been looking for a trunk to bolt into the rear of the truck to act as seat at shows, safe box for tools, jack etc and another bit of "personal decoration" to add.

Brought it home and now have to decide what route to go.

Outside is completely rusted on the surface.
Inside has been painted at some point.
It also has "The Times of India" from 4th of July 1945 stuck in the bottom, fairly messed up, but we want to protect or keep it in there.

Advice needed please How do I keep the interior with the paper stuck to it in one piece and what way is the best for the outside?

My thoughts are clear varnish inside and clear lacquer on the outside with some pinstriping later when I can afford to have it done.

Latches are all brass.

[McMurphy]

Rian, I think I would plexiglass that back wall, and the bottom, with some clear silicon sealer to prevent any moisture getting to that paper again.

The outside.... man I would leave it exactly as it is because that rust looks too cool; except I would spray with rust inhibitor, and then clear coat it.

Just my two shillings worth

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by McMurphy

Rian, I think I would plexiglass that back wall, and the bottom, with some clear silicon sealer to prevent any moisture getting to that paper again.

The outside.... man I would leave it exactly as it is because that rust looks too cool; except I would spray with rust inhibitor, and then clear coat it.

Just my two shillings worth

Good call Michael.

I am also going to investigate some resin type coatings.

The outside will still need some investigating.

[Grizz1963]

Really nice update tonight.

I wrote a generic letter to all the previous "owners" addresses I could find in the trucks history file.

Got a lovely email and a couple of pics from the previous to previous owner tonight.
Another step in the direction of creating and documenting a more comprehensive history of the trucks life.

I was wondering about maybe looking to see if I could contact it's last American owner too.

Here is a copy and paste of the email I got.

Hi Rian,
Congratulations!! You are the owner of one badass truck! I sold it to Rob over a year ago to answer a calling I've had for a looooong time to get tasked into some vintage stuff (check the link to see see what I'm smoking around in these days)
http://www.vhra.co.uk/VHRA/Members/P...im_ORegan.html
I bought the truck off a chap called Mark in Hastings around four years ago - he a Scavenger and plays bass in a few rockin' bands. He bought it off a chap in St Leonards who was the first UK owner. I gave all the import papers to Rob when I sold it but I think it's been over here about 8-10 years.
I had the trans rebuilt and swapped the dreadful slot mags it came with for the chrome smoothies it has now. The stickers on the back window were not my doing, you'll have to blame Rob for that although I did plant a couple on the glovebox and the rear window corners. The paintjob was an American lash up using truck paint - shame they rushed it but the colour's pretty cool nonetheless. The chopper guy you refer to in your letter is indeed me although I only carried bikes on the odd occasion as I prefer to ride 'em. Got a Triumph T140V based ride at the moment. Attached are a couple photos I took of the truck while I had it. Are you heading to the Hayride at the end of the month? I'd love to see the old girl again.
All the best,
Tim






I really love the setting and tone of these two pics.