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

[Larry64]

If we don't have dreams of what is to come, we will grow old & have moss on our north side.

[Palf70Step]

Neat looking ride. You don't see many old Pontiacs around. Short of the Chevy tri5 Nomads, I never have and probably never will be a station wagon man. Guess it just makes mefeel older than I already am.

Hope you get to feeling better Rian and good luck on getting the truck back going too. I am here for whatever ride you take us on!!!!

[flashed]

Me too. If that wagon was over here I would be all over it .

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by realvc

Really nice looking wagon. Sorry things did not work out with it.

I know we can never have too many vehicles. Bomp is my hero with all those trucks and even a Camaro in the rafters.

It is always fun to look and dream though.

Life is life.

Reason for everything.

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

Decisions can be tough! Glad you enjoyed your day nonetheless!!!

Road trips always rock with me.....

Originally Posted by Larry64

If we don't have dreams of what is to come, we will grow old & have moss on our north side.

Very true.

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Neat looking ride. You don't see many old Pontiacs around. Short of the Chevy tri5 Nomads, I never have and probably never will be a station wagon man. Guess it just makes mefeel older than I already am.

Hope you get to feeling better Rian and good luck on getting the truck back going too. I am here for whatever ride you take us on!!!!

Still coughing and spluttering.

It's a nasty one this one, or am I getting old?

Originally Posted by flashed

Me too. If that wagon was over here I would be all over it .

Hope to find something interesting soon.

[clemdaddy]

I'm also thinking the time is right for a cruising car. Something big and comfortable and safe. Something that would make road trips more fun. Funny we're both looking for the same thing at the same time.

Good luck with your search and I'll let you know if I have any.

[Bomp]

Seems like the both of you (Grizz & Clemdaddy) need Crew Cabs.

[mjh1965]

Originally Posted by Bomp

Seems like the both of you (Grizz & Clemdaddy) need Crew Cabs.

That or counselling .
Only joking . I use my estate or station wagon , as you guys in the states call them , all the time with the truck off the road .

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

I'm also thinking the time is right for a cruising car. Something big and comfortable and safe. Something that would make road trips more fun. Funny we're both looking for the same thing at the same time.

Good luck with your search and I'll let you know if I have any.

Thanks Clem.

You know me, I think I just need something to keep me busy.

Originally Posted by Bomp

Seems like the both of you (Grizz & Clemdaddy) need Crew Cabs.

Yuuuuuup...!!

Originally Posted by mjh1965

That or counselling .
Only joking . I use my estate or station wagon , as you guys in the states call them , all the time with the truck off the road .

You certainly use it as a load Luger.

[Grizz1963]

Still coughing and spluttering, but a lot better.

Had my birthday on the 17th, sat in a business meeting all day in Reading, 100 miles from home.

On the way home I decided to pop in at Miss Katy for dinner and a quick visit.
Scrambled egg, toast and a pile of Scottish smoked salmon...... perfect.

Katy had bought me a nice shirt, some Digestive biscuits and a pair of very pretty cuff links for work.

Can you tell what it is yet?



Sweet girl had also baked me a lovely cake for my birthday, we had some after dinner and the rest came home.

Last night and tonight the House Ninja and I had some too.



Yesterday a card was left by the postal courier service that a parcel had been attempted to deliver, I could go collect at a post office.

So today I came home early from London and got to the Post Office at 4.45 which was too late, thankfully it is in a corner shop, and the lady behind the counter took my deliver card, checked it through and handed it over.

Parcel from the USA.......

Buddy Jeff Scheu had a bit of a clear out and wanted to send me some plates for my collection and a T-Shirt.

Thank you very much for everything mate.




In the mean time, despite feeling rubbish, I have been looking at Chevy S10 trucks.

There are the 2.2 litre four cylinder models, 200k km on average, and then some 4.3 litre V6 trucks.

Typically the one I liked best, is 980km from here.........

So now it's spinning in my head, do I do a road trip and fetch it, or find a transporter to bring it here, or at least closer.

Of course when you read the internet via Google, it seems the 2.2 is not the best option.

Great.

And then I still need to find a decent lodger too, as my house ninja has given notice for end January.

[ibrown50]

Happy Birthday Rian

[flashed]

Happy Birthday from me too Ryan.

[Larry64]

Happy belated birthday. Two bears hugging. That lady is a keeper.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by ibrown50

Happy Birthday Rian

Thanks Ian, good to speak to you the other day too.

Thanks for the advice......... "Spend it.....!! "

Originally Posted by flashed

Happy Birthday from me too Ryan.

Thank you very much mate.

Originally Posted by Larry64

Happy belated birthday. Two bears hugging. That lady is a keeper.

Two bears hugging indeed, I thought that was special and very sweet.



So with my chest still beating me up, not much has happened outside.
I find that if I go from hot to cold or back, I end up with a hacking cough for 10-15 minutes.
So indoors it has been, with random stuff, but nothing worth reporting.

The last two weeks have been bloody cold too, and of course I work in London by train and some walks plus waiting on platforms, and being a contractor, I cannot take time off sick as that just perfect for thenknob type in management to see when they reduce the size of teams. And with my House Ninja, the Lodger moving out this week, I am needing to keep a job and paying the mortgage even more desperately than ever.........

So going to work, this is what my car said a few days last week, along with delayed trains byup to 40 minutes, meaning I am standing around on platforms etc.....



The only benefit is a few lovely sunrises.



I did go see my GP this week on an unrelated adult type proble, but of course could not see him for my chest or back that has been killing me too, the photo explains why I think they are king sized d1cks.



Of course while I cannot go out to the garage etc, and to be honest, working in an open, uninsulated blockworkmgarage would be 90% unpleasant, there has been a lot of stuff spinning around in my head, as you will know from various questions I have asked on various forums and threads.

I probably can't afford to do any of this stuff till I have a lodger in again to help fill the hole in my wallet and mortgage payments........

But Hey-Ho.........!!!

This is how we go !!

Something I would really love to build in the style of a Rally Support vehicle that can be a parts carrier and also backup to not having a personal car (company cars don't count as they are tools with logbooks and get monitored)

If only I could find a cheap one that was mechanically sound and roadworthy, they do go badly wrong.

Thanks to Jan, "TurboDieselWeasel" for a load of information and help on this, as well and many guys on various forums.

This is certainly still viable.




The next automotive sleepless night creator was the newer Chevy S10 trucks.

Uncommon in the U.K., and not that popular here, but. I have more plentiful in Europe, especially Germany and Holland.

Here ZXRob came to the rescue from Germany as well, and as he has one too, it seemed the right guy to ask.

His thread here: http://retrorides.proboards.com/thre...chevy-s10-pick

So he shared some info with me on trucks for sale.

Now I don't know the real benefit of having a 2.2liter four versus a 4.3liter V6 other than more power is always nice.

The 2.2 must be cheaper to run, and 4.3 more fun, for me it would or should never be a daily, so consumption, unless stupidly high, is not an issue, and road tax in the U.K. Is probably the same for both too............??

I like Feetside truck more than Stepsides from a practical point of view, and in these S10 trucks the X-Tra cab or King cab is perfect as it give a bit of secure space for stuff and the occasional extra passengers.

Input on these S10 trucks appreciated.........

Any advice on longevity of the 2.2 vs 4.3 , rust, spares etc all appreciated.

This Red 2000 model King Cab Stepside 2.2 with 120ps or 90KW really appealed to me, some cosmetic damage to the paint, it just looked awesome, except a 980mile or 1600km road trip plus flights for two to fetch it would be necessary, as I would probably have to take mymate Craig along and do a one hit drive back to the UK, unless I had it ferried back here in a transporter, you don't want to break down in winter with a brand new 17 year old truck in a foreign country now do you?







Of course in a world where sh1t goes wrong, my heating died this week too, I am on bottled gas, being rural, and we can never prove it, but it is known that the delivery guys deliver half bottles or even empties in order to build up their own stock of full ones to sell on the side at mates rates etc.........

This is the second time I have had 5 weeks out of 4 x 47kg bottles.

Anyway, the house has been freezing and I left an electric heater on for Harley every day and at night I had the fire on, with her down there with e on her fluffy blanket, then charging up to bed and in the morning showering fast (thankfully I have an electric power shower in my bathroom)

Since the bottles were replaced on Thursday the boiler has been playing up too, and I had the engineer out twice, still not fully resolved but let's see what this week brings. I am at Miss Katy for the weekend and her home is always toasty and hot.





Lastly, seen outside her parents house yeaterday, Imthpught this caption kind of summed it all up, even though things seem a bit slippery right now.



Off to B&Q in a bit to buy some tools for her home, she needs pictures up etc, and I cannot be bothered carting my tools over here at weekends.

Surely every girl needs a good drill??

[Palf70Step]

I have owned only 1 2.2L GM 4 and it was decent. I know around here there are a bunch with a bunch of miles. The 4.3 though are super engines. I have had several (all in full size trucks not the S10) and love them. The earlier years, like the one you looked at, will probably need new injector spider, but other than that they seem to be a good 200-250,000 mile motor. With the 2.2, you will barely get out of anyone's way though. Solid dependable DD, but very little oomph.

[Chevy Apache]

I've had four or five s10 trucks 2.8 not that bad fuel,
Still got 2 lol .
Good luck with the search there are over here just finding them as always when you're looking for there never around.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I have owned only 1 2.2L GM 4 and it was decent. I know around here there are a bunch with a bunch of miles. The 4.3 though are super engines. I have had several (all in full size trucks not the S10) and love them. The earlier years, like the one you looked at, will probably need new injector spider, but other than that they seem to be a good 200-250,000 mile motor. With the 2.2, you will barely get out of anyone's way though. Solid dependable DD, but very little oomph.

Sounds like the V6 is the way to go.

Originally Posted by Chevy Apache

I've had four or five s10 trucks 2.8 not that bad fuel,
Still got 2 lol .
Good luck with the search there are over here just finding them as always when you're looking for there never around.

Not much in the UK.

[clemdaddy]

How is the alternate vehicle search going? I think that the S-10 is a good idea, they're just not roomy enough for me. I'm thinking a big station wagon like you found before, something comfortable on road trips.

Spring weather is starting to show up here in the Ozarks. It's a perfect time to hit the junkyards… no bugs or snakes yet.

Hope springtime weather comes to merry ol' England soon. And hope your congestion has cleared up.

[JJ's Sierra Grande]

we just sold our 01 gmc Sonoma extended cab fleet side long box,(gmc equivalent to S10) only because the wife slid it into a guard rail three weeks ago on ice and took out the front end. I fixed it all 7 years ago when she slid into the neighbours fence on ice (lol) but had to say no to this time as it would not have made sense to invest the amount in repair parts. However, it had the 4.3 and I had no complaints with it whenever I would borrow it as far as power is concerned. the only thing to watch for is the bottom of the doors tend to rust out. That could be more so over here because they put so much salt on the roads in winter but definitely an area to look at for problems. As far as interior room, i'm six feet and 250lb and it wasn't that bad. You guys are all used to compacts over there anyway so it probably would do just fine.lol good luck.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

How is the alternate vehicle search going? I think that the S-10 is a good idea, they're just not roomy enough for me. I'm thinking a big station wagon like you found before, something comfortable on road trips.

Spring weather is starting to show up here in the Ozarks. It's a perfect time to hit the junkyards… no bugs or snakes yet.

Hope springtime weather comes to merry ol' England soon. And hope your congestion has cleared up.

Thanks for checking in Clem.

Never even sat in an S-10 but believe it would be fine.

Originally Posted by JJ's Sierra Grande

we just sold our 01 gmc Sonoma extended cab fleet side long box,(gmc equivalent to S10) only because the wife slid it into a guard rail three weeks ago on ice and took out the front end. I fixed it all 7 years ago when she slid into the neighbours fence on ice (lol) but had to say no to this time as it would not have made sense to invest the amount in repair parts. However, it had the 4.3 and I had no complaints with it whenever I would borrow it as far as power is concerned. the only thing to watch for is the bottom of the doors tend to rust out. That could be more so over here because they put so much salt on the roads in winter but definitely an area to look at for problems. As far as interior room, i'm six feet and 250lb and it wasn't that bad. You guys are all used to compacts over there anyway so it probably would do just fine.lol good luck.

Checked insurance today and over 20 year old is cheaper, regardless of engine size, so it may be older model 4.3




Quick update for those who still follow on here.

Friday I went in early to my GP practice to get some bloods drawn for prostate testing, however, not sure why the needed so many tubes.
The lady who did my bloods was possibly the best phlebotomist I have ever come across.
She also heard my chest when I coughed and suggested I make an appointment for the afternoon, which I did.
This resulted in antibiotics and a GP telling me I should look after myself better.



When I got home, Tony my plumber, sparky and general handyman had been in to service my heating system again, draining it and replacing some switch gear in the boiler.

He sent a pic of the inside of some of the pipe work, no wonder the system was not firing up properly



On Friday night we had real heating, what a pleasure.

Saturday was booked to replace the carpeting in both my lodger bedroom and the main bedroom as I chose 6 years ago when we moved in here, not to replace those carpets as there was too much furniture to move about.
Of course in the mean time prices have gone up and now was going to be the right time with no lodger, I could move furniture around etc.

Miss Katy had come over as well for her weekend to help move stuff and to drive the bucket and mop as well as the Polish and duster cloth.

So by 09.30 Shane, who had carpeted the rest of the house over the last 6 years, was here with a 80% wool blend carpet and some new 15 year guaranteed under felt.

I had volunteered to help him not just make the tea.

Shane reversed up my drive.



Lodgers room floor, house built in 1921.





Final result of £720.00 worth of work, very satisfied.




Also been chatting with Dennis in St Louis, Missouri. This week he has been building and painting this truck.

One of the nicest ones in my opinion.

On its way now to Kansas City for a Car show.



Almost got a Hot Wheels feel to it.




Really looking forward to my chest getting well after 5 weeks now, as I have a load of little jobs to get on with.

Later guys.

[flashed]

Rian ,I hope your PSA results are better than mine were and hope you get over that Chest stuff ,feel better soon.

[Palf70Step]

Hope tests come out well and you get rid of that crud.

[65sub]

I hope all goes well for you Rian.

[aggie91]

Hope you get thru that chest cold soon. That Dracula band for the phlebotomist to use is a hoot! It always surprises me as to how many vials of blood they take for testing. I go every six months for screening on a few items, 5-6 vials each time...

[Grizz1963]

Thanks guys.

Well, this bloody chest thing has changed direction again.

The antibiotics reduced some of the coughing, made my phleghm dark, thick and nasty for a couple of days, now tonight my face hurts, eyes are sore and a new, different cough has been at me all day.

Of course we have also had a week of even colder nights and days forecast, which when you are out on a station platform at 07.00 in the morning, does you no favours.

Today my work day started at 07.30 an hour from home.

When I came back to my car in the car park 7 hrs later, someone had managed to park their car next to it and leave afterwards, in the time it was there, using Braille as the method of entry and exit.......

WT actual F ???

Of course the people managing the carpark for the hospital will not share any video surveillance as there is a sign showing they take no responsibility.

So now I will have a no fault claim against my name for the repair. Hardly visible on the photo, but of course some paint missing and scuffing. The lease company crucifies us for damage as well...... so really pi$$€d off.

Wish I could do something unpleasant to the dipchit who did it.

First question the insurance girl asked me was if the car has parking sensors...... seriously.

Second question....... have you been on a driver awareness course.

Of course the answer is yes to both, but REALLY ????? What has it got to do with my car being hit in a carpark in my absence.

You can hardly see the damage in the pics, yet scuffs are quite deep on the wheel arch and some paint missing.



Note my parking of the car, so really leaving a lot of space to get another in.......



Some people really should not be allowed to breed.

[Grizz1963]

Valentines came and went.

I hate Valentines, along with all the other commercial days that business exploits.

Miss Katy loves Valentines.
So I discovered a parcel in my office after she left on Sunday. Bugggerrr!!
Forced my hand.
So on Monday after my business meeting at Heathrow Airport, I took her flowers at work in a 30mile detour.
Thankfully it made her blush in front of her staff (she is a unit matron in a plastic surgery hospital. Google Guneapigs of WW2)

When I opened the prezzies, she had hit the nail on the head. Perfect for a laugh. All I needed. Nothing serious.



Had my car collected by body shop this morning.

They left me this little Nissan Micra.

Should be interesting.




In the mean time I have been looking at this this week.

May go look at it tomorrow morning early.

http://retrorides.proboards.com/thre...ngo-multispace

Fingers crossed it is half decent.