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

[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.

[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.

[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

[Palf70Step]

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

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

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

I do too.

However, Green is king.

Sunday.

Remembrance Sunday, and to me a serious business. Having served too, I do remember those no longer with us, those who,paid the greatest price so that I can live a good and easy life.

Because I worked yesterday my weekend was a bit short, so I had lots to do.

Starting with another bad nights sleep, I ended up doing loads today.

Bringing the truck up from the garage, the plan was to tint the windows and then head for town, but they were more complex as you need a five armed monkey to hold, stretch and apply the film when there is a breeze out like today.



Cleaning the inside window glass, I realised the whole thing needed a wash.



I also found evidence of a previous tint in the rear.



Quick wash, still took quite a while.






Another observation.

I need to find a replacement headlight, this one works but the milky glass does not appeal to me.



What it should look like, other side.



Once the car was washed, I took it down the tight drive.




And first time it was out of the property since I bought it and Lee delivered it.

Confrontation?





I was headed up to the farm to get a few decent photos......

We like a nice photo, don’t we?

Before alignment time.

[Grizz1963]

So I went up to the farm to see if I could get some nice pics that justified the truck for what it really is.

Not as bad as I have made it out.

I do not think this truck has ever been in an accident and all the panels seem to be straighter than one could expect from a 40year old.






I had removed the license plate whe. I started to look at getting the Towbar made up.

It was held in place by two rusty panel screws, one broke off in the backing plate, the other came out, so I just taped it in the rear window.



Thames river in the background.



From the farm I headed toward Rochester......

Of course stopping in for some fuel.



Then a drive down the bypass motorway to get a good feel for the handling.

It weaved lightly,and drew to the right all the time.

[Grizz1963]

Had MOT booked as first customer in this morning.

I was going to use the same station that gave it last years certificate.

(Did not realise it had changed ownership in the mean time)

I was there early and got attacked by the shop cat while looking at the Toyota Camry the owner has for sale.

The cat was insistent and just lovely.




So when the station opened, the truck went in and we started, lights, hooter, indicators eyc.

When the tester entered the Registration and VIN number into his computer he cross referenced the VIN number on the truck......

OOOOPPPSS.

SERIOUSLY ??

He was on the phone etc trying to find a way to test tbe truck.

Ultimately though......








So now I have sent a letter, photos, previous MOT certificate, V5c document to the DVLA.

Now the waiting begins.

More later.

[Grizz1963]

Yesterday was not a great day, and my day job has me a bit stressed at the moment too. Probably not ideal to discuss work and opinions in a public forum.

So at about 5.45 I am on the computer at home (we work from home) doing some admin, when the doorbell rings, and I think it’s Mickey coming to borrow some eggs or a cup of sugar.

Go downstairs and it is the local postman, delivering an international parcel that he had left a collection car for at 13.40 earlier in the day.

He had a flat wheel 4 miles up the road, and been delayed by two hours on his return journey, so when he drove past my house and saw the lights on downstairs, he turned around and came to deliver my parcel and get the signature on his tracking gadget.

THAT IS SERVICE.

I continued with my admin and then looked it over, and opened the parcel.

From Russia with Love.

Well, actually from Siberia.

Sent by Stas, who I got to know on Garage Journal https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/...d.php?t=376409






Covering letter says it all.



And then the item he sent me.....

A chopping board, perfect for the smoked and dry sausage we sometimes have here with our BBQ or when visiting.

I am absolutely stunned, again at the generosity of people, thank you Stas !




After the day I had had and the emails that had landed (a few more landed by 10pm that had me pi$$€d off) the next photo is of me, truely losing it completely with laughter.
I could not stop for a few minutes........

It’s a rare thing to laugh uncontrollably these days, and had thee been a drink in my office, it would have been all over the computer.



Stas had printed off and included for my pleasure, a photo of his beautiful wife, Katya, who happens to be a lawyer in Siberia.

I could not have been more surprised.

Katya is a legend in Stas’ garage thread on GJ and well loved and respected by the guys on there, like Harley my cat, she makes occasional appearances to brighten the days of this who are interested.

I give you Katya.



And all together now.




Funny how a bad day can end so good, thanks to another person on the other side of the world.

I chatted with Stas on WhatsApp overnight, and he is currently working in China.

Tough life ehhh.

Headed to London again today.

[ibrown50]

By absolute coincidence I had DVLA issues with my Blazer, they insisted it should go for an HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) test as opposed to an MOT, I had to take it to an inspection centre so they could satisfy themselves it wasn’t an 18 wheeler

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by ibrown50

By absolute coincidence I had DVLA issues with my Blazer, they insisted it should go for an HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) test as opposed to an MOT, I had to take it to an inspection centre so they could satisfy themselves it wasn’t an 18 wheeler

Thanks for the reply Ian.

It will be interesting to see how this one turns out.




Cold, wet, foggy and dark outside.

So not a lot that I can do to the Blazer, but I still went and sat in it.

Messed with the radio, that I have not touched yet and sat and took stock of little jobs that will need doing.



Need. To make up a complete new roof liner.



And will be on the lookout fot trim that surrounds the radio too.




In other news, Dennis sent me a bunch of pics, seems they had up to 8” of snow overnight.

Of course in England a National disaster would be announced




All this may be pretty, but when you work for yourself, it sucks.



Bedtime.

[Grizz1963]

So my day started earlier than I would have liked, but in exchange I got to collect the centre caps for the truck.

Did some laundry, single life rocks.... ermmm maybe.

Got out by 10am and chatted to Mickey next door for about half an hour, then got the cars swapped around, started the truck up and reversed it down to the garage.

First jonpb to do as to mark and drill some holes in the license plate backing plate, get some nuts and bolts to attach said number plate.

I wanted to mount it up high against the top of the rear bumper.

Got that done, ensuring maximum space for when the Towbar gets fixed in there.



Remember in the engin bay, the radiator shroud was missing, as it had been removed and not replaced and subsequently thrown away by a previous owner.
Then I found one to but over in Essex, including cost of fetching it, as £25.00

So having undone the top radiator hose and removed it, I managed to wriggle it into place over the fixed fan. Slipping it into the S-clips,I also had to move the lower hose Jubilee clip to allow the shroud in.
For the top fixing, it was two tims of nuts and bolts. Allowing me to find pieces that fit into the look, and the right size.

The two top corner fixings took forever to seat and get to grip, and my sausage shaped fingers could not get in to hold it all in place.



Fixed.



After seeing @Disasterbus success with his air filter and aluminium foil, I thought it prudent to try the same method on mine.

Starting here......



Removed.






Halfway there.



Resulting in this.




Back in place, far from perfect, but certainly improved.

[Grizz1963]

So.....

WINDOW TINTING.

Make sure you select the right shade.

I went for 35% and should have gone to 70%

Too late now, as it’s done.

Under £10.00




Going to try keep it short.

Mate Kevin came over from Maidstone in his absolutely envy provoking chipped, lowered and pimped out VW Van.




Cut the tinting film to size on the outside of the glass, keeping in mind, there is a sticky, or outside, side.



Once trimmed to size, move to the inside of the vehicle, spray the glass wet, as well as the tint film once you remove the backing sheet.
Slide into position, squeegee all the water out while getting it smooth.



Many hands, octopus and all that.



Repeat prep.



I also used a heat gun to help remove and smoothe any kinks out.



While we were at it, Nicola’s dad popped in for a chat and to check up on the new car, he has always loved cars, especially V8’s



Result






And out in the street after Kevin and I did a 10 mile test drive, where we found the front wheel beauty rings popped off after 5 miles.

So it’s back to looking for trim rings that work.


Final pic of the tinting, here you can see it, not dark enough, but nice.




End of the weekend and another job jobbed.

Few more pics tomorrow, bed now.

[65c10restomod]

I went for 35% and should have gone to 70%

isn't 70% lighter than 35%

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by 65c10restomod

isn't 70% lighter than 35%

That’s how I understood it to be, based on what I did to my Berlingo




So for those who have been patiently following this thread.

Here is a short clip of the Blazer coming out to play.

Enjoy.


https://youtu.be/XX83qJc8UpQ



After Kevin left, Joy, who has been incredibly tollerant and patient with the work that’s been going into the Blazer and her dog Wyzz, came over for a walk down to the Thames River at Allhallows.

Once back, I needed to open the side gate to reverse the truck down to the garage and Joy moved her car over a bit.

Came back and found this.......




Random pics.



Along the way, some waterways.





Tide was out on the Thames and the wind was cold and biting.

Essex over the other side and French canal to the right.




And looking up river, toward London, with more of Essex on the other side.



Have a good week, mine will be hectic.

[Grizz1963]

Well.....

What does $80.00 buy you??

Dinner at Harry J’s.

Half a trolley of burgers n fries at Walmart.

Or 36 gallons of Fossil fuel for the Blazer in St Louis, Missouri this week.




Or if you are Dennis Jones in St Louis, then postage to the U.K. for some shackles for the Blazer.



Unpacked and a quick Catscan......

Approved.



Also included were some Disabled plates for my collection from Dennis and some of @CraigRK ‘s Coke purchases that were delivered after we departed the USA in September.



So what have we got for the Blazer this week?




Just a trim, bit off the sides and then a two inch drop in the rear.

Lovely pieces of kit.

Grinder and wrenches at the ready.




Hard to see on some pics, but here the same rake on both pics, and pic no 1shows the real state of the nation.



So trust me, the 2 inches will be just right, thanks to @PaulY





More when the sparks have flown.

Roll on weekend.

[Grizz1963]

So after filling the galactic sized tank with enough fuel to run 10 Smart cars for a month, I headed down to Strood to get the wheels aligned but typically the original £30.00 offer was not available as they did not have the details for the Chevy Blazer in their system.

They not so friendly guy behind the counter suggested I go to another shop.

So off to STS I went.

Friendly, knowledgeable guys, relieved me of £65.00 and sent me off with a truck that felt completely different to the one I had taken there.

WIN !!





The results spoke for themselves.



From there I went driving around, looking for another decent photo venue.





Eventually got home with a silly grin on my face.

The truck is Happy at 70mph on the motorway.

Brakes work beautifully

30 miles test drive, worked for me.

Reversed down the tight drive, planning to give the window tinting another go.

Realised the garden has grown a lot over the last few years.




So trimmed that lot back and raked up all the dead winter leaves.....



With the weather constantly changing between rain and not raining I decided to open the rear tailgate and service the window raiser mechanism






Greased all the gears, sprayed the invisible parts with STS and then tested and shut it all up again, happy.




And them thought I would give the window tinting another go.......


Big mistake, again.

So I left it alone.




So that ended up a great day for me.


Only the MOT left to go do when I get my day in lieu back.

Then lots of fun, random things after that.

I hope.

[realvc]

Glad to see you are enjoying your not a project as much as you are.

I've done a little on my 62 truck. It is a many faceted project. Also I've bought a few new tools.

Don't you get cold wearing those safety flip flops this time of year?