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

[Grizz1963]

Looking at where the water is getting in the most likely culprit is the vertical and forward horizontal seal, it seems they are often not reseated when the roof is removed.



The rear window corner also is really rotten, but the water gets in just behind the door.




This morning while looking around the canopy to see what seals were in place, I saw the typical signs of an unloved, and owned by less than considerate owners, car.

Various and missing fasteners.







While investigating, I found this little plate, different fasteners again..... Phillips screw and 7mm hex head screw.

Question is, what is it for??



Weird little connector. But where to clip it in?



Does it possibly power this interior light for the canopy??



Constantly getting to know this Blazer more and more intimately, just some stuff seems weird.

Later.

[Grizz1963]

Small jobs, Small jobs, Small jobs make the difference at times.

The little details often are forgotten.

Remember these?



Joined the party with Mr Grinder and Mrs Flapwheel in hand, followed by some hand sanding to get the edges less lethal, then Brasso and Autosol.



And offered up, bent to fit the curve on the drivers side where I managed to burn the plastic item when welding the sill previously.



Then over to the passenger side, while it was raining and cold, I decided to carry on anyway.



Sill Removed, and showed some surface rust under it plus old paint and loads of glue, so petrol, scraper and clean up.



Resulting in prepped, masked and ready steel sill.



I used the heat gun to warm up the sill and then primed it and continued to add some heat to keep the air dry around it.

Left it sitting for an hour while getting a sandwich, coffee and catching up on forums.



Two coats of white again heated, covered against the weather, happy with the way the paint landed and covered.

Keeping in mind this will mostly be unseen once I add the new stainless steel sill cover plates with double sided tape.




And finally unpacked and a final blend in.

Happy.



While I was busy with the paint, I got a visit from Richard who had driven up 90 minutes from Hastings to check over the Blazer and to collect a load of components from his lock up nearby and deliver it.

Part of the improvement in sounds in the truck.

More later.

[Grizz1963]

Another rubbish night, but the rain seems to have gone.

So I started slowly, went digging through my collection of stickers, looking for something to cover the MX5 on the sill plates with.

Nope, nothing that works.

So went to the garage and managed to peel off the plastic outer skin, then petrol ⛽️ on a scouter and a few minutes carefully removing all the residue. Polish up again and hey Presto.



Then into the back of the garage to my stash of tapes and adhesives.

Brutal double sided tape and some scissors to create strips to adhere to the leading edge.



Tucked in completely under the door seals, and then pressed down.

Fixed.

I think we have a winner here.




Going to head out with the Blazer now for a drive as the MOT expires on Tuesday and the DVLA has not yet responded to letter and documents I sent off late on the 14th November


Need to go find a better alternative to the reverse lights I had bought, they caught me out with their size.

And offered up to a suggested alternative fixing spot, it is very wrong.



Looks like the rain has lifted too.

So it could be fun.

[Grizz1963]

So yesterday Richard dropped off some, well, a box full of car audio bits.

12” sub
Tweeters and their drivers
2 Midrange speakers
2 Chanel amp
Amp for the Sub
Cables.

I added my two Pioneer 6x9’s to that lot and just laid them all out on the floor.





This morning, after doing the sill plates, I cleaned up the pieces and then just laid them out in the rear of the Blazer to get an idea.

The Sub is massive, and will need a deeper box than the side panels offer. So some work or thinking to do.

I am thinking of mounting the Amps inside the red panels, and then boxing the sides for Sub, 6x9and midrange speakers.

Not sure it will work, but hopefully there will be enough space and air volume for them all.


Drivers side.



Passenger side



After all the playing around, I moved the cars off the driveway and took the Blazer out front to go shopping and also look for a decent place to try get a few nice photos......



Drove around Medway area, went shopping and got some food for the week.

Also took a microwave beanbag and some masking take to see if I could mount and place the camera phone on the dash and do a short film (well, it was longer but I edited it back to this bit) of the truck on the road.
Kinda failed as the masking tape let go at one point and the camera filmed the roof lining till I pulled over and shoved the lot back onto the seat next to me.

Good fun though.

CLICK VIDEO LINK.

Grizz?s 79 Chevy Blazer quietly through Medway...

Now the truck is parked up till the DVLA return my documents and tell me what next in order to get a new MOT certificate.

Have a good week.

[Grizz1963]

No truck time today, despite having the greatest intent to get on and do a few small things.

Ended up at B&Q for some wood this morning.

Needed to make a Christmas present that had been .



IKEA to the rescue.





Mocked up, Catscan done and approved.

Figure it out yet?



Mocking up,for size.

I had planned to use some coffee bottles as Pasta and rice containers so needed to work around these measurements.



Weather continued to get worse.



IKEA towel rail to the rescue.



And of course completed.

Need to wrap it all up, seperately.




Of course none of this would be possible without Harley, and with the weather as it was, she was a bloody pain today, getting under my feet the whole day.



Looking forward to a much better day tomorrow and getting back into the Blazer.

.

[Grizz1963]

Fake news.

Front Grille badge for the Blazer, Jimmy in another world.





I was working at home this morning, and heard my door knocker, why not the bell?

Went down and had a small lady thrust her signing thing at me “Sign that, you gotta parcel”

So I signed that, took my parcel and headed back upstairs back to my admin, forgetting about it till the corporate stuff was done.

Then I opened the parcel.

Remember these renditions??


Been looking at potential simple 80’s style graphics and at this point the winner seems to be this one.......

Who owned one of these in the Day???




Inspired.



So when I opened the parcel, sent to me by Euan “Moosevan” I just had to laugh out loudly.


Harley did her usual Catscan as the Euan has a house full,of creatures too, and animals smell this.

Approved.



Also in the box was this little box.



260mm of bright LED. Reverse and Fog Light goodness.

The size of the license plate recess and plates are 300mm so this will fit in there just nicely



Thanks again to Euan, for generosity and also solving two problems.

Looks like my weekend has some work to be done.


Thanks for checking in.

[Grizz1963]

Question for our British readers, or anyone who knows more.


Another random to some, question.

Police and License plates.

My Blazer is a 79 model, meaning it has to wear a white up front and yellow out back, license plate.

I am also a believer that these are safety items, acting as reflective surfaces at times.

However, I like the style of plate in the photos below as it fits the size of recessed hole pressed into the bumper out front and the number plate mount out back.

Once I add in the reverse light bar that Euan sent me, I would like to mount that up high above the plate to protect it and keep the rear reasonably clear.

So, who has actual experience or real knowledge about current opinions from the police and ANPR brigades?

Is this a big transgression or seen as fine as the plate fits the hole and cameras can still read it all??

Thank you all.

What I currently have.



Random pics off the interweb.

[Palf70Step]

Great stance Rian! AS I like to put to my low rider friends, perfect to drive on all the roads my friends live on.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Great stance Rian! AS I like to put to my low rider friends, perfect to drive on all the roads my friends live on.

Absolutely love that description Bill.

Thank you as always for taking the time to post up on here.

[Palf70Step]

Nice work. I like the European version of make the backups turn signals. You going to install some backup lights?

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Nice work. I like the European version of make the backups turn signals. You going to install some backup lights?

Morning Bill, quoted from a reply I posted earlier.

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Hi Cameron,

Thank you for the reply.

Yes, we have completely different regulations here.

A full yearly MOT test to check all aspects of Roadworthiness on all motor vehicles over three years old, a bit of a con really, but you cannot get your car legally road taxed or insured (another massive con) over here.

In England, the person is insured, and most moving traffic violations are translated into “Points” with 12 points being a loss of license to operate and drive or ride. They usually come in multiples of three points, ie. speeding at 77mph in a 70 zone would be 3 points etc.

Unlike the USA where my friend Dennis in St Louis usually just says Choose a car and bring it back when you are done. I used to have the same rule when I lived in South Africa where the car is insured, so friends and family could have a car or bike on the old proviso of “You bend it, you mend it”

2016 Road Trip pic probably says it all.

http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/...2018-humdinger



Blinkers are amber/yellow and have to be sperate from the brake or tail lights.

Side lights, or park lights are differently managed too.

Cars mostly have to have fog lamp/s out back too and not having them means a fail notice till repaired.

All of these are failures on the yearly road worthiness test.

So relocating the blinkers to the reverse/backup light space with an amber bulb works.

I am planning to fit a set of slimline LED spots under the rear bumper, either wired into the harness or on a separate circuit.

Once the weather settles, I will do the edges of the rims in Silver Hammerite as a temporary measure

We know it works with the black contrast.


Plan for today is possibly a drive down to Isle of Sheppey to mate Darren, to measure up and plan out a rear panel to be laser cut......

Remember that??


And possibly also going to try tinting the rear tailgate glass which of course is mechanical, meaning it may be a fail..

Let’s see what happens.


This may be challenging.

[Indian113]

Those ought to Light Up the Night! Not a PROJECT is sure taking up some precious Time and Money from the 66

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Indian113

Those ought to Light Up the Night! Not a PROJECT is sure taking up some precious Time and Money from the 66

Cash is fine.

C10 has to wait for summer





My day off on Monday netted me quite a lot of miles in the Blazer.

After adding another 20liters of fossil fuel to its belly, we were off.



It was the first time I have driven it enthusiastically since working over the front and rear suspensions with fresh parts.


CONCLUSION......??

This truck now really handles well for the behemoth it is.

Entering and exiting roundabouts with confidence inspiring ease, I found myself grinning and speaking to it while cautiously pushing it harder and harder.
On the open road at 60-70 miles per hour the steering is dead still and true when let alone.

Eventually got home around 3.00pm and reversed it to the garage, then walked over to fetch Prozac back.

Noticed the DIY front spoiler, nice n low.



Got indoors and found an envelope from Gulfport Mississippi. Postage, again as always, eye watering.

Thanks to Bill Palfreyman for the Antique Truck plate, never seen one before.

But even better...... was the repair sections for the Blazers dash radio surround that’s been butchered at some point before.

I will address this when the weather is more dry.




And a photo from a friend.

Nope,

I don’t know either.


Captions welcome.






.

[Palf70Step]

Like those "retro" speakers. I have never had a woofer in my vehicles, so not sure what combo would be the best. Sounds like using the JVC would be the quick way to go. If you don't like it, build the big boomer. What about sliding the JVC under the rear seat?

[ibrown50]

I’d go under the dash or under the seat rather you aren’t losing any luggage / cargo space (you’ll need it sooner or later) is the van on the previous post a VW transporter (groan!) or a golf caddy

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Like those "retro" speakers. I have never had a woofer in my vehicles, so not sure what combo would be the best. Sounds like using the JVC would be the quick way to go. If you don't like it, build the big boomer. What about sliding the JVC under the rear seat?

Evening Bill,

Thenrear seat mounts flat on the floor, so no space.

I am looking at options, and there is more stuff happening in the background, more about this later.

Originally Posted by ibrown50

I’d go under the dash or under the seat rather you aren’t losing any luggage / cargo space (you’ll need it sooner or later) is the van on the previous post a VW transporter (groan!) or a golf caddy

I think a removable option is on the cards, and side mounted 6x9’s

More in a bit.

[Indian113]

Rian, I had a Dodge Ramcharger in the 70's they were the Dodge answer to the Blazer. It leaked so I bought some roll of rubber gasket material. I tried the foam but it collected water and then it seeped moisture in. If you can't find it you might take a Bicycle Tire Tube and put it between the top and body.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Indian113

Rian, I had a Dodge Ramcharger in the 70's they were the Dodge answer to the Blazer. It leaked so I bought some roll of rubber gasket material. I tried the foam but it collected water and then it seeped moisture in. If you can't find it you might take a Bicycle Tire Tube and put it between the top and body.

Thank you Ray

I will investigate various options. Possibly over the weekend.

Dennis used to build these for GM.

His advice.


I don't think you will find a aftermarket seal that will work.Even the factory ones fit like ****. Once you take the roof off you will see why it's so hard to get them to stop leaking. The main problem is getting the seal to stay in place while you get roof back on.

You will need a couple of buddies to help you. It has to go down and forward at the same time while someone is inside lining the bolt holes up making sure that the gasket don't fall out

I was thinking of making some kind of cross shaped carrier to then lift it all hydraulically on my own.

REMEMBER THIS THING ? https://youtu.be/vfTC9wyQKK0

Will see how it all unfolds.

[Palf70Step]

Could try something like these and mount them like I did with my old 64 on either side of the tag.

https://www.amazon.com/YINTATECH-Day...J4PXM4BDJSBTZX

I wonder if to get them out to the outer edges, you could possibly put them in the outer lower bumper bolt hole?

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Could try something like these and mount them like I did with my old 64 on either side of the tag.

https://www.amazon.com/YINTATECH-Day...J4PXM4BDJSBTZX

I wonder if to get them out to the outer edges, you could possibly put them in the outer lower bumper bolt hole?

Excellent Bill,


Thank you.



I just got this response from Bob Heine on Garage Journal

Of course I have seen something like this before.

And time to head to EBay

Originally Posted by Bob Heine

Rian, they sell number plate frames with LEDs aimed as backup lights. I expect the light bar alone is also sold somewhere.


https://www.summitracing.com/parts/u...UaAicCEALw_wcB

[Palf70Step]

Your on the wrong side of the road Rian!

[flashed]

Cool video even on the wrong side of the road .

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Your on the wrong side of the road Rian!

Originally Posted by flashed

Cool video even on the wrong side of the road .

Nothing like a bit of risk.....


Had a couple of questions on how I do selfies when working alone before, explained that a timer and stuck inside a roll of sandpaper with a rag to hold it upright works easy.

Getting a video done is as easy, Beanbag, Camera, masking tape to keep it all together and then just edit the long film down to where you want it.



Another bit of frivolous spending on the Blazer.

Classic tone hooter and a nice push button for less than £15.00



Right, back to the backup or reverse light issue.

Another example recommended by Bill in GulfPort was this design and item.



Small enough to fit in places.









Photophuckit account renewed tonight, I get really peeved at these companies holding us to ransom but the contribution the forums and friendships generated here, make to my life and threads worthwhile.




Now we can post up pics again.


.

[60short]

Hey Rian ...

Ive been reading through your thread for a while, trying to get caught up

neat pair of projects you have and some great pictures ....


I got these lights (similar to what you started with) that I have on the back of my truck as reverse lights, looking for that little more slim / streamline approach that seem to be doing a bang up job ...

huge picture removed ....

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

they have them with white housings too, so they may blend in a bit better

hope its helps!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by 60short

Hey Rian ...

Ive been reading through your thread for a while, trying to get caught up

neat pair of projects you have and some great pictures ....


I got these lights (similar to what you started with) that I have on the back of my truck as reverse lights, looking for that little more slim / streamline approach that seem to be doing a bang up job ...

huge picture removed ....

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

they have them with white housings too, so they may blend in a bit better

hope its helps!

Good morning in Santa Fe.

06.30 here.

Thank you for taking the time to read and catch up on all my ramblings.

Interestingly, I have those lights on my eBay saved items right now as well.

I will try post the link, not sure it will work.

Seems a bit cheaper than Amazon.


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-18W-LE...97.m4902.l9144


As always. There will be other options, and I will keep looking, in case the perfect light comes up, though these may just be them.