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

[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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[Grizz1963]

I am not a great public supporter of charitable causes as it is a very personal and private matter

HOWEVER.

I buy The Big Issue from a street vendor just outside Waterloo station every so often (he normally has exit 6 but it is shut during construction ). Its £2.50 but I always give £5.00 and do not take the change. Today he gave me a Christmas card, signed Robert with the magazine. Lovely of him and shows they feel the cold as much as anyone else, as much as the warmth of a smile. And certainly will see me support him through next year again.

Their motto is “A hand up not a hand out”

Support a seller before Christmas if you can afford it.

For the price of an overpriced milky coffee we can make a difference IN THEIR LIVES.

I know this is an international forum, so if nothing else, be kind, share a smile or say hello.

[Grizz1963]

Back to the Blazer

Got home tonight and stepped through the front door in the dark, onto a parcel.

Bugggerr!!

Opened it up, and a gift from a complete stranger.

Mark or Captain Slug on VZi had sent these from his personal collection, came of a K5 he used to own.

Not correct for the 79 but I am pretty chuffed. They came off his ex army Blazer.

I will try to remove the army paint.




Note the difference?





Also bought a 2 LED inspection mirror on a telescopic handle.

Have used a non lit one before, works well.



Looking forward to,the weekend to getting some,time to get onto all the email jobs left to do.

[Palf70Step]

Like the GRIZZER!!!!!!!!

[realvc]

It is a good thing your Blazer is not a project or you would be working in it a lot more

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Like the GRIZZER!!!!!!!!

Keeping in mind it is a clever photoshop

Originally Posted by realvc

It is a good thing your Blazer is not a project or you would be working in it a lot more

Indeed Vince, thankfully it is not




Amazingly, two months and 41k views on Retro Rides, and of course more on various other forums.

Thank you all for the generous contributions to this truck that thankfully is “Not a Project”

In a way it does not seem that long that this thing has cast a shadow on my driveway.

Waiting for the DVLA tomatrialise with new documents (through the mail slot) so it can get a new MOT) and by the recent reports on here, it seems their turn around times are impressive.
The Blazer has a slightly different issue, but it will be good to get the paperwork sorted so that I can get on with jobs and enjoy it..

Today I have some house and Christmas jobs to deal with, including making a rather large wall mounted spice rack with a slightly complex design.

Some small truck jobs, like fitting the new horn, cleaning the badges and looking at Google on ways to fit and wire the sound components.

Reminder.


Rough as a Badgers Butt.

But would you?

V8 Auto



Current look.

Prozac the Van that can looking on.




MoJo thoroughly enjoying this truck.

[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.

.

[Palf70Step]

Nice work on the cabinet Rian. It has been Yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucckk here today also, cold and VERY wet.

[aggie91]

Nice work on the spice rack. They will be proud to have it.

I think you need a few more hammers on the wall...lol

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Nice work on the cabinet Rian. It has been Yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucckk here today also, cold and VERY wet.

Thanks Bill,

Weather is fine for me wet or dry, but wet stops you doing a lot of stuff.

Originally Posted by aggie91

Nice work on the spice rack. They will be proud to have it.

I think you need a few more hammers on the wall...lol

I do have a few hammers

They came over the years.

[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.

[MacQuigley]

Hi Rian, Im no expert in this and that's sort of the problem that nobody is, or so it would seem. Everybody seems to have their own take on this.

Im not 100% sure but I believe your Blazer should be running black on white up front and black on yellow out back and both must be reflective. So you wont get away with the silver on black pressed front plate but you may get away with one thats black on white and you may get away with the rear as shown but it would come down to an individual coppers understanding of the law if you get stopped. What seems to be the case is that there are certain dispensations given to size of lettering on imported cars largely due to the fact there may be restricted space to fit a plate that makes the UK's spec.

What I am sure of is if you were to get plates made up with something any other text like the Rear Animals Wear Black on your plate you may get pulled as you are not permitted to have anything other than perhaps a garage name or the name of the shop you got the plates from on your plate. My mate got plates for a VW made up with the VW emblem on it. He was stopped, fined and got 3 points for his trouble.

Somewhere I have the rules on this. I downloaded them when I was trying to decide what style plates to put on the Vette. If I can find them I'll let you have a copy.

[Grizz1963]

Thank you Bill

I would stick to the right colours.

But like the idea of having 19-79 and Blazer or Chevrolet on the top or bottom line.

If it comes to points, its very clearly not going ng to happen.

So I will see what else I can find out.

[MacQuigley]

I wanted to do the same with the Vette but decided it wasn't worth the risk. I cant see what difference it makes but they definitely don't like any additional text, as my mate discovered and boy was he fuming when he found out!

[ibrown50]

Number plates are covered by the Construction and Use Regulations 1986 (and subsequent amendments ). These stipulate the size of the numbers and letters as well as the spacing between characters and groups. The size of the plate itself is also mandated cars being larger in both respects than motorcycles. Anything manufactured 1973 or later must have reflective plates, white on the front yellow on the back. The only text ( numbers or letters) allowed on the plates is that of the vehicle registration, even dealers putting their name on the plates is technically an infringement.

Even in the correct colours the US style plates will be a pull. I’d have to check the law but I think they fall under traffic not motoring legislation so it would be a fine but no penalty points on your licence. Your best bet ( I’ve done this many times) is to get a motorcycle plate for the rear, they’re smaller so fit in the recess and although technically too small for a car legal in all other respects so you can feign ignorance if you get a pull.