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

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by flashed

Love the Blazer , still hope I land a nice 72 one day .

Is the 72 a Holy Grail car or do you just like that year?



Today mate Henry came over from Essex to fit a very sexy LED spotlight in the loft of my garage.
I did not realise just how LED technology had moved on.



Lovely feel of quality



I mounted it high in the apex.



While Henry did all the clever stuff, like wiring it into the mains with a complete new circuit and connected to a mains light switch. Beats another extension cord rigged light.



And.........

Action. Bright as anything



Around 13.00 we had lunch and a long chat, then back to the Blazer out in the cold, it was chilly though the 5 layers and woolly hat I had on, but Henry agreed to help me try find the reverse/back up light live wire as it needed two hands, we also consulted the Oracle that is Dennis, and an online source plus a full 79 year service manua.

Count them......

5 cut wires and three connecting blocks.

Passenger side.



Drivers side......

Fail.



So in the end, the cold and not finding a live reverse wire to connect the LED strip light that Euan had sent, meant we packed it in and had another coffee instead.

Fight another day.

[Palf70Step]

According to my schematics, should be a light green wire for the back up. Obviously it runs to the backup switch on the tranny. Not sure how it goes after that.
When I did my 64 I had a lighted push switch that I ran to a keyed (IGN) hot, then back to the LED bulbs. That way if I forgot to manually turn off the backup lights they wiould go off when I turned the truck off.

[Grizz1963]

Sorry for any duplication.

But worth asking on here too.

Unfortunately for us over here on Mud Island (England) we do not have all the spares trucks or access you guys have over in the USA so every now and then we need to reach out and ask the questions.

I want to replace the half hearted attempt of an after market steering wheel with an original part.

My friend Ian Brown, here in England as given me what we believe is a complete steering wheel, but without the square, curved horn push cover.

Pics below to illustrate.

I need one to complete the repair........

Any one?

What I am needing.



What I need....




Part number.





I hope someone has a dozen of them stashed away, you see them on the abandoned truck thread all the time.

This is a favourite thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=747194

Thank you all.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

According to my schematics, should be a light green wire for the back up. Obviously it runs to the backup switch on the tranny. Not sure how it goes after that.
When I did my 64 I had a lighted push switch that I ran to a keyed (IGN) hot, then back to the LED bulbs. That way if I forgot to manually turn off the backup lights they wiould go off when I turned the truck off.

Thank you Bill.

Will look again another day.

Today I needed to have fun and drive this thing.

[Grizz1963]

Fossil fuel replenishment.

Did quite a bit of driving this weekend.

And of course the V8 sound is so bloody sweet in this truck and consequently tends to make you want to drive it, accelerate it and just have the windows down. So you use more gas as your grin gets bigger.

I also try to gas up as different stations every time, its become a bit of a thing for me, even if I just dribble in 10-15 litres at a time.

So today I popped over to Mate Martins place as I have not been there for a while, and he has been restoring two houses simultaneously after which I hit the motorway for a bit, then made my way back to Rochester.

Life’s a Gas Gas Gas....



Takes up some space even though these are modern, large parking bays.



Front view is wide, over 6 foot in fact.

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Sorry for any duplication.

But worth asking on here too.

Unfortunately for us over here on Mud Island (England) we do not have all the spares trucks or access you guys have over in the USA so every now and then we need to reach out and ask the questions.

I want to replace the half hearted attempt of an after market steering wheel with an original part.

My friend Ian Brown, here in England as given me what we believe is a complete steering wheel, but without the square, curved horn push cover.

Pics below to illustrate.

I need one to complete the repair........

Any one?

What I am needing.



What I need....

I'll have to look if the one on mine was type 1 like yours or a type 2 wheel. I know mine had the chevy removed because none are made for GMC. Matter a fact I am not sure if any are produced in the aftermarket world. I'll try and dig mine up and see what I got.

[Palf70Step]

Just thought about checking my photos, and no mine is a type 2 wheel, so my button won't fit you wheel.

You/re more than welcome to everything, but not sure the postage makes it worth while at the moment.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I'll have to look if the one on mine was type 1 like yours or a type 2 wheel. I know mine had the chevy removed because none are made for GMC. Matter a fact I am not sure if any are produced in the aftermarket world. I'll try and dig mine up and see what I got.

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Just thought about checking my photos, and no mine is a type 2 wheel, so my button won't fit you wheel.

You/re more than welcome to everything, but not sure the postage makes it worth while at the moment.

Thank you Bill,

I will pass on the wheel, all I need is a centre cap, even a damaged or broken one that fits my wheel.

Craig who travelled with me is a plastic hobby printer, we could custom print it if we had an example to get vectors from.





[quote author="@craigrk" source="/post/2471520/thread" timestamp="1546158198"]I was looking at a picture this morning while on holiday in Spain of the Blazer without the trims and stripes, and thinking how much better it now looks with stripes.

[quote source="/post/2461296/thread" author="@grizz" timestamp="1542097162"]Funny how the little things, like looking out and seeing this lump,outside now makes me smile.

[/quote]A quick WhatsApp comment to Grizz and he came up with this pic by return:



Now we just need that grill and steering wheel sorted to complete the next step of the [quote source="/post/2471512/thread" author="@glenanderson" timestamp="1546138107"]Q-car[/quote] transformation!!
[/quote]


Made me chuckle.


A bit like this view yesterday walking back to the car park


It has a presence for sure.

[Palf70Step]

Fer sure, That is a PRESENCE!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Fer sure, That is a PRESENCE!

Especially here.




Not said much about Dennis’ gas station build recently as he gas been painting, finishing and cursing mostly.

One of the recent purchases was an air unit for pumping tyres.





Almost done.



A recent question about the size of roads and parking, prompted this pic....
welcome to England and car parking on street.

For us over here it’s normal, but of course in the good old USA and other sunny countries where space is less of an issue, this causes panic attacks.



Today Prozac worked again, and a photo opportunity presented itself after I put out a wanted ad on a local Facebook group for some 47kg gas bottles.



Collected, in the back.



Back home, unloaded.

Needs cleaning.

Any guess what or why for??



More in a bit.

[Palf70Step]

Nitrous for the Blazer?

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Nitrous for the Blazer?

LPG conversion.




ooh!



aah!

Like this, except not as pretty.



There you go.

Ideas at this point.

[Grizz1963]

Right.

Back to our regular transmission of Non Projecty Blazer actions.


Remember the steering wheel and horn button dilemma plus the standard grille?

Today a Scotsman called Kevin Bruce replied to my FB request wit a complete steering wheel and not one but two standard grilles.

Of course I already bought the new in box grille that has been collected by Kevin up in Derbyshire and is now waiting for me to head over there tomorrow night to party I to the new year and collect.

The steering wheel looked like the one Ian has sent by courier but then Dennis immediately picked up that it was different, with a wider button, so I said it to Kevin and he replied that he also had just a single narrow horn button and that I could have that for nothing, he would pop it in the post ASAP.

Stars align some times.



After collecting and dropping off the gas bottles with Prozac, I headed to the industrial estate to find some different sizes of electric heat shrink, as I am going to go through all the wires on the truck and solder and heat seal every joint.

While there I bought a few cans of white primer and white spray paint for the Blazer
For various jobs that will be needing doing. £41.00 later.



Why all the paint, you may ask me.

Because some of the panels and paint look like this, not all of it, but there are small repairs to be done over time, just to turn it from 50yard truck to 10 yard truck, or even closer.



Last night......

Reversing in the dark, down the side of my house, I managed to do this stupid thing.

So it needed to be addressed sooner than later.

Fortunately, only 23 layers of paint damaged, no metal damage.



Sanded back, masked and wiped panel down.
Primed, drying helped with heat gun.
Then three coats of paint applied with heat gun gently helping dry it all between coats.



And as good as it gets after dark.

Tomorrow fine water paper to remove small ridge and to blend old and new paint, minimal polish. As it needs to blend with ****e paint in place.

As good as it will be getting.

I call it done.

[realvc]

The Not A Project Blazer sure does get a lot of attention.

Glad to see you got your steering wheel worked out. Now I'll tell you that I have an 1982 Chevy truck that is the parts truck for my 62 project. I have a good steering wheel with the horn button that I would give you but figured that your duty or the taxes you are charged for it that it would not be feasible. I was thinking of you though If on your next trip you still need it we can get together.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by realvc

The Not A Project Blazer sure does get a lot of attention.

Glad to see you got your steering wheel worked out. Now I'll tell you that I have an 1982 Chevy truck that is the parts truck for my 62 project. I have a good steering wheel with the horn button that I would give you but figured that your duty or the taxes you are charged for it that it would not be feasible. I was thinking of you though If on your next trip you still need it we can get together.

Morning Vince,

Thank you for the offer.

I have had a couple of wheels offered now, including Mike “Modges65”

But for now I will try this one.

[Grizz1963]

For a “Non Project” this Blazer certainly gets a lot of attention and gifts, and parts and effort bestowed on it.

This morning early the doorbell went, while I was still in bed with my iPad, cuppa tea and of course the cat and internet for forum catch up.

Chirpy lady at the door said: You seem to keep me in work, Thank you and Happy New Year” and handed me a parcel.

What could it be.........??

Answers on a post card.





In other news, “Pistonpopper” offered me this.......

Not the car, to add to the roofrack I am still looking for during summer show season.

At 9 foot it is a bit tall/long but I do like the decidedly 80’s feel of the graphics on it too.




Almost time for a drink, later.

But now headed out to go investigate a small Ford Courier pickup truck Imdidcovered in a yard recently, it is either a 1980 or 1981 model and was last given an MOT road test in 2006.

I wonder what the implication is of a vehicle that has not been declared SORN in this time for a potential new owner.

[Grizz1963]

And the steering wheel,was delivered as mentioned,by the chirpy courier lady.

Thank you to Ian Brown again.



Closer inspection showed years of wear and tear and muckyness.



Some rust on the horn button itself.

I wanted to give it a coat of paint, but suspect it was made that way, because it does not get paint.





Spring plate was very much rusty too.

Stopped at this point.



Cleaning took just over two hours with Cillit Bang ammonia based cleaner and a kitchen scoured, and a sharp knife in places.



And offered up in the truck different size for sure.

And note the centre is not Centre.





I will fit it after the New Years Festivities are over.

Back to work soon.


HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL.

Here’s to a car and truck filled 2019.

[Palf70Step]

Looks good Rian.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Looks good Rian.

Morning Bill,

Let’s hope it all works out, and that I can do it justice.


Went over to Maidstone for dinner with Kevin and his wife who had picked up the brand new grille for the Blazer up in Derbyshire 175 miles from here for me, that kept the £40.00 purchase price realistic, rather than paying shipping or postage on top.
I still need to make up some fitting brackets for it but hopefully not too much of a hassle.

Friends Dave and Helen were there too.

Dave brought me these sew on badges that he bought in 1978 at the Kennedy Space Centre, still in their bags, unopened.

I just loved the pricing on them.

Wonder what a gallon of gas cost back then.




And of course, freshly out of its packaging, the new grille.

Hope to fit that and the new to me, steering wheel today once I figure and make the fitting brackets.




Looks like a good way to start the first day of the new year and last day of my break, much of which was enjoyed playing with this Not a Project truck.


Thanks for checking in.

[Grizz1963]

And so 2019 broke on us.

Perfect day, sunshine, chilly, DRY....!!



Slow start indoors culminated in cutting the grass, as it was really scruffy, but had the mower set quite high as the lawn is waterlogged, or at least very soft n soggy, but happy it’s done.



Then chatted with various friends around the world, from Stas in Siberia to Ray in Iowa and of course Dennis in Missouri and my brother in South Africa.

Followed by Truck Time.

What better way is there to starting the year.

This Blazer that certainly still is “Not a Project” was going to get some attention.

And both were small jobs that in my opinion have delivered and then some.

It really has wrapped up the last three months worth of Ups n Downs, and you all know where we started.
I certainly have done more and spent more than intended.
But it’s come together really well.


First job, take a starting point photo.




Then remove the aluminium grille that will go into the for sale pile.



Reassemble



Compared to the starting point.




And then the Money Shot.



Harley had been there all day, helping.

She is a funny cat......

Once I reversed the truck back from the lawn to start on the second job, which would be the steering wheel replacement, I went to the house to grab a coffee.

When I got back, this was what I found.

Catscan Approved




More in a while.

[Grizz1963]

Second New Years job....

Fitting the steering wheel Ian Brown had sent me from his stash to replace the Moto-Lita one that came with the truck.

Undoing and removing it was so easy. I had expected a fight.



Seems there are still some bits missing here.






Surprise discovery.

Cruise control.



My little Klingon was with me all day again, being a real pain in the butt.

But she makes me chuckle at her insistence to help and get in the way.



Fitted new wheel.

Amazing how off centre the centre actually is.

No horn push yet



And at the end of the day......

Two small jobs done, but both were jobs I really wanted to get done.

Rock n Roll.




So what next....??

[Palf70Step]

You are missing parts for the canceling cam and horn button parts

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?Page=57

Parts#1 & 2

Wheel does look way better than the other one.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

You are missing parts for the canceling cam and horn button parts

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?Page=57

Parts#1 & 2

Wheel does look way better than the other one.

Wheel is biiig.


I just need to address the horn switch


When I get to it





I could still have been wrong, and to be honest, it is only my taste, there could be many who prefer something else.


Something else I saw that I love too, not everyone will like it, but I like random stuff.




And some awesome Walmart products...

How badly do I want one of these.

[69Tom]

New grille looks good Rian.

[Palf70Step]

I was just relooking over your pictures Rian, and noticed that you have a tilt-column? Is it solid?