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

[Grizz1963]

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………………….. So eventually we got to this point.

Body hoisted up.



Pulled over.

@nickwheeler grinning like an expectant father.



And about 30 minutes after touchdown, which was absolutely without a fault, we added the set of RX8 seats and the rollbar and the @glenanderson screen frame.

Also realised this rollbar needs to be remade as the seats need to move back about 150mm from where they are.

Still, it did not stop Nick and I from trying it out for size.



Also tried out the speedo clocks.

Running as much as possible of the original Mazda MX5 loom and instruments

However…….

I will possibly be looking for a loom donor for the Instrument binnacle section have it all reach as the loom is tightly made to size.

Plan is to fit the clocks like in the pic, central, facing the driver, and that may call for 18” of extra loom.

Know anyone with a scrap MX5 with that part of the loom available to remove or donate to the build?




Next up, a look at the engine fit in the engine compartment.

This is it, without ancillaries.





Adding in the original Mazda radiator and air intake gives you this.

PROBLEM………

The slimline cooling fan from the donor, does not fit into the space available.

So another plan and solution to be made.




And then next up.

MAF AND AIR FILTER PLACEMENT.

Safe place to fit it, back here.

So it needs a section of pipe to connect it.

Clever guys………. QUESTION: Will a lengthened section here, affect performance at all?





And finally……….

Took a positively underwhelmed Sally to see what had kept me busy today.

And walking down there, the current stance, lowering and look ROCKS.

I love it.


As it stands, no fluids, screen, extra bits, loom etc.

The front crossmember is 5” above the ground and actually the sump may be 4.5” above the hotizon.


Current look.





And then you add my bulk to it.

Sure, it is a cheated pic, using leverage I managed to get the front down real low.

Not far from the original vision.


Whatcha think team ???







Loads if work left to get it to the next phase.

Brackets, links, supports, wiring, Rivnuts, holes, fittings, lights, steering, pedals……….

The list goes on and on.


Chuffed as a Chuffed thing tonight.


Tomorrow its me and Mr Grinder and the donor again.


Yup, realised we need more parts removed.



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[Palf70Step]

Great work today Rian. You got a lot done. My son went back to university today, so now I have more time to get at things at my place. I have to shift things around at my place, but it should be easier since all 3 trucks currently run. Looking forward to seeing the Rocket in all it's glory!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Great work today Rian. You got a lot done. My son went back to university today, so now I have more time to get at things at my place. I have to shift things around at my place, but it should be easier since all 3 trucks currently run. Looking forward to seeing the Rocket in all it's glory!

Thanks Bill

Got to keep at it.

The C10 is waiting for its turn.

Nice to have all your trucks running.




Ordered a set of new front shocks.

Still need to do a set for the rear as well.



Running around getting new tyres fitted to the second pair of wheels and a few other jobs.

[Grizz1963]

Few yard jobs to do and some stuff at Sally’s place,today.

Then headed out to see if I could get another pair of part worn tyres fitted to the steels.

No luck.

So I had a pair of 195/50-15’s fitted.



Chunky.

For the front end.

I like that.



Got home and removed the 195/60-15’s from the front and fitted the new ones up front.

Then removed the 16 inch alloys from the rear and fitted the adapters and spacers on the rear.



Previously @nickwheeler gave me a simple tool to help centre and fit a wheel, also helps to keep a spacer in place.



Then the rear wheels.

Front wheel drive alloys fitted were just rollers.

Bit tight.



Steels fitted……

Hmmmmmm, those should fill the arches.



And then we have it right.

Bit of rake should go a long way toward creating the look I want.

50 profiles up front and 60’s out back.



Liking this a lot.





WHATCHA THINK ?


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[realvc]

I think the wheel and tire combo looks great.
You make progress every day on your projects.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by realvc

I think the wheel and tire combo looks great.
You make progress every day on your projects.

I want the rear weeks slightly taller and wider though, but for now, at $30.00 for the two rears, fitted, it works just fine.

Progress is relative to the time in hand.

A weeks vacation, working on the build a frw hours a day has to deliver some progress.





You heard of Jack-Chitt before?

Meet Jack-Oil.



When lifting the engine out the MX5 I had to cut the front as the hoist did not lift high enough.

So Nick suggested it may need a service.

Tiny sideways hole……

So I screwed a silicone tube nozzle to the small funnel tip……l..

250ml later, filled.




Lets hope it can raise to full height today.

[Grizz1963]

Last day of the year.

This is mid winter.



@nickwheeler and I were both thinking that if we could get the engine and gearbox mounts made, tacked and in position, followed by placing the body on the chassis, it would be a great place to end 2021, regardless of what time that happened.

However, the engine hoist messed us around, and finding the right metal, getting the positioning etc sorted took time, starting just after 10.00 we only had a coffee at 12,30 or sometime later.

Nick had a family meeting to attend, which meant closing off by 2.00pm so he could get across town.


The pic most of us have been waiting for……



And then, once the engine was mocked in position, I added the radiator, fan and original pipework to see if it all fitted.

Gear stick was in approximately the right place.



So then Nick marked out where the original Ford engine mounts on the chassis (not the crossmember) needed to be cut away as the MX5 engine mounts hang a bit lower.

So Mr 9” grinder came out…….

It scares me.



Cut away, cleaned up, and then fine tuned.



Engine back in.

Mazda prop-shaft in ( No it does not match the diff…….. so I will have to have a custom build done.

Length is right but the bolt pattern differs out back.



Next job after Nick measured it out was for me to get on the drill press and make a few holes, followed by a slot on the face of the engine mounting plate, then Nick, who had brought his welder along, tacked it in place so me could carry on with the next one, which proved to be a bit more awkward.



Amazing how time flies when you are having fun.

Too soon it was 2.00pm and time for Nick to head out.

Leaving me with some homework to get done in the meantime.

So I pulled in the CAD pizza box and started to make up the templates for the gussets that will be making the mounts completely stable and ready for the next evolution, whenever, or if ever it happens.

The trick of course is starting with a large section, and then adding to get an exact fit.



And the result.

To be welded in tomorrow once the steel plate cutout is done.



Laid out on the plate, of course playing Tetris helps.



Transferred onto the steel.



Once all were created and transferred on the steel, cutout time.

Sparkly.

Destroyed a very good pair of trainers, unfortunately.



At the rear end, the gearbox needed a mount of some sort as well, using the rubber mounts.

So using existing fasteners and a plate on the chassis, I cut some steel to fit, and will drill the M8 holes, mount the rubber mounts and attach to the tail.

I am not 100% sure how this will look when done, but a nights sleeping on the idea should work it out in my head.







That took me to 5.30 and time to shut shop and come in to see Sally and cook us something to eat.


Here you can see the gussets as they will be welded into place around the mounting plate and onto the chassis to create a solid, safe mount on each side.




Pretty chuffed with todays progress again.


Tomorrow is a new year.


Happy New Year to all of you out there, the writers and lurkers and the ones who rarely say a thing.


Thank you for 2021.

[Grizz1963]

HAPPY NEW YEAR………….




HOW LAST YEAR ENDED.






HOPEFULLY, Today will see the bracketry made up and welded in place.

With the body test fitted

[Grizz1963]

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Fncking Photobucket.


No links available to copy and post.

Google ads tab at the bottom of the page.

Seriously am not happy now.

Can’t update thread.

Sorry.


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[Grizz1963]

Weather yesterday on New Years day was,great.

We could feel our fingers and get on with a load of small jobs that came together to deliver on the unwritten schedule.

For me, a massive achievement for my holidays would have been to get the engine out of the MX5 and getting that stripped on my own.

But, with the help of @nickwheeler the pace was quadrupled and we completed it in two days.

BOOOOM ! As @pauly always says.

That job done, meant that I still had a few days of leave over to make more progress, in-between Sally’s working days and all the happy festive family days that I had agreed to being festive on this year. And I actually enjoyed the very low key Christmas season. Though stuff was not getting done nonstop, it was actually the right pace, because this build must never become a chore or a bore.

With the engine and gearbox on the floor, the obvious next point to aim for was to lift up and get the mock up and then fixing them to the chassis.

On the in-between days I carried on and got the body ready by stripping it further etc.

On New Years Eve, Nick and I spent a few hours getting some stuff done.

I made up the gusseting/boxing plates for the engine mounts in the mean time.


Then…… 01 January 2022

Nick was at my door by 9.30 followed by a coffee, planning and looking at some Kit Car options like lights etc.

Then we headed down and hit the build hard.

Really hard.

Slotted mount plate and engine in position.



Then one gusset tacked in place with the MIG welder Nick had brought.





Followed by the other side.



Some crawling around on the floor…..



Giving this result.







With all the gussets tacked in place, Welder no 2 came out…….

Stick welders love thick steel.

I turned the amps up to result in a cherry glow right through the 6mm steel plate.

So full on, deep penetration.

I ran up all the seams and between us, the mounts ended up a formidable pieces of engineering, covering over most of the original Ford mounts that I had cut away the day before.





From there a quick coffee (Nick runs on caffeine) and without missing a beat, the 80 grit flapwheel came out and tidied the splatter and flat surfaces.


The results speak for themselves.

One side….



Opposite view.




CHUFFED AS FECK WE WERE.


Time for a sandwich and coffee.


Anyone want to see the rest of the afternoon’s activities?


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[realvc]

I'm smiling with you Rian.
You and Nick have made a lot of progress in the last few days.
The Rezin Rocket is getting closer to blasting off.

Sally's artwork is impressive too.

[clemdaddy]

X2 on what Vince said. Looks like you're always having fun there in merry'ol England. Stay warm & safe and thanks for the good read, always following.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by realvc

I'm smiling with you Rian.
You and Nick have made a lot of progress in the last few days.
The Rezin Rocket is getting closer to blasting off.

Sally's artwork is impressive too.

Funny how therapeutic that smile can be.

And agreed, progress is often good when you have company.

I am very pleased and impressed with Sally’s crafting, she sews as well, mostly gifts for friends, and it is always exquisite work, and very personal.

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

X2 on what Vince said. Looks like you're always having fun there in merry'ol England. Stay warm & safe and thanks for the good read, always following.

Hey Clem !

Always good to see you pop in here.

I have to keep busy, and these things keep me sane.

My day job being to clinical.

[Grizz1963]

So, public holiday here in England.

Spent two hours on the phone with friends.

And a stop start day out at the garage.

When we mounted the engine and gearbox using the MX5 propshaft as a guide, it placed the gearbox and gear stick forward from the original Ford position.

The steel that was under the carpeting had rusted away over the years too, so needs to be removed.



The donor car had a tunnel with the right holes and spacing for an original MX5 part.

So calling on Mr Grinder, we went from this……..



To this.

And for the OCD brigade, I know it is partly upside down.



While I was at it, the old dash came out again from the scrap pile…….



Producing this brace.



Which is a touch narrow, but has the mounting points and tabs already welded in place.



Every time I walk past this monstrosity, I shiver and look the other way.

Job for another day.



I was asked be a friend in Siberia just how much lower it had really gone now, what it looked like compared to something relatable.

No cars down there to compare with, so this will have to do.



And that is what 5 inches or 130mm looks like.



The other job today was to remove the seats, get the motors and actuators removed and swap the drivers and passenger seats around, as the drivers seat will be manually adjustable, and passenger seat that was the drivers will be in a fixed position.
Then also to create raised plinths for both seats.



Job incomplete.



One other job that I started on was removing the roll bar.

It needs to be modified to move back 150mm or 6 inches in the tub, and the legs need to be bent closer together to fit in the narrowed space.

So it will need to be a modified version of this, or maybe make a completely new design and made up piece.




So it was a slow day, but little jobs come together ultimately to deliver a bigger picture.

[Grizz1963]

Looking for a pair of 3 point seatbelts/safety harnesses for the Rezin Rockit build.

USED will do just fine.

Colour preference is Red or Black, followed by Blue. But not too choosy.

They just need to work. And be affordable.

Keep in mind, the RX8 seats have a single, high level hole.

I am sure I could use a regular 4-point harness too, but prefer the 3-point look.


Show us whatcha got.





PM please.

Thanks.

[Grizz1963]

Spectacular lazy day.

Slow start, then went shopping and eventually started around 3.00pm

Outside temperature was 2’C when I headed out to the shops…….

Forecast for the morning is -3’C which is a bit chilly.




Post lady delivered as well……

New front shock absorbers

Will fit them tomorrow if I get to it.



So down to the garge and job no 1 for this afternoon was to creat raisers and move the seats back.

In this position, I am comfortable and the seat has full adjustment forward still available.



Following the measurements etc I found some thick walled square tubing and 3mm plate, cut to size and welded together.



Welded then together, drilled and tidied up.



Ready.



Then got the heat gun, heated the metal up so the paint would go off in the cold garage.

And painted them.



Happy with that, shut shop by 18.30 and came indoors.

Next seat tomorrow.

[Grizz1963]

Looks like I got sorted for these 3 point harnesses too.

Hope to have a pair, in black bought and paid for in the next week, as soon as the seller has them boxed up.

Currently fitted to an Anglia.



Black is a good option for me.




Back to the garage for making the second seat mounting points and plinths today.

Time consuming job, but needs doing. Chilly outside at 0’C this morning.

[Grizz1963]

Another day where there was little progress yesterday, had a new lodger to interview, that took two hours.

Cultural and language differences slow stuff down.

Anyway, back to important things……

Rummaged in my steel (scrap) pile and found an old seat support from a mobility scooter…..



Cut down, drilled and welded, ready to be fitted.



The scrap post gave me two post/riser/supports for the front of the passenger (formerly drivers) seat.

I also used some very thick walled pipe to make a pair of rear supports.

You will notice the supports are all different…….

Because the underside and mounting points all differ.

Plates to the supports should spread the load more effectively as well.

Original plan was to use a wooden brace for the drivers side, but I changed my mind, thanks to a good friend (Mr Sparkplug) pointing out the possible failings of wood.

And no hinges.



So today will be a revisit to that section copying it in Box section and then bolting the seats into place as @nickwheeler pointed out to me, it allows me to get the steering column, pedals etc into position with me sitting comfortably.

The drivers seat will also be fully adjustable for other potential drivers.

Currently frosty outside and temperature at 0’C

So not headed out yet, but it looks lovely.

[Grizz1963]

Bloody cold out yesterday.

But 5 layers, a wooly hat, and. Thermal underpants helped till it warmed up.



Plan for the day was to remake the drivers seat support in steel, and get the new front shock absorbers fitted.

Found some steel for the seat support, then got distracted by the thought of the new shocks, fitted.

Contemplating painting them red, I decided against it.

Tried to fit one with the wheels on. That was not happening.

Removed the wheel, and a load of struggling to get the mounting points lined up later, the drivers side was fitted and bolted down.

Then had a visitor for coffee for an hour and returned to part 2 on the passenger side.

Got going, and progress was faster than the guessing game of part 1.



Fitted shock.

Tightened top tower bolt and proceeded to the bottom pair that fit through a pair of tines.

Tightened first one, then the second one.

At the point of stopping the torque it went “ping”

Bu66er ! !

Resulting in this.




And looking up.




I guess the next job now will be to remove the shock again and grind back what is left of the bolt, and then drill it out in position, carefully, UPSIDE DOWN.


Not looking forward to this. Seriously.


But I have other distractions today, need to go look for a car for Sally before she goes to look over the weekend with me.

Wish me luck, on both aspects.

[jmarkha1]

looks like your still managing to crack on with the jobs - even in this weather...
snapped bolts and drilling out for new is never fun - upside down in -1c - worse still.

good luck with bolt and car viewings...

I've been busy with house projects and not touched the C10 for a few weeks -just look at it under the carport every-time I leave the house.

currently prepping my (new) garage - its big but is timber and has some rot in the main supports - currently cutting out old for new...bit by bit.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by jmarkha1

looks like your still managing to crack on with the jobs - even in this weather...
snapped bolts and drilling out for new is never fun - upside down in -1c - worse still.

good luck with bolt and car viewings...

I've been busy with house projects and not touched the C10 for a few weeks -just look at it under the carport every-time I leave the house.

currently prepping my (new) garage - its big but is timber and has some rot in the main supports - currently cutting out old for new...bit by bit.

Morning mate,

Thank you.

Yes, last day of leave today, and if I can get back a d drill the snapped bolt, replace it and drop the front end today. Perfect.

If I can copy that wooden support today as well (unlikely) that would be a Bonus.



Tell me more about your wooden garage.


My buddy Craig up in Shropshire has to build a rather large garage once he has,raised and roofed the stables.

He is torn between pole barn/wood and brick for the garage and shop.

It will be large enough to take 4 cars once done.


Feel free to post pics if you want, of your structure, along with warnings etc.

[jmarkha1]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Morning mate,

Thank you.

Yes, last day of leave today, and if I can get back a d drill the snapped bolt, replace it and drop the front end today. Perfect.

If I can copy that wooden support today as well (unlikely) that would be a Bonus.



Tell me more about your wooden garage.


My buddy Craig up in Shropshire has to build a rather large garage once he has,raised and roofed the stables.

He is torn between pole barn/wood and brick for the garage and shop.

It will be large enough to take 4 cars once done.


Feel free to post pics if you want, of your structure, along with warnings etc.

The garage is located at the front of the house - its probably 40 years old, 32x24 so big enough for 4 cars plus a workbench but due to the location (lots of trees) it has suffered from rot.
Overall I like the garage but will probably rebuild it with some changes:
thicker concrete base so I can use a lift, possibly oak posts and block infills with timber cladding. But the most important change will be to use a small dwarf brick wall to get the timber off the ground.
One side of the garage which is slightly clearer has no rot - a shame really.

I completely removed one major vertical support and have replaced with treated timber and new oak floor plates on damp proof membrane.
It only needs to last up to 2yrs to allow me to renovate the house plus somewhere to store my C10 and work on it under cover - such an upgrade from the carport!

The electrics were dangerous so a new consumer unit and double socket - just a temporary solution for safe use of tools plus some LED work-lights - loving it...

[Grizz1963]

Thats great, thank you for posting and sharing.

It’s a decent space too.

Will be an awesome garage when done.

[Grizz1963]

Being back at work means my days run effectively from 07.00 to 17.30 again.

So it leaves weekends to fit Sally who works at least every second Sunday and other important housekeeping jobs into.

So the only way to get on is to start playing after work and dinner on days/eveningsmwhen Sally does not stop here for dinner and a snooze on the couch.

Night Shift working will keep things moving forward slowly.

Last night I went to the garage just after 5.00pm and closed by 8.30pm

It included a 30 minute chat and show around to my new lodger who may be here for a month or three, not sure yet.

The job I wanted to get done was to drill the mounting holes on the floor and get the height and position of the passenger seat right.

I also adjusted the drivers seat with an added 5mm shim.

Due to the lay out of the seat mounts, the legs all differ.



Eventually giving me this result, all the fitting, and adjusting took a while.

Drivers seat is fully adjustable, which is why I was looking for a spare passenger seat all the time.

Passenger seat is fitted in a fixed position.



And enough space to fit a new roll bar, it will lean back as planned, and new mounting points will be welded to the chassis as @nickwheeler had suggested for the move.



I also started to mock up the new roll bar that will be canted back, and then bend in at shoulder height.

A horizontal bar for safety harness mounting at shoulder height gets added, and a pair of diagonal rearward supports anchored to the chassis in the rear corners.



So there you go.

Nightshift is a real thing now.

[Grizz1963]

Free is good ehhhh…?

We all need a wagon, don’t we.





Clean up and reassemble should help.





More when it is cleaned up and dried.