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

[Grizz1963]

Another day, another bit of progress.

Last night I cut in with a brush and did a coat of rollered white Crown paint to get a more reflective, white surface on the walls.



Today was my last work day for the year. (helps to save your leave up)
So, after doing expenses, clock cards etc, I popped down to the garage, pushed the truck out and did the second coat of white..... GOOD IDEA.

I now need to find two more strip lights to fit to the side wall for when I am working on the body.

Pleased with the results so far.



Truck back in.

Once you put it back in place, you realize just how big this red thing is.......

Tomorrow I will be helping the decorator in the house, along with starting to remove all the stickers, the little trim clips down the sides and also the big toolbox in the rear.

Friday evening Martin and I are going over to Russell the paralyzed Fireman's place to modify all his furniture so that he can actually use it more effectively.

Saturday morning will be Honey-Do's and in the afternoon Martin may be over to help me get the scaffolding frame made up in front of the garage. Still need to get hold of a large tarpaulin to go over it all.

[Ta2Don]

Closer to the sanding and paint...

[bj383ss]

Can't wait to see you tearing it down.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by bj383ss

Can't wait to see you tearing it down.

Looks like you and Martin and Don are in cahoots.......


Small update.

Done nothing except move stuff around in the garage yesterday.

Today Nicola and I refitted the kitchen, which we have not been able to use since the flood and ceiling issue in September.
Glen, our plasterer and decorator finished downstairs yesterday ( He gets a house key and works between big jobs, but it means a substantial saving that can be used elsewhere but the house is upside down for longer) I was also helping him yesterday.

Today I tried a single 6 fin oil heater in the spray booth area for almost 3 hours....... Made no difference, but I suspect my gas panel heater or the gas blower type heater will make a difference.

I found out yesterday that Walmart in Texas had Chevy C10 Short Fleetside models in stock, so asked Bret to get Martin and I each one as want to custom match the paint on them to whatever we do to our trucks. Mine will be a bit easier, as it's a Short Fleet, but he has a Long Fleet, at least he will be able to get the colour matched to his paint. I think the current thinking is orange and white, but that changes weekly.

They are currently Blue, but that will be changed.

[Grizz1963]

BRET !!


The Narrator has said that Andy needs to "just wait a minute" he knows the letter of the law, and extortionate storage fees cannot be tolerated......

We have an enforcer here.




In other news, being the "Media Whore" that I am, the truck has had its first 4 page article published in the January 2015 edition of "Classic Van and Pickup" magazine.



That's all for now folks, thanks for checking in.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

Closer to the sanding and paint...

...... And filling and painting and sanding

...... And filling and painting and sanding

...... And filling and painting and sanding

...... And filling and painting and sanding

...... And filling and painting and sanding

...... And filling and painting and sanding

...... And filling and painting and sanding

That it primer, not paint

[bj383ss]

Andy sent you a pick of him and the boys enjoying you and Martin's new trucks for when you come to USA next year!

20141219_182307 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

20141219_182319 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

20141219_182324 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

20141219_182240 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

Cheers Mate

[flashed]

Love the little tow truck and congrats getting your rig in a magazine .

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by flashed

Love the little tow truck and congrats getting your rig in a magazine .

Thanks Mate.

I am a bit of a "Media Whore" so would always allow it to be featured, especially if they are interested in it.


Been on leave for 5 days, been busy every day, but not done much to the truck.

Today was another day like that, but again, I was busy the whole day.

Managed to start on the truck after unpacking the inside, and tool box, as well as removing it and the rear mat.

Got the grinder out...... always a good way to start a restoration.

Ground off all the barsteward side trim clips that I had not managed to tear off before.





Followed by using a lovely step-drill bit that Ta2Don sent me earlier this year, to remove all the rivets from the tonneau cover studs.



Leaving me with this lot.



At this point I would love to refit some new studs and get a new cover made up, to the same standard as the one coming off the truck.

After this I just oiled up all the nuts n bolts I may be addressing tomorrow around the front end.

[Grizz1963]

A serious highlight this week was the arrival of an Australian number plate from 1/2 Cup of Garage Journal fame.



THREAD LINK: http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=225061

I have had a few promises over the years of Ozzie plates for my collection, but they never actually surfaced.

Then 1/2 Cup came on board and found me this one which will be added to my ever growing collection.

[flashed]

Would you like a Georgia Plate ? Im sure I can find you one . My wife tried to get me one from a friend in Ireland but he said the Govt over there keeps them.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by flashed

Would you like a Georgia Plate ? Im sure I can find you one . My wife tried to get me one from a friend in Ireland but he said the Govt over there keeps them.

Morning Flashed.

The Irish plates are very hard to get, I was there two weeks ago and could not even get one.

I am always happy to add plates to my collection, but I try to get specialized plates, like disabled, government, military or older historic type plates.

If you are desperate for an Irish plate, EBay may have some.

I know UK plates may not be sold on EBay unless they have been out of use for three years or something.

[Ta2Don]

Awesome to see the teardown begin!!!

Cheers Mate!!!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

Awesome to see the teardown begin!!!

Cheers Mate!!!

Yeahhhh Riiiight.... Scares the crap out of me.

I really want this to come out good once I am done, but there is so much work that needs doing.

And the way I take photos, generally you do not see the flaws that I will now have to repair etc.

[Ta2Don]

Awesome job on da Moose!

Merry Christmas to Nicola and you and the kitties as well!!!

[Grizz1963]

Christmas has come, and there seems to be a theme in the gifts.

Books, T-shirts and treats from Nicola and the kids.



Tailgate chains from mate Martin. THANKS BUDDY !!



And a model truck from Nicola. soon I may have a fleet of them in every colour.

[Grizz1963]

One of my big concerns with the Resto on this truck was replacing my tonneau cover on the rear, as it serves many purposes, looking good, increasing economy (not really a word associated with V8 trucks) and also a bit of visual security if you have stuff in the rear.

http://www.autoanything.com/tonneau-...-tonneau-cover

Thanks to the internet, and forums, Palf70Step has just given me the link above, and it looks like they will be able to deliver what I would like.

Most importantly, I will be able to weld up all the holes around the load body, including the arial hole and some others.

[disasterbus]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

One of my big concerns with the Resto on this truck was replacing my tonneau cover on the rear, as it serves many purposes, looking good, increasing economy (not really a word associated with V8 trucks) and also a bit of visual security if you have stuff in the rear.

http://www.autoanything.com/tonneau-...-tonneau-cover

Thanks to the internet, and forums, Palf70Step has just given me the link above, and it looks like they will be able to deliver what I would like.

Reviews on those are good and there is an importer in Frimley (10 miles from me) but they don't make them for step-side trucks :-(

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by disasterbus

Reviews on those are good and there is an importer in Frimley (10 miles from me) but they don't make them for step-side trucks :-(

Thanks Kerry

Do you have a name or contact details please??

[Grizz1963]

Got lucky on Boxing Day......



Was surfing the forums I go on with one eye/hand and watching a movie with Nicola, like you do.

When I found a pair of 3" QTP Cutout valves, pipes etc, used about 1500 miles (2400km) for sale on Rods n Sods for less than half of what I could have landed them in the UK from Summit Racing in the USA.
Better still, they are only about 30 miles or 50km from where we live, so collecting them and a set of tarpaulins mate Ashley in Southampton has given me for the work space I want to build in front of the garage in one trip.
Told Nicola and from the side if her face came the perfect reply......... "Well, that's your birthday in January sorted then"

So I sent a PM to the seller, spoke to him and agreed to buy them.

photobucket.com/user/niknakpix/media/niknakpix109/imagejpg1_zpsb41406d7.jpg.html][/URL]





I live at A, cutouts at B and tarpaulins at C when a friend of Ashley heads up to see his mum in Hayward's Heath and takes them up from Portsmouth.



Today will be fitting the new extra lights I bought for the garage and some other odd jobs.

Martin will be over to keep me company and work his door......

[Grizz1963]

Fitted the extra lights today, found that the "daylight 5' tubes vs 4' tubes" were not the same. Bit yellow.

Also fitted a 300 watt spotlight with passive to light up in front of garage and up the drive to the house.

Perfect for locking up at nigh or getting in after dark etc.

[URL=http://s294.photobucket.com/user/niknakpix/media/niknakpix113/imagejpg1_zps96ef1262.jpg.html][/URL

[Grizz1963]

Been a bit chilly down at the garage lately, yesterday was -1'C when I left home at 09.00

Sorry about all the rubbish quality mobile phone pics, no idea why they are so bad.





Today being the first day of my holiday where I could actually do just what I wanted, I de-stickered the inside and also the rear window. Did not realize the BBW was so large.



Managed to relocate most of the stickers to the toolbox.



Once done with all the stickers etc, I decided to take the truck for its last run of 2014...... just a gentle run as the roads are cold, gritted and a bit slippery where we live.

Before leaving, I called Clem in Fayetteville, Arkansas and we chatted for over an hour about trucks and life in general.
Really looking forward to the trip to the USA in October.

I also ran into a friends dad who drives a 14 year old F150 and lives next to the HA retreat a couple of miles from where we live.
So after a nice chat, and some final photos of the truck on the road, I carried on down Ropers lane and back up around a roundabout.......

This is typically where things go wrong just when you do not need or want them to.

I passed some multi-wheeled truck, only to hear a very loud "WHACK!!"

SHEEETT!!!!! What broke?

Then looking ahead, I realized, the truck that passed had thrown a stone and hit the windscreen almost where my chin would be......BURGERR!!

That means that it will fail its next MOT next year as its cracked in the line of vision.

Also means I will now have to waste money on paying the excess and any top-up needed for a new windscreen.



Pics taken before the "WHACK"



Came home, after putting some fuel in the tank as it was very low (no idea why I felt the need to add 9 litres to a truck going off the road for a while)

Reversed the truck down to the garage, went up to put the other cars onto the drive that get moved when the truck comes out the garage..... found this on the drive.



Well, perfect timing again.....I have been planning to replace the exhaust system as part of this resto as well.



Then shortly after I got home, I got a text from Paul Y who I had given the trims from the truck to, and he offered to come help me build my own exhaust system for the truck, in exchange for buckets of tea and chocolate biscuits.

Have I mentioned Life is Good ??

After this I started the tear down. Sounds a lot more impressive than it is.

Nicola came home early from work, so I shut shop and came up to the house to spend time with her and to see out this year.




So, in closing out 2014....

Thank you each and every one for friendships, help and advice on here, and in our personal lives.

May 2015 bring us all what we need, and some of what we want.

This is how I left the garage tonight.




See you all in the new year.

Watch this space, and thanks for checking in.

[Palf70Step]

Better mouse than I can do. I just ran when I come upon on a real one in the woods of Canada many, many moons ago.

[clemdaddy]

you're quite the crafty devil... the stuff you can make from your mind is astonishing.
so looking forward to our face to face. but for now... Merry Christmas and a happy happy New Year.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

Awesome job on da Moose!

Merry Christmas to Nicola and you and the kitties as well!!!

Thanks Don, spoke on FaceTime already, but good wishes back home.

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Better mouse than I can do. I just ran when I come upon on a real one in the woods of Canada many, many moons ago.

I hear they are big.

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

you're quite the crafty devil... the stuff you can make from your mind is astonishing.
so looking forward to our face to face. but for now... Merry Christmas and a happy happy New Year.

Thanks Clem, of course the same wishes to you and yours.

I tend to just make lot of stuff up as I go along.
And, Yup !!! I do just give stuff a try.

Looking forward to October.