Martin's mi-STRESS, 1965 Long Fleetside C10 "Rebuild in ENGLAND"

[ibrown50]

Hi Martin, good to see you back on the forum, you've been having a bit of a torrid time.

Shame about the Harley, as I found out the last time I dumped a bike, ribs heal but bikes don't

Still every cloud they say has a silver lining and I see you've gone from this



To this

[mjh1965]

Thanks guys and Ian I love the pictures . The worrying thing is he died in the car , so I better take it easy .

[dwcardfan]

Sorry to hear about the Harley. Rian had told me about it when he was over for Clems party. Nice car!!!

[uber cool]

looks like you and the dog have been in the wars, at least you are both on the mend

[mjh1965]

Well just an update. As I mentioned earlier I was getting a sway bar from Bill . Well today the mounting brackets arrived from America. Thanks to Paul (NevEno) . The sway bar was picked up by a friend of pete's in Brighton. So all being well I should be collecting it in a couple of weeks .

The brackets thanks again Paul

[chad64chevy]

martin thanks for an update, hope all is well! what happened to the sway bar I took to Clem's for you?

[mjh1965]

Originally Posted by chad64chevy

martin thanks for an update, hope all is well! what happened to the sway bar I took to Clem's for you?

I sent Clem a couple of messages to get me a shipping cost and he never got back to me so I guess it's still there . In the end I found one in the U.K. Thanks to Bill .

[mjh1965]

First of all I would like to wish everyone that reads my post a Happy new year

Now for the update I didn't want to have to do . Those of you that read my thread know that my dog Bow had an operation on his leg , well unfortunately he started limping on the other leg . I took him to the vet and was informed the possibility of bone cancer due to the gland in his leg being swollen. Well the vets diagnosis was correct and on the 30/12/2016 he went in for X-rays that confirmed it had got worse. So it was time to let him go . I must confess to leaving the vets in tears , those of you that have had a dog will understand. He was only six years old . He would always come outside with me when I worked on the truck

Taken about a month ago



I was also given a painting for Christmas by Sally's dad John . He new he was unwell but not the full extent of Bow's condition. I think he did a great job

The painting



Thanks for looking in next update will be truck related as I have received some parts and would like to have it done or at least nearly there by this time next year .

[Ta2Don]

Sorry to hear about your loss. Awesome painting! Cheers mate!

Happy & Blessed New Year!

[mjh1965]

Thanks Don

[realvc]

So sorry to hear of your loss. I can truly relate to the tears leaving the vets as I had to deal with that about three years ago now and I still miss my shop buddy.

Looking forward to your truck updates.

[65sub]

Sorry to hear your sad news Martin. Pets really are part of the family

[Palf70Step]

Sorry to hear the news Martin.

[ibrown50]

Martin, really sorry to hear about Bow, it's very sad news. I agree with everything above, (having also left the vets in tears) your dog is part of your family and their loss is really painful, but often people who've not had pets don't get it. Hope this new year brings you luck and prosperity. All the best for 2017

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by ibrown50

Martin, really sorry to hear about Bow, it's very sad news. I agree with everything above, (having also left the vets in tears) your dog is part of your family and their loss is really painful, but often people who've not had pets don't get it. Hope this new year brings you luck and prosperity. All the best for 2017

Martin, we have spoken about this too.

I agree with Ian.

I am very stoic on stuff like this and did not even cry when both my parents died........ yet, if this stupid cat, Harley who makes me smile and grimace in equal measure had to clock out, I suspect I would be devastated. People do not get pets if they do not get them.

I always got on well with Bow and as you know he thought he was a puppy and would happily sit on my lap, given a chance. He was also a bright dog, possibly more than his master so my advice, like with human loss to you is to love and enjoy him in his absence, not easy but smile when you think or speak of him.

As for 2017...........??

Let this be a great year for all of us.

[clemdaddy]

So sorry about your pup. It seems very unfair that a true friend and creature of innocence can have a short time for us to share. And brother do we ever get attached to them in that short time.

God speed buddy

[flashed]

Im so sorry for your loss ,I have been petless for years now and miss them terribly .Just know he is in doggy heaven with no more pain .

[mjh1965]

Thanks guys for your kind words . I just hope one of the last photos I took of Bow was him telling my Labrador he had to spend more time outside with me when I work on the truck



Well as for working on the truck , I went down to pete's in Brighton and collected my sway bar a few weeks before Christmas. While I was there he spoke to Steve Lang who brings part from the states to order me some new outer rockers. I know I sold a set I had to Ian . Note to one self don't sell parts till you are sure you don't need them . So I went and collected them as they had just arrived . So weather permitting I can get this truck back on track .

My sway bar





The rust on my cab after blasting .









The only good part is I have done the job already on my old cab .

[JJ's Sierra Grande]

just catching up on all the threads after a long Christmas break. Know exactly what you mean about leaving the vets in tears. Your story made me think of my old girl whos been gone for 4 years now and smile with watery eyes. condolences to you, they are our furry children and some people don't get it that's for sure. All the best for 2017.

[Chevy Apache]

Great pic of your dog.
And more new part so more truck time

[uber cool]

wow martin, just read your recent threads, as a dog owner too that was tough reading. Are you and Ryan going to the Essex meet in March?

[mjh1965]

Thanks Andy and yes we are going to the swap meet on Sunday 5th of March . I think there are a few guys going that are on here so it should be a good time to catch up with some old friends.

[Paul V]

Sorry to hear about your loss, unless you are a dog / pet owner no one really understands.

I lost my best friend Jake the boxer dog last year, watched him die right in front of me, one of the hardest things i have ever had to go though.

Funny thing is he hatred the traveling in my C10 but refused to go anywhere without me so used to suck it up.

Again sorry for your loss.

[mjh1965]

Well what can I say, things have been a little hectic. Life getting in the way of truck build , that and the inclement weather we usually get . The trouble with the carport is , its ok to store the truck but not big enough to work on it .

Well with the weather changed and some work I promised Sally I would do over the winter months now all finished . That and work being very busy so only being able to do her bathroom at the weekends . I am now free to get back on the truck .

So after I had turned this



Into this





Well let's get on with the part you came to look at the truck . With my new outer rockers waiting to go on . Saturday morning I didn't have to work . So Saturday morning I pushed the truck out of the carport so I could work on it . I must be getting older as its getting heavier .

First I cut off the old rocker panel .







Next I finished the repairs on the floor and cleaned up the inner rocker



I also repaired the end support and patched it up







I then test fitted the outer rocker in place .



That was it for Saturday morning. Next is so test fit the door then weld the rocker in place . I will obviously need a hand hanging the door . That's were doing the bathroom will have got me some brownie points . Sally has already offered to help me with hanging the door .

That's all for now I am just glad to be working on it again

[Palf70Step]

You did a GREAT job on the bathroom.

Truck work looks good too.