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

[mjh1965]

Well I thought I’d do an update. Now the chassis is complete. With the exhaust all installed. It was time to start on the cab

https://flic.kr/p/2iZiQ9n

https://flic.kr/p/2iZmz7q

https://flic.kr/p/2iZmxLz

https://flic.kr/p/2iZo7vB
Transmission cooler lines installed.

I purchased another Gazebo 12x9 feet or 3x4 meters. To do the cab in

https://flic.kr/p/2iZmvZ3

The inside ready for colour
Then it was time to weld the dash in from my old cab

https://flic.kr/p/2iZo6P1

https://flic.kr/p/2iZmwtV

https://flic.kr/p/2iZiLK3

It was then time to get the outside of the cab ready

https://flic.kr/p/2iZo5Qh

In the meantime my new rear springs arrived. I had already fitted 2inch drop springs and two inch blocks. I removed both of them and replaced them with 5 inch drop springs.

https://flic.kr/p/2iZiPiu

I also have a box of goodies arrive on Thursday this is just a taster of what’s to come

https://flic.kr/p/2iZiQ8R

Thanks for checking in
Posted via Mobile Device

[Palf70Step]

Looking very good Martin! Be good to see paint fly instead of dust.

[J Williams]

Truck looks like it is coming together awesome! Well done! You are about the same place I am minus the engine and tranny in on mine. Fun to watch it come along.
Posted via Mobile Device

[mjh1965]

Thanks guys. I am able to post again as I am using flicker instead on photo bucket . Lots of work going on as in lockdown . So it’s a great time to catch up .
Posted via Mobile Device

[mjh1965]

Thanks guys. I am able to post again as I am using flicker instead on photo bucket . Lots of work going on as in lockdown . So it’s a great time to catch up .
Posted via Mobile Device

[realvc]

Looking like some great progress Martin. Way to go!!!

[clemdaddy]

I agree with Vince...

Another of the few benefits of shutdown, lot's of us are getting truck time.

Keep after it Martin!

[Modges'66]

I have to agree also. It is nice to see everybody getting truck time!
Great to see your progress Martin!

[mjh1965]

Just a little update , this time to the chassis. I upgraded the rear brakes. Changing from drum to disc's .

https://flic.kr/p/2j2oQkq

https://flic.kr/p/2j2oQcj

https://flic.kr/p/2j2meje

https://flic.kr/p/2j2oRWr

Well it’s back to working on the cab tomorrow as the weather looks nice and warm thanks for checking in
Posted via Mobile Device

[mjh1965]

Well today I got the inside of the cab painted.

https://flic.kr/p/2j2yz3i

https://flic.kr/p/2j2BdA3

https://flic.kr/p/2j2CNzj

So the next job when the lockdown eases will be to get some friends over to lift it back onto the chassis. Then the fun starts .
Posted via Mobile Device

[Palf70Step]

It definitely is not light green no more!!!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

It definitely is not light green no more!!!

I said all I saw was green too

May have been green with Envy.

Looking good Martin

[mjh1965]

Well with this lockdown continuing it’s given me plenty of time to get on with the Truck .

The first job I did was to mount the transmission cooler lines

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/8y5Kh8

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/HE31S2

Then it was time to make the transmission cooler mounting brackets

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/J8EPo1

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/76599Q

Once all the transmission lines were finished it was time to start the engine. So Pete came over to my place (silver Indian) and helped me get it started . The funny thing was it wasn’t till later that evening I while checking the video of when I had removed the engine and cab with the help of Rian that I had purchased. It was exactly 5 years to the day that it had been removed and brought back to life

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/7d5YE8

So with the cab ready to go back on next weekend this truck is finally going back together.
Posted via Mobile Device

[realvc]

Way to go Martin. You are making great progress.
All I seem to get done is move my truck parts around in the shop.
I've had other projects come along like replacing the radiator in the vette and do other things on the Jeep plus I can't do very much at a time because of fatigue and some withdrawals from the meds. I've been on. It seems like things are better now.

Seeing your progress is very encourging to me.
Keep it up, I'm looking forward to seeing driving your truck very soon.

[mjh1965]

Thanks Vince . I guess this Covid19 has had its advantages and disadvantages .
I have had loads of time off and fortunately I am still getting paid , well up too now anyway.
I was hoping to get back over to the states this year . I can't believe it's been five years since I last visited. But I guess with everything that's happening that's very unlikely. Mind you the more I get on with the truck , the bigger my shopping list seems to get . So if all goes well a trip next year may be on the cards .

[Grizz1963]

Having been over to Martins place on Friday, I can report that his work sucks big time..........!


He has set the bar so bloody high with fit, finish and attention to detail that it’s pretty much a show truck he is building without the show part, that I will not be able to come even close to what he is delivering.

COVID has certainly allowed him to get on with stuff.

But he has built a few kit cars I. The past, and his technical knowledge has certainly allowed him to select the right parts to make this a BLOODY AWESOME TRUCK !!!

I am both impressed and a little envious.

I suspect Sally his girlfriend is thankful too, as it means they can see the progress right there.

Waiting to see the cab back on.

Well done.

[mjh1965]

Thanks Rian. I guess the biggest incentive is .
I WANT TO DRIVE IT AGAIN !!!!!!!!!’
Each step closer it gets the more incentive I seem too get .

As for Sally I think she’d like to see the taillights working probably as someone else is driving if away . Due the time I have spent working on it .
Posted via Mobile Device

[mjh1965]

Well the time had come to put the cab back on to the chassis. Fortunately I had a couple of friends coming over on Saturday morning. So it was time to attach the cab lifter myself and Rian made 6 years ago .to my engine hoist.

So with everything ready and my mates Dave & Steve arriving it was time to get the show on the road .

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/250fD2

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/n80T1s

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/714iDF

So with the cab , all fitted back on the chassis. I had to try the bedsides on , after changing the rear springs from 2 inch drop and with 2 inch drop blocks for 5 inch drop springs. I wanted to see what it looked like . Obviously with only one fitted and no wood or tailgate I know it will drop a little more .

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/a800u4

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/9549T2

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/21p4RW

So after taking Sunday off .

Monday morning I decided to finish flat and polishing the inside paintwork . Then I painted the floor black ready for the sound deadening silent coat tomorrow.

https://flic.kr/p/2j7RZCz

https://flic.kr/p/2j7TpQX

https://flic.kr/p/2j7TpQB

https://flic.kr/p/2j7Ts13

https://flic.kr/p/2j7PsbC

https://flic.kr/p/2j7S144

So it’s finally starting to look like a truck again
Thanks for checking in more to follow
Posted via Mobile Device

[Palf70Step]

Looking very good Martin!

[realvc]

Once again I'm very glad to see your awesome progress.

[Grizz1963]

Nicely done Martin.

All of it.

I know mostly, the guys elsewhere in the world have loads more space to build, while your space is incredibly limited and often clever photography makes it look much bigger than it is.

One needs to keep in mind, you are totally solo in your build, except when you need extra muscle or even just an extra hand to safely attach or remove items when you are able to get someone to come to your place. At 15 miles, people like Steve and I are the closest help you have. Your challenges are pretty real here in England.

You have certainly moved the mountain here.

Well done !!

[mjh1965]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Looking very good Martin!

Originally Posted by realvc

Once again I'm very glad to see your awesome progress.

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Nicely done Martin.

All of it.

I know mostly, the guys elsewhere in the world have loads more space to build, while your space is incredibly limited and often clever photography makes it look much bigger than it is.

One needs to keep in mind, you are totally solo in your build, except when you need extra muscle or even just an extra hand to safely attach or remove items when you are able to get someone to come to your place. At 15 miles, people like Steve and I are the closest help you have. Your challenges are pretty real here in England.

You have certainly moved the mountain here.

Well done !!

Thanks Bill and Vince it’s great to be getting ahead at last

Rian what more can I say . You know how tight the space I have to work in seeing as you help me build it . Luckily my mate Dave rode down on his new BMW any excuse to get out and ride it . Mind you as you said Steve Is about 15 miles each way . But Dave did a Hundred miles each way to help . So I was really great full.

Just a little update as I have had to start sorting out the tools and van ready to return back to work . For me Covid 19 and the lockdown has really helped get ahead with the build .

So as for the update I used silent coat inside the cab after painting the floor and behind the seat .

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/r01p66

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/64f8Qy

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/T30o34

Thanks for checking in

[mjh1965]

Just a little update. I finished off the Silent Coat . Then I dropped the bed rails off at the sand blasters, on the Friday afternoon , and arranged to pick them up Tuesday morning, as my neighbor has a unit next to the blasting company. He wanted me to drop some parts off to his unit with him and collect my parts . Knowing this they got them done quickly for me .

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/D26P17

Once I got them home I painted them with POR15 to match the chassis

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/8S5po5

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/VzHEnx

So with the inside the cab all finished with the Silent Coat next job will be to get the pedal box back in . I have purchased a new pedal rubber . So hopefully that will arrive by Friday so I can widen the brake pedal to suit . My truck was originally manual now it’s an auto I have more room .

More updates to follow after the weekend thanks for checking in

[Modges'66]

Things are looking pretty amazing Martin!

[Grizz1963]

So many things on this truck, which really was meant to just be a get in and drive it type of ownership project has changed.

Typically things changed.

And then, little by little it started to open itself up to me, allowing me to discover its secrets, its quirks, its character, ZQ8 factory build.

Things have kinda fallen in place, sure, I made some effort too, in fact I probably made a lot of effort in some cases.

And one of the things that happened so randomly was being offered for sale, a 20 year old set of factory ZQ8 wheels with tyres.

I never got to see them and still have not looked at them for real, but was told by Steve the seller that they did not have any kerb rash.

That I will check out when I get to wash and clean them for inspection possibly tomorrow.

With the current restrictions of travel, I had anticipated only getting my hands on them at some point when the house arrest is lifted.

Step up mate Martin who is restoring a 1965 C10 truck

His day job is working and converting all sorts of cars for disabled people, from paraplegics to amputees and everything inbetween

Today he had a job up the street from Steve, so by 09.00 he had already stopped, picked up and driven off with the wheels.

Always good to have a mobile job with a van.



Loaded.

Steve also sent me a very good GMC S15 Sonoma Grille to use as a garage hanging.



After work I shot out for food shopping and stopped by to pick up my goodies and help Martin lift his 65 hood into place as he is moving house in the next two weeks.

Again, sensibly he had prepared it all by the time I got there.



The hood is LARGE, really lARGE.



Job done.



And wheels loaded.



Looking closer, but not fully inspected, they will need repainting.

So QUESTION TIME........

Powder coating, anyone do me shadow chrome on any wheels before ?

Please show me and report on durability etc.






One for a few of the guys, @pauly included, is the replacement, swapped out, 20 year old rear light lenses.

They will be getting some serious attention from G3 rubbing compound to revitalise and shine up the lenses.



Also in the bag were the good centre caps for the wheels, GMC items, unfortunately, available to trade for good Chevrolet items.

A few wheel nut covers in plastic, need another 10 of them, and also 20 special wheel nuts with an external thread for the wheel nut caps, they in turn hold the centre caps in place.

Lastly........

The BONUS item

A spare gear shift lever from Steve’s truck, which will be a floor shift manual in future.

I wanted one that I could modify, while retaining the original for refitting if ever needed.



And to close out the day, a nice sunset again.



Life is good, I may have mentioned this before.