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

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Great job on the cleanup Rian. She just glistens on her lilly pad.

You had me chuckling here Bill.

I do like clean stuff.


Rained all day yesterday.

Rain again today.

Not ideal.

But the rain does make a good judge of my effort.







I guess all this rain means I should just go out and go shopping for ridiculous stuff for Sally to wrap up and hand over at Christmas.

And yes, not a fan.

Prefer to buy stuff that I need when I need it.

Christmas is every day.

[Grizz1963]

Well.


First real use of the Caddy yesterday.


Company car collection was on Tuesday.


Now I am officially unemployed as garden leave came to an end on Sunday 10th.


With the 206 CC off the road on SORN till January and after its service, it was the first time I had to rely on the Caddy since its new MOT and ECU for real world use.


Reliable as expected

I drove it about 10 miles to a not so local shopping centre and parked in the underground garage. Forgot to take a photo of it between all the shiny, if dirty moderns.
it certainly is a small car, relative to everything else.


A really pleasant drive as it was when I fetched it from @Zelandeth and again made me grin.


Some shopping and socialising with strangers later, I headed home.


Happy and content.

Got home to three small parcels

Including these from @shampooefficient

Next job, see if they fit and apply





Now I need to get back onto getting tyres ordered and bought for the 16” alloys I bought for it. And finally fitting them.


Though I do really like the simplicity of the steel wheels and mini centre caps.


In other news, I had ordered some 2.2 Ohm resistors off eBay. Delivered in under 48 hours.


Once again surprised at the cost including postage

Made the mistake of thinking it was cost per unit.






Now I seem to have many or is that much resistance.





Just need to wait for Martin to have a job nearby so he can come do the necessary work for fooling the Peugeot into believing it has airbags in the seats, then I can fit the new interior. George the cat has taken them over as his new bedroom furniture.




Last thing …….



Saw this map, including a reference to my kingdom ��








​​​​​​​That is all.

[Braunschweiger]

You did a good job, the convertible sparkles too.
I'm now too lazy to switch from summer tires to winter tires,
so the steel rims with all-weather tires stay on.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

You did a good job, the convertible sparkles too.
I'm now too lazy to switch from summer tires to winter tires,
so the steel rims with all-weather tires stay on.

Thanks

You know as well as I do that if we put the work in the result we will get is good.




A good, if slightly chilly morning on Mud Island.

Rain stopped overnight.



Last night I got home as the Caddy turned over to 114000 miles or 183465 km

Almost run in for a 1.9 SDI



Then this morning I quickly fitted the £5.00 delivered side repeaters.
Easiest job ever.

Pop out, unclip, twist fit, repeat.



And fitted and working.





I think that works.

.

[realvc]

I'm still here every day just don't comment very oftern.

Everything you have done to your fleet up to this point is just fine with me.
Keep up the good work.

I need you to finish some of my projects.

I was trying to figure out where the exhaust pipes and mufflers are on your Astro van.
When it was on the lift at the MOT I couldn't tell.

Thanks, a lurker in Arkansas.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by realvc

I'm still here every day just don't comment very oftern.

Everything you have done to your fleet up to this point is just fine with me.
Keep up the good work.

I need you to finish some of my projects.

I was trying to figure out where the exhaust pipes and mufflers are on your Astro van.
When it was on the lift at the MOT I couldn't tell.

Thanks, a lurker in Arkansas.

Hi Vince

Twin muffler setup.
Under the seat and
Exiting about in line with the filler

Not easy to identify .



https://youtu.be/9WubHv51_gE?si=1Vob3xIEYk_oVOfl


May show in this.

[Grizz1963]

Not much happened this week.

But I was asked by Aaron my one current lodger if I could take him and another guy to Rochester for their Christmas party.

Thankfully I had not got rid of the small jump seats yet, so refitted one and ran them to town.

Function over form wins this time.



When I got back, George was waiting for me. Tucked up like a hovercraft.
Impressive whiskers for sure.

It is coming up for two years that he has lived here.

Still thankful he chose this house to move into.



First time we met

https://youtu.be/n0mWn5PbP-M?si=43dcmBIMRCJzfuT1


This morning we had another great sunrise.

Looking out of the kitchen window, the van again made me chuckle, just because it is a nice and good looking thing. (Till the next pretty lady rolls into view. Long roof V8 Americans look out)



Peugeot 206 CC went into the garage yesterday to have cambelt and waterpump replaced as well as a general look over for any issues.

I need to find a sensibly priced source for some 195/55 16 tyres to fit on the Caddy’s alloys that are still waiting to be fitted.

And just like that it’s almost Christmas.

[Grizz1963]

I do feel at times that I am spending more cash than I should.

At 104k miles or 167k km there is no recorded history of the Peugeot 206 ever having had a cambelt or waterpump replaced.

So in order to protect what still is a nice car, I took the chance on driving it home a month ago on 25th November and pretty much parking it out back till the 20th which was the earliest day I could get it booked in for a going over and service.

So I took it to Cliffs

They have been there a very long time

From this building



To a modern workshop he had built a few years ago.



So next job of course dismantling and replacing parts.









Original plastic waterpump and cambelt looked good but seem to be original.






Underside looking surprisingly good for a 21 year old.

I will try get myself motivated to clean up a d treat the underside with some rust restraining/preventing type gloop.






Coolant, antifreeze drained and replaced as well.

Collected from Cliffs and parked up at home on SORN till 2024 as a convertible for Christmas just makes no sense to me.

Pleased its done now for peace of mind.

Next up.

VW Caddy alloys and new tyres.

[Grizz1963]

So at 17.45 tonight we had our 2023 Medway Christmas Tractor Parade.

Windy and around 11’C or 52’F outside. Not bad for beyond mid December.

Unlike USA automotive parades, there was no Candy thrown out at the kids along the route like I saw at Eureka Springs in September this year.

I heard 45 vehicles took part. Count them if you want and let me know.


Enjoy a bit of English Paradeing.

https://youtu.be/mgSN0BH4Q2Q?si=BVNFNDhyVp0EmhdV




AND FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN THE EUREKA SPRINGS PARADE.

ENJOY.


https://youtu.be/lG5UW0XIoMU?si=fRp9VhhDjlKR25Bv



MORE REPORTING LATER.

[Grizz1963]

Final part of the prize puzzle……..

Won with the Peugeot.


Ooooofffffftastic with sweetpotatofries.


And a taaaaallll a Bacardi and Pepsi Max.





Sweet potato fries with loads of mayonnaise







And a Bacardi and Pepsi Max.





Merry Christmas all.

[Grizz1963]

Peugeot video

Slightly out of sync.

https://youtu.be/fcFWqhQJLUA?si=61dcSx1HmdX11JXs





Merry Christmas to all the readers and followers.

And a special thank you to everyone who takes the time to contribute and write actual replies on the thread or YouTube channel.

Here’s to a great 2024 for all of us.


.

[Grizz1963]

Clean start for 2024.

Here’s to all having a good new year.


https://youtu.be/pBgbB00N6ZE?si=R0MvSJFRhZufQ2Dp

[Grizz1963]

Not done much the last few days.


But today I made a sticker with a Sharpie for the cambelt etc.



Really wanted to use a printed style sticker that would look better.






​​​​​​​Still good to keep records.

[Grizz1963]

For all those of us wishing for a good new year……

May 2024 bring us all we need and most of what we want.

Here’s to a wonderful year ahead.

[Braunschweiger]

I also hope that your wishes come true.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

I also hope that your wishes come true.

As always, Thank you Harald.

I trust you and your family will have a good year ahead as well.

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

May things work out well for you Rian. Happy New Year.

Thank you Bill.

Life is good, so it will be, sometimes less so the way we want it, but we will have a good year, as life unfolds.

Here’s to you and Jan having a wonderful year ahead as well.

[Palf70Step]

May things work out well for you Rian. Happy New Year.

[Grizz1963]

So 2024…….

So 2024 has started??

The Caddy has proved to being back to 100% reliable as expected with the ECU replacement.
It is actually a pleasure to drive and at Christmas became a convenient 4 seater for delivering and collecting people as a “designated drivers car” so my lodgers and myself and Sally could go out.
Usually Sally drives and I can have a drink if I want but this year I was happy to drive.

Like “Prozac” the Citroen Berlingo a few years ago, this is an amazing tool for lugging stuff and people about.
Shopping is great, open the rear door and just put the bags of food straight into the car. The rear doors split asymmetrically, which means that one is wider than the other.

Deceptively small as well, despite it’s ability to swallow huge loads. Load volume is a creditable 2.9 cubic metres. Load length is 1,728mm, load height is 1,279mm and load width is 1,530mm. And maximum payload is said to be 625kg so over half a ton in a VW Polo based van. Pretty sure many were abused with a lot more than that.

Note the size compared to other small cars parked in the Morrisons car park.



One of the jobs I held off on was fitting two new tyres and getting the fast slow leak sorted until I could get the reliability back to standard.

With the van performing faultlessly I took it in for two new 195/55-16 tyres and to get the puncture sorted.
Slow leak was due to extreme corrosion on the bead edge of the wheel and cost me £25.00 to repair.
Along with the tyres, total bill for swapping wheels, tyres, puncture repair etc was £191.00



Old, really good and hardly used tyres and steels with centre caps in the rear.



Fitted



Driving back home with the extra wheels in the rear it became apparent that the wider tyres and wheels were rubbing on the relocated rear shocks going around tight bends at speed.

So next stop is a pair of 10mm spacers.
That should be more than enough to push the wheels out a bit.
Handling feels great as well.

Back home I added the centre caps.



Personally I am absolutely 50/50 on the steels vs alloys.

So before vs after.




Over the Christmas season Bonnie spent more time than usual with Sally and indoors.
She also discovered wildlife television.
Amazingly focused on animal programs. Interacting at times.



Having had a pretty wet, cloudy winter but without too much extreme cold, George spends most of the time indoors. Sleeping.
Last week while washing the cars during some better days, George came out as well.
He loves the sun.
Mr Feral.

Only a sliver of sun needed.



More later

[Grizz1963]

Doorbell rings…..

Courier delivery

Cold chain box.



Opening it, a note at the top of a sealed foil pack.



Opening the foil bag……

A whole selection of pasties.



So I unpacked them into the refrigerator.

Later I zapped one in the microwave. Oven heating would be better.
I added a bit of Sweet Cider Chutney.



So….?

Who would send me a load of amazing pasties?
Mate Steve, another one of those guys whose actions speak louder than words.
Kindness.
Thank you very much mate.

Life is good.

[Grizz1963]

16 years ago today I had my 1963 Ford Taunus Transit van delivered from Germany.



I added wheels, attended meetings and really enjoyed it for quite a few years.

There were some really nice ones from Germany as well.












I sold it at one point because I had stopped using it and fell out of love with it after having a fuel injected Ford Zetec engine fitted by very good friend Edd.

Would I have it again?

I think so.

Not sure.

It was great having it when I did.

[Braunschweiger]

It's the great memories, the people, the meetings.
A very rare vehicle, everyone in the world wants a VW bus, this one is much better.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

It's the great memories, the people, the meetings.
A very rare vehicle, everyone in the world wants a VW bus, this one is much better.

It was a great van.

Only 13000 km done.

Because fire engines never go far from base. Only to fight fires.


Videos from when I did not know much about making a watchable film.


https://youtu.be/pJGrImgd7so?si=B4kIGSG_BgykODgw



https://youtu.be/pJGrImgd7so?si=B4kIGSG_BgykODgw

[Grizz1963]

Adding the 16” alloys to Caddy should not be a problem.

Bolt on and go.

But……. My Caddy is a former WAV so the floor was lowered by a conversion company (not much engineering involved)
The rear shock mounts were relocated.
Perfect for the smaller original 165 width tyres and wheels.
So fitting 195/16” tyres and wheels were bound to be a possible challenge.

So Spacers and longer wheel bolts had to be bought. Another unnecessary cost of course, considering the original tyres were new, standard and perfectly fine.

Suddenly the wheels, tyres x2, spacers, bolts, VW centre cap badges etc added £380.00 to the van, and yet it did nothing differently to before.

Cars……. I guess many of us are doing that sort of thing daily.

So I removed one of the bolts to measure it.





I also started to look out for a pair of 10mm spacers to push the new wheels out as they were contacting the shock absorber on moderate to harder cornering.

Found some on Marketplace for £20.00 for universal fit, unused. 30 miles away, so drove and fetched them.



Wheel bolts came fast off EBay another £25.00 wasted.




So last week there was a cutting breeze outside and I chose not to change them.

Yesterday it was much better.

4 layers and a wooly hat saw me outside adding some diesel gifted me by a friend who needed to decommission a machine and needed to get rid of the contents. Thank you very much.



Next up……..

Lift the van, remove wheel, fit spacer, drop down. Result.

Chilly outside. Minimal breeze.



Waiting….



Clearly was not right.

Too close on cornering.



This way to hold the spacers in position failed.

I then got some duct tape and stuck the spacers in position on the actual hubs.

Much more efficient.



Both sides done and reassembled.

Hardly noticeable to the untrained eye.

But 10mm is 10mm

Not yet gone for a decent drive to test it.

BEFORE



AFTER



Once done I came indoors to warm up, clean the house and shower as mate Kevin and Teresa were visiting after 1.30

They loved the Astro and actually registered their interest in buying it when the time comes.
I should have tried to sell the green Peugeot 206 CC to them as it will be surplus. Well, it really is surplus, along with the Rezin Rockit and both should be sold on.

The heating was on and George seemed happy with it.





I need to get out for some food shopping later and will report back about how the Caddy feels.

Video:

https://youtu.be/QMnPJ6fiRt4?si=SnWeswYoehdAzByE

Later.

[Grizz1963]

Remember when I had the cambelt and waterpump replaced on the 206 CC

I added a sticker to the engine to show when the work was done, for future reference.



Same as someone had done for the VW Caddy.



This week I got a card from the Post Office, demanding £2.50 for unpaid postage.
Dully paid it via PayPal.

Delivered on Wednesday.

Contents: a printed version of the details of the 206 CC service.

Some nice people out there.

No idea who sent the sticker but Thank You very much.



In the mean time it is still -3’C overnight.
Winter has reminded us there are seasons but……….

[Braunschweiger]

A nice thing and nice people there.