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Sept 17, 2023 12:25:47 GMT
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Today, after Paul Y had been to collect his parts, I went out to see if I could get the steering wheel fitted. Errrrmmm….. NOPE ! Seems that if you give a monkey an Allen key, they will go in and screw it up. So job aborted until,I figure a way to get these stripped out heads removed. Any advice, photos, help accepted as always, on how to address these things. You will see one had a head broken off already in the second line. Multi-quote missing. I may just head in with a drill and drill out all the allen heads and remove the cap, then remove the steering wheel and hope the new one fits correctly. Current wheel is “Disposable” if I do get it off, it will be sold, traded, melted down or eaten.
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Last Edit: Sept 18, 2023 15:50:06 GMT by grizz
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Sept 17, 2023 12:05:42 GMT
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Still in Arkansas. After work, which ends late for both Kim with Rock House 205 and Clem with Tubatrucks.com which they own and run, it becomes time to kick back. www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwim1cvYwLGBAxVmUUEAHXSpBfUQFnoECBgQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Frockhouse205%2F&usg=AOvVaw2ZMYpmyhklw5pQN6TRg0rK&opi=89978449This rock house was built in 1916. It now houses one of the most beautifully curated gift stores in the area. There are handmade truffles and fudge from the Sweet Shop and scores of local and regional food items, Every room is filled with original art, unique vintage pieces, collectible toys, quirky coasters and kitchen linens, beautiful Be Home serving pieces, giant platters, water pitchers, baskets, and just a little bit of everything. Plan to stay awhile as it's like a great museum in a gorgeous an architecturally delightful setting. The owner is a local artist and graphic designer- Kim Meyer Johnson.Some of the stuff I like at Rock House 205. There is soooo much more there for the refined palate. Art, collectibles, jewellery and food. Clem and the two guys he works with (HE IS LOOKING FOR A FULL TIME MECHANIC) have a status report after work daily. A good way to ensure quality and continuity. Phillip and Frank. Clem gave me a few stickers, badges and a key ring to bring home. Then we relax, for real. Sailor Jerry or Pyrat Rum. There is a theme. Neighbour, Don who is a regular visitor, old school style, like you see on some older sitcoms, where people walk in, with or without knocking, dependant on time of day, wanted to take us to dinner. Mexican, which seems to have become the flavour of this trip. So we headed out in his car, he was the driver designate. Gallon Mango Margaritas for Clem and I. The man is competitive, right down to measuring my pace vs his. Great food and company again. After dinner we headed home, Don left and we started a fire out back…… What are road trips about? Friendship Enough. Tired now.
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Sept 16, 2023 18:35:59 GMT
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Quicky
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Sept 16, 2023 16:57:11 GMT
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And another one.
From Fayetteville, Arkansas.
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Sept 16, 2023 14:11:09 GMT
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Back home, Clem and I carried on, me on the phone, followed by another drive out, him and the guys, working. Frank and Phillip reassembling the customer car, it had rear end damage Clem had repaired, Alison with the 52 Chevy previously mentioned. I did actually help here, they needed strong arm to hold the trunk lid up while centring the holes. Indoors, Gus had reacquainted himself with me, and Widdle the cat was happy to be given attention. POSSIBLE REPEAT DUE TO EXCITEMENT TO SHARE BEFORE I had asked Clem to call and order on my behalf a new dash section for the Astro Van and he had called the number for the parts company who offered a new part…… Turned out it was obsolete. POOP. I also asked him about junk yards, scrap yards, breakers etc in the area to try find the dash section for the van. So he gave me his phone and computer after he had called the GMSpares supplier who had the dash surround on their inventory. So I called some vehicle breakers. Amazingly, the first ones I called, Junkyard Dog Auto Salvage in Rogers, Arkansas, said they had a few Astros in their yard……. Rogers has a few claims to fame. Rogers is a city in Benton County, Arkansas, United States. Located in the Ozarks, it is part of the Northwest Arkansas region, one of the fastest growing metro areas in the country.[8] Rogers was the location of the first Walmart store, whose corporate headquarters is located in neighboring Bentonville. Daisy Outdoor Products, known for its air rifles, Think Daisy BB gun, part of American history , has both its headquarters and its Airgun Museum in Rogers. The city houses a popular shopping center, the Pinnacle Hills Promenade, and a music venue, the Walmart AMP, that has housed performances by big-name artists and local performers alike. [9]
Seriously?? So I drove over there. Funny thing to see as well, although people are hugely trusting in these parts….. gates, no fences. I got to Junkyard Dog and spoke to various staff, till Sam, who I had spoken to 0n the phone, came in. He took me for a junk yard tour, 4 failed Astros, and then a 95 model, when the face change happened to them…… Jackpot. Also gave me a heater control knob Found one, and dismantled it…. Not the easiest thing to find in the U.K. Two screws. And a few easy clip switches to I clip. Done…… in the truck. Blower knob. Dash panel came with a bonus. Mud dauber wasp nest. Bassstards. Cleared out in the end. Once I got home, I celebrated with Clem and had a Sailor Jerry and Coke, followed by cleaning the whole surround that had cost me a whole £20.00 or $25.00 This is the most awesome win for me. Finding an obsolete part a long way from home, constitutes a major win when rebuilding a 30 plus year old car. I feel vindicated. Cleaned up. Did I mention that life is good? Back outside, this thing has always fascinated me. Never asked him his plans for it. Once I cleaned the dash piece I got my stuff into my room area. The afternoon was almost over.
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Last Edit: Sept 16, 2023 14:25:14 GMT by grizz
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Sept 16, 2023 12:28:02 GMT
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Mini van ??
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Sept 16, 2023 10:05:41 GMT
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When Clem came back from the errand, I had not even unpacked my stuff. So I did that, then we were off again after a quick garage made sandwich, including the sauce. To take a drive shaft/propshaft to a specialist for shortening, as you have to do when swapping out motors and transmissions. Family run shops like this, real Mom n Pop shop, including the guard dog. No job too impossible. Parked outside Then headed home to start relaxing. Gus the dog loves to “GO” driving is his number one pleasure. Saw a neat Astro on the way home too. Headed out to town with Sally now, need to get to the bank to return some of the Dollar$ I take with in case we see a car or truck to buy…… Later.
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Last Edit: Sept 16, 2023 13:42:47 GMT by grizz
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Sept 16, 2023 9:39:33 GMT
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I can't be the only one blown away at the level of detail going into these vehicles. I mean, you just don't see any form of bodgery at all ! After you sit down & really analyze the standard of workmanship, you can begin to understand why so many are north of 100k. I don't want to be put in a virtual automotive box but it's clear that my skillset and budget will clearly remain in the survivor/redneck category Out of all of this most recent photodump, that little 52 pick up is just up my street! That truck used to be an original white, farm patina truck that was Clems shop truck for many years till he built the two black shop trucks, But a customer wanted the 52 and a deal was agreed, it was completed a few years ago, and seen many miles, this time it was in for some light correction and attention. The Dually. And the racing truck. Both built to specific visions.
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Sept 16, 2023 9:25:37 GMT
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Being so close to a build or project can often reduce your own pleasure of seeing the progress. I am looking and seeing constant progress, and that is winning. Also, as someone recently said to me, when the fun stops it ceases to be a hobby.
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Sept 16, 2023 8:18:23 GMT
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Copied and pasted elsewhere that I play.Nice Grizz! Touring riders often just want to rush across Kansas (or Nebraska which is above Kansas) on Interstate 70 or 80 which is pretty flat flat and boring. Personally I really have come to enjoy the smaller roads across Missouri, northern Kansas, and southern Nebraska. Clifton, I do not write up everything that happens, but these smaller back roads deliver their own stories. For those familiar with www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiTwK3C0K6BAxVZRkEAHZHVDz0QFnoECCoQAQ&url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvin_Heemeyer&usg=AOvVaw0YbLacAPAIkVDrIPMlVNFZ&opi=89978449 Marvin Heemeyer they will recognise the “Killdozer” So driving “back roads” Dennis and I stopped at a very small, local gas station to fill, drain and get ice and a case of beers, in front of me stands a guy wearing his company T-shirt, with a bull dozer printed on the rear, Construction and Demolition, anyway, I talk to anyone and comment to him it’s a cool T-short and that my younger brother known as “Dozer” served 41 years in the Engineering corps and friend Tyler supported the Marvin Heemeyer legend. Back outside, I am filling the cooler bag with beers and ice, when said guy, Mike walks up to me and asks my address, in order to send me a T-shirt for my brother and Tyler each with his company logo on. He even asked what colour they would like. Seriously, only in Kansas. I have many other experiences that I do not have the time to write up, like invitations to peoples homes, shops etc just based on them realising guys like Dennis and I are genuinely interested in their lives.
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Sept 16, 2023 8:08:55 GMT
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Aha, thanks grizz. I wouldn't have expected such a pickup truck bed floor in a closed van. Every day's a school day. Maybe part of why I write so much…. We all learn. And you have a critical, inquisitive mind which often highlights the stuff many just pass by.
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Sept 16, 2023 7:29:09 GMT
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BACK TO REALITY…..3 weeks in America gone in a flash. forum.retro-rides.org/thread/225385/america-grizz-2023-road-againMy planned trips completely aborted and rewritten. Saw some of what I planned and saw, a lot that I had not planned and saw made this a much more rewarding trip. Only did about 3800 miles or 6100km but that was enough to keep me very busy and out of sleep. Driving 500 miles to buy a 1934 Ford, with an 81 year old veteran driving the tow rig, sharing many stories, only to find after loading the 34 that nobody remembered to bring the pile of cash sitting on a shelf in a garage in St Louis must be the stuff of road trip movies. Driving 360 miles to go meet strangers, then another 40 miles to have dinner, followed by taking them back home and then driving many more miles before settling in possibly the best $80.00 motel in all my road trips for the night before heading to Pete and Jakes in Peculiar, ending up with 800 miles for dinner…. More great memories. Driving 350 miles to Fayetteville to visit friends Clem and Kim, only to call a scrap yard in Rogers, Arkansas (go Google BB Gun history) who said they have a few Astro vans, when nobody so far had even one in their junk yards……. Seriously?? Then getting there and finding a 1995 face lifted model with the right dash piece I dreamed of having….. for $20.00 -PRICELESS. Yup, the trip was different to the plan, but it was delivering like the goose laying golden eggs. Once again life was kind to me, in a curved ball kinda way. The kindness of complete strangers always amazes me. (Admittedly, I have done the same kind of thing many times before as well, but it always humbles me) While I was there in Arkansas, a member “Opelbits” from AstroSafari.com forum reached out and offered me an original steering wheel for the van, FREE for the taking, should I want it. I do not like taking stuff just because it is there, but I prefer the original to the sports steering wheel fitted. Logistics seemed a slight problem as he lived some distance on the other side of St Louis, same state as Dennis, but still a long way away…… I accepted the offer of a free steering wheel, offering to pay shipping etc. supplying him with Dennis’ address and contact number. Turns out, Tony, who had offered the wheel, likes to drive his Mustang as well, and unbeknown to me, he and Dennis agreed to him driving all the way to Dennis’ place to hand deliver the wheel……. As if that was not enough, he came with a load more stuff for Dennis and me. What Tony brought….. Treasures. TOTALLY (relatively) UNOBTAINABLE GM MAINTENANCE MANUALS. Every possible fault, identified, cross referenced and then answered between these manuals. I cannot even describe how Dennis went on about the amazing value these three books add to owning one of these vans. And of course the original NON-AIRBAG steering wheel, which I love the idea of fitting back in the van. I absolutely love it, and it is an immaculate example as well. Along with repairing the dash….. What a win. One more thing he brought from his personal treasure stash ( I love this stuff) was an original steel, embossed Disabled Parking sign. I had been looking for one for Andy the welder, my repeat lodger whose wife is ex-military and disabled through service. But Andy will not be getting this sign…… I decided to give it to Dennis, as it goes much better with his replica Gas Station and the age of his collection, so we traded a newer one for the original. The one Andy will get, was left with Dennis as my baggage was on the limit, well, over and I had to swap out some stuff at departures, so it may come back next year, should I make it there with having to find a new job and start saving up vacation etc. So that brings us back to today, back in the U.K. I am looking forward to seeing if these parts all fit my van, and then of course fitting them all. .
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Last Edit: Sept 16, 2023 7:32:17 GMT by grizz
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Sept 16, 2023 6:16:10 GMT
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What's the story here? With all the shiny paint everwhere I don't expect any welding still to happen? Will there only be a screwed in floor? Or is this just a show example for the quality of their restaurations? Well, I guess the photos do show the complexity of the build in this high end level of restoration. I did not photograph the actual bedwood that was in process of preparation. They have a wooden floor, sealed and bolted in place. Examples below. Hope that answers your question.
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Sept 15, 2023 19:30:20 GMT
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When good is really bad.
Mudflaps
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Sept 15, 2023 19:04:12 GMT
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Video drive.
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Sept 15, 2023 18:51:33 GMT
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Sept 15, 2023 18:43:36 GMT
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Carrying on with the drive to Fayetteville, miles kept dropping off. Next state…. Anyone watch the Netflix series OZARK ? Eventually made it to Fayetteville, quite early, a long drive, but easy. As I got there, Clem headed out to go fetch some parts. I let myself in, unwound and took a few pics of current builds at Tubatrucks.com. Random photo dump coming up.
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Sept 15, 2023 18:06:49 GMT
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Sept 15, 2023 18:06:08 GMT
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Safe journey mate, Hope it's been as good as you wanted it to be, Nigel safe trip home mate I'll speak to you later in the week when you have had time to recover Catch you soon grizz thanks for all the updates on your roadtrip Thanks gang, all good. George happy too. Like a shadow
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Sept 15, 2023 17:57:46 GMT
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