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Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Rained all day yesterday.
Rain again today. Not ideal. But the rain does make a good judge of my effort. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds 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 |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
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 https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds 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. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Now I seem to have many or is that much resistance. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds 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 �� https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds That is all. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
A good, if slightly chilly morning on Mud Island.
Rain stopped overnight. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Last night I got home as the Caddy turned over to 114000 miles or 183465 km Almost run in for a 1.9 SDI https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Then this morning I quickly fitted the £5.00 delivered side repeaters. Easiest job ever. Pop out, unclip, twist fit, repeat. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds And fitted and working. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds I think that works. . |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
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. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds 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. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds 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) https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds 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. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
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 https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds To a modern workshop he had built a few years ago. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds So next job of course dismantling and replacing parts. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Original plastic waterpump and cambelt looked good but seem to be original. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds 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. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds 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. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
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. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
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. . |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
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. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Still good to keep records. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
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. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds 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 https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Old, really good and hardly used tyres and steels with centre caps in the rear. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Fitted https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds 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. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Personally I am absolutely 50/50 on the steels vs alloys. So before vs after. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds 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. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds 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. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds More later |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Doorbell rings…..
Courier delivery Cold chain box. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Opening it, a note at the top of a sealed foil pack. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Opening the foil bag…… A whole selection of pasties. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds 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. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds 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. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
16 years ago today I had my 1963 Ford Taunus Transit van delivered from Germany.
https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds I added wheels, attended meetings and really enjoyed it for quite a few years. There were some really nice ones from Germany as well. https://hosting.photobucket.com/albu...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/albu...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/albu...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/albu...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/albu...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/albu...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/albu...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/albu...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/albu...080&fit=bounds 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. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
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. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds 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. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Wheel bolts came fast off EBay another £25.00 wasted. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds 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. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Next up…….. Lift the van, remove wheel, fit spacer, drop down. Result. Chilly outside. Minimal breeze. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Waiting…. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Clearly was not right. Too close on cornering. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds 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. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds 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 https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds AFTER https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds 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. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds 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. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
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. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Same as someone had done for the VW Caddy. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds 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. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds In the mean time it is still -3’C overnight. Winter has reminded us there are seasons but………. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
So after the mystery of the envelope with insufficient postage, we had a confession.
But there is a story attached to it as you will see in the pics below. My very good mate Fil (Sparkplug) had printed the label and posted it out. WITH A POSTAGE STAMP ATTACHED. It seems the Royal Fail (Mail for patriots) changed the cost of postage so many times that they also issued completely new postage stamps with modern barcodes. The obsolete stamps can/could be traded for new but clearly both Fil, me and many others were not aware. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds So Fil posted his gift cunningly disguised with a printed envelope so I could neither recognise nor guess who from. And Royal Fail needed to get the extra few pennies postage had gone up in the mean time, sending out a card to say my tax for the transgression was to be paid before they re delivered. Bastards in any language. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds So now at least the next keeper will know when the service was done and what was dealt with. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
So with winter interfering with some of the projects and progress of my random toys including selling some to make space, well, to regain space, rain, cold, storms have distracted me.
So back to the Astro van, which is still a “keeper” unless someone else wants it more than me. 33 years old and in amazing condition overall and only done 78k registered miles means that I have to look after it and continue to improve it. One of a multitude of challenges and repairs I want to affect is replacing the expensive rear door seals. Original reproductions are available. But when you add US Taxes, import duty, shipping and then UK VAT to it the expensive $340.90 base price, increases to an eye watering total. So getting a look at alternatives makes sense but unlikely to happen. Current status is as per pics below. Certainly not fully sealed anymore it allows condensation to build as well. This does not reduce the value but makes me want to improve it. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds So now I need a suitcase space and baggage allowance in order to make it more affordable. What we need. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Always money headed out ehhh. But worth doing?? |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Some days
Some days do start well. This pic taken at 7.45 out the window with my iPhone, no filter before sunrise made me smile. Amazing what nature can do. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Same evening I moved the Astro and Peugeot away from the fence as there was a storm and winds were up to 100mph or 160km/h Next morning 4 panels blown out and another damaged further up. Glad I went out at 10.00pm to move them as damage would really have angered me. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds And during the day I received three unused batteries and a charger (free for cost of postage) for the action camera @nickwheeler gave me last year for my YouTube channel movies. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds George being George, Loves chocolate and will steal or insist on trying to get some when he can. I let him have part of a Toblerone mountain to himself, the rest goes in the bin. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds In other news, keeping busy, there is always work to be done. Plum tree never got pruned in Autumn so did that. Fell off the ladder while pruning the tree in October 22 but landed well by luck. So I decided to cut it back real hard this year, robbing the wood pigeons of their nesting tree where they fledge two lot of chicks each year. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Next job, cut up all the thin stuff with a hedge trimmer and cut logs for the fireplace. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Today is a good day, breezy but said to be up to 12’C Maybe take the Astro out for shopping. LATER: Took the Caddy. Perfect. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Had a few comments about the rear door seals on the van.
Took a few pics to illustrate what I have to work with. Based in part on the insane prices of the seals, finding a matching profile to use or actually rebuilding parts, like this corner with the original piece and some silicone to recreate the profile, we may be in business. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds The left hand, first to close door uses pins to secure and locate that door also an upper rain rail and seal in place. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Some parts of the seal obviously are a tight fit. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds I will look at all of this in order to seal and repair all of what is needed. Once again a nice way to start the day. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Plan is to wash and clean the van today and use it tomorrow for a breakfast meeting up near Gravesend for American cars. Roads are clean again and as I refuse to drive the van on salted, gritted and wet roads, trying to look after it. Maybe a few pics too. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Every time I use any of my cars, but especially the Astro van, it makes me smile.
They are all very different in function and form but the Astro continues to be my favourite to look back at as I walk away from it. It also changes depending on where you look from. Fetching some fuel for my mower and a jerry can for the Peugeot 206 CC which had a reserve light on the van once again showed a different angle. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Having a breakfast meeting booked with KBM this weekend, meant a quick vacuum cleaner run through and wash outside. I also fitted some new rubber floor mats over the carpets. The floor of the cab area is quite small and complex due to the engine being partially in the cab and under the floor. So custom shape is needed. I am really impressed with these. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Sunday morning the drive to breakfast was great, including two different beeps and thumbs ups from other road users. Copperfield https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Food was great. Coffee absolutely sucked imho. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds After breakfast which ended at 13.00 and a lot of chatting in the carpark I drove down to my local Morrisons to get some food for the house as I had suggested that I would cook for Sally and Aaron my one lodger. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Dinner was meatballs on spaghetti with a nice sauce and some cheese. Very very good. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Two meals in one report…… Spoiling you guys. Driving all three of my cars over the weekend was great. The Rezin Rockit has just become due for a new MOT test. Amazed that its 11 months since I completed this awesome build. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
I keep lodgers to help with the mortgage payments.
Simple solution to one problem. Then they come in Vito, Renault vans, Ford Edge, or a ****iff big Ford Ranger truck. My rule is that I park up the alley to control access. Still sounds good though. Till you walk out and see this…. Guy is on nights so goes to bed at 04.00 Parks like a cnut. Takes his car keys to bed so now I have to wake him. Is it worth the hassle? Found that my cutlery is in decline. Found desert spoons in his cars footwell. Just counted forks…… 7/12 left and three non matched items in there (part of a previous lodgers chaos) FCUK !! Problem with today problem child is he is super nice, kind, generous BUT a total animal and scatterbrain. Did I mention FCUK ?? https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Still got all of Sunday left to play with my toys.
Yesterday was the turn of the Astro to get out again. Always a pleasure. Farmers are out doing farmer stuff. And took a pic for those who commented about the steering wheel being upside down. In face, if you park with the wheels turned, you may find that illusion happening. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Today the Peugeot 206 CC is going on the sidewalk with some FOR SALE signs in the windows. You never know when someone might have to have it. Headed out in the van after breakfast. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Nice weekend.
Driving the Astro and of course dayling the Caddy. Put the Peugeot 206 CC on the sidewalk with some For Sale signs in case anyone wants or needs it in their lives. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Later I took the Astro and went for a random drive. I continue to love driving it. Of course the fact that others like it is cool too. Like having a kid win an award or race. Windy as heck out there but warm. Maybe as much as 13’C which is hot for January. I also drove over to the Isle of Grain and parked up in one of my favourite spots for taking pics of cars. Hard to choose just one pic. Three with no filters https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds And one with a simple iPhone filter. I really enjoyed the clouds and sun playing. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Weekend over, I still need to hand polish up the Astro. It photographs well but polished will make it pop even more. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
So the Rezin Rockit has very much been on the back burner since summer.
Amazingly its a year since I took it in for its first MOT test which it passed straight away. Not used much because I have 4 vehicles on the drive and when employed a company car that I use on the way home for groceries etc. In preparation for this years fresh MOT I went though all the various things that I could check and test at home. The one brake light did not come on. https://youtu.be/s48unyqG0Y0?si=qzzy41qvRmf3BKoX So I looked at the obvious, the bulb was fine, connecting seemed good. Stumped. Easy for me to be stumped. So I sent the video above to Nick Wheeler by text requesting his help. Of course he was going to come last weekend which turned into a ****show Literally. So we cancelled. Then he came yesterday and we ean through the usual checklist. He checked the lightbulb and found there was no continuity despite the filament being intact. Then dropped and smashed it. I dug out my reserve bulbs, Nick checked and found one he liked. We had already checked the rear light fittings and all was good. So a bit of scotch pad and emery paper to clean up the contacts plus tensioning the fitting meant take 2. Successful https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Happy too. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds So I washed and cleaned the Rezin Rockit in preparation for a hopeful MOT test on Monday if weather conditions permit and of course I need an appointment. Fingers crossed. Once I have a fresh MOT it will be up for sale as I do need the space. . |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
So I called the MOT testing centre and got a booking for 12.30
Headed out https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Place was running on time with loads of vehicles waiting to be tested Rezin Rockit went in and onto the ramps. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds I chatted to a couple of people outside, one guys Astra came out, failed on some aspects. Not encouraging to see Later I heard the Jeep being reversed out of the building, it does sound rather nice even if I have to say it Tester said “Nice car, all is good, let me do the paperwork “ https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds So I went inside and paid for the test MOT to 24 October 2025 Once done I headed outside where the car was waiting and headed home https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Now I really need to get my finger out and create an advertisement and associated value for this little car to find a new home. It was great fun to build and is no perfect trailer queen but I need the space. . |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Quick video update.
Some of you may recall that I owned a Canta LX for a while last year. Got to a point when I had done all the Grizzifying stuff I wanted to. Had three guys all wanting to own it. But only @glenanderson was able to pull the trigger. So he delivered a lawn tractor for @craigrk up in Shropshire, to be collected and took the Canta to Dover as a father and son project. Three videos. Me finding it the day I bought it, and delivery that night. https://youtu.be/Ny5UZP65TU8?si=wLWOOVASxyVwj3iP And the day Glen and son Fin collected it. https://youtu.be/PZ-K08G8gC8?si=NTsF7hzroGHxzvb3 Video sent last night. Where Glen has got it to now. Starting off ignition and lights working along with the correct drive belts. https://youtu.be/uXdeW_9FXUQ?si=8OvVKoj86uX-tvSQ This is an absolute smile generator. Many more videos on my YouTube channel. 360cc big block fun. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Been busy.
No job, market and placement agencies are also very quiet. Spoke to IQVIA my last employer of over 8 years this week as they had an oncology role with primary focus on lung cancer they wanted to put me forward for at Pfizer whom I had worked for nearly three years and won their top corporate award at, but the hiring manager is looking for lung experience and more specifically established contacts. So I bowed out. I have declined quite a few potential opportunities for various reasons and unless you are actually walking in my safety flip flops I urge you not to judge my choices. There are jobs, companies and therapeutic areas that I prefer to avoid. And I honestly can’t be bothered wasting my or a potential employer’s time and will also not allow a potential employer to waste my time when I don’t have the right experience or in some cases know they are looking for a rainbow coloured unicorn that pisses Bud Lite from its earhole. I am always touched by those who have a genuine interest in my wellbeing and surprised of course by those who just have a morbid fascination with car crash TV. I have been busy. Every day. Touching stuff. Moving things. Progressing. No photos being posted as my internet connection has been dead again, thanks to Openreach who could not reach their own butt to scratch it, even if you gave them a spoon. How these corporations survive despite atrocious service I don’t understand. So……. What is progress?? My very good friend @CraigRK suggests that just touching stuff every day is progress. Sometimes physical activity and other times psychological. So all the tools used for the Rezin Rockit build been cleaned, cleared, sorted and packed away. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds And just look what I found. Terrible sound quality. https://youtu.be/x62zfyfLFGI?si=Ak5UQ64LOC41zoeH I also pulled my 2006 R1200GS with 24500 miles and dry stored the last 5 years out, washed it and realised it needs to be sold on. My welding table was cleared, cleaned and tools packed away. Followed by more shelves, workbenches. Then the floor where a pile of MX5 parts from the Rez Rockit build were still lying. Next up a load of corporate junk from my last job. I am not yet done inside the garage but the carport got a significant clear up as well. During all this cleaning process I tried to give away stuff and realised nobody was taking, so I started listing on FB Marketplace at low prices and stuff started to disappear. I made about £500 in the first 24 hours Crazy yes. From “junk” that just needed to be gone. FREE CASH in my mind. Stuff I neither wanted, needed or if bought previously, still making small profits. Last night I counted the money and was shocked to find £875 in the safe. If tonights visit works, and a guy buys one item, add £135 and if he buys two, add another £50 to that. Money already allocated to a next shall we say “thing” https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Neither of the cars I have for sale have sold, possibly the fact that both are summertime cars does not help or maybe the prices are wrong but hopefully I will regain that space some time in order for me to fill it with something else. So today I will carry on creating some more space and maybe list more junk that takes up valuable space in the garage and carport. Weather seems to have improved. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
With stuff happening it was just a matter of time before I got back to the Astro van.
Well, John my old lodger and driving school instructor got going. I don’t know much about electronics and he loves it. His driving instruction car was lightly damaged recently when someone cut across and pushed him off the road. He was quoted £100 for a “repair” which took me about 10 minutes to do with some G3 compound and polish. I touched up a few other marks too. Because he had cancelled his lessons he spent part of the day here and we started to look at and mess with the Astro’s 1.5 DIN radio that I always disliked, along with the dash that had been cut. So he/we started to disassemble and try figuring out what the two amplifiers and speakers were doing. Currently only the 6x9’s in the door work. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Of course because the radio hole is so shallow, one cannot fit a standard sized radio in there so I will have to go to Halfords to see if there is a suitable replacement for it. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=boundshttps://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds The other thing that became apparent was that the replacement is a different colour. But I will live with that. I could repaint it like the lower sections that I did before. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds So hopefully tomorrow is an easy day for the electrical stuff. Fingers crossed again. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
So with starting on the Astro van radio @sparkplug and mate Martin in different ways immediately sprang into action finding me sources of short radios.
Some are crazy expensive and some are not. Martin found a like new Pioneer radio with a load of auxiliary functions for £30.00 about 30 miles or 50km from home. Regular advertised price is £90.00 Mate Darren had “bought” my Cortina steering wheel from the Rezin Rockit that was advertised for £25.00 and was going to come collect it next week. His workshop is a mile from the radio seller so John and I decided to buy the radio for £30.00 and save £60.00 plus deliver the steering to Darren for free, though he absolutely insisted on giving me £10.00 for the “Free Cash” savings kitty. I then got into his skip and rescued a wheel clamp with two keys that I have given to mate Martin for his trailer as well as some solid wheels and an axle, plus some scrap steel for my stash, all free. So a good day in the end, despite not making a load of progress on decluttering. It was also miserable with the temperatures around 6’C and a nasty cold breeze cutting through our bones. Called it a day by 4.45 Today John is back and trying to figure out the total clusterf#€k of duplicate and dead end wiring in the van. I am at the garage, continuing the clean up. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=boundshttps://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=boundshttps://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=boundshttps://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds More later. Its 12.45 already. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Saturday was a good day.
Not warm but the cutting breeze reduced to something more tolerable. No rain. John was back by 10.00 in the morning to carry on with deciphering the archaeological history and crap of 33 years of each new owner adding their stamp to the sound system. This includes two amplifiers, a 720 and 360 Watt units. Presumably forva sub woofer and the rest of the system. They both power up. I do not have any need for a Sub. So bypassed that. The rear door speakers have never worked since I bought the van. Front door speakers were and still do but not great quality. So I will go get some subtle 6x9’s for the front doors and a pair of new 6’s for the rear doors, which work but I think replacing the whole system makes sense. Once all the chaos was sorted, John started the van with a jump pack as ignition had been on all day and the van not driven for 3-4 weeks, only to find that on starting the van, the radio stopped working. Buggerrr. So back to tracing wires and then all fixed. It sounds brilliant with the four speakers all working and set to the way my ears like them. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Next job for me, will be to make a U-Shaped radio surround blanking plate to close in the 15mm gap under the radio in the replacement dash unit. I think I have just enough of the Mazda Bongo/Friendee interior trim panel that I used for the rear door trim making left to create something that is grey and colour matching. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Video. https://youtu.be/padjgRaJzso?si=A5We5VTZrxxACUd9 And of course it is still raining outside but I have dry jobs that can be done. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Here’s a 7 plus day job update.
And I have only scratched the surface with this. Too many photos of this lot but hey…… you can scroll faster ehh?? As mentioned before, a wise man once said that doing one thing every day is progress. Even if you just touched something that made you think about how you should proceed with it. So the last 19 days, starting on 20 February I have been spending time in the garage sorting, clearing, cleaning, planning on how to take control of my life back. As there is not much happening in the job market, partly because companies seem to wait for the end of financial year before they start spending money on new team builds etc. I know that when I am back in the daily slog and have limited time for hobbies etc. this job will be a nightmare to try achieve. So getting my **** in order now while I have loads of time will make life easier. Who remembers what they did at Christmas 2014 ? That was 9 years ago. The world was a different place back then. Facebook remembers. It also remembered that in March 2015 the Chevy was being torn down for a 6 month rebuild over summer. So this was back then. Of course a lot has changed since then. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Divorced Made redundant Travel and discovered America Loads of car builds Covid. Distractions Life goes on. So I started by packing away and tidying the tools etc used in the Rezin Rockit build. Changing layout and ditching stuff. In order to make space I tried giving away some stuff. Amazingly nobody wanted to collect anything from my house. So I decided to put a price on stuff and suddenly up to 8 punters for a diesel space heater and yesterday 5 people wanted a £5.00 propane burner torch. I still have way more crap than I need. 95% of my tools and junk are used but functional and not expensive but makes me happy. The money I have made from the junk (some stuff is brand new and unused) is going into a savings kitty to possibly buy something stupid. We have to see how it unfolds. Some of the stuff that’s gone is not represented in the pics. But I have done a ton of preparation for when I get started with the 1966 C10 truck that has patiently waited for me. I am still a long way from done with the tidy up, junk clearance and identification and sorting of the Chevy parts but it will happen. One of the bigger jobs was to sort and arrange the parts that went with various builds and subjects. Bodywork tools Paint guns Fillers Paints Rattle cans Pneumatic tools Electrical Steering Wheels And much more. I cleared two cabinets to move a load of bodywork stuff into from inside the garage. This was two days work including regular daily stuff. Bloody chilly at 4’C plus cutting winds. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Hard to see the changes. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Tools. Paints. Order. OCD? https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds One of the most daunting challenges facing me would be all the boxes of car parts etc on the shelving unit to the left of the cabinets. During the clear out I also found 8 car and truck batteries. Two of which could be rescued. One went to John as a backup to an alarm system and the other was put on a trickle charger in my garage. The rest went next door, along with all the wiring looms etc for Mickey to go weigh in for beer money at the scrapyard recycling plant. And so far, excluding the stuff I have given away, sold or put on the sidewalk for recycling, I have junked about 12 double bagged 100 liter bin liners of junk for recycling. By last night after John had done the Astro radio and sound system, this was where my tidying up was https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Four more bags of heavy junk, plastic, wood, metal, three car radio/CD/tape players etc ready for next bin day. The boxes all empty, waiting for me to arrange some of the C10 parts in there. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Not sure how much time all the junk inside the garage will take to process and sort out. But it will get done. Ultimately the C10 is waiting. Yesterday it actually donated some audio plugs from what is left of its wiring loom to the Astro Van audio rescue that John was working on. @nickwheeler had come around for a coffee and a chat and moral support but was quickly roped into crawling into the C10 cab to rummage around under the dash, looking for these elusive parts that were not in my stash. Many hands make light work and all that. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Battered and bruised but ready to be raised from the ashes. I believe the truck will be back better than before. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Well. With half the dy gone, I think I need to get my butt in gear and get down there and touch something. Thanks for checking in. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Did very little yesterday.
But still managed a couple of slow hours. Visitors, ****ty weather and forums can easily suck up many hours. I started on the odd little, custom radio surround plate that has to go in here. There will still need to be some trimming to the mounting bracket that stands proud by 15mm https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds So I pulled out a bit of the Mazda Bongo interior trim that I had used for the rear door trim making. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Established that I had enough material to make it work. Marked out, cut out and finished the plate. Followed by cutting it to size to fit the radio face trim. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Cutting with a grinder is not ideal but a Dremmel was going to take too long https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Some more finishing and the whole thing seems right On the old cut up dash surround https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds I was pleased with it Last job in the cold, some satin black paint https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds next job is to cut back the mounting bracket in the dash and to see if it all comes together Fingers crossed |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
So final-ish part of Astro radio replacement.
Speakers will be done as well when I get to it. Amazing how a little job 50 meters from the garage can take a bit longer than anticipated. This includes fetching tools, changing screws and various other things that kept reminding me that I should have reversed the van down to the garage. I didn’t do that of course. Another one of the jobs, after another good wash with some ammonia based cleaner (Jif, Cif, Handy Andy) to remove grime and get into grooves, was to treat the plastic plastic polish gel and wipe it down. You can see the difference between before and after. Bringing it closer to the van’s original tone. Keeping in mind my van is a 90 model and the donor was a 95. GM quality control clearly could not manage their suppliers to even keep colours matched. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Next up was a repaint of the plate that @Westbay had objected to. Mainly because painting at 6’C is not advisable as the paint reacts differently to a warmer day. Which had left the satin finish a distinct variation of matte black. I wanted satin to blend in more. The leather texture of the Mazda Bongo plastics came through better as well. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds making the dash fit back over the radio and bracket necessitates a lot of grinding back and modifying. Thank goodness for cheap, super handy tools. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds In order to get the macking plate in and also to have the radio face where it needs to be I made some high density foam packing strips and used longer screws. This worked really well. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Finally dash returned one more time to ensure factory fit established and screws added to keep it all together. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Last job, replace all the blanking plates to the dash and try out the radio Success!! !! https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds I will be putting all the four mirror, aircon etc switches up for sake on the local UK Astro group as someone is bound to need something to replace a failed unit. Today it is back to clearing out and sorting more of the shelves in the unseen part of the garage. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
I give up on editing
So final-ish part of Astro radio replacement. Speakers will be done as well when I get to it. Amazing how a little job 50 meters from the garage can take a bit longer than anticipated. This includes fetching tools, changing screws and various other things that kept reminding me that I should have reversed the van down to the garage. I didn’t do that of course. Another one of the jobs, after another good wash with some ammonia based cleaner (Jif, Cif, Handy Andy) to remove grime and get into grooves, was to treat the plastic plastic polish gel and wipe it down. You can see the difference between before and after. Bringing it closer to the van’s original tone. Keeping in mind my van is a 90 model and the donor was a 95. GM quality control clearly could not manage their suppliers to even keep colours matched. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Next up was a repaint of the plate that @Westbay had objected to. Mainly because painting at 6’C is not advisable as the paint reacts differently to a warmer day. Which had left the satin finish a distinct variation of matte black. I wanted satin to blend in more. The leather texture of the Mazda Bongo plastics came through better as well. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds making the dash fit back over the radio and bracket necessitates a lot of grinding back and modifying. Thank goodness for cheap, super handy tools. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds In order to get the macking plate in and also to have the radio face where it needs to be I made some high density foam packing strips and used longer screws. This worked really well. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Finally dash returned one more time to ensure factory fit established and screws added to keep it all together. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Last job, replace all the blanking plates to the dash and try out the radio Success!! !! https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds I will be putting all the four mirror, aircon etc switches up for sake on the local UK Astro group as someone is bound to need something to replace a failed unit. Today it is back to clearing out and sorting more of the shelves in the unseen part of the garage. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
How well do most of you know me??
How long have I wanted a Woodie? Happened today. More later |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
How well do most of you know me??
How long have I wanted a Woodie? Happened today. More later |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Always loved a Woody.
Now some of you, who, like me, love words, will know that the word has multiple meanings. Including in no specific order: erection, place with trees, a fragrance note, a taste in many things, wine, Whiskey, mushrooms, musical tone, an automotive style enhancement, a cartoon character. The list goes on and on. I went out to look at a car yesterday. Well, it was not the first or second time, I really went out to see if it had been sold yet as it was introduced to me at around midday on 10th February. But being in the unenviable position of owning not one, two or three, but FOUR PERFECTLY CAPABLE CARS it really had to blow my mind if it were to come home with me. Rules are after all rules. And the rule is normally two cars, a ****ter/project and a Sunday toy, with a company car out front. Unexpected Redundancy saw the company car being replaced by the VW Caddy as daily, The Astro bought in August before redundancy and the Rezin Rockit being an amazing build in 2022/23 equated the project. Then came the completely unexpected arrival of the 206CC and my current in process, unearthing of my 1966 Chevy C10 stalked restoration project which now will have to go ahead, once I have cleared the rest of the garage space and done an inventory of the 100’s of new parts and to be cleaned up parts. Then the build will recommence and maybe my YouTube channel will start having a more focused if predictable content stream. Over time this changed somewhat. I had already introduced it to you all before when I went to look and asked 101 questions. The last 4-5 weeks I have been driving by where the Camaro was parked a few times like a masochist. Even Sally has reported a couple of times that she had seen it was still there. But I have not been able to get rid of any of the existing fleet. Admittedly I have not been trying very hard. Yesterday I posted off a parcel and went home via a 5 mile detour to see if the car in question, the Camaro, was still there. It was. As was the son of the owner, and his sister in a big Range Rover Overfinch V8 Twin Turbo diesel. So I reversed onto the drive. Spent some time with them indoors being offered furniture and crockery etc. We ended up speaking about the blue elephant in the room. A Woody that the sisters kids used to ride in, her son is 21 years old now. I showed interest and asked if the woody would be available for rehoming. They agreed that if I was that interested it could go with me. So I then got the owner to start up and show me the Camaro. Took some videos and photos and found out one injector on the motorway is dead. It is accessible. And that the waterpump is leaking. Add to that, the four cracked up dead tyres that need replacing and I was feeling more and more that I needed an unloved model Camaro in my life. Once done, the owner drove off to the council tip with his Overfinch loaded with the result of breaking up his parents’ furniture and throwing it away. Sad really. And I got going with unearthing my yard find Woody. As found. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Took a few minutes to unearth and remove the garden bed in the trunk. also many many snails. At this point I did wonder if this pic was indicative of what the Camaro represents. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds But of course being the man I am, I don’t shy away from a fight….. Managed to load it into the Caddy and headed West. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Once back home it was unload and get it into the back yard. Hosepipe in the rain and give it a quick wash and hose down I was really happy. These are rare AFAIK. Love it. I took it down to the carport and parked it next to the Rezin Rockit. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds As for the CAMARO…… I did make a quick short video of it starting and running. The exhaust note is really subtle and pleasant. My Astro van is a bit more of a thug. It also sports a 4.3 V6 compared to the Camaro’s 3.4 V6. Getting into and sitting in the Camaro is akin to sitting down on a skateboard. And I possibly felt like a tank commander when he directs his machine down the road. I had no clue where to front and rear of the car started or ended. Like sitting in a blacked out fishbowl. VIDEO: https://youtu.be/NRFCKsfUCiM?si=42L5YAnBfr7mcclY And I still don’t know. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
This morning I got up, fed George and took a walk down the garden to my carport.
What greeted me brought a great smile to my heart and face. I love the stance on the woody. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds The rest of the day was spent running around, post office, phone calls and cleaning the floor in the second half of the garage Unpacking the first shelf, I found new parts for the C10 bought in 2015 from amongst others LMC in Kansas City and other places, never unpacked. Loads more to get done, cleaning, sorting, mental inventory. More later. Feeling like the Mojo is returning at last. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
So another
So another day of being kept busy by loads of things. Post office runs, hour long phone calls with friends about how quiet the job market is in our industry. Listing more stuff on Marketplace and responding to dumbass questions. So I really only got going after lunch sometime. First job was clearing and cleaning the floor in the other part of the garage. That part nobody sees. The 5’ Drill press table and surrounding floor took quite some time as the garage vacuum hose (retired 20 years ago from household tasks) kept getting blocked at various junctions by the challenge of swarf and junk going up it. Next job was to start cleaning shelves on more of my storage. I have brand new truck parts, bought and collected from LMC in Kansas City, Oklahoma City and other places across the USA that are still as I had unpacked them from my baggage in 2015 Some of the biodegradable plastic bags had completely decomposed leaving piles of parts that needed vacuum cleaning. Sorting them at the same time. This all takes time. But I have found a lot of treasures. I never completed the unpacking and mental inventory but it feels good, seeing stuff that will be drawn into service as the C10 restoration starts to take off again. I am not sure which set of badges I will be using in this build. Being a 1966 C10, Custom Cab V8 there are obviously the original versions but this is no true 100 point restoration, rather an aesthetically pleasing (TO ME, FOR MY PLEASURE ) rebuild with custom touches that appeal to me. As always, all input, comments, advice, donations, parts, cash, drugs, help, visits to Grizz’s Garage where Grizz’s Sh17s happens are welcome and encouraged. It gets lonely down there. Speaking of lonely…… Sally had eventually capitulated and bought herself the largest twin port Air Frier ( I still have no clue how they actually work) So she offered to do marinated chicken skewers/kebabs for us and brought them over with Pita Pockets. A bit like Meals on Wheels. Food was good and she left by 18.45 which saw me headed down to the garage again. Having been indoors for a bit, I didn’t enjoy the cold of the garage and decided not to carry on with cleaning up. Rather to reward myself with some “Hobby Time” So I went to the wood store and found a 800mm length of oak. Brought it back in and got going making another name plate or board for my shop. I had collected the parts a few years ago. Lack of mojo precluded completion. Now it felt good. Small rewards. Just to clarify for all the wordsmiths, linguists and spelling police out there…… The name encompasses the good, bad and ugly that happens or is part of my shop. So Dennis always brings and collects for me, license plates at his bodyshop. Once I got to a critical mass of Missouri State plates I could go at them with tin snips and cut out letters and numbers that gave me what I needed. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds I had also rediscovered some the aluminium castings from Andy near Terlton in Oklahoma, one of my favourite places to visit on road trips. They have been mounted on the archway down the drive, outside the shop. While doing the layout I really wanted to incorporate one of my favourite brands. And a small road trip memento. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Assembly was pretty quick with one screw up ( in my mind at least, can you see it in the final product?) and I still need to decide where and how to mount it. Hanging from a chain, rope, propped up or screwed down. Not yet sure. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds By 19.45 it was completed and I looked around, satisfied that there was actually progress again. TOUCH SOMETHING. MOVE SOMETHING. DO SOMETHING. ITS ALL PROGRESS. RESULT https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds In the end I decided not to use this piece, from Andy’s foundry yet. Today I will look for an appropriate place for it. Possibly on the Chevy Tailgate bench up at the house, on the deck, where friends often congregate for a BBQ in summer. Or possibly on the wooden arch to the shop area. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds This is starting to feel like progress and success to me. Like the MoJo is coming back bit by bit. Long may it continue. Life is good. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
And yesterday was a great day.
I mounted my new shop sign above the small door, and mounted the Bull**** Corner sign on the tailgate bench I made. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Met a great guy who is a builder, runs a wedding car hire business on the side. Bought some traffic lights off me that I have owned 10 years. Sold the other one years ago for what both cost me. Never mounted them as they turned out to too large. He had just bought a white black cab to add to his fleet. @£350 for a days hire, it seems like good business. Later I kept unpacking one of my tool sheds, engine stands, cherry picker, can and body mounts live in there. Discovered some road signs that I used to have up before COVID came and the carport got built. Thought I would list them as a joblot on marketplace and see if anyone grabbed them. They were all found in ditches, roadsides and some straightened out, cleaned etc. Now if you look closely at what they sell for (well, are advertised for) I was very low. I contacted a guy who bought a load of toolboxes and other stuff recently and said that I was listing for £25.00 I also sent a pic. He came back and took them and a load of other stuff I knew he liked, before listing them. £95.00 squeezed out of his cold dead hands. Random ad on FB. Check the individual prices. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Matt got these and about 10 more large safety, warning and speed restriction signs as part of the same deal. Helps me make space and him happy. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds While I was unpacking I found a load of my favourites in a cabinet. They have gone back up in various places. I felt it was perfect as part of this purging and Mojo returning. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds By 10.00pm last night another set of new, unused vintage Halogen spotlights sold, I agreed to post them to possibly the most challenging postal address I have sent anything to. But it’s another £20.00 in the kitty which has grown to beyond £1300.00 This is crazy, and a real businessman would have had £5k from the same stuff, but overall my investment was still less than the return, and most importantly, the pleasure I have had from them….. kinda priceless. That postal address. Jackie Chan* Unit Rear of aspect ducting 24 Right Side Of driveway Co154lu Funny how weird it feels though…… Originally I thought that if my selling off stuff I had no use for brought in £500.00 toward another vehicle purchase, to reduce the self induced guilt… I would be doing well. Last night…. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds So in the mean time, I do hope that the universe will come into play and stop me, but if it doesn’t, hey….. Happy Skinned Knuckles. I feel the guilt. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Amazingly it is 11.30 already. Friday. Coffee and custard creams, then garage. I did start on the shelves of Chevy truck parts yesterday. But it is a slow, deliberate process. Sorting out so much irrelevant items into different storage spaces and trying to keep a mental track of what I see. Mostly, I have no clue what I have in my hands. This will be fun. Later. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
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DOES ANYONE STILL LOOK AT THIS THREAD? Interested? Do I stop the copy and paste thing here? |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
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