What did you do to (or with) your truck today.

[Grizz1963]

Drove it.

Used it.

Enjoyed it…..

Again smiled at how small it looks compared to some small cars here in the UK.

Fiat 500 and Ford KA (smaller than a Fiesta)

But it is long.




I do love this truck and always find myself looking back at it when I park up.

And smile.

[Grizz1963]

Had the truck for two years.

Not done a ton of miles, maybe 2000

Just tripped over to 40k miles a few weeks ago.

But 20 years of living out back when driving, took its toll on the vinyl bed cover.

When I bought it, the previous owner had poked holes through the bed cover that had shrunk over time, and used cable ties to keep it in position.

Recently when I went to fetch the FRANKENTRACTOR from @frankenhealey I had to refit the cover once 5he tractor was unloaded.

I managed to tear it badly, trying to stretch it in the cold.

Keep in mind it has survived 20 years.


Unfortunately Extang do.not make the Blackmax for this model anymore, I called America about it.

And it does not seem like I will be finding a used replacement for it in America either.








So plan B for now seems to be to use a local “Sailmaker” who claims he can make something to cover the rear in a variety of fabrics.

Multiple colours available.

Very tempting is the option to colour match the cover vs going back to black.







So I went to Chatham Pier today, only to find the shop shut.

Typical.

But at least a couple of pics made themselves available.







I am also hoping to hear from the guy I bought the wheels from who happens to be a high end upholsterer.

Fingers crossed I can get something decent made up.

[Grizz1963]

Remember the fog light I lost when I went to @frankenhealey to collect the tractor?

Today after marathon 100 minute Teams meeting I though repairing it was a good way to recover and regain my equilibrium.



Once repaired I had a coffee and called the MOT station to see when I could go down to have the truck tested.

4.30 today became available just a few minutes ago, due to cancellation, interested?

Of course I was.



They were running late.

But we made it onto the ramp and by 5.30 the truck had a fresh MOT.

The truck must have impressed the young guy testing it, he told me the emissions were brilliantly in range, and that it was a cool truck, he loved driving it into the shop.



So we have a taxed, insured and tested truck for another year.

The last 12 months it only did 600 miles, which included the 320 miles it did a few weeks ago to fetch the FRANKENTRACTOR.


I really do not deserve to have this truck if I am not going to use it.

[Grizz1963]

A random chat with Craig last night, led to him finding what we can only guess is a very old stock (only 1 in stock) original Extang Black Max bed cover for my truck.

I had previously searched using various cross references and come up empty handed.

He found one item online, for sale by JEGS in Ohio

So a few questions on Facebook S10 groups to ascertain that the bed on my extended cab is is the same 6’ length as the “short bed” confirmed that the item for sale was indeed correct.

The extended cabs have a longer wheelbase and slightly different positioning of the wheel,arches.

Chevrolet S10 wheelbases
Regular cab could get long bed or short bed. Extended cab only got the short bed. And crew cab got that tiny bed that was like 3 feet long

Pickup 1st and 2nd Gen

108.3 in (2,751 mm) (reg. cab short bed)
117.9 in (2,995 mm) (reg. cab long bed)
122.9 in (3,122 mm) (ext. cab short bed)



To say I was super stoked at finding this item thanks to @craigrk is an understatement.

This truck needs to continue to be looked after as it has been to date.

So while we were chatting, we called our tame Chevy guy in St Louis, Missouri, ie. Dennis to check and confirm.

Turns out they are having the storm of a lifetime with temperatures dropping all over America.



I love technology. The three of us on a video chat. Just needed a few beers.

And the weather outside Dennis’s shop had already turned for the worse, with Covid infected Debbie indoors, his isolation spot is the workshop.





So this morning I placed my order for what may be the best find of my year, except for the free motorbike Sally found previously.




And for those who zoom in and look at the details…..

Yes, there is also importation duties and taxes, go do the maths, add another $38.80 or £33.74 to the item price, plus shipping and you see the price of a hobby more than double. Nearer 150% on top of the price.

Looking at the price the item starts at and where it ends on your doorstep makes for crazy reading, and costs.



Today is also my last day of work for the year.

Time to wrap up 2022 from an admin point of view.

It has been a hard and rough year for many of us.

And it is the weekend…….

Soon.

[Grizz1963]

Ordered the rear bed cover for the S10 on 23 December.

Delivered this afternoon.



Nice.



Slightly different branding, but that is OK, as long as it fits.





I will wait for a warmer day to try fit it over the bows, and for the rear bed to be completely dry under the cover.

Should look pretty tidy along with a clean truck.

[Grizz1963]

So after removing the old, torn cover, I washed out the bed, and pulled the truck up onto some wood offcuts to train the rear completely.
Then let it dry for a few hours in the limp winter sun.



Started to clip on the cab side.

Pulled and draped the rest.



Then did the sides, which due to the cold, and bows in the framework, was a tight job.

Doing the rear tailgate frame was interesting, especially the last four corner studs.

But it all came together, tight as a drum skin.



To say I am pleased with the result, is an understatement.



And final shot.

Money well spent, in effect protecting an asset.



Anyone want to buy a nice enough S10?

And it is the weekend.

[Just call me Sean]

My radiator burst internally and put water in the transmission.

[Just call me Sean]

Pulled the radiator. Nice pool of transmission fluid/water mix underneath. New one won't be here until Monday.

[Grizz1963]

Now for all the clever IT and programming types.

Mate Martin popped in this week and added his clever machine to see if he could reset the Service needed notification.

No fault codes read, but failed to cancel the service needed code.



Anyone know what combination of buttons, switches, tumblers and curses are needed to clear the dash?

Thanks.