GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project~”

[Grizz1963]

Got a few bits done today.

Almost nothing to show, but I know it’s done.

Also created a fire hazard.



Picked this up.......

Want to see if it will work as an extractor for the shed-van.




Also pulled this Dino Cars frame out of storage, it was planned to be powered by a CG125 Honda motor which along with it, will be for sale.



Rear view.



I approved of the chassis and wagon in mid 2014.



Bought this in March 2015 to power the Dino Cars frame.



Stippped it......

Treasures all boxed up and ready for storage.




Bike engine and Dino Cars Frame now for sale.


And pulled the cage out, used it when my truck had no front or rear l








So technically an easy day.

[Grizz1963]

Another day of slow recovery.

Helped by The Little Van That Can.

I needed to do two tip runs, and go dismantle some furniture, then carry it down an alley. Followed by delivery elsewhere.





Packed and ready to run.

Prozac strikes again



Was also asked to sell these cases if interest in them.




Tired tonight

Got @glenanderson visiting tomorrow to collect the blue trolley, and @samta22 on Saturday to collect the red Dino Cars chassis.


Still not to put the 125cc Honda motor up for sale.

[Grizz1963]

Copy and paste from another forum thread on garages at night thread.


Back on track, trying to clear away 3 years of divorce chaos and neglect.

Trust me when I say there has been a lot of clearing already.

More to come, then I can get back to my 66 C10 resto.





And the other side.

Storing some stuff for a buddy but it will change too.

[Grizz1963]

Bought these years ago for the truck.....

Well, they were delivered from America when I was replacing all the steering and suspension parts.

Wrong parts.

So need to find out if anyone can identify them by the numbers on them.






In other news, @glenanderson and his young slave came to visit and collect his trolley.

Always time well spent.

Can you say Fake Patina??

Not this time.

[Grizz1963]

Plan for today included clearing the three work table/benches in the garage, a light, easy job.

This did not happen.

Instead, I dug out some stuff, photographed and documented it, and posted for sale on forums and FB Marketplace

Brand new unused Corsa Combo towbar sold to a guy in Oxford.

Mate Martin popped in to pick up some Mazda MX5/Miata service books to pass on to a friend, and have a cuppa and a natter.

I had a Skype meeting with my team secretary and a finance girl in Poland, so loads done, little achieved.

Also had Glen Anderson over for an hour or two to collect stuff, and drop off some license plates for my collection.

But after Martin and the online work, I went up into the garage loft and found two fans, one I was looking for did not get used, but the other one I had forgotten about completely.





So,I tried various positions and configurations......



At this point,,Sally got back from work, so again, distraction for a few minutes, then back to the job in hand.



Using wooden wedges I made years ago as shelf supports and a Kansas license plate, along with the extractor fan unit and a spare caravan window, we closed the hole in the caravan,

Holes drilled.



Supervisor not impressed with progress.



The rain will run wide from the front of the extractor.



Of course on the inside, there now is a blower unit floating exactly where I want to work, but I felt placement in the centre of the camper was the right thing to do.
I will move the table to the left hand wall, and box in the unit to create a small shelf, possibly for a coffee mug and Digestives.



Last job.

Water testing the license plate roof over the blower.




I think that was a good result.

More slow work tomorrow.

[Grizz1963]

Spent most of today online, training modules and legal stuff for work. Yes, meant to rest, but some stuff does not happen that way.

Anyway, Sally came over after work at 4pm, and only then did I make it to the garage for a hour.

Quick summary of yesterday’s progress.

https://youtu.be/WV511Iptk1s

Then.

Sorting, bottling and packing away screws, tools and that was it.

Then cooked dinner..... telly, while she fell asleep by 6.30 (yes it’s a daily thing)

Harley seems to think she is a meerkat.



Been chatting with Dennis tonight, he has been over at Ethyls to make sure they are ready for Adam and Hanna’s wedding is ready.

Funny, there was also this interloper tonight....






Kelly forever

[Grizz1963]

More slow progress....

Was a busy day, doctors visit, pharmacy, haircut (overdue) and managing some work meetings.

Spent an hour or so in the garage.

Then ran out of steam or want.

Started clearing one table, that lasted about 10 minutes, then distracted and started to fit electrical stuff, including an extension plug bank, and new LED strip light. 2x 5’ sealed unit.



Not that easy to see in daylight.



Better later in the day.



Should work well in winter darkness.



Happy with the result of the bits I did do.

Got @Samta22 over at 07.30 in the morning as we both like getting going early.

Then Hospital appointment at 09.00 for Echocardiogram

And dependant on lots of variables, possibly a quick trip up to Northampton later in the day.

Could be interesting

[Grizz1963]

Been an interesting day.

Started at 07.30 with Sam picking up the Dino car frame.

Fitted into his Land Rover Discovery.



Left here by 8.30 for Hospital and Echocardiogram

Done by 9.30, then had some shopping to get done, and home, knackered after that.......

Thought I would have a snooze as I was really tired, but mate Paul messaged to ask if he could fetch the hydraulic press @PaulY and I had used for the Blazer bearings.

At least it cleared the garage a bit more for the reemergence of the C10

More space for sure.



Was then having dinner later on that Sally made, Cajun chicken kebabs, coleslaw, corn and pita bread, when mate Gary from Florida callers on Whatsapp video.

Bloody Florida weather.......

That was some serious rain.

[img width=810 height=1080]http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm90/niknakpix/France-Grizz-Goose/015E3281-AD7B-451C-8D6C-9648E5DBF3D1_zpsmohk2j5u.jpg[/img]

PS. Dinner made by Sally was pretty good too.

Cajun chicken kebabs.

[img width=1024 height=605]http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm90/niknakpix/France-Grizz-Goose/A23738A1-F607-4C6A-BEA4-F54E3AF50F46_zpsukph6v3t.jpg[/img]

Following dinner, Stas from Siberia messaged too, seems their summer is over now as well.







Followed by an irate Dennis in St Louis, where the Florida rain is getting blown to.

Another unhappy camper.





Looks like a lot of rubbish weather, raining here in Kent too tonight.

Hope it clears by the morning

[Grizz1963]

I continue to chat with Andy where the Road trip has taken us two years running for all sorts of learning, daily.

By text and video while we share progress, dinner reports and the weather plus many other shared interests and humour.

He continues to carve out a new life and existence after having 40 years of a most magnificent life with Sharon, his late wife, Not an easy task.

I think some days are tougher than others, though he does not ever complain, being both practical and pragmatic, he is getting on with stuff that needs doing as that’s the kind of guy he is.

Renewing old friendships, hobbies, interests, and at the same time, honouring his past while keeping his hand on all the responsibilities he has on the farm, and elsewhere.

He makes me laugh daily.

But........

Yesterday he found this beautiful Copperhead in his burn pile.....

He let it go.

Copperhead snakes are some of the more commonly seen North American snakes. They're also the most likely to bite, although their venom is relatively mild, and their bites are rarely fatal for humans.

These snakes get their name, fittingly, from their copper-red heads, according to the biology department at Pennsylvania State University. Some other snakes are referred to as copperheads, which is a common (nonscientific) name. Water moccasins (cottonmouths), radiated rat snakes, Australian copperheads and sharp-nosed pit vipers are all sometimes called copperheads, but these are different species from the North American copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix).

Copperheads are pit vipers, like rattlesnakes and water moccasins. Pit vipers have "heat-sensory pits between eye and nostril on each side of head," which are able to detect minute differences in temperatures so that the snakes can accurately strike the source of heat, which is often potential prey. Copperhead "behavior is very much like that of most other pit vipers," said herpetologist Jeff Beane, collections manager of amphibians and reptiles at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.





On a slightly more personal note.

Andy has a real thing for mentoring people and has taken many under his wing over time.

One of them is this young man, introduced to Andy when he was 18 and now 38 with a wife and family of three kids.
The wife was one of those carers who made life just a bit easier for Sharon and Andy,
Andy has mentored them for a lifetime.
Now that he is rebuilding his life in various areas, he also has a grandad role by proxy.

So over the weekend, this was the Andy most of us do not get to see, with a pumpkin and team of “mentorees”



Jobs done.......

The one on the right is Andy’s work.

Sadly, one of the lanterns did have a head on collision with the floor.



In other news,

Dennis has put this complete NASCAR race truck front end aside for me.

Not sure how it will fit in my baggage but it is waiting.

He has been back onto his 66 C10 NASCAR truck build with a vengeance, welding up the roll cage and frame.

More on that later.



My progress conversely, is frustratingly slow.

In the last three weeks, I have done less than what would previously taken me two days.
Given that some days, especially the first week, I just sat in my chair indoors, feeling knackered and in a bit of a daze
All of this is so very unusual to me, I generally am not one to slow down too much unless something makes me.
I guess this even has done that.

I had hoped to have this table cleared by last weekend, but after sorting out screws, or hammers, I find myself walking away, shutting shop and coming in to rest.
This probably is exactly what I should be doing, resting, and it has taken me a while to get my head around it.

So this was yesterday’s end of day, I know it’s different, but it looks just like a week ago.

Still, it will happen.



One of my many tea breaks (coffee is kind of out of bounds now)
Harley there, ready to do CPR
Funny creature she is, hanging around and keeping an eye on me.



Mate Kevin came around to drop off the welding curtain, and for a couple of hours nattering and tea.

He also replaced the garage hi fixed for me, a job that was months overdue, and that I weirdly was just not up to.

This will work.



After she got in from work, she was going to cook for us, We took a gentle stroll up to the farm, which my head was desperate for, it gets crazy boring indoors.

Sunset




Back to work tomorrow as my certification showed inclusive of today, and my contract manager asked me in the nicest way on Friday to respect doctors orders and rest as they have a duty of care to me.

Again, restores faith in humanity.

Have a good week guys.

[Grizz1963]

Moment of introspection or surprise

October 2015 I unpacked my baggage after flying back from Dallas, Texas.



Just a quick random bit of rustic fabrication today, I had got Sally a 5 drawer tall chest for her home, but one of the pulls were missing the little backplate.

Used a bit of metal from a 65 C10 cab......



Holes drilled,



Shaped.



Bit of paint.

Job done.



Then, while on slow goin the garage, I carried on with clearing the three tables.

One



Two



Three



Taken two weeks to get to the bottom of all that.

Pretty chuffed.

[Grizz1963]

Prozac collected a load of furniture yesterday and more today for Sally.

The Van that Can.

[Grizz1963]

So.....

Remember where Prozac joined my random ramblings??

Remember why??

The last few weeks have turned my speed down to an output equivalent to about 30% of my own expectation.

Anyway, Sally and I went to see friends in Maidstone earlier and to look for a Honda CR-V from FB Marketplace supposedly being sold by someone. It seems he is a total timewaster, maybe getting a kick when people respond, wanting to buy the car.

Anyway, still don’t have a replacement for Prozac with more than the 1400cc motor, and fitted with a towbar.

So when we got back home, I reversed the Berlingo down to the garage and opened the shop.

This has has been building up for a while, since I started gathering my thoughts and motivation around getting back on the C10 Restoration.

So Sally helped me load the Berlingo and took photos.

Amazing how large the doors are. Original Drivers side.



Replacement passenger door, original went to Ian Brown with some patch panels for his restoration, already repaired and painted.



Typically being supervised by my assistant.

She makes me laugh, more dog than cat.



Had to drill out the front panel engine bay light switch as it was rusted tight in position



Two doors in, front panel next.



Reconsidering it, the front fenders went in, followed by the inner fenders.



Almost all there.




Pair of good rust free replacement inner fenders bought from Del in Essex from a truck he broke a few years ago.





Then went back into the garage and found and unpacked the front radiator support panel and managed to wriggle it in as well.



Tomorrow morning early I have my pre-work at a hospital 20 miles from here, and after that I hope to go drop off all these truck parts for media blasting and Etch priming at Ashford industrial estate

Hopefully it will save me some preparation time on the welding and painting of the truck parts for the resto.

I believe getting these jobs done in the intricate parts of these panels will save me some time and a lot of effort.

.

[Palf70Step]

Glad to see some progress and love for the truck. Ole Prozac just keeps on tickin! Good luck and hopw all the tests come out good for ya!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Glad to see some progress and love for the truck. Ole Prozac just keeps on tickin! Good luck and hopw all the tests come out good for ya!

Thank you very much Bill.

Feels good.

[Grizz1963]

Had my Pre-Admission hospital visit at Kim’s Hospital in Maidstone today.

Private hospital, smart, obviously not cheap. All new, not quite the NHS which has been treating me without fault since this silliness started.

Even the patient waiting areas have sexy coffee machines with Mocha, Cappuccino and Latte on offer, plus a host more.

Love the cookies.

Come on..........



And the views from all the departments.



So after bloods, observations, history, advice, information and the rest, I was let go, until 08.00 on Wednesday till 16.00

Headed down to New Romney, 55 miles from home in Prozac to deliver the truck panels for blasting and etch primer.



WE Weld services do a lot of work.

Martin took his cab and doors to them for blasting and priming.

He is a bit of a pita for quality control, and was happy.

Finding someone who can handle a C10 cab is a bit less than easy.






When I got there the guy who does all their blasting was off site for an hour, so I went to the on-site eatery, ordered a bacon and fried egg tiger bread stick and a large coffee, total £5.20
And I can say, NO Regrets.



Lunch.




In the car park was this 9 year old truck.

For those who love bigger stuff.






Fine print on the step.

[Grizz1963]

I don’t always know how to handle generosity

But tonight Dennis sent me these pics and message from Kelly.

She always asks about me and updates Dennis on my behalf about hers. .

So today over lunch with Kent who is one of the two partners, he told her that I was on my way to cardiac catheter lab tomorrow for an Angiogram and she scribbled a little note for a photo that Dennis could send over to me.

Sweet woman.





Then Dennis mentioned she would push up my blood pressure and possibly kill me with the message.

So she said “Wait, lets make him die with a smile on his face at least”

So she sent another pic

And that is in the Roadtrip thread update.

Worth a peek.

[Grizz1963]

Up at 5.15, out by 6.40, at hospital by 7.35 and in theatre by 10.30

All done, no massive screw ups identified, some minor things observed, but no need for bypass, stents etc. Cholesterol and stress management plus BP meds to continue.

Amazing health service again.



Nice hospital entrance.



And for good luck..... Ethyls T-Shirt.



Hope to be discharged by 4.00pm and get picked up by Sally.


Got a message from Andy in Oklahoma too last night.......



He has been walking a lot, part of his own recovery process.

[rgunlock]

Glad to hear that its all manageable. Might take them a bit to find the meds that work best for your BP, but sounds like you should be able to resume your normal routine at your normal pace soon.

[flashed]

Glad to hear no surgery needed , get well soon my friend .

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by rgunlock

Glad to hear that its all manageable. Might take them a bit to find the meds that work best for your BP, but sounds like you should be able to resume your normal routine at your normal pace soon.

Absolutely

It took two adjustments to get to where we are now. With the meds, and I do feel better.

Originally Posted by flashed

Glad to hear no surgery needed , get well soon my friend .

Thank you John.

Me too.


I love technology

Another small thing to add to the wrap up of this cardiac event and the angiogram
One of the things done at the cathlab is “Heparinising” where heparin is introduced (injected) toward the end, to prevent clot formation on any of the catheters inside the heart vessels to prevent heart attack or stroke.
It means when the sheath is removed one can bleed a lot.
These are used at the entry site as its an artery and arterial pressure is high.
Inflated, the cuff is left on for two hours, pressure reduced in small increments every 15 minutes.



After discharge, Sally picked me up and brought me home.

I found a card and delivered at the back door some “flowers” chocolates and a note from work.
Very touched by that.



.

[Grizz1963]

Quick update from Dennis who is of course building a NASCAR Race Truck chassi’d and motor plus Trans, C10 truck.

Supervised by his dad.



Needs a bit of this.....





Some of this.



Lifting and moving.



Welding and altering the frame is the biggest job currently.



Getting the motor mounts sorted.



Hendricks Racing motor.








This seems to be progressing fast now.

[Grizz1963]

ROAD TRIP ??


Awake at 05.00

Sally Slept over, gone by 06.00

Breakfast and a nice sunrise



07.30 Satnav set.



Services stop for coffee from my flask.



And a vital £15.00 purchase




More later.

[Grizz1963]

So two hours later.

Via this view......



I was invited warmly into a house, brew, biscuits (cookies) got to meet dad and an hours worth of chatting, sharing stories, interests and generally putting the world to rights.

We went out to see this......

Yes, this was the last time Dad had taxed it, after which a large Jaguar replaced it as daily, and this one was garaged.

Go do the maths.



1977 Cadillac Seville

I saw this advertised months ago.

It has bothered me, despite knowing that I have so much other stuff to do at home.

So I needed to scratch the itch and go take a look.



Rear view mirror with temperature gauge



Battery long since dead, which is partly why I brought along the jump leads, rather than using them on myself.

Hazard lights on.



Love this rear end, lights on as well.



Lunch offered, then a guided tour of his machine shop, I loved these anvils, there is a forge and full size anvil as well.

Loved it.



Parm also gave me a brand new, unused Farriers rasp.

He makes large Bowie style knives from them.



Eventually left at 13.30 and headed home, two hours on the road via the M25



After a long discussion with @PaulY he recommended that I pass on this car, as tempting it is because the C10 needs to to get back on the road.

A great day out.

[Grizz1963]

Still looking to get something a bit bigger than the Berlingo


Ford Galaxy, VW Sharan, Seat Alhambra are all based on same platform


Went to look and take a cautious drive around the block last night after work.

Then went to see a mate at their factory shop nearby.

Interestingly another guy I met before, was there, knew the car since three owners ago.

Seems this guy had it two plus years, previous owner even longer.

And he was a meticulous owner, keeping records of stuff etc.

Right now though........l

Car is a bit scruffy and needs a decent valet, some TLC with window winder, seat adjuster knob refitted
Some door panel upholstery tucked in and secured.
Needs front brakes serviced.


Driving it, it’s larger, more planted than the 1.4 petrol that is Prozac, never tested motor in drag racing mode, but unlikely to win stop street Grand Prix.

However it is comfy, and rear end is cavernous, compared to the van that can, Prozac..

And vitally, it has a towbar.

At £700.00 plus £325.00 tax plus £300.00/year insurance

It’s within my “Banger budget” and if a similar diesel was about, that would be better.......


So 24 hrs to make up or change my mind........





Interior all over needs a clean.








Ohhh....

And I would love a set of these E-Class wheels.





So......


Comments, opinions, other options?

[Grizz1963]

MAZZIVE COPY N PASTE OF PREAMBLE TO THIS.


Launched in 1995 The first Galaxy was designed as a joint venture product between Ford and the Volkswagen Group. Produced at the joint-venture AutoEuropa plant in Palmela, Portugal, the vehicle was badge-engineered to create three vehicles: the Ford Galaxy; by Volkswagen as the Volkswagen Sharan; and by SEAT as the Alhambra.

The Galaxy used predominantly Volkswagen Group mechanicals, most notably the 2.8 litre VR6 petrol engine from the top versions of the Volkswagen Golf, as well as Volkswagen Group's 1.9 litre Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) turbodiesel unit. Initially only the 2.0 litre inline-four petrol version used a Ford powerplant – this derived from the Ford I4 DOHC engine. In later years, this unit was supplemented by a 2.3 litre 16 valve version first seen in the facelifted Ford Scorpio. This engine was transversely mounted (as with the MKV Escort RS2000) as opposed to longitudinal mounting like in the Ford Scorpio.




HOW WE GOT HERE.


Weirdly

My FB Marketplace and Gumtree feeds for bangeR type money cars have started to push through the VW Sharan/Alhambra/Galaxy type cars too, possibly because I have clicked on a few sub £700 items.


Anyway.......


New Squirrel to chase and ask about on here, because I know there are such a range of experiences and interests.



Please tell me specifically about FORD GALAXY 2.3 petrol cars in Auto or manual.

I have read up on reviews, and typically opinions are of users, with varying opinions.


I have been offered a 2001 2.3 Auto, with towbar and 102k miles on the clock for £700.00 by a grandad who has bought a smaller car.

MOT History seems decent on it REGISTRATION: N999RAM



So......


Rubbish pics, bad descriptions and the rest.

Walk away, unless you are a masochist.



Then after work on Thursday after a quick phone call and chat from a car park in Greenwich, I ran down to the Isle of Sheppey to take a look.

First impression.....

Dirty.





And after a short drive around the suburb, reversed up and more poking and peeking.

Not at all perfect.

But.....

106000 miles or 170000 km done.
Great MOT online history showing long term care, maintenance and generally good status.
Petrol, automatic with a 2.3 litre 16 valve engine, offering 145 bhp
Road tax £325.00 per year as it was born post March 2001, vs £265.00 if born before March 2001




Popped in at Mate Darrens shop and spoke to his mate Ross who know the car and it’s registration when I mentioned Galaxy, as a friend of his was the previous OCD meticulous owner, who kept records, monitored fuel consumption etc.

He suggested it would be a great car at the price.

So I eventually went home to do some homework, insurance, road tax, running costs etc.....


One of the things I would love to change on the Galaxy is the 16” alloy wheels for 17’s or 18’s

Saw these E Class alloys on a VW Sharan, love the look.



And these are another style I would love to fit.

Had them on my 2006 C-Class years ago.



Ohhhh, and of course, if really cheap and easy to do...... HIT IT WITH THE LOWERING STICK !!!



Back to the reason for the treason of Prozac the Berlingo......


Trailer for towing and moving bigger items around.



So the decision was made to buy this car as nothing ideal had made its way onto my radar.

If VW Tourans did not keep their value so well, it would be my choice.

Still, this seemed to be good enough and ticked all the boxes, except that I would not choose automatic


More in a bit of anyone is watching or looking.