GRIZZ’s English 2001 S10 Extra Cab 4.3 V6 Truck

[Grizz1963]

Ticket bought.

International driving licence done.

Looks like 2023 USA road trip will be happening.

Unfortunately I will be without my sidekick @craigrk this time.

Poor guy is off to a Spanish holiday island with his kids and sons in-laws


Possible plan for week one…….





I have also been offered this camper on the banks of the Mississippi River by Eve, my buddy Ray’s widow, to use as a base for further exploring and travels.

RIP buddy.




There may be food again……. A lot of food, for those interested in food.





It is parked at McGregor Iowa, but puts Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana in reach on the return leg.







This could turn into a killer run as far as distance goes, but more importantly for me is actually seeing and learning more.


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[Grizz1963]

Road trip dedicated thread link here:

https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...023-road-again

​Youtube reports later.

[Grizz1963]

My younger brother “Dozer” retired in February after more than 41 years in the military.

So being a pensioner means he has lots of time to create random stuff.

Todays creation was a flower and bug, after servicing his motorcycle.





As a first time for something like this, he says most of the time was spent swearing and 25% of it making up and welding it.

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[Palf70Step]

Looks kewl!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Looks kewl!

I thought so too.





Canta was short changed and gets no video today.

I heard a collective sigh of relief there.

Spent some time doing yard work, throwing balls and took the Rezin Rockit for a decent drive.

Yard work included weeding, mowing lawns and chatting with this guy.

I always feel so privileged to have a variety of creatures in the garden.



Headed out in the Rezin Rockit……..

Then came home by 3.00pm.

Checked the Rezin Rockit over to see if anything had fallen off on the drive.

All there.

Then found my left over window tinting from the S10 truck side glass, or Not a Project Blazer, or Prozac the Berlingo, I cannot recall.

But there was enough to measure and cut for the Canta side small glass.

The doors have horribly worn Perspex sliding screens.

Cut to size, and also cut a strip that I will try to fit as a sun screen on the front glass.



Before.



After.

Faaaar from perfect, but somehow fools the eyes when you look inside past the badly fitting body panels and glass.



The hairy bum Supervisor on standby of course.



And the other side done.



This is miles from spectacular, but it is another minor improvement, maybe.

More tomorrow.


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[Grizz1963]

Today was a “Me day” with grass cut, weeding done etc, the took the Rezin Rockit out for a drive.

Not done this for a few weeks.

Popped in to check up on @fordDan68 .

Found him on the drive.

Always busy.

Then around to Sally’s place to throw balls for Bonnie for half an hour.

After that I went for a further drive, popped in to see UncleBob the Hoarder, but he was away helping Mr Hunt the farmer.

So I carried on driving, enjoying the briskness and acceleration of the car while recording some of the trip.

I will try to make up a short video of the drive tomorrow.





Eventually made I home and checked the whole car over, top and bottom, because I am still looking out for anything that may have been missed.

Not had the hood open in anger in months.



Found nothing scary, coolant, oil etc all correct.

So I parked it up and got onto the Canta to get the rear side glass tinted.

Must I sell the car to make space for something bigger?

[Grizz1963]

First preamble or even preemptive post on the trip.

Most of you know Dennis by now, a selfless, funny man and friend, closer family than my own brother, whom I love and have a load of time for.

But as Dennis’ partner told me in 2016 when I met her the first time, Dennis has never met a stranger.

And this friendship has evolved over time.

We chat pretty much every day, and then it is 2, 3, 4 or more times a day.

This morning Dennis, who is 6 hours behind me was chatting, he was headed to a local car show and would have liked me there to see the stuff on display.

A few pics sent:













When at the show, he sent a message……

The number is 1457

In my name.





The prize……..





So who knows….. Road trip in a rough as hell Ratrod?


I know I am stupid enough to take the challenge on head first.


Of course one needs to win first.


ROAD TRIP 2023 LINK https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...023-road-again


Video:


https://youtu.be/GnwIMS87dSw


A while to go before heading out, but yes….. excited already.

[Grizz1963]

So this weekend saw little,Canta action.

Which left me with a load of guilt to be processed, in the shape of using the RR.

I really do enjoy driving it.

The lowered suspension can be jarring on the terrible roads and potholes, but I wanted a lowered plastic car I guess.

Today I went to Asda (Walmart) to buy some groceries and a bottle of Fireball in case I needed it.

When I came out, there was a note (card) on the windscreen, so someone must have clocked that it is not a 4x4





I did quite a lot more driving, went to Sallys place to upload the Rezin Rockit video I edited after midnight last night.

My internet at home sucks big time.

Then I drove over to The Isle of Grain to look at the fruit trees I usually get my plums from, almost nothing, guess it’s been too dry.

Took a couple of photos of the car as well.

Eventually came home, having thoroughly enjoyed the day.



Still enjoy seeing the silly thing.



Video

https://youtu.be/QG8nZMs8DZE

Almost Monday.

[Grizz1963]

So……….

The front end, lights etc.

I had a suggestion from a friend to get an ally grille, to go with the clear side repeaters. Not sure about that.

Had it on the 79 Blazer and replaced with a new old stock original, which I preferred

Also, need to see if there are smoothed/closed in headlight bezels out there, that could work too.

Along with a clear lens side repeater and possibly deleting the current side lights, followed by installing switchback LED bulbs as suggested by a few guys and @westbay.

@zeberdeewesty did a couple of photoshop deletes…..

I like that, compared to the current look.












Yesterday, Mate John, the driving school instructor was over for a few hours to look at the van.

We checked all the lights and found one bright lamp out, and also the reverse lights had been replaced with yellow bulbs as indicators, a great idea IMHO as red indicators are often not seen clearly on American cars.

So I need to go find a correct light bulb, either in the garage or shop.

[Grizz1963]

Took a quick pic of the rear view mirror, trying to show the black with blue metal flake paint on there.

Kinda lost unless you look for it, in bright sunlight.

Still, pretty too.

[Palf70Step]

Glad it weng well. Looking forwRd to see what you do with it and see more pics

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Glad it weng well. Looking forwRd to see what you do with it and see more pics

Thank you as always Bill, loads to be done.

It is 33 years old after all.


So I saw the van advertised a while ago on the tightly run ship that is “Unusual cars for sale”

I have always been kinda into Commercial vehicles, trucks, vans, anything practical.

And this was the ad.



But of course I already had the Rumblegrizzkin Chevy S10 in ZQ8 spec with its 4.3l V6 auto and extra cab.

This is an amazing car/truck.

Small, for an American, and actually has 4 seats, the front buckets are also a bench, when you lift the armrest, and the midget seat in the rear folds down for a skinny 10 year old.

But as much as the truck is a great thing, at times my butt itches for a change, and weirdly, with work insecurities etc, the best fix is to buy more cars. IYKWIM

So I got my head around to deciding to reduce the fleet significantly, including the Rezin Rockit should I get approached randomly (which has happened)

The van is well known in certain circles and everyone wanted it, but nobody bought it.

So I did my research and found out what I could, based on a few photos, and later a short start up video.

I also approached a complete random stranger on GarageJournal.com whose avatar showed he lives in S****horpe (10 miles from the van) and after a long, enjoyable conversation with Vaughan, who turns out to be 70, just recovering from cancer surgery, and still rides a KTM 990, he agreed to go take a look at the van, and go for a short drive in it.

This all happened last Sunday, and when he called me later in the day, there were no punches pulled, and his feedback was that is was a 33 year old van, and it had the bones of a good car. It needed a few bits tidied up ( I like to polish turds) and that if faced with the dilemma of buying or not, at the stated price, he would buy it.

So I called the seller ( who was going to buy the truck off me, but ended up buying a 1972 Toyota Crown wagon on Saturday) and asked if there was any movement on price, which there was not.

So I asked if I could still have a go at squeezing his bits, and he asked what I wanted, which I said was taking delivery of the van with a full tank of fuel.

Monday was spent insuring, getting recovery sorted and generally trying to fit the day job into my schedule.

By 3.00pm I had Green Flag recovery switched from the S10 for a total increase of premium of £2.48

Here is a video of my total motivation, and information on the van before buying it.

https://youtu.be/ewf60bR00k8


I will add a few more pics and observations of the van later for those morbidly interested.

In the mean time, having been an underused, 78k mile van, the battery gave me a load of solenoid clicks after I got back home last night.

I went to Sallys place for dinner and to show her the van, which of course needed a jump start.

So a battery is first on the list of items.

I see that as a longer term wear and tear item if a car is not used much.

[Grizz1963]

So on having bought the van and setting off with it, a few random observations of the first hour, well, 5 hours really.

When Colin picked me up as S****horpe station, he just came rolling in, and there was other nois in the background that the camera on the phone picked up on.


https://youtu.be/WYSLvCNGBO4


But the van was shorter, and stockier than I had expected. ✅

The rumble from the twin side exits - OOOOOFFF ! ✅

Having been built and professionally lowered by THE DROP SHOP in Mission, Texas, the road holding, and drive is amazing for a van, being short and low, it can be thrown into roundabouts with gusto, and never wallowed like a typical American car or truck. The further I drove, the more confident I became and far from pushing it, I was assessing it all the way, and it gets a big ✅

Colin filled the tank as part of the deal, and I doubt he zeroed the trip meter, or filled it to the neck, but even in the most unscientific way possible, it used less than an indicated 1/2 tank on the 200 mile trip home, a mix of motorways and A-Roads, so another apparent ✅

Radio/CD/USB/Starship control desk has been cut in by an angry badger, so I need a new/used original dash filler panel to get back to standard as I could not figure the radio out, YET. So a certain ❌

Driving position in what is believed to be Corvette seats is good, but maybe 150mm or 6” too close for me. I will address that soon. ❌

Cubby hole fitted to the “Dog House” engine cover has someone’s old art airbrushed on it, replace or repaint ❌

Door speakers of unknown origin, vintage, ability, and missing a screen one side needs replacing ❌

Comes with a removable tow hitch, in my world that gets ✅✅✅

Load body has remnants of amplifiers etc cut into it, if they work, reinstate and use, if not, remove and cover holes ✅❌

Getting home was a pleasure, simply because it was an unknown quantity to grab and drive 200 miles ✅

Going down the side of the house down my narrow alley necessitated folding a mirror in, it is that wide @ 77” and driving out, I just folded both in, wound the window down and kept my eye on keeping the drivers side 6 inches or 150mm from the concrete posts of the fence, naturally, the other side would be good enough. So size gets one of each too as I would have it despite the size. ✅❌

Due to overall limited use, the battery made it home, then left me in the lurch a few times in quick succession at home, new battery getting collected later today £60.00 Certainly not a seller problem, but a cost ❌

Service records, despite low mileage non existent so no base to work from doing standard maintenance, so need to get a full fluid, filters and ignition service,,again, part of ownership, so neither good nor bad, but possibly bad due to previous ownership ❌✅

Overall impression, looks, first drive gets ✅✅✅✅✅ of these and ❌of these.

Time will tell what else needs doing.



THE DROP SHOP lowered it in the 90’s

They are also on FB and if you look at their builds, there’s some neat stuff.



Approximate collection miles.

I had done 10-20 miles already.



Tow hitch is a massive win in my world of practicality.



Driving position in what is believed to be Corvette seats is good, but maybe 150mm or 6” too close for me. I will address that soon.



After collecting me, the last pic of it in S****horpe with Colin driving.





When I got home I took some photos.

I will do the interior at the weekend with before and after etc.

Against the S10 it shows a bit of comparative size, keeping in mind the S10 is a mini truck.






And on its own.

Chunky tyres on 15” wheels fill the arches nicely.








Bringing it out, shows a tight fit.




@forddan68 came around and took these pics for me,




A very happy man I guess.

Already liking it.





Thanks for stopping by and all your comments, advice and input as always.


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[Grizz1963]

My friend Bob Heine in America made a comment and observation on how,clean the rear is, along with the spoiler on top, compared to a more standard van.

And that spoiler really works in this case.

And I am not a great spoiler fan,

The smoothing, shaving handles, roll pan…… Absolutely improves the look.


Did a quick screen grab rear end pic and found another custom van with more original equipment on Google.







Lots to like about this van.

[Grizz1963]

[quote author="@metalshapes" source="/post/2792437/thread" timestamp="1691608900"]"The smoothing, shaving handles, roll pan…… Absolutely improves the look."

It really does.

Big difference.

I'd be tempted to do a little smoothing & shaving to the front to complement it... [/quote]


Your suggestion is honestly at the top of my list, since I saw the van.

I did the same to the S10.

Clear lenses £65.00



Massive improvement to this……



Either new or good used will go on there, but I think new will just look better than partially faded.

Watch those spaces.

[Palf70Step]

She's looking good Rian. Best I can do for comedy in this heat.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

She's looking good Rian. Best I can do for comedy in this heat.

You done good Bill.










[quote author="@93fxdl" source="/post/2792671/thread" timestamp="1691783556"]Currently enjoying the video on the tv, a suggestion for he front sidelights, since you intend to fit clear indicators, why not pair them with switchback leds, white for sidelight, but flashes yellow
Ttfn Glenn [/quote]


Very good thinking Glenn.

I will certainly investigate that.

One of my clever mates can possibly help, and prevent me spending days figuring it all out, like I did on the S10.

https://youtu.be/jdIu7KdpWs0

That was a great modification to remove the amber front indicator lenses.

If the clear indicators for the Astro allows it, that would be the best way to remove those horns from the front.

[Grizz1963]

Next job after the vacuum cleaner was to get the carpet cleaned.

Even small jobs take time.



So I started with Vanish, clothing bleach type stuff.



Wet the carpet and worked it into all the stains and marks.

Then left it to react for a while.



Followed by the wet dry VAX cleaner.



Resulting in this.



This morning I opened all the doors by 06.30 for it all to dry out some more.




Happy with the improvement.




The 6 litres of water I used probably only returned 2 litres of very dirty water.



And for those who do not read words,……..

VIDEO HERE.

https://youtu.be/80Uv9CkK5l0

This morning once I opened the van to dry out the carpets.

I had a QC inspection.

Passed the security muster as well.




George suggested another road trip.


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[Palf70Step]

You more than welcome to come do my 2 Rian. Great work

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

You more than welcome to come do my 2 Rian. Great work

WhenI am at Dennis’ place i always look for stuff to do, to keep busy.

I love a busy holiday, being able to keep busy.

You may get a surprise with me coming knocking……

[Grizz1963]

Sometimes the camera does not quite capture the changes.

Went out after work last night for a few minutes.

Polished the indicators and side repeaters with some G3 as I was on a roll.

Both actually showed an improvement.



And after of course.

Still convinced I need a pair of clear lenses.




More small jobs waiting.




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[Grizz1963]

Just how small has the world become.

My buddy Stas in Siberia sent mr this pic.

He was watching my youtube channel.





A friend, JB Math in Oklahoma gave me what I regard as a lovely compliment yesterday, saying that I have an innate ability to find those little imperfections that when corrected, make a nice impact.

To me, some of the bodges and repairs I see, make me wonder why people did not just do it right in the first place, as the effort is the same as doing it right.

Yesterday’s small jobs would have @nickwheeler rubbing his hands together in glee.

The black gloss paint came out…….

A few small jobs to do, necessitated some masking up, and also dismantling weather seals in the door frames, but with a nice impact.

First job, mask up the cut and shut Recarro seat bases. Welded, ground and left like that……

Nice job mr Craftsman.





Masked and painted.



Surely looks better already.




Next job was the A-Pillars, weirdly missed when painted blue and so obvious.

After poking and prodding, realised I could remove the door seals on both sides, passenger side is a long one including the sliding door.

Then washed many years of accumulated dirt and muck from there.



Cleaned up.



Painted.



At the same time I prepped the rear door, that is missing some trim.

The other door needs its upholstery to be fixed back neatly as well, maybe a weekend job.

But plans include driving and enjoying the van, and making up for forgetting Sally’s birthday.



Left the masking tape in place till this morning and was pleasantly surprised at the changes.

Looks much better imho.



Doors….

I had to look twice at where the yellow was sticking out so obviously before.

Really pleased with the result. Seals back in place.



And the rear door needs me to make up a piece of trim, probably in black, or dark grey to go with the upholstery trim.

For all the zoomers, yes there is damage to the rear glass tinting and some genius sprayed some black aerosol paint on it.

Not ideal, but a good solution, especially looking from the outside, until,I get to replacing the tint.

Possibly both sides at the same time.






As I get the small jobs done, I am getting to like the van more and more.

Realising that it has essentially had a very good life to date.

Friday…….. last day of the week.

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[Grizz1963]

After work a quick few small jobs.

WD40 in the lock barrels, got all three doors to lock. In a secret sequence.

Also went back to the garage and fetched the G3 and some cloths.

The rear end, roll pan and lights were not as tidy as I would like them.

So rear end paint polished, followed by the rear lights that were less than good.



After quite a bit of buffing, the results were satisfactory, or a bit more than that to be honest.



Plan is to go out for a drive with Sally tomorrow.

No idea where to go really, and @glenanderson will possibly have advice on Dover and Folkestone, I hope.

Not really interested in Dover castle, expensive and done recently..

Any ideas for greater Kent gang?

No tight car parks of course.




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[Palf70Step]

Nice work Rian.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Nice work Rian.

Thanks Bill,

You will know how this goes, every time you do a big job, one of the smaller jobs seem to grow in stature.

I have a faint suspicion, that if all goes to plan, Dennis and I may run down to New Orleans and your back yard next week or the week after.

Will keep you updated.