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

[Grizz1963]

“Nothing new under the sun”


Saw this on FB Marketplace this morning, for sale.

A 1969 Jeepster.

Front screen looks curved for a moment, but look at the slope rear wards compared to original Jeeps.

The rear end found itself slopes down as well.






So maybe my slanting screen is not that clever or new.


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[Grizz1963]

Gutters up.

Next job, fit the drainage pipes to the rear of the garage, fitting them agains the side of the garage.





Ohh, and it seems to work well.




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[68Timber]

The carport turned out great! Stay safe.

Edit it add - that Lexus drift car is insane. The things the younger generation are doing... There's a similar build here in Alternate Tinkerings where a guy has dropped a 70's Cherokee body over a Trailblazer SS. It's hackery and too cool at the same time.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by 68Timber

The carport turned out great! Stay safe.

Edit it add - that Lexus drift car is insane. The things the younger generation are doing... There's a similar build here in Alternate Tinkerings where a guy has dropped a 70's Cherokee body over a Trailblazer SS. It's hackery and too cool at the same time.

Thanks for taking the time to post a reply.

Much appreciated.

Carport still needs a few touches, like lights etc.

I love body Swaps with unlikely codices on there.



Not a lot done today.

Relaxed a bit and spent time chatting to various people around the world/

Then went down to the garage.

When I fought the roofing, there were two 3.2 meter lengths of “free” roofing sheets that get used to protect the order.

So I stashed them against the hedge for future use.



Failing to source some truck body sides left me little option but to use these as a temporary solution.

So I cut one in half, then the other in three and screwed them up on the outside, under the gutters I fitted yesterday.



Tight fit.



Looking from the inside, plan is to add a a strip of decking to the bottom to hold it all together and make the edges safe.



On the left side, the plan is to cut out some doorway, and to add a door post, again to,make the edge safe so idiots like me don’t cut ourself by accident when coming through.

Also a frame over the top that will allow for some kind of door or draped weather proof curtain.

Masking tape gives an idea.



Once the light bars are fitted it should be very light in there.

Photo taken around 3.30 pm with the weather overcast outside.



And lastly, looking from Mickeys side.

There will be a short section by the doorway added when I cut it away from the existing sheets.



Pretty pleased with how it has come out.

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[Grizz1963]

A serious post on here, related to this build.


Remember Fil who took the trailer up to Ayr in Scotland to fetch the Rezin Rockit for me.

He posted this posting today on the BMW UKGSER.com site in a reserved chat section.

It made me quite emotional and touched me in a way few people manage to do.

Originally Posted by sparkplug

Cracking work as always Rian :thumb2

Wasn't sure where to post this, so I hope you don't mind it being on your thread.

When we were over at Grizz Towers during the epic Rezin Rocket™ delivery adventure we were treated to the usual generous hospitality and showered with gifts.

One of which was a sign which I kept trying to find the right spot for but it somehow never was quite 'at home'.

I've been volunteering for a while with a local café which is open to all but which provides free food through schemes like Fareshare to anyone who needs it as well as having peer mentors always available for a chat for people recovering from alcohol and substance abuse.

It's very sad to have seen the number of people needing assistance with being fed rise to the point where it can no longer be a free for all, come in, help yourself approach. This was great for people who didn't want to interact with you because such a large proportion of them feel ashamed to be in a position of need.

With demand now far exceeding supply (it used to be the other way round just six months ago) there is now a queue and everyone is limited to a certain amount of food (measured by weight).

Anyway, I'm digressing from the point....

The point is that while helping out this morning it suddenly struck me that I knew exactly where that sign would find it's home.





People were forever asking if there was WiFi and what the password was because it was too small to be noticeable. Now the sign will attract attention to it.

Within minutes of putting it up I was approached by a former drug dealer who had come off his bike and got severe brain injuries six years ago.

He'd been going to the café in the early days to help his recovery and is now a peer mentor there. He's turned to writing to keep himself busy and mentally healthy. He told me how being able to use the WiFi in the café had been his lifeline for doing this and how even when it was closed due to covid he was able to sit outside in the cold and connect to get his emails.

He said that he loved the sign and that he hoped it would help others to find that lifeline too.

Must say I came home feeling pretty good - and all thanks to the inestimable generosity of Grizz. :clap

[Grizz1963]

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S10 Question.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=816014

Thanks.

[Grizz1963]

Today was phone call upon phone call.

Messenger message after Messenger message.

Insurance quotes, logistics, research.


Then put to the carport.

Into Mickey’s and my woodpile, digging, measuring and sorting.



Then made up from 100mm, 50mm and a 45mm decking board, left over from last year when we rebuilt the deck, a 4.2 meter long plinth, painted it grey and left it out 5o dry, though the weather is not ideal for drying.



Levelled out, and added some sharp sand, the strip behind the single brick wall.



And finally, added and compacted the blocks, left over from the summertime build. Yes, the rag to blunt the edge is a rag, long since decommissioned.



So next job is to secure the sheets of roofing with another length of decking board, a door post for it to screw into, and then moving the grey plinth into position, so that the cabinets can be fitted onto the raised section, with the roof sheets tightly against the rear of them.

Op at 06.00 in the morning, then off by 07.00 to collect @pauly for a recce and mini road trip.

Maybe it will be interesting.

[Grizz1963]

[quote author="@redratbike" source="/post/2648759/thread" timestamp="1608833324"][quote author="@pauly" source="/post/2648689/thread" timestamp="1608810965"]Weather?

4degrees.

Check

Wind?.

10mph so it feels like 2degrees?

Check.

Driving to the wilds of Essex to lie in a muddy wet cold field and spend Rian’s money?

Check.

Yup. Sounds like a road trip.....

P. [/quote] To pick up an mx5 engine and box [/quote]


I rarely get the chance.......

But in this case, a complete miss.


90 miles each way, picking @PaulY up halfway, armed with his super bright LED torch and a ground sheet.

No MX5 bits in sight anywhere.

But, after an hour, a handshake to confirm an agreement.


Now I just need a trade plate.

[Grizz1963]

So when meeting up with @pauly yesterday, he also brought me the replacement mirrors and a set of lowering springs, donated by @kevins to the Rezin Rockit build

Thanks Kevin.



A full set of green Lexan windows for mate Darrens Ford Popular that I managed to find a few months ago.



To be collected.



In the afternoon, I carried on with fine tuning the rear of the carport where I am fitting a large doorframe to make the sharp edged steel safe, and to break the wind a bit.

Needs to be completed.





Some work today before going to lunch. In my bubble.

[Grizz1963]

Some of you will know, because of inner circle privilege (rofl) that I may have spunkied some cash on a new car.

Keep it to yourselves for now inner circle. Please.

Thought a Christmas teaser was appropriate here.

I will be selling the Galaxy as soon as I have moved the registration plate on it, to the new car.

The Rezin Rockit can keep its own thread because it is a silly, fun thing.

Picture of what a 21 year old, 38500 mile belly looks like on the MOT ramps an hour after I bought it.

Guessing and replies on a postcard below.






MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL.


THANK YOU FOR FRIENDSHIPS ANF SUPPORT THIS YEAR.


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[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Grizz

Further clue, maybe.

[Grizz1963]

Well.

Christmas came and went.

Zero stress, thanks to Sally cooking us a leg of lamb based roast dinner that had me making weird noises with every mouthful.

It was spectacular.

With her cars engine expiring in April, costing her £2000, then her boiler went for £1800 and some other crisis I cannot recall, but all culminating in a pretty bad 2020

So we decided no presents, no frivolous washing, which is not really her way.

All of this meant that she spent time at her place sewing, and I worked on fine tuning the carport some more.

Weather has been chilly the last few days, with a keen breeze, but 4 top layers and some long John’s under my tricky pants, and a woolly hat and garage gloves..... toasty.

First thing was to complete the frame at the rear, stabilising the sheets.



Then the back corner where I plan to have a door or curtain to keep the last of the weather out, needed a bit of clear conservatory roofing

.

Screwed into place. Chuffed.





Then called Sally out of the warm house to help me unload and move the tall cabinets under the roof.



All four in, and about 20mm short of getting the right hand unit, slid in behind the steel upright post, so quick dismantle of the sheets against the shed, a spacer fitted and screwed in place.
You will notice the right hand side still had a small gap where you can see the hedge.



Then moved them and the small units into position.



Looking in just as light failed, I felt pretty chuffed with what I have managed to achieve the last few months with help from various friends, some for minutes, some for longer.



Once again thanks to all who had and have a hand in this build.

It will keep a lot of the weather out and afford me a dry place to work on the Rezin Rockit and other builds, including the 66 C10 patiently wair]ting its turn.

Tonight it seems we have a storm and possibly snow by tomorrow.

Life is good, yes, really.

[Grizz1963]

The last time I used the term Bucket List, this was what I bought 6.5 years ago.

https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...hort-fleetside

Subsequently I chose not to have bucket lists, in fact not even lists.

But there has always been a LUST LIST.

Prozac the Berlingo was such a revelation on so many levels, and to be honest, it again underscored how much fun smaller capacity cars have.
Add into that the amazing functionality it proceeded to unfold in my ownership.
Sold to Mickey next door for his son to use for school run and DIY work, it continues unabated to impress and work daily.

Replaced it with the 2001 Galaxy 2.3 Auto.
Valeted it
Removed the seats
Added a rubber mat
Used it.
Replaced the battery.
Failed MOT for welding and a couple of lightbulbs.
Sorted and passed test 2.0
Towed a trailer twice for stuff
Again...... super reliable car, huge capacity.
But sooooo BLAND, it just goes on and on, doing its job.
I ended up not even lowering it.

I have always loved trucks, commercial vehicles and functional equipment

So my eye continued to always be open for certain Cars.

I had a specific, rigid wish list for these.

Chevrolet S10 pickup.

A Mk 2 truck, despite series one popularity
Colour: Sandalwood metallic
Extra-cab
4.3 liter V6
2WD not 4x4
Decent condition
Tow bar

Colour options



I was looking around Europe for years on various German, Dutch, Italian and Spanish websites, plus had a few guys help me. Notably @Mk3rob in Germany.

Not one came up that was aligned with my want list though.

Then two weeks ago.

BINGO !!!

Saw an ad for a 2000 Chevrolet Trax for sale.

Contacted the advertiser who was selling for a friend....... usually these peee me off before I even contact them as they are often just infuriating deals to see through.

Andy took his time getting back to me, but of course he has a day job.

Then a garbled text message, typed with a pair of safety gloves.

At this point I was ready to walk away, but I persevered as the truck specs and what was described, suited me and ticked the list.

Eventually managed to get an appointment set up for 11.00 and contacted @pauly to see if he would come do the fine tooth comb checks for me. He knows stuff.
But he could not do 11.00, so I contacted the advertiser to see if we could view at 09.00 , within minutes he got back to me and agreed to 09.00
Got an address and description of how to get on the turkey farm, sudden, hidden turning off the motorway.
So Thursday morning 06.00 I was up, left home by 07.00 all excited, and drove over to our meeting point in 4’C weather.

In the mean time I went into the history online.

Confirming the advertised mileage and what appears to have been reasonable maintenance or lack of use.





So the motor

K&N air cleaner, divides opinions



As mentioned, an extra cab was a prerequisite



I have seen a few of these trucks for sale and the interior was really tidy and intact.



Space for beer.



Fleetside badging, rear step bumper may hide a tow ball fitting space.



Cragar wheels fitted, they will be gone ASAP.

Truck comes with a set of lowering springs as well.

Stripes are also opinion dividers. I am not yet certain.maybe remove and replace with ghosted type stripes



Front end is nice, orange indicators will be going and getting replaced with clear units.



So after PaulY and I spent time on our knees and crawling around in the wet, thanks Paul, it was time for a run down the motorway, grab some fuel and return via the local village, which gave me a feel for it in all conditions.

Even the load bed, which comes with a cover, has actually never been used.
The Raptor liner was applied in Missouri, and is still unmarked, no dents, scratches etc.

So I bought it.



I decided not to pay the government for a months road tax for five days of use, which would be about 100 miles.
So collection agreed for 01012021
Nice way to start the new year.


Happy yes.

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[Grizz1963]

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So today I spent some time outside, it was 3.5’C

Yes, I know there are colder places in the world, but there are also warmer places.

First I removed everything that did not belong to the Galaxy, from it.
Rolled up the bloody heavy rubber mat that was on the floor.it will go into the S10 truck Ed.
The I vacuum cleaned it, wiped every surface and cleaned it all with various products.
Then unpacked the rear seats from storage, removing their wrappings and refitted them all.

Various configuration available of course.





Inside front cleaned up nicely.





On 17 November we were here.



And of course where we stand now.




So once I remove the personal plate, it will be put to the market.

I still have the lowering springs as well as the set of Mercedes Benz wheels and new tyres to move on.

But it’s bedtime now.

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[Grizz1963]

Wheels.

A very personal choice.

I am still in two minds, both are my minds and opinions about the Cragar wheels currently fitted to the truck.
They are 17’s and need to be cleaned for me to really form an opinion, the whole truck needs a decent valet to get it up to scratch.
It comes with a full lowering setup, so the wheel arch gaps on the 17’s can be closed in, tyre sidewalls are 45 profile, and possibly could be increased a bit to change the illusion.
The ride on the 17’s as they are is actually really comfortable, unlike some low profile setups.

As it stands.



What’s in the bag, well, loadbed.



I saw these wheels a few times before on S10 trucks and like them, they are 15’s with a 65 profile.

https://www.need-a-wheel.com/rim-sho...v=3e8d115eb4b3





Available to me.

I think that they would look good on the truck, and allow it to function as well as the Cragars.









Same seller also has an original steering wheel available at sensible money.





Complete with connectors and cancellation gubbins as they would be removed when the sports steering was fitted in the past.



I am also hoping to find someone breaking a 2000-2002 model S10 Blazer for the front grille, which is actually chrome.

Could look good.



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[Grizz1963]

MOT Station pics, as expected





Happy

Happy.

[Grizz1963]

HIT AND RUN TRUCK COLLECTION.

In the end, I capitulated and decided to just pay the road tax and not mess the seller around, risking my deposit.

So off we went.



And on and on the road went.



Made it to the sellers place, played a pretty good game of remote hand over, electronic fund transfer etc, then two old guy from the same area of South London touched base, comparing notes.



Good byes said, Mickey headed home on his own, I headed for the local gas station with a thirsty truck with empty tank.

55 liters meant there was some distance left in it after the previous owner had put some gas in for the test drive.



On the way home I did a detour to drop off some air tools for @pauly to use on Woody his C10 that he is quietly getting on with.

Paul took a happy new owner pic for me.

Freezing cold out there.



Then headed home.

Stopped at my local gas station, and missed out taking a pic of the signs on the gas pumps that say: “DO NOT TOUCH OUR PUMPS”

But the ladies who fill the cars and trucks soon make you forget that, with their friendly approach and service.

Real old skool



So 85 miles and the consumption at presto much mostly motorway speeds around 70mph.

27mpg or 10km/l

Happy for sure.



Sunset outside at the gas station.






Then back home, 2’C outside meant I just reversed up the drive, locked up and went indoors.

Grinning.

Happy yes.


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[Grizz1963]

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Ps. I do have a video as well.


Not sure if i should post ?


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[Grizz1963]

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So the video, taken. By @PaulY after I delivered some air tools to him en-route after collecting the truck.


Paul sent me an accompanying message which read something like “Nice Truck, but you get 1/10 for effort, not even an attempt to smoke they tyres”

So here is my limp attempt at joining the traffic on a wet, cold road.

https://youtu.be/ZppLk-f7nBs

Maybe a better attempt next time.

No need to break it.


HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL.

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[LT7A]

Happy New Year Grizz. The carport is really coming together, I'm jealous. I like your new truck and I'm not sure if you were really soliciting opinions so much as making up your own mind. Someone tried to outfit that to bring it into a retro hot rod era. To me, it doesn't really fit. I like the Cragars, just not on that vehicle. Those other wheels you showed would be more appropriate as would removing the fleetside badges and the stripes, but that's all just opinion stuff. Good luck and God bless going into the new year.

[uber cool]

Happy New Year Grizz, I've not been on any forums for ages. I've had a Dodge Dart for a while but just sold that and looking forward to get for 59 Apache ready for this year that has sat neglected for a few years. Do you still have your C10? PSI had a 99 S10 ss step side a few years ago, great little truck.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Happy New Year Grizz. The carport is really coming together, I'm jealous. I like your new truck and I'm not sure if you were really soliciting opinions so much as making up your own mind. Someone tried to outfit that to bring it into a retro hot rod era. To me, it doesn't really fit. I like the Cragars, just not on that vehicle. Those other wheels you showed would be more appropriate as would removing the fleetside badges and the stripes, but that's all just opinion stuff. Good luck and God bless going into the new year.

Hi Mate,
Happy New Year to you and yours too.
Thank you, the carport had come out well, better than expected.
Credit to you and all the guys who had input and kept the standard so high.
I absolutely love Cragars, but more so maybe on some muscle cars out there.
The Fleetside badges are drilled and fixed through the bedside. So staying.
Stripes have kinda grown on me the last week, fortunately they are removable
.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by uber cool

Happy New Year Grizz, I've not been on any forums for ages. I've had a Dodge Dart for a while but just sold that and looking forward to get for 59 Apache ready for this year that has sat neglected for a few years. Do you still have your C10? PSI had a 99 S10 ss step side a few years ago, great little truck.

Welcome back Andy,

Great to see you here.
I kept an eye on you on R&S, but stopped posting on there due to some dickwads on there.
I absolutely still have the C10, and it will get done.
Nicola left me, and it killed my head and spirit, and soul tbh, so I left it alone, nice thing about these cars and trucks is that they do wait for you.
I wanted this for so long.
Be nice to have both in the garage.

[Grizz1963]

.

So this is a repeat.

But I want to draw a baseline.

The truck was brought into the U.K. like new, by a US serviceman in 2001 who sold it when he returned back to base after finishing his service here.

This is the trucks “build sheet” showing its whole DNA. What was put together to create it.

It seems to be pretty special, and I am both pleased and thankful to have been able to tick a box on my lust list.



Read and interpreted by some clever people out there

G80 and ZQ8 are posi track rear and sport suspension
G80 is the LSD, nice.
ZQ8 is a code and a trim package, so your truck is a ‘ZQ8’
They had a factory lowering kit, around 2in or so, springs and leafs. A tighter steering box and some other nice things. The Xtremes got the same setup but got a body kit and some badges.
This is kind of an aside since you're curious about rpo codes, but the guys who have the super sport S10’s look for the B4U code. SS trucks were the first to receive the ZQ8 suspension in 96 until they stopped the SS in 98. The ZQ8 then became its own trim package so to speak
That is the rear end. I think the codes that start with G are the gears for the rear. Not 100% but I think that's what it means. And G80 is a locking or semi locking rear end if I remember right.

GU6 = 3.42 gears
G80 = POSI limited slip
L35 = v6 4.3l vortec
M30 = 4spd overdrive transmission
ZQ8 = Sports suspension package


So having brought the truck home it was time to start looking at what all was added to the truck that adds value or cost.

Originally supplied in Missouri by Molle Chevrolet of Blue Springs.



An Extang BlackMax retractable vinyl tonneau cover has been fitted from new.



The truck benefitted from a Raptor bed liner applied in the USA before delivery.

Unfortunately, if you look on the outside, it carries a pair of metal FLEETSIDE badges, correct for what it is, versus a Stepside, but not original.
If it were not for the holes in the bedsides, they would be long gone (personal preference) but they will stay.

The bed has also never carried a load either, and is unmarked and indented after 20 years and 38k miles.



It has also, unlike so many truck, never towed or been used as a towing vehicle. Though I want to change that slightly.

Really interesting, is the fact that the rear bumper is ready to fit a tow ball once you remove the rear step rubber and find a hole, ready to receive.

Lift the rubber cover and away you go.





The original steering wheel was replaced with Grant item, personally, I prefer the idea of original there, so hope to find one and fit it back where it belongs.
Another Marmite “Love it or Hate it” addition to the interior is this fake wood dash overlay.
The quality and fir of it is actually really good, and may even have been a dealer fit option, along with the rear lights, wheels, bed liner and protection.
I actually like it more at this point, than disliking it, so it will stay.
Different strokes for different folks ehh...?
Also visible is the occasional bench seat once the armrest and cubby are flipped back to form a backrest.



Up closer in daylight.



My friend JB Matthews in Oklahoma mentioned that he never seemed to buy a truck with the emergency Jack and wheel spinner.

Looks like I got lucky.



Also, unused is the 4th seat, behind the passenger seat, what is not apparent, is the fact the front bucket seats are actually a bench seat for occasional use of three, with safety belt.



As we know, the truck runs on two piece 17 inch Cragar SS wheels, shod in 255/45ZR17 98W Nankang tyres. There is also a full size spare Cragar wheel that came with the truck.

Included in the sale was a set of lowering springs and blocks. Some matching paint and two spare handles for the third door.

Seems the bump stops were removed and not refitted when the lowering kit was removed before I bought the truck.

I would love to see what my truck would look like with another 2” or 50mm drop, once it gets cold, I am sure @pauly will pop over..





In the engine bay, the only change affected was a change to K&N air filter system which in itself seems to be controversial.

So there you have it.

Baseline extras fitted to the truck, worth a few Dollars.

Next up, broken bits and bits needing replacement or fine tuning.

Changes that need to be made.

[uber cool]

Your absolutely right they do wait for you and its like having a new project and you forget all the good work you'd done previously. So far mines been to Le Mans classic 3 times with no breakdowns, that's a 1200 mile round trip each time. I've just been on rock autos and order some service parts.