GRIZZ’s English 2001 S10 Extra Cab 4.3 V6 Truck

[Grizz1963]

So in today’s exciting episode, work proceeded in 0’C or 32’F on the drive, with a chilly light breeze to accompany proceedings.




So this is how it started.


Drained the water from the cooling system.





Replaced with Antifreeze and deionised water.





Also in attendance for the whole procedure, including starting up and running the motor for a while, was George.

Clearly taking his new job seriously.





Earlier in the day, mate Martin and I had met in a layby so I could raid his scrap bin in his van……

I was headed to my local nut n bolt guy to get some bits to create an adjustable stop for the gas pedal to push against the firewall.

This should do the job, once shaped, cut to size and welded in place.






So not much done, but a whole lot more than if I had sat indoors drinking coffee and eating cookies.


Small jobs need to be gathered and completed.


One by one.


.

[Palf70Step]

George reminds me of my drill instructors heading towards us. Stuff was about to flow!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

George reminds me of my drill instructors heading towards us. Stuff was about to flow!

Very accurate observation and description

He is a weird creature, watches me from a distance, but hangs around the shop.

[Grizz1963]

Late start for @nickwheeler and I today.

I had to go 25 miles from here to the other side of Maidstone to go look at something.

Then back here, run about and get so e stuff sorted and also prepared.

With all the cold recently, the carport has a ton of condensation, as did the S10 for some reason, leaving the inside of the windscreen fogged up.

So I opened the door and left the truck to breathe.

Coming out the house later, I saw this……..



Yup, someone likes the sun and a soft pad, it seems.



Back to the Rezin Rockit, some more small jobs left to get wrapped up.

First thing was to create a mounting point for a return stop for the clutch.



Welded in place and, trying to help, I also managed to get the other spring from last weekend, hooked into the pedal and mounted to the steering column.

It has a really soft, firm return action.



Another “double check” job was to see that the second “reverse lense” was not actually in use, as the plan was to convert it to a rear fog light, till I discovered the slimline unit I had stashed away and that got fitted.



Another job for today was to tidy away the wiring loom and to extend a few wires so nothing was under tension.

Just on bolting down an earth, it ended up in Nicks hand, so a quick tacking with the welder saw. Progress.



While he was at that job, I made him extremely happy.

Removed all of this…….



So we wrapped up around 6.30pm

At which tome the chill was creeping into our bones.



Nick headed home, I came indoors, warmed up some leftover food and settle down.

George who was watching me all afternoon, settled down next to me.



Weekend over again.

Just like that.

[Grizz1963]

One môre precision job to get done.

Needs two sets of hands.

This contact adhesive is brutally unforgiving.

Then do the cowl over the instrumentation.

Fit the switches then fit the dash to the car.

Brought it all indoors to warm up and dry out




Closer and closer.

Almost excited.

[CG]

I dont remember reading about those horns, sorry if you already said ... Do they play a tune?

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by CG

I dont remember reading about those horns, sorry if you already said ... Do they play a tune?

Hi CG,
They are meant to play a tune, but the set os made up of two sets and I could not get it to do more than make a noise.

This is them.


https://youtu.be/mU7pId6dtyE



So have removed them.

It has a legal horn too, so not a great loss.

I may fit a fun Klaxon horn later.

[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.

[Palf70Step]

If it is for the oil change, then it is
turn key to on, press gas pedal to floor 3 times in like 3-4 secs, then hit start. It should blink a bit then reset (5K is the factory setting.) and go out. I know with me, it took 2 or 3 trys sometimes. The fastness of the gas pedal flooring plays a big part on whether it resets. Far as I know if it is for something else, it should should up as a code or warning somewhere.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

If it is for the oil change, then it is
turn key to on, press gas pedal to floor 3 times in like 3-4 secs, then hit start. It should blink a bit then reset (5K is the factory setting.) and go out. I know with me, it took 2 or 3 trys sometimes. The fastness of the gas pedal flooring plays a big part on whether it resets. Far as I know if it is for something else, it should should up as a code or warning somewhere.

Brilliant, thanks Bill.

It was a message about oil % so we set that at 95%

I will try it next weekend.

[Grizz1963]

Funny how life and distractions can get in the way of getting small jobs done.

The vinyl for the dash did not really settle r smoothen out this week.

Yesterday I brought in some ply to work on indoors, 4-6’C is not ideal, and the damp chill in the air sucks too.



So plan B was hatched for the vinyl.



That seemed to work a bit better.



Laying out the two pieces that needed covering on my just big enough piece of material.



Cut off the piece for the instrument surround.



Industrial strength contact adhesive goes off in 2 minutes, the contact and pray.



Glue and then staples to Doubly secure the rear, while adding some tension.





And not too bad, the curves mean a load of pie0cuts to keep the tension low and getting full coverage of the cowl piece.



I think it is good enough..

Of course any wise arses are most welcome to make me some new parts and cover them, and I will happily fit them.



Next up was coffee and ginger nuts, a good way to procrastinate on the job that had me petrified, in order to scrape together my slipping courage.

So I laid a bed sheet over the plywood, stapled the one end down with multiple staples (thanks @nickwheeler for the machine) and tensioned it all and stapled the other end.

Then laid the vinyl down and stapled both ends down.

This way , I was effectively removing one risk factor though it would probably not help much.

Still, not moving, meant I was going to risk laying the dashboard down alone.



I also practiced laying it down a few times, in case that helped when the glue was ready.



With the glue down on both surfaces, I managed to mate the two surfaces, and it worked.

Some pressure to ensure maximum contact and adhesion.



More pie cuts and stretching, stapling to secure it all.



Eventually…….



Next job will be to cut the holes through for all the switches and then to fix it in the car.

So not a lot done, but more done than if I had sat watching telly all the time.

Closer and closer to the finish line.

Weekend over.

[Palf70Step]

Great looking work Rian. BTW, isthat a chess/checkerboard on the floor fir you and George to game on?

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Great looking work Rian. BTW, isthat a chess/checkerboard on the floor fir you and George to game on?

Thanks Bill

I do look at some fabrics and wonder how they were approved for manufacture







Mickey came knocking at 9.00pm He had received a courier parcel on my behalf.

Contents was one Vauxhall Nova sedan rear lights.

What an amazing bit of human kindness from the guy who gave and couriered it to me, asking only for a donation to a charity.
I let home choose between the 4 that I support and he chose Help for Heroes.



Have I mentioned that life is good.

[Grizz1963]

Sometimes life just keeps giving.

Mate Fil “Sparkplug” came to visit last night on his way home from a few days working at his company offices in Deal to go back to Cambridge.

Ostensibly to to pick up 12 inches/300mm of railway line that I managed to get for him and @craigrk via good friend Woodside.

We also ended up going to the garage and looking over a few Grizzmakes projects and he got to see and hear the Rezin Rockit for the first time since fetching it for me in Scotland.

Some of the happenings are being kept on ice as part of the YouTube channel development, but to say that we were laughing like kids is an understatement.

Fil had brought me some gifts as well.

Perfectly pitched at the man who “needs” nothing.

Cutting discs (to go with Sally’s grinder) and some license plates for my collection, both of them unusual and exactly the ones I would have selected for myself.



Friday.

Busy day for work, but it is the weekend.

Plan is to see if I can get the Rezin Rockit dash completed with switches fitted and mounted to the car tomorrow.

Maybe also take it for a few runs up to the farm and back now their service road is resurfaced.

Roll on weekend.

[Grizz1963]

Woken up at Stupid - 0 - Clock

Joined by George who wanted breakfast.



Got going with the dash.

Switches fitted.





Not perfect, but good enough.





While I was busy, @nickwheeler crept up on me……

Bringing me a brilliant surprise, well, two really.

A GoPro equivalent camera, and a good tripod for it.

That probably means I will have to learn to edit on my laptop for the YouTube channel as I have done everything on the phone up to now.

Lots to learn I guess.



So we finished the dash and I managed to grow that proverbial third hand.

Happy with it.

Next step will be a few test runs up on the farm, and then book an MOT for the Rezin Rockit and keep fingers crossed.

Closed shop early and went to Sallys for dinner and relaxation.

I seem to have sprung an unpleasant chest infection this week.

[Palf70Step]

Dash came out real good Rian. Looking forward to seeing it somewhere other than the carport/garage.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Dash came out real good Rian. Looking forward to seeing it somewhere other than the carport/garage.

Thanks Bill.

Next job, find some insurance, take it for an MOT test and pray it passes.

Then drive it.

And wait for summer.

[Grizz1963]

So 16 months ago, this is what was delivered onto my driveway in week 2 of September 2021

Time has flown I guess.

So late afternoon yesterday after getting back from shops and various jobs, Sally and I were able to start on looking at, and cleaning the Piggy.

She continues to surprise me, this girl, getting straight in and on with the job of cleaning up. Sally that is.

By the time I came out the house after doing some work stuff that needed to be dealt with, this is what I found.

Sally had unpacked everything of value.

Dubious as it may be, some parts were still useable, even if just as templates.



And the back of it looking like this



Good help is really hard to find.

So my helper hates a photo, no matter why.

Still, I fooled her.



The plywood dash and its vinyl, along with the once expensive instruments were well beyond salvageable.

Previously identified as Cortina Crusader.



So things were removed, fibreglass trimmed back to a point where I could restart and add the MX5 parts, but also reduce the amount of useless clutter.

Much cleaning and clearing later, it looked like this. The bits left in place were to act as cutting templates later.





Yesterday I managed to almost go full circle.

Creating this look……..

https://youtu.be/pqMyHr8tdl0


And ending up here.



So…..

Today….. I am doing nothing, this chest infection is making me feel a bit rubbish.

YouTube and Netflix it is then.

[Grizz1963]

And there you go.

No wonder I feel like crap.

Positive test for Covid, Sally tested me because she wanted me to stop complaining about feeling rubbish.



This does not suit me.

[Grizz1963]

Covid does weird stuff to our bodies and minds.

The last three days I have struggled to read intermittently and not watched any TV or YouTube

However……

The impending attempt at an MOT with the Rezin Rockit has my crazy hat firmly back in place on my head.

Now we know, 99% of what we dream is just that.

Dreams.

But what about the 1% ?

Could it be made real?

Rezin Rockit being a case in point.

So would it be that crazy to wonder about marrying a Frog with Sushi ?


And please, do stay with me, even if just till you looked at the pics and laughed.


So: Measurements.






Remember the donor for the Rezin Rockit?


Helped keep me busy for a while before becoming an overpriced Smeg appliance.







Then chop away all the excess, obviously in a sensible way, removing, reducing things like the wiring loom.

A fair amount of thinking to be done.

And skin that little frog, add some wasabi paste and soy sauce…….

Serve up.








Now before you call the cops, mental health services and the Environmental agency, give it a think.

Many ratrods out there run random mixes of parts etc.

Could this be made to work, SAFELY?

Go on, knock yerself out.

[CG]

I think those Citroen's are very funky (read that cool), and after what you've done with the Rezin I say go for it. Get the Rezin all dialed how you want it first and then on to your next adventure.

There are ton of photo shopped pics of those Citroen's out there, lots of neat ideas.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by CG

I think those Citroen's are very funky (read that cool), and after what you've done with the Rezin I say go for it. Get the Rezin all dialed how you want it first and then on to your next adventure.

There are ton of photo shopped pics of those Citroen's out there, lots of neat ideas.

Agreed, they are Super Funky, and I want one.

Though the seller of that pile of parts has not replied.

Rezin Rockit is so near, but Covid is kicking my butt.

There is actually another adventure already parked next to the Rockit but will not be exposed till this one is completed.

It is a pretty rare thing, only 3 were brought into England.

4 wheels,
3 doors
2 seats
1 ??????

It will be built mainly on my YouTube channel

Not sure what direction yet.








Just posted a regurgitated version on the Blog of the BBQ that I built 10 plus years ago.

Covid is not allowing me to do anything physical right now, so a revisit to an old build may work for some of us.

https://www.grizzmakes.com/2023/02/b...bq-if-you.html

Enjoy, regardless.

The revisit made me smile, and realise how old and chubby I have become.

Later, coffee time I guess, and ginger nuts.

[Grizz1963]

Rezin Rockit is being a dick right now…. Had it up to the farm yesterday testing for MOT, and it was spluttering and farting, dying etc. covid means I just brought it home and parked it after adding 20 litres of fresh fuel.

https://youtu.be/eMWr4mk9yLU


Not sure what, could be a plug, blocked injector, anything really.

Will maybe look later as I still feel a bit rough.

Burger !!

[Grizz1963]

So this afternoon @nickwheeler popped in for a few hours to chat and drop off the RivNut tool so that I can refit the passenger screen wiper.

We chatted about a load of stuff, including the permutations of building “Le Lunatic”

https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...v-meet-lunatic

Back to the Rezin Rockit running like poo, it was due a service at some point before or after MOT.

Maybe all the turning it on and off, not running for 4 years at least and stale fuel all came together to create this little mess…….
.

https://youtu.be/Qta7tc2krjA


So I went down to Euro Carparts to fetch a few basic bits after inspecting the airfilter and trying to find just where the oil filter lives.

Did you think it was easy ?

Nope, but YouTube university showed me,,small, black, hidden in the most awkward space.

Found it.



Needs a special tool, on an extension it seems to get it unstuck.

Would be interesting to know when last, if ever this was changed.



Air filter has certainly seen better day as well.

Camera does not quite capture just how grubby and filled with muck it is.





So,£63.00 later.

Oil, filters, spark plugs and an oil drain plug

And as advised by @Kevins and @mk2cossie suggested, sparkplug leads could be degenerated and part of the problem.



Here’s to hoping that it works out on the new parts.

Fingers crossed.

[Grizz1963]

So a quick photo report of today.

I was not planning on going out as it was damp, 8’C and intermittent drizzle rain.

Covid can be quite unforgiving, but stuck indoors pretty much for 8 days was getting to me.

So I went down, spares in hand.

Got the car up in the air.



Changed some parts around.

Air filter.



Oil, oil filter changed.

Filter put up a bit of a fight, but not as bad as one years ago that ended up skewered with a screwdriver.

Oil was terrible and thick.







Plugs changed, old ones seemed decent to be honest.

But what do I know.



Old vs new.



Made a video of the proceedings, including the engine running afterwards.

VIDEO.

https://youtu.be/Ofbc92AfoDg

After closing shop, showering and chatting with Anthony the lodger for a bit, I fed George and came over to Sally’s

She offered to make us dinner, I declined, insisting on a kebab and chips with chilli sauce and garlic sauce.

The Turkish guys who run the shop always are so nice.

These were ordered as “Small” not sure what a large would look like.





Back home, there were more chips, and I had ordered a single small portion.



Dinner was good, and I have enough left for tomorrow night.

Still need more investigating to get this all right, and the clutch is not engaging well, so may need some modification or further adjustment.

Very lazy weekend with Covid slowing me right down, but a few small jobs done.

Weekend over, just like that.