GRIZZ’s English 2001 S10 Extra Cab 4.3 V6 Truck

[Grizz1963]

For paint, though hitching the wagon in front of the horses right now….. as it would be one of the last things to do.

I have a different idea. (Nothing new though)

That is, if I end up spending a lot more time and money on it all.

I would need to go practice and get it right myself, or find a banger racer painter or similar kind of painter who wants to have a bit of fun……

This really appeals to my sense of madness.

[Palf70Step]

Like the looks of the truck for sure. That is a LOT of detail work for one of those paint jobs. Not sure how the boxy Canta think would look. You normally see it on vehciles with more rounded smooth shapes. Interesting idea for sure.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Like the looks of the truck for sure. That is a LOT of detail work for one of those paint jobs. Not sure how the boxy Canta think would look. You normally see it on vehciles with more rounded smooth shapes. Interesting idea for sure.

Currently just ideas, based around stuff I do like.

I still think it is worth looking at, especially with a Photoshop rendition








Well, I have taken 4 consecutive Fridays off work.

Theoretically to work on the Canta.

Rain and various other interruptions have caused chaos with the unwritten schedule.

Unlike the madness that was the Rezin Rockit, this was not, and will not become an obsessive build.

I think Sally is a saint for letting me get on with the Rezin Rockit build the way she did.

So the LLAMAGHINI build will be fitted between other tasks and also day job pressures and activities that continue to increase and demand more attention.

So mate Craig came down to collect some stuff from @pauly and from my place as well as a few other detours to collect various things on a monster road trip.

As usual, he slept on the couch on a sheet, under a duvet, with George the cat watching over him, because both my spare rooms were taken up by lodgers.

But, like when we do our USA road trips, we really do not mind where we sleep, as long as there is a shower or bath to be had.


So up early, before me, Craig started out reading and catching up on some corporate work, till I got up.

Then we packed his AMG ML Benz, which is a long way from the luxury cruiser it got sold as new, now rather a brutally powerful tow vehicle and large space to be filled with all manner of treasures.

After breakfast we headed down to the garage, first messing with the Rezin Rockit that he had not seen for a while.

Then switching attention to the Canta, Craig who also wants to own it, was fascinated by it all.

And helped with a few small fixes.

More in the video, linked below.




We did very few photos on the day, but at least we did a short video of our findings.

https://youtu.be/OkHouIXatdQ


Thanks for checking in.

If you like the videos, please LIKE, COMMENT, SUBSCRIBE as it motivates me and the various collaborators.

More soon.

Maybe

[Grizz1963]

Took a few pics of some of the worst body damage today.

More reporting tomorrow.

Lazy evening here.


The gel coat or whatever is used to coat the body panels will need a lot of repairs.





From when it landed on its side down the road.





Brought it up to the house today for some more work and cleaning up.

Small for sure.



Later.

[Grizz1963]

New subscribers appeared on Retrorides after seeing a YouTube clip on the Canta.

Commented thus:

As a owner of a Canta in the Netherlands, it's hilarious to see one outside of the Netherlands!! Can't wait to see more!!!

99 Precent of all Canta's are the same when it comes to wheels. Other things however get modded a pretty bit. Mine for example has a self made compartment in the back (will share pictures later if intrested), A audio system, A DAB+ Radio and a lot of other little things like LED bulbs! You mostly see them with 160CC and 200CC engines so your one is pretty rare to see. There are most common to see around Amsterdam and get used for everything like elderly people to teenagers since they are license free in the Netherlands!

If you want more information, feel free to ask!!

[Grizz1963]

Right…….

Where were we?

Kinda behind on the postings and updates by a few weeks due to various unforeseen circumstances.

So we got to this point, and I actually did record a bit of it.

Glued the bits of film together, more as a record of where this Canta has been for future reference.



I actually reported on these bits before, but had not thrown the YouTube video together and was not planning on doing one.

But I do know that some guys to enjoy the detail, in order to be able to comment and give advice.

So here you go……,,,


https://youtu.be/FifQconAICg


Sorry for those who do fall asleep along the way.


Better, up to date, update maybe later today.


.

[Grizz1963]

Another Easter weekend entry.

Remember the scruffy Nissan Micra I had last year?

Thread: https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...niels-complete

It needed so much cleaning and remedial work, but once done, it made a huge difference.

Seats were a case in point.

From this…..



To this…..




Well, the seats in the Canta were clearly treated with as much disrespect as possible…….

So I decided to first clean out all the dirt in them, followed by a dry vacuum cleaning.

Both of them had a handful of dirt between the seat back and seat base, these seats are non-adjustable, so have pockets where dirt collects.

No idea how one can go to this level of abuse.



So once they were dry vacuumed it was time to get out the Vax Wet cleaner, an amazing tool, as previously proven with the Nissan Micra seats.

If one repeated the job a second time, I am pretty certain they would come up even better.



So ready for action.

I started with the fabric surfaces, and Vax machine.

Once that was done, I used an ammonia based cleaner for the vinyl sides and backs which were also damaged, due to the car being used as a mobile wheelbarrow for building rubble and garden refuse, plus the rest of the smelly stuff I had removed previously.

The result was worth the few hours spent cleaning up.

So I started with these.



And after the first round, this was some of the very murky waters it resulted in.



And for the lazy ones who prefer a movie……

All captured, along with some advice and description of how to get the results I got.

https://youtu.be/ZMS_avBneto

Of course there are different better ways to do stuff in everyone’s opinion…..


But this works well enough for me.


Next up of course…..


Interior.


.

[Grizz1963]

I am definitely treating you guys way too good.

Another update…….?

Bolloxx.


Saturday I brought the Canta up to the house, closer to everything.



More vacuum cleaning and hard brush action.



Interior looked like this….

So a bucket of warm water, some dishwashing liquid and a lot of wash, rinse repeat was needed.

This thing is as filthy as you wished your girlfriend would be.

Just really bad.













I think the best part of the job was the fact that it was a decent day outside, dry, warm and no wind.

Good for the morale when working alone.



So here is an example of what you start with and what you end up with…..

Start



Wash, disassemble where possible…..



Clean up all the parts



Reassemble and grin.



Add wax based furniture polish……



And repeat for the whole interior.

Clean glass, repeatedly till you can look inside.

Wait for interior to dry.

Then wipe down all surfaces with polish and grin madly at the transformation.









Seats back in.





Of course the floor carpets look like absolute Sh!t but that is a job for another day.


More in the next report tomorrow ……


Starting to feel this now.


Happy Easter.

[Palf70Step]

Nice work Rian. Love ur back up activator handle.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Nice work Rian. Love ur back up activator handle.

Thanks Bill, yes, they knob is missing, but I am sure a small threaded nut/knob will work if I manage to add a thread to the bit that is there.








BY NOW MOST PEOPLE KNOW I LOVE FREE CASH, OR STUFF.

It all translates into being able to do other things, buy stuff, or even give stuff away, things that make me feel good.

My younger brother “DOZER” retired after 41 years in the military Engineering Corps as a Warrant Officer, or Sergeant Major or Sargeant Major depending on where in the world you are.

We grew up in a time when fixing things, repurposing, or reusing was the norm, and hand me down clothes from two, three, four other cousins was the norm in our family.

Our father and mother both grew up on farms and knew the value of gathering wild fruits, foods, mushrooms etc, and they taught us these skills as well.

Of course not everyone cares for this sort of thing, and for many it is not good unless shop bought and issued with a “Use by” date.

Working across Africa in various war zones in Burundi, DRC and others, building roads, dams, homes, repairing ravaged infrastructure, my brother was able to often use the skills learned as a kid, finding fruit, vegetable and other things like wild honey etc. to supplement, to the surprise of his colleagues on these operations, their standard issue rations.

Back home at the Engineers base where he was attached, the old skills and pleasure of gathering “Free cash” or food etc continued.

With a very keen eye, he had long since identified quite a few Pecan Nut trees, both in the base, and on some of the village streets where he lives.

So every year during the season, he gets around and gathers all the pecans as the trees fruit, and then sits at home removing the shells.

These are the trees, hiding in plain sight.

They seem to also fruit at different times, which means he has a “harvest season”







Saturday he went over to the military base he retired from and got his first collection together.

He has confessed that the first harvest does get eaten mostly as they get shelled.

Then they collect and store them for use through the year.

Rusty, his one rescue dog keeping an eye on the goods.



Shelling and tasting…..



Because the Pecans are so freshly gathered, he and his son tend to dry and even lightly roast them in the oven before storing them.




I am actually quite envious of these Pecan nuts, as they are not that cheap to buy, and interestingly, as kids, growing up, my dad was involved in South Africa in some local farming initiatives, one of which was pecan nut production, and every year a large bag of unshelled pecans would find their way home to us.

Great memories.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Da1sycat

Great story, and you and your brother look a lot like each other. Interesting to see the blue skies yet doggo in his coat. I guess the temps vary a lot this time of year?

Thanks, as I often tell people, we were fortunate enough to grow up in an era when men were men and sheep were nervous…….

I think we grew up quite privileged, being taught the value of things and to survive somewhat.

Quote from my brother:

Damn!!! We look like "armgatte" (poor arses) with our worn “garage clothes” that is actually what we wear at home because sometimes a fart escapes upwards toward our brains and then we decide to do something spur of the moment. When we realise we are wearing our "town clothes" (Grizz in a suit and tie for work, me historically in my military uniform) that are now all dirty or damaged. Note Grizz's patented Safety Flip Flops etc!! Our teabags get dried, recycled, and then stored in a bottle with paraffin/white spirit/turpentine to be used as fire starters as I BBQ a few times a week and every weekend,(trick learned from Grizz's buddy Maritz in Cape Town years ago). Much cheaper than fire lighters!! Yes, free $$$’s is good, even if you have to do a bit of work for it.

I am always surprised that people see us resembling each other.

Rusty is an old man now, and being a Daschund has no real fur so even late Autumn is cold for him, as SA is headed into winter now.

[Grizz1963]

Sometimes the little things in life can get you down, like the weather screwing up days off work….

Then sometimes the little things in life can make a huge difference.

Like a remote body microphone to use while recording on my phone for the YouTube channel.

I am aware that often, walking toward, or working with my back to the camera, the sound fades, more than it should.

Yesterday, rain was a problem, though I was actually working…..

But the Amazon guy/girl/whatever had delivered an envelope some time early, really early.

So I found an envelope addressed to @craigrk in the porch, texted a pic and said he had a parcel 200 miles from home at my place…..

No, it is for you, came the reply.

So I finished my breakfast and opened the parcel.


Bloody brilliant.


iPhone remote Bluetooth clip on microphone.


This could be a game changer (less swearing under my breath I guess)

Will test it out when I work on the Canta next.

Anyone use one before?


Weather changed again later, but in between…… a nice optimistic pic.










Almost the weekend……

[Grizz1963]

Saw a 13HP for sale yesterday…….

VS this 11hp big block.

Worth it?

[Grizz1963]

Still raining here.

Good news today…

Well, actually double good news.

The V5c got issued a week ago, and the document landed today.

What has me really pleased is the fact that is has a registration with a PLG rating.

PLG is Private Light Goods for those not in the UK.

This means a regular car with access to all roads.

Also means I do not need to change it from Disabled class to PLG.

It was then obviously used as a regular motor vehicle before when imported into the UK.

Wish I could find out more about its history.

INTERESTING.




Looking at the DVLA (DMV) website it shows that if registered before 01 March 2001 the road tax is £200.00 per year, not cheap as a motorcycle of the same capacity, but less than a newer vehicle.
This is a 2000 model, that was registered in the UK in February 2001.

Also, the registration documents show that I am the second registered owner.

For some people this is also important, I really don’t care.

The abuse this has had, shows that one registered owner means very little.








I need to SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) this online so that no taxes can be raised agains the car.


Onwards as my friend @pauly always says.


More tomorrow.

[Grizz1963]

PS.


Now we can start working on this car.


Without fear of losing the investment.


I also found this bit of information……..


Different speeds for different countries.


Including the UK.


Town car then.







Anyone for a drag race?


That is, drag it along.


.

[CG]

So your saying the little car is OK to use on all roads, does that include the highways (motor ways)? I didnt think that car could hit those speeds.

I too think your brother looks similar to you. Its funny when you say he is an old man now. Im the oldest of four boys in my family, I wonder if my youngest brothers tells everyone Im an old man haha! Ten years age difference between us.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by CG

So your saying the little car is OK to use on all roads, does that include the highways (motor ways)? I didnt think that car could hit those speeds.

I too think your brother looks similar to you. Its funny when you say he is an old man now. Im the oldest of four boys in my family, I wonder if my youngest brothers tells everyone Im an old man haha! Ten years age difference between us.

Morning

I would not go on motorways, ever……

Even local “A Roads” which as 70mph local roads, not easily.

But town driving etc, yes.


I meant that Rusty, the dog is an old man.

My brother is younger than me, I am 60 and far from “old”

Deon worked at the same job/employer all his life for 41 years, so has managed to retire successful.

Me, no chance.

[Grizz1963]

Remember when I got this car, just how messy it was?

Once I had removed all the loose rubbish and rubble from it, the floor and mat was still in a condition that I expected it to need replacing.










So in my typical style, I rethought it all, and the hassle of having to undo the seat base, seat belt anchors etc in order to remove the mat, and to replace it with a new carpet.

Of course this makes no sense, except if you like polishing turds…….


So I pushed the car out, raised the front end up on some ramps and got going.


Sprayer nozzle on the hose to wet and wash it as much as possible, to see if any of the carpet pile could be revived…….



Followed by a hard brush and a lot of brushing and washing over and over……

Then Fairy liquid to aid the lifting process.

More rinsing and finally this result.

The carpet pile was revived, and once dried out, the colour returned to a uniform dark grey/black.







My old lodger John, the driving school instructor had come over for a few hours, to check up on me and have a few cups of tea and biccies.

He was amused by the car, and declined driving it….. thankfully.




Process was filmed by John as he is a sneaky guy with a camera.


https://youtu.be/Gn1lmnaA5W8


Another Job done and Canta standing drying out.





Weather looks promising today.


May get something done.


Fingers crossed.

[Grizz1963]

https://youtu.be/HlWoqFJbvTs

https://youtu.be/HlWoqFJbvTs

[Grizz1963]

Was looking for some old, cast off tubular headers for a thing I want to try build.

And just like magic…..

A set of headers made their appearance.

Still need to be packaged and shipped, so final cost to be established by that.

But, headers - Free.

Thanks.



Yes, I know what it should become, some more parts collecting, grinding, cutting, welding……

Hopefully a win.

[Grizz1963]

So a box landed, by courier.

Thanks to @overdrive for taking the time to recover these headers from the sidewalk up in Scotland, and then proceeding to parcel and wrap them for me.

They are part of a few odd bits I am hoping to snot together for a silly result.

Found the master ingredient on a sidewalk on the way home last week, and that set this all in motion.

Parts collection may be a tad slow.






Typically it is raining outside, I am off to London to do some teaching, and the rain is forecast for the day.

Hopefully some dry time over the weekend.

Not working is getting tedious.

Friday !!

[Grizz1963]

You know how it goes…..

Stole this…..



Brought it home, held it over the fence, dropped it no more than 18” or 450mm

And…..



Gutted.

Not how the weekend was meant to start.

Grrrrr.

[Grizz1963]

Cut the grass.

Sun shining, not yet started raining as forecast.

Maybe they lied.

Thought it was as good a time as any to take the Rezin Rockit out for a drive to Sally’s to drop off the kids bicycle I found thrown out last week.

Free stuff, and,it won’t be long before Harry outgrows it too, then someone else can have a free kids bike.



Liking this view.



Drove over to her -lace, dropped the bike, then took a longer drive, pushing through the gears for about 10 miles, or 16km and maintaining around 70mph out on the bypass road.

This car likes to rev and run.

Came back via the farm and took a few pics on the side of the rapeseed canola fields.







Drove home, stopped to chat with a neighbour walking his dogs, started up, drove 20 yards and it cut out again.

Like the last time.

Tried a few times to restart, failed.

Wondering if there is a heat component to this failing to start.

Parked up, got the S10 out and came over to Sallys place for dinner.

How was your day ?

[CG]

You sure find a lot of neat treasures just tossed out. Do people leave this stuff on the curb with free signs?

Ill be mowing our lawn later this afternoon for the first time this year. You're 8 hours ahead of me, you're winding down and we are winding up.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by CG

You sure find a lot of neat treasures just tossed out. Do people leave this stuff on the curb with free signs?

Ill be mowing our lawn later this afternoon for the first time this year. You're 8 hours ahead of me, you're winding down and we are winding up.

Tell you what CG…..

I can e here from South Africa, and the amount of wastage in the UK is incredible.

And despite the fact I may seem like a dick, often good stuff is thrown out in ares of depravity, where people are unemployed and on benefits.

Of course just mentioning it, makes me a racist a bad man, and a bunch of other things people get accused of……

I always have my eyes open.

As far as signs for free etc, none of that.

Just thrown onto the sidewalk and at some point it gets picked up by scrap men/women/whatever’s.

I see a $150 kids bike that will be used for a while and passed on to someone who needs it, keeping the money in Sallys pocket.