GRIZZ’s English 2001 S10 Extra Cab 4.3 V6 Truck

[Grizz1963]

Couple of out of sync videos.

Fetching.

https://youtu.be/20doiwWRcLw?si=dli4ydPIvcZ4c8--


Inspection

https://youtu.be/gIyJWnADDQM?si=fer-OWe1tmznaE-M


Looking forward to fitting them.

[Grizz1963]

Astro van was bought with a short MOT in August. Expiring on the 20th December.

But despite not having a day job, I have been really busy with the two other cars on the drive the last few weeks.

All that got to a point of calm chaos with the Caddy now being good on all levels. Right down to the go faster stripes and paint damage cammo.
The 206 CC it parked up till the 20th December when the Cambelt and waterpump will be replaced.
Raining all day today and cold so no paint detailing gets done.

Back to the Astro…….

Swapping around the cars after I got a same day booking on Monday this week, I drove it down to the test station enjoying the power and eagerness of the 150 bhp the 4.3l V6 brings. Of course being empty in the rear makes it super light and perfect for drifting around corners.



The Test Centre was running a bit behind due to customers running late in arriving. Never seen that before but they told me and apologised when I got there for the 15 minute delay. No problem.

When the young tester took it in to test I could see the silly grin on his face.
The van really looks and sounds great from the outside too. .

I also heard but did not see it being revved in anger when the front wheels got stuck in the brake testing rollers. When I got around to look at what happened the air was heavy with tyre smoke.

Evidenced by the marks on the floor. 235/15 tyre treads. Black lines do matter for hooligans.

Hopefully I don’t get a bill for the damage to the floor.



Once up on the ramp the test continued till they were finished.
I had asked if I could take some pics and video of the very clean 30 year old underside once tested which they allowed while escorting me into the workshop.

Nice people as I mentioned.



Clean Underside also shown in the video.

Wanna buy a tidy van mister?

Not a bad looking 30 year old











Once I had taken my pics they dropped the van and took it off to get the emissions tested as well.
Another pass. Possibly due to my enthusiastic driving to the test centre.



Really liking this angle on the van.

In the video you can see just how low it actually is.

And it looked great parked outside in the carpark.



And finally like an expectant father at a maternity hospital, time for the yearly cigar.

Looking at the mileage at under 80k miles which includes about 7 years stored in a dry warehouse, it’s no wonder that the van is as nice as it is now.



Video for those who like sound with their pictures.

https://youtu.be/G5zGWeGuFI0?si=qRNvlXfiau_sEmEm

Thanks for checking in and any comments you care to take the time to make.

Now if it would just stop raining outside.

[Grizz1963]

Managed to find some smoked/clear side repeaters of unknown parentage for the Caddy.

Next job will be to find a set of clear front indicator lights as well.




Won’t be everyone’s taste.

Should work.



Loads of rain again today so a bit frustrating.

[Grizz1963]

Changed the front fender accent today between rain and wind sessions.

I think this is a better option than the one I had on before.

The square on the rear should have been different so I think I will address it when the weather improves.







Weather really screws with the progress.

In other Christmas news…..

My old S10 was seen out in the wild doing what gets done this time of year.



Yes its a screenshot.

Not my truck.

[Grizz1963]

Yesterday I was busy sharing information on FB about the Astro van when a guy, Michael, from Denmark reached out via Messenger.

Small time farmer, Blues guitar and harp player in a blues band.

More importantly, an awesome blue Astro van, used in summer as his gig bus. During winter it is dry stored and the Volvo comes out.

Funny how I never met a stranger in my life.

Look closely, pop out side windows, super cool louvers.

And the wheels are my taste.




Later in the day I washed the 206 CC as I really wanted to polish and detail it.

Rain interrupted plsy, sadly.





https://youtu.be/eUDojOVAtFU?si=cSK4esVQZ7BeBjtq

Hopefully the weather would change.

It did not….

[Grizz1963]

Sometimes I see stuff that makes me smile.

Tonight a trench cleaner over thr street.

Should be done yearly.

Not done.

And the council it seems are only clearing one side of the road.

Crazy.

https://youtu.be/l7WP3jjdBpw?si=Jxwvyftd5aozIjYG

Should just be thankful that I get to see some of my council tax used on something worthwhile.

[Grizz1963]

Sometimes I see stuff that makes me smile.

Tonight a trench cleaner over thr street.

Should be done yearly.

Not done.

And the council it seems are only clearing one side of the road.

Crazy.

https://youtu.be/l7WP3jjdBpw?si=Jxwvyftd5aozIjYG

Should just be thankful that I get to see some of my council tax used on something worthwhile.

[Grizz1963]

Cleanup time
Remember the day we collected the car?
Pretty, green, kinda dull inside and outside.



So I had to wait for the weather to give me a window of opportunity to was and detail the car.

Washed on Sunday. Ran out of dry time.



So yesterday I cleaned and buffed the glass.
Inside rear glass was the worst
Washed glass then dry cloth buffed till the difference was noticeable.



Much better. Glass is damaged from years of snow and frost scraping when you look really close enough.



Then started on the hood/bonnet, trying to get the lacquer damage corrected as much as possible.
Followed by the rest of the car.
Hand polishing allows you to get intimate and identify all the marks and correct some of the damage that does not need a PDR specialist.



Once all the paint has been polished, buff off the powdered polish followed by getting onto all the black trim.
Body rubbing strips, bumpers and then mirrors, glass trim and in the case of this convertible the roof seals as well.

Half and half, showing the before and after.



Big wide mouthed toad.

Suits the name “La Petit Crapaud”



Getting into every possible groove, and hidden dirt trap.

Makes me feel better.



Final result, it feels as smooth as it looks.



Now, if I saw this on a sales lot……
I would be interested in buying it.




A few hours of focusing on this makes a big difference to my day.

[Grizz1963]

Rained all day yesterday.

Rain again today.

Not ideal.

But the rain does make a good judge of my effort.







I guess all this rain means I should just go out and go shopping for ridiculous stuff for Sally to wrap up and hand over at Christmas.

And yes, not a fan.

Prefer to buy stuff that I need when I need it.

Christmas is every day

[Grizz1963]

Well.


First real use of the Caddy yesterday.


Company car collection was on Tuesday.


Now I am officially unemployed as garden leave came to an end on Sunday 10th.


With the 206 CC off the road on SORN till January and after its service, it was the first time I had to rely on the Caddy since its new MOT and ECU for real world use.


Reliable as expected

I drove it about 10 miles to a not so local shopping centre and parked in the underground garage. Forgot to take a photo of it between all the shiny, if dirty moderns.
it certainly is a small car, relative to everything else.


A really pleasant drive as it was when I fetched it from @Zelandeth and again made me grin.


Some shopping and socialising with strangers later, I headed home.


Happy and content.

Got home to three small parcels

Including these from @shampooefficient

Next job, see if they fit and apply





Now I need to get back onto getting tyres ordered and bought for the 16” alloys I bought for it. And finally fitting them.


Though I do really like the simplicity of the steel wheels and mini centre caps.


In other news, I had ordered some 2.2 Ohm resistors off eBay. Delivered in under 48 hours.


Once again surprised at the cost including postage

Made the mistake of thinking it was cost per unit.






Now I seem to have many or is that much resistance.





Just need to wait for Martin to have a job nearby so he can come do the necessary work for fooling the Peugeot into believing it has airbags in the seats, then I can fit the new interior. George the cat has taken them over as his new bedroom furniture.




Last thing …….



Saw this map, including a reference to my kingdom ��








​​​​​​​That is all.

[Grizz1963]

A good, if slightly chilly morning on Mud Island.

Rain stopped overnight.



Last night I got home as the Caddy turned over to 114000 miles or 183465 km

Almost run in for a 1.9 SDI



Then this morning I quickly fitted the £5.00 delivered side repeaters.
Easiest job ever.

Pop out, unclip, twist fit, repeat.



And fitted and working.





I think that works.

.

[Grizz1963]

Not much happened this week.

But I was asked by Aaron my one current lodger if I could take him and another guy to Rochester for their Christmas party.

Thankfully I had not got rid of the small jump seats yet, so refitted one and ran them to town.

Function over form wins this time.



When I got back, George was waiting for me. Tucked up like a hovercraft.
Impressive whiskers for sure.

It is coming up for two years that he has lived here.

Still thankful he chose this house to move into.



First time we met

https://youtu.be/n0mWn5PbP-M?si=43dcmBIMRCJzfuT1


This morning we had another great sunrise.

Looking out of the kitchen window, the van again made me chuckle, just because it is a nice and good looking thing. (Till the next pretty lady rolls into view. Long roof V8 Americans look out)



Peugeot 206 CC went into the garage yesterday to have cambelt and waterpump replaced as well as a general look over for any issues.

I need to find a sensibly priced source for some 195/55 16 tyres to fit on the Caddy’s alloys that are still waiting to be fitted.

And just like that it’s almost Christmas.

[Grizz1963]

I do feel at times that I am spending more cash than I should.

At 104k miles or 167k km there is no recorded history of the Peugeot 206 ever having had a cambelt or waterpump replaced.

So in order to protect what still is a nice car, I took the chance on driving it home a month ago on 25th November and pretty much parking it out back till the 20th which was the earliest day I could get it booked in for a going over and service.

So I took it to Cliffs

They have been there a very long time

From this building



To a modern workshop he had built a few years ago.



So next job of course dismantling and replacing parts.









Original plastic waterpump and cambelt looked good but seem to be original.






Underside looking surprisingly good for a 21 year old.

I will try get myself motivated to clean up a d treat the underside with some rust restraining/preventing type gloop.






Coolant, antifreeze drained and replaced as well.

Collected from Cliffs and parked up at home on SORN till 2024 as a convertible for Christmas just makes no sense to me.

Pleased its done now for peace of mind.

Next up.

VW Caddy alloys and new tyres.

[Grizz1963]

So at 17.45 tonight we had our 2023 Medway Christmas Tractor Parade.

Windy and around 11’C or 52’F outside. Not bad for beyond mid December.

Unlike USA automotive parades, there was no Candy thrown out at the kids along the route like I saw at Eureka Springs in September this year.

I heard 45 vehicles took part. Count them if you want and let me know.


Enjoy a bit of English Paradeing.

https://youtu.be/mgSN0BH4Q2Q?si=BVNFNDhyVp0EmhdV




AND FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN THE EUREKA SPRINGS PARADE.

ENJOY.


https://youtu.be/lG5UW0XIoMU?si=fRp9VhhDjlKR25Bv



MORE REPORTING LATER.

[Grizz1963]

Peugeot video

Slightly out of sync.

https://youtu.be/fcFWqhQJLUA?si=61dcSx1HmdX11JXs





Merry Christmas to all the readers and followers.

And a special thank you to everyone who takes the time to contribute and write actual replies on the thread or YouTube channel.

Here’s to a great 2024 for all of us.


.

[Grizz1963]

Not done much the last few days.


But today I made a sticker with a Sharpie for the cambelt etc.



Really wanted to use a printed style sticker that would look better.






​​​​​​​Still good to keep records.

[Grizz1963]

So 2024…….

So 2024 has started??

The Caddy has proved to being back to 100% reliable as expected with the ECU replacement.
It is actually a pleasure to drive and at Christmas became a convenient 4 seater for delivering and collecting people as a “designated drivers car” so my lodgers and myself and Sally could go out.
Usually Sally drives and I can have a drink if I want but this year I was happy to drive.

Like “Prozac” the Citroen Berlingo a few years ago, this is an amazing tool for lugging stuff and people about.
Shopping is great, open the rear door and just put the bags of food straight into the car. The rear doors split asymmetrically, which means that one is wider than the other.

Deceptively small as well, despite it’s ability to swallow huge loads. Load volume is a creditable 2.9 cubic metres. Load length is 1,728mm, load height is 1,279mm and load width is 1,530mm. And maximum payload is said to be 625kg so over half a ton in a VW Polo based van. Pretty sure many were abused with a lot more than that.

Note the size compared to other small cars parked in the Morrisons car park.



One of the jobs I held off on was fitting two new tyres and getting the fast slow leak sorted until I could get the reliability back to standard.

With the van performing faultlessly I took it in for two new 195/55-16 tyres and to get the puncture sorted.
Slow leak was due to extreme corrosion on the bead edge of the wheel and cost me £25.00 to repair.
Along with the tyres, total bill for swapping wheels, tyres, puncture repair etc was £191.00



Old, really good and hardly used tyres and steels with centre caps in the rear.



Fitted



Driving back home with the extra wheels in the rear it became apparent that the wider tyres and wheels were rubbing on the relocated rear shocks going around tight bends at speed.

So next stop is a pair of 10mm spacers.
That should be more than enough to push the wheels out a bit.
Handling feels great as well.

Back home I added the centre caps.



Personally I am absolutely 50/50 on the steels vs alloys.

So before vs after.




Over the Christmas season Bonnie spent more time than usual with Sally and indoors.
She also discovered wildlife television.
Amazingly focused on animal programs. Interacting at times.



Having had a pretty wet, cloudy winter but without too much extreme cold, George spends most of the time indoors. Sleeping.
Last week while washing the cars during some better days, George came out as well.
He loves the sun.
Mr Feral.

Only a sliver of sun needed.



More later

[Grizz1963]

Doorbell rings…..

Courier delivery

Cold chain box.



Opening it, a note at the top of a sealed foil pack.



Opening the foil bag……

A whole selection of pasties.



So I unpacked them into the refrigerator.

Later I zapped one in the microwave. Oven heating would be better.
I added a bit of Sweet Cider Chutney.



So….?

Who would send me a load of amazing pasties?
Mate Steve, another one of those guys whose actions speak louder than words.
Kindness.
Thank you very much mate.

Life is good.

[Grizz1963]

16 years ago today I had my 1963 Ford Taunus Transit van delivered from Germany.



I added wheels, attended meetings and really enjoyed it for quite a few years.

There were some really nice ones from Germany as well.












I sold it at one point because I had stopped using it and fell out of love with it after having a fuel injected Ford Zetec engine fitted by very good friend Edd.

Would I have it again?

I think so.

Not sure.

It was great having it when I did.

[Grizz1963]

Adding the 16” alloys to Caddy should not be a problem.

Bolt on and go.

But……. My Caddy is a former WAV so the floor was lowered by a conversion company (not much engineering involved)
The rear shock mounts were relocated.
Perfect for the smaller original 165 width tyres and wheels.
So fitting 195/16” tyres and wheels were bound to be a possible challenge.

So Spacers and longer wheel bolts had to be bought. Another unnecessary cost of course, considering the original tyres were new, standard and perfectly fine.

Suddenly the wheels, tyres x2, spacers, bolts, VW centre cap badges etc added £380.00 to the van, and yet it did nothing differently to before.

Cars……. I guess many of us are doing that sort of thing daily.

So I removed one of the bolts to measure it.





I also started to look out for a pair of 10mm spacers to push the new wheels out as they were contacting the shock absorber on moderate to harder cornering.

Found some on Marketplace for £20.00 for universal fit, unused. 30 miles away, so drove and fetched them.



Wheel bolts came fast off EBay another £25.00 wasted.




So last week there was a cutting breeze outside and I chose not to change them.

Yesterday it was much better.

4 layers and a wooly hat saw me outside adding some diesel gifted me by a friend who needed to decommission a machine and needed to get rid of the contents. Thank you very much.



Next up……..

Lift the van, remove wheel, fit spacer, drop down. Result.

Chilly outside. Minimal breeze.



Waiting….



Clearly was not right.

Too close on cornering.



This way to hold the spacers in position failed.

I then got some duct tape and stuck the spacers in position on the actual hubs.

Much more efficient.



Both sides done and reassembled.

Hardly noticeable to the untrained eye.

But 10mm is 10mm

Not yet gone for a decent drive to test it.

BEFORE



AFTER



Once done I came indoors to warm up, clean the house and shower as mate Kevin and Teresa were visiting after 1.30

They loved the Astro and actually registered their interest in buying it when the time comes.
I should have tried to sell the green Peugeot 206 CC to them as it will be surplus. Well, it really is surplus, along with the Rezin Rockit and both should be sold on.

The heating was on and George seemed happy with it.





I need to get out for some food shopping later and will report back about how the Caddy feels.

Video:

https://youtu.be/QMnPJ6fiRt4?si=SnWeswYoehdAzByE

Later.

[Grizz1963]

Remember when I had the cambelt and waterpump replaced on the 206 CC

I added a sticker to the engine to show when the work was done, for future reference.



Same as someone had done for the VW Caddy.



This week I got a card from the Post Office, demanding £2.50 for unpaid postage.
Dully paid it via PayPal.

Delivered on Wednesday.

Contents: a printed version of the details of the 206 CC service.

Some nice people out there.

No idea who sent the sticker but Thank You very much.



In the mean time it is still -3’C overnight.
Winter has reminded us there are seasons but……….

[Grizz1963]

So after the mystery of the envelope with insufficient postage, we had a confession.

But there is a story attached to it as you will see in the pics below.

My very good mate Fil (Sparkplug) had printed the label and posted it out.

WITH A POSTAGE STAMP ATTACHED.

It seems the Royal Fail (Mail for patriots) changed the cost of postage so many times that they also issued completely new postage stamps with modern barcodes.

The obsolete stamps can/could be traded for new but clearly both Fil, me and many others were not aware.




So Fil posted his gift cunningly disguised with a printed envelope so I could neither recognise nor guess who from. And Royal Fail needed to get the extra few pennies postage had gone up in the mean time, sending out a card to say my tax for the transgression was to be paid before they re delivered. Bastards in any language.








So now at least the next keeper will know when the service was done and what was dealt with.

[Grizz1963]

So with winter interfering with some of the projects and progress of my random toys including selling some to make space, well, to regain space, rain, cold, storms have distracted me.

So back to the Astro van, which is still a “keeper” unless someone else wants it more than me.

33 years old and in amazing condition overall and only done 78k registered miles means that I have to look after it and continue to improve it.

One of a multitude of challenges and repairs I want to affect is replacing the expensive rear door seals.

Original reproductions are available. But when you add US Taxes, import duty, shipping and then UK VAT to it the expensive $340.90 base price, increases to an eye watering total.

So getting a look at alternatives makes sense but unlikely to happen.

Current status is as per pics below.
Certainly not fully sealed anymore it allows condensation to build as well.
This does not reduce the value but makes me want to improve it.










So now I need a suitcase space and baggage allowance in order to make it more affordable.

What we need.





Always money headed out ehhh.

But worth doing??

[Grizz1963]

Some days

Some days do start well.
This pic taken at 7.45 out the window with my iPhone, no filter before sunrise made me smile.

Amazing what nature can do.



Same evening I moved the Astro and Peugeot away from the fence as there was a storm and winds were up to 100mph or 160km/h
Next morning 4 panels blown out and another damaged further up.
Glad I went out at 10.00pm to move them as damage would really have angered me.



And during the day I received three unused batteries and a charger (free for cost of postage) for the action camera @nickwheeler gave me last year for my YouTube channel movies.



George being George,

Loves chocolate and will steal or insist on trying to get some when he can.

I let him have part of a Toblerone mountain to himself, the rest goes in the bin.



In other news, keeping busy, there is always work to be done.
Plum tree never got pruned in Autumn so did that.
Fell off the ladder while pruning the tree in October 22 but landed well by luck.

So I decided to cut it back real hard this year, robbing the wood pigeons of their nesting tree where they fledge two lot of chicks each year.



Next job, cut up all the thin stuff with a hedge trimmer and cut logs for the fireplace.



Today is a good day, breezy but said to be up to 12’C
Maybe take the Astro out for shopping.

LATER: Took the Caddy. Perfect.

[Grizz1963]

Had a few comments about the rear door seals on the van.

Took a few pics to illustrate what I have to work with.

Based in part on the insane prices of the seals, finding a matching profile to use or actually rebuilding parts, like this corner with the original piece and some silicone to recreate the profile, we may be in business.





The left hand, first to close door uses pins to secure and locate that door also an upper rain rail and seal in place.





Some parts of the seal obviously are a tight fit.



I will look at all of this in order to seal and repair all of what is needed.

Once again a nice way to start the day.




Plan is to wash and clean the van today and use it tomorrow for a breakfast meeting up near Gravesend for American cars.

Roads are clean again and as I refuse to drive the van on salted, gritted and wet roads, trying to look after it.

Maybe a few pics too.