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

[Grizz1963]

The hive mind that is GarageJournal.com and other forums, has come up trumps.


The dash, radio and blower surround section that I was looking for could be available new.

@grenade Found a used one on eBay for $70.00 However, Bob Heine in Florida found this……..

Half the price.

https://www.gmpartscorp.com/p/Chevro...oaAkcaEALw_wcB





Now of course the next trick will be to see if they have one in stock and to get it shipped to Dennis’ in St Louis.


Pretty pleased with that.


.

[Grizz1963]

Day one of the American road trip reported……

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

I still need to edit and upload the Youtube video.

So maybe later.

[Grizz1963]

So Rural King is part of every road trip……

Once inside, you have farming stuff, clothes, food, guns, tools, and life stock.

I know some people looking and following this trip won’t agree with all I post up, but this place must have something for everyone.

https://youtu.be/pLSYkeZb7Gc?si=HVrfz1dkI2mLiGHX

[Grizz1963]

And the real first episode……

From the 2023 road trip.


https://youtu.be/U9reUcSTKT4?si=ksIYZa6vkZ5GgfHt


More as I get to upload as Wi-Fi is a bit slow…..


​Thanks for watching.
​

[LT7A]

Hey Grizz, I popped in to say howdy. I exited the site for a bit. Back on (maybe) and curious about what you've been up to. I saw a startlingly blue Astro van as I scrolled down to the reply button. I'll be interested to check it out.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Hey Grizz, I popped in to say howdy. I exited the site for a bit. Back on (maybe) and curious about what you've been up to. I saw a startlingly blue Astro van as I scrolled down to the reply button. I'll be interested to check it out.

Hi mate,

Thanks for checking in and posting.

I will add the link for you in a moment to where the Astro van has its primary build thread and complete story.
Feel free to read, join, comment if you wish.

[Grizz1963]

BACK TO REALITY…..


3 weeks in America gone in a flash.


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


My planned trips completely aborted and rewritten.


Saw some of what I planned and saw, a lot that I had not planned and saw made this a much more rewarding trip.


Only did about 3800 miles or 6100km but that was enough to keep me very busy and out of sleep.


Driving 500 miles to buy a 1934 Ford, with an 81 year old veteran driving the tow rig, sharing many stories, only to find after loading the 34 that nobody remembered to bring the pile of cash sitting on a shelf in a garage in St Louis must be the stuff of road trip movies.

Driving 360 miles to go meet strangers, then another 40 miles to have dinner, followed by taking them back home and then driving many more miles before settling in possibly the best $80.00 motel in all my road trips for the night before heading to Pete and Jakes in Peculiar, ending up with 800 miles for dinner…. More great memories.

Driving 350 miles to Fayetteville to visit friends Clem and Kim, only to call a scrap yard in Rogers, Arkansas (go Google BB Gun history) who said they have a few Astro vans, when nobody so far had even one in their junk yards……. Seriously?? Then getting there and finding a 1995 face lifted model with the right dash piece I dreamed of having….. for $20.00 -PRICELESS.



Yup, the trip was different to the plan, but it was delivering like the goose laying golden eggs.


Once again life was kind to me, in a curved ball kinda way.

The kindness of complete strangers always amazes me. (Admittedly, I have done the same kind of thing many times before as well, but it always humbles me)

While I was there in Arkansas, a member “Opelbits” from AstroSafari.com forum reached out and offered me an original steering wheel for the van, FREE for the taking, should I want it. I do not like taking stuff just because it is there, but I prefer the original to the sports steering wheel fitted.

Logistics seemed a slight problem as he lived some distance on the other side of St Louis, same state as Dennis, but still a long way away……

I accepted the offer of a free steering wheel, offering to pay shipping etc. supplying him with Dennis’ address and contact number.

Turns out, Tony, who had offered the wheel, likes to drive his Mustang as well, and unbeknown to me, he and Dennis agreed to him driving all the way to Dennis’ place to hand deliver the wheel…….

As if that was not enough, he came with a load more stuff for Dennis and me.

What Tony brought…..

Treasures.






TOTALLY (relatively) UNOBTAINABLE GM MAINTENANCE MANUALS.








Every possible fault, identified, cross referenced and then answered between these manuals.

I cannot even describe how Dennis went on about the amazing value these three books add to owning one of these vans.









And of course the original NON-AIRBAG steering wheel, which I love the idea of fitting back in the van.

I absolutely love it, and it is an immaculate example as well.

Along with repairing the dash…..

What a win.




One more thing he brought from his personal treasure stash ( I love this stuff) was an original steel, embossed Disabled Parking sign.

I had been looking for one for Andy the welder, my repeat lodger whose wife is ex-military and disabled through service.

But Andy will not be getting this sign…… I decided to give it to Dennis, as it goes much better with his replica Gas Station and the age of his collection, so we traded a newer one for the original. The one Andy will get, was left with Dennis as my baggage was on the limit, well, over and I had to swap out some stuff at departures, so it may come back next year, should I make it there with having to find a new job and start saving up vacation etc.







So that brings us back to today, back in the U.K.


I am looking forward to seeing if these parts all fit my van, and then of course fitting them all.


.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Hey Grizz, I popped in to say howdy. I exited the site for a bit. Back on (maybe) and curious about what you've been up to. I saw a startlingly blue Astro van as I scrolled down to the reply button. I'll be interested to check it out.

Hi mate,

Sorry you left the site.

Forums can be a pain in the butt, as can members, moderators too.

Van thread here, with full story including a 4 hour train trip to go collect.

https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...shorty-believe

PS. Your mail inbox is full, so could not send a PM.

Cheers

Rian

[Grizz1963]

When I was running around with Dennis, trying to find bits for the Chevelle he is building, I also looked out for anything random that would go with me, my garage or any of the cars on site.

The Astro has one of those large UK style rear fog lamps fitted.

Being lowered means it will be at risk at times and also it is just not that pretty.

When I built the Rezin Rockit I discovered a slim line fog light in my pile of “Maybe one day we can use it” spares, fitted it and it really is great, being narrow and out the way.

So I bought a slimline (not pretty) unit for the Astro.



Yesterday afternoon,I offered up the new radio surround for the dash.

Realised there is a load of electronics to be disassembled, identified, made redundant or used……

So I stopped messing with that.

It is a job for a longer day, possibly with a friend or two who know electronics better than me.

And I need to make a plate, and find the right head unit.



While out there, I also checked the new Chevy steering wheel, compared to the smaller one currently fitted.

Different for sure.



Today, after @pauly had been to collect his parts, I went out to see if I could get the steering wheel fitted.

Errrrmmm…..

NOPE !

Seems that if you give a monkey an Allen key, they will go in and screw it up.

So job aborted until,I figure a way to get these stripped out heads removed.

Any advice, photos, help accepted as always, on how to address these things.

You will see one had a head broken off already in the second line.







Weather has tuned cooler too.

Still need rain to recover what is left of my dead lawn and plants.

Yup……. Ugleee.




.

[Grizz1963]

A day in Eureka Springs, Arkansas with Clem

Quite the tourist trap.

https://youtu.be/UFfqTbenCJ4?si=7_vHwnkxRTLthUWq

[Grizz1963]

Todays car show photos, over 200 pics, in this link.


https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...-add-photodump





A few more pics to add, and that will wrap up this 2023 trip report.




Video is a bit ahead of the timeline.


https://youtu.be/cIgJNYF0kzk?si=jLFgz0fXSHZOQoMz



Thanks for watching nd reading.

[Grizz1963]

A quick recap for those who join midway and ask questions.

The van came with a small sports steering wheel, it worked, but I was not a fan.

Without even asking, advertising or mentioning it as a priority, including when I went to the junk yard in Rogers, Arkansas, a fellow member on AstroSafari.com messaged me and asked if I would be interested in an original wheel in great condition.

My instant response was to say yes please and to worry about logistics later. (He works in shipping and PayPal can fix stuff)

In the end Tony drove his Mustang a long way from beyond St Louis, Missouri to 45 miles beyond St Louis, in the opposite direction to deliver the wheel, and a load of books and rare service manuals to Dennis’ place before Dennis could even go to meet him halfway (keep in min, shipping would be easy)

But that is often what some of us do for each other in this car hobby and other situations.

So when I got back from my trip to see Clem in Arkansas and Andy in Oklahoma, there was a pile of gifts laying on the back of the 1966 C10 NASCAR truck.





Packed and ready to head to the U.K.





Offered up against the smaller one.





Of course the job was not going to be easy……

So plan B was devised.








Allen heads all drilled off.








Leaving the centre nut to remove and the boss to pull off.

Easy, using a socket.





That was not happening.

On to the next plan.

Create a puller.

Metric vs Imperial.





Made up a puller, using bits of metal and two bolts with the right thread pattern.









New steering fitted.

And super pleased.







Drove 110 miles to a car show and both on the road and through town it feels really great.





VIDEO.

https://youtu.be/j29iQnt4Ie8?si=2upEvene58VfU2js



.

[Grizz1963]

I have pretty much completed the 2023 USA RoadTrip report on Retrorides

Hopefully it is of varying value to readers, After all, threads are more than just pictures, they should be a resource and a place to discuss things.

I never know if a basic break down of costs is of any value to anyone else.

And more importantly, if it will be the thing that makes someone realise their travel dream, or pee the same person off because they either do not have the resource, drive, ability or will power, or is that wont power to put a trip together.

I am very fortunate that my own lifestyle, life philosophy, circles of friends and living what I preach has made these trips possible, along with incredible humans like Dennis, and every other person mentioned, and not mentioned in these blogs and vlogs. So some of my travel is cheaper than you may be able to experience, but most readers will recall, I have had total strangers (the Australian couple touring UK/Europe) stay in my house, McMurphy and Patricia using it as a base, and countless others coming and going through my life. Karma has a way of lining all of these things up and making it into one continuous story.

MAYBE I SHOULD MENTION ALSO THAT I TRY TO PICK UP AS MANY TABS AS I CAN, PAYING MY OWN WAY, AND THROUGH MUTUAL RESPECT AND GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER OVER THE YEARS, THIS HAS BECOME EASIER, WHERE CLEM, DENNIS AND OTHERS ARE CONCERNED, SO I AM NOT AT ALL ON A SPONSORED HOLIDAY. PLACES LIKE FLORIDA FUN PARKS, DISNEY, ATTRACTIONS AND TOURIST CITIES ETC ADD TO COSTS VERY QUICKLY.

I prefer to travel off the beaten track and to get to know the real Americans and their world.

So a very basic break down of this trip costs, rounded up or down to the nearest £10.00 will be……

Ticket £660.00
Insurance, International driver license £140.00
Mickey Taxi, drop off, ULEZ, Parking £140.00
Heathrow breakfast £10.00
Boston sandwich £20.00
USA Fuel, Food, Alcohol, Gifts etc £1000.00

So I would say that 22 days including everything I can remember tops out at £2000.00 which means £90.00 per day.

Of course that is not really the way to do a calculation but when I do “man maths” and look at the price of a packet of cigarettes at a low average of £10.00 for 20 per day, and a few beers, or a pair of cocktails at a cheap £20.00 per visit, and a kebab and Coke rounded up to £10.00 before you have driven to town, paid up to £10.00 for parking and fuel you get to about:

Cigarettes £70.00/week
Beers £40.00/two nights
Kebab or food £30.00/week
Transport £20.00/week
EQUALS = £160.00
MONTHLY POTENTIAL = £640.00/month

I will immediately say that there are many people, who for various reasons do not spend or have the money to spend in this way, and respect to every person who fight the daily fight to make ends meet.

But for those who need a motivation, maybe this shows how easy it is to spend more than you realise.

When I went to St Louis to meet Dennis and ultimately the rest of America in 2016 for the first time, I did not want to spend the money as I always tried to thing of tomorrow and the next day.
It took a loving woman like Nicola to point out the basics to me, pointing out that Mickey next door smokes and has a few beers every day of his life, as long as he has cash in his pocket.
She also reminded me that the richest guy in the grave yard was not a particularly clever title to have, and that corpse shrouds do not come with pockets.


I really hope this entry is of value to anyone reading and considering a trip, whether it be to anywhere in America, like my road trips, or a trip to Wales in winter, when prices could be a bit lower, and a nice log fire as inviting as Route 66.



Choice is yours.

[Grizz1963]

Washed both the Astro and the S10 yesterday afternoon late.

They get dirty just standing around and if I looked at buying the S10, parked out on the sidewalk, a clean car would sell easier than one covered in a weeks worth of dust and spiders webs.

I also spoke to Dennis and he suggested going in gentle with trying to shift the paint on the glovebox lid.

Starting with brake cleaner and a coarse rag.



The ashtray can be removed and actually is made of black plastic.
I am not sure if that is the way they were originally made, and if they then were painted in the factory process to the colour of the “dog box” and other dash pieces, as the one the radio surround came from in Arkansas had brown down there.



The glove box can also be removed with three small screws on the hinge, making a possible repaint easier, and not necessitating a huge mask up of the interior.
This will also affect my decision making later today, as to what avenue to follow.



So I went at the whole thing for some time, using both elbow grease and a fair amount of brake cleaner.
The only place where the brake cleaner actually worked was the ashtray.
I never felt any change in the consistency of the clear lacquer over the 90’s graffiti at all.
Eventually giving up on that.

I will take the glovebox lid off some time today and take it to a local (7 miles) paint store and see if they can colour match the plastic on the inside of the lid and then just paint it directly over the clear, as more paint will lose the texture of the plastic, and I do not want to melt down the existing plastic by any aggressive use of strippers etc.

Final result was not encouraging.

But the ashtray is less grey.



Fingers crossed for later.

[Grizz1963]

Being made redundant has its perks {not really)

Asked the boss on Monday at our weekly team, Teams meeting what his expectations were of me, in front of the team.

His response: “Do whatever you want, however you feel”

I am still working, and going out, but not giving the constant 100% and pushing harder than most of my (still employed) colleagues.

That is just how I am.

But, if I run out of work to do by 2.00pm…….. I head home.

They can’t exactly fire me, can they.


So yesterday I managed to stop by a paint specialist to get some satin grey paint colour matched to what was left on the ashtray, which just happened to be in the car with me.

Custom filled spray can, the fan on the nozzle is perfect, and the paint overspray on my hand felt really “wet” also dried real fast at 5.00pm



A 5 minute job, and I was headed home from these guys in Medway City Industrial Estate.

Priced at under £20.00 including tax.

Highly recommend.



Back home I used a 3M scotch pad, fine-ish grade to completely scuff all the surfaces and grooves to maximise adhesion of the plastic primer (left over from a previous project) as well as really getting the colourful glovebox lid keyed up.



Followed by a decent wipe down, then masking, which was a bit of a pain due to previously using one of those plastic polishes on all the interior surfaces. Masking tape does not stick to it at all.

Plastic primer. Recommended for use on most paint types. No reactions.



Primered.

Two coats to ensure I did not miss anywhere, left to dry between coats.



Ashtray before cleaning and primer.



After two coats of satin grey paint and primer.

The texture of the plastic still clearly visible.

Really pleased with the result.



And of course the glovebox.

The whole interior was let down by this outdated art

Sometimes you just need to fix stuff.

Going from this……



To his finish is a massive change.

Again, if you look, the match is great, and it is just so much cleaner.





And stepping back.


Before.





And now.





Well, of course a video too for those who like moving pictures.


https://youtu.be/p6RydMevyyE?si=4CdEERCIxfbWv5Ar


Soon, I will run out of jobs to do for the van.


What next?

[Grizz1963]

Thanks to all those commenting on the obvious, Imfeel obliged to fix it.

After deleting the 90’s graffiti, it was obvious (was from the start really) that the parts to the left and right, through 33 years of wear and aging, could do with a colour match as well.

No idea how the plastics have gone yellow, but maybe GM had different suppliers for different pieces of trim, and as long as the exterior kinda matched….. we all know how often it does not even in new cars, it was fine for the production line.

In a commercial vehicle that was expected to do a 300k mile life in a few years, longevity was possibly less important than a “survivor” that after 33 years, still only had done 78k miles.

So as soon as I get time to disassemble these two panels, including the switches, buttons that run through them, they will be prepped and painted.







Friday, thank goodness.

Headed out to do some training at Woolwich today.

Then we can come home to play.

Later gang.

[Grizz1963]

Thanks to my own eyes, and multiple comments from others, my Friday afternoon after work was spent addressing these.





So dismantling took a few minutes.







Looking a mess.

Loads of spare audio wires and plugs.

The radio, speakers and amps are a job for another day……

Need a clever audio type volunteer to come help me understand, identify and remove what can be removed, or re-use and replace what needs to be replaced in order to give me a simple Radio/CD/Bluetooth system, utilising all the speaker holes in doors and rear doors, plus maybe reinstate the two amplifiers in the side wall.

ANYONE ?



Next job…..

PREP, PRIME, PAINT.




Done.



Much better.




BEFORE





AFTER.





To all the Zoomers…….. keep going.

Now there is a difference again, and also, you can see what 33 years have done to distorting the plastics that may have been aligned from the factory.

I think there is a time to step away and start drinking.

Now is not the time.

Later.

[Grizz1963]

S10 sold this morning.

Just filled the tank for buyer, and fresh MOT getting done this afternoon At 4.30.

[Grizz1963]

PS.

Video.

https://youtu.be/fauI2Wu7k2k?si=Mwp-cdQb4YkdGk62

[Grizz1963]

Swapping parking places……


With the S10 sold, to be collected once license plate is swapped etc.


Astro now truly has become Number One Child.







Van has a lot to prove.








And of course.





.


.

[Grizz1963]

So Saturday after the S10 sold, I filled it with fuel, and took it for an MOT.

Sunday I unpacked the two steel cabinets worth of spare parts for It and also the spare GMC parts I have for it.

I was amazed at how much stuff I had bought and collected for it over the last three years for it.

There are also two boxes already packed with wiring looms, complete ignition sets etc.



One of the things I rediscovered was a centre console from a 7.5 Ton refrigerated truck that I bought years ago.





When driving the van to Margate two weeks ago, I had a cooler bag for stuff, but thought it would be nice to have a bigger glovebox/storage space than the standard one I just removed the 90’s graffiti from.

Plan born.

I test fitted it on the floor, but also like this, with a plastic stacker box under it.

Preferred the raised position to flat on the floor.





So I washed and cleaned all of it with ammonia based scrubbing soap and a pot scouter, unfortunately the stains on the plastic would not shift.

So on to plan B.

This included the plastic box, which had a huge crack in the bottom.

So the plan was to cut a hole in the side and reinforce it all.



Magic stuff, plywood.



Screwed and glued together, the next job was to 3M Scotch pad the console, then mask and wipe it all down with thinners.

Followed by plastic primer.



Step away…….

Coffee…..

Satin black.





Cup holders and all the leading edges got a few coats of paint as they are high impact areas.



And test fitted after paint.

Still needs to be secured to the box, and a bit of carpet or fabric added to box floor.



And looking in from outside.

Really happy with that all.



To me, this is a small job with a great outcome.


Video

https://youtu.be/OF1an8w_82c?si=eTDOscFksmhD-jYz


Next job…….

Drive the bloody thing a bit.


.

[Grizz1963]

Life goes on at Grizz-Towers.

George has kinda gotten used to me being back home from the USA but still comes in for super cuddles or a bit of time with me, which I enjoy. He is way beyond the level of Gabby the feral at @ivanhoew but still his own,guy.




So a few holes, nuts, washers and tightened……

Needs a bit of automotive carpet inside the base box.

Job done.



Also had some lightweight fun yesterday.

I am not planning any more stickers, and the one on the rear door will be removed once I find it unfunny.

Bought because it always made me smile

The van does not need stickers.

This one I got from Tyler in the USA is a bit silly, but will make people do a double take.



Deeply placed on the firewall.



Struggled with afternoon light to get this pic taken.
Flying eyeball from Tyler as well.
And Tripp Jones Racing from Dennis is for his grandson who already is being prepped, like son Adam was, for a potential future in racing.



And the one that will not stay on for very long…. But I like it.





Late afternoon, mate Kevin came over in his very smart VW camper to visit and also to check out the Astro.

Of course I had to take him out for a run.

Nervous?



Came back, and it seems he approves.

He and his wife just came back from three weeks in Oregon and Washington states, which they loved.



Next job is to identify all the suspension lubrication points and then to get the van down to,the garage, get it raised up on the ramps or even higher, and grease all the various points.

Looking after stuff usually makes it last longer.


.

[Grizz1963]

Seems to me, I am spoiling the readers on here.

Way too much story telling and posting.

So it is time for a LUBE JOB

I think that when you service a vehicle or machine, you mostly extend its life.

So one of the things I wanted to do was clean up and grease all the moving parts with a nipple today.

Consulting the GM service manuals I was gifted by Tony, I printed off the one page with all the lubrication points to take to the garage, rather than mess up the manuals.

Haynes Manual was an outright failure.



All on one one page.



So I got going.

Swapped around the cars and truck.



YouTube content I hear you say.

Hopefully a guide.





Getting a rise out of this lube job yet?




So looking under the front end, the grease points were all a bit dirty and the grease was hardened.

When last was this thing lubbed up ?

Maintenance ?

Errrmmm.








So I crawled around, cleaned up and lubed up under there.

Result.







So another job done today, in order to get keep this little gem on the road.


Video:


https://youtu.be/fAmEHBt6IsI?si=tpy8UoPt44J0yzhg


So, what do you think?

Progress?

[Grizz1963]

CLUNK

CLINK

CLUNK

CLINK

CLUNK

CLINK


ONLY SMALL NOISES.


Not currently apparent from the left rear wheel area.

So I got an Allen key set and proceeded to remove the centre Line centre caps

One by one they came off, nothing in there at all

Impressed that the Allen head screws all had copper slip on their threads.

Never found anything loose in the end.






Went for a drive.

Saw this Mitsubishi L200 shorty.

Makes the van look smaller than it is.



Still smiling.

[Grizz1963]

Saturday morning I was out earlier than normal, as we had a BBQ invitation to friends an hour from here for 2.00pm.

Lazy jobs to do, so I started with checking out the radio in the Van.

Still not able to figure the balance control on this rocket ship,radio.

So unable to test the speakers in the rear doors.

But I did find this………

Anyone need it?



Next up, refitted the rear door retaining strap that @glenanderson had fished out.

Two handed job for sure.

Fitted though.





While out back, I did an asses,ent of the threshold, not too nice.

So a bit of paint repairing will happen .

I also measured the open section and went to order a 5 meter length of 150mm or 6 inch wide, anti-slip tape to put on the edge.

Whoever the genius put the bit on there before, clearly never loaded a van.

I will apply it o the edge and possibly fold it over the edge a bit.



At £9.00 delivered it seems a good investment or added peace of mind in preventative maintenance.



While I was on that job, I looked at the second door (opens after the first one) on the left, it is missing a trip strip of some sort

Does the van doors come with a protective strip?

Or do I have to make one up?

Answers please.



Then back to the floor……..

The rear retaining g strip for the carpeting has missed a few screws since day one, so I thought removing and replacing them all makes sense.

They are screwed through the floor.

Some came out easy……





Some needed a bit of persuading, and rather than force them, a gentle tape, followed by a more persuasive tap on a Phillips screwdriver made the rust break and then allowed me to get them out.

This really does help, as having the head break off meant that replacing the screws with fresh ones would be a ball ache for sure.



I had very short replacements , but lucky for me, neighbour Tony at no1 house who does my boiler servicing and electrical maintenance, had some in his garage.

Longer than I need, but a swift cut with a grinder will see that sorted.

Once I have prepared all the holes with some rust preventative, and cleaned the edge strop, I will refit the strip with new screws.

That should make a difference too.



At this point, I had to walk away to go shower and shave for the afternoon out.

But even small jobs need doing.

So a good day again.



I need to go shower and then pack a small bag…….

Remember Bill who did the logistics for the Rezin Rockit?

He called me on Friday, offering to come down from Scotland for a few days to help me with anything random that needs doing here.

He is a fireman, so has extended shifts on and off work.

Currently dog-sitting, he wanted to bring his dog along, but of course George would not be happy.

So I declined his offer of helping me with servicing the Astro, and sorting the sound system out.

450 miles is a long way to drive to randomly help someone (of course he gains time away as a break too)

So last night I impulsively called him at 9.30pm and asked if he has a bed for me……..

I have about 10 days vacation time too use before I stop work mid November, and had texted my boss for permission while out at the BBQ.

Anyone near Glasgow? Whitchurch, Shropshire?

Get the kettle going, send me a PM.





Life certainly is good.