GRIZZ’s English 2001 S10 Extra Cab 4.3 V6 Truck

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Nice work by ya'll. That really straightened things up. I'm still trying to get things in between all the rains down here, which has not been very successful. I guess my plants and their fellow weeds have plenty of fluids to keep them going.

Thank you Bill.

A lot of it will allow work to happen.

The garden takes a load of time, as does the day job, so I Really love the hobby stuff.






So after clearing the carport, I also removed the solid wrought iron gate that had been there since 2011 between my and Mickeys yards and the shared alley storage.

This left a large hole, 6x4 foot, to be dealt with, mainly to slow the wind down when one works there in winter.



Looking from Mickeys side after I cut the hedge on his side you can see the odd shaped hole. Nothing is straight as it was never planned to be a doorway.



When I gathered the wood there were four plywood shelves, all 9 inches wide. Adding them to another sliver of ply have me the width needed.

The eagle eyed amongst you will notice the hole differs by 50mm top to bottom as the post originally fitted to create the end of the roofing sheets that hang down from the top of the structure was a twisted piece of lumber.
So that means I needed to create a door which fitted the hole, and the post will be modified to compensate for the pi$$ed post.

So Monday evening after work I quickly slapped a door together.



Mickey cannot resist the noise of a circular saw or power drill.

So fresh from a shave and shower, smelling like a teenager out to score first base, he was straight aroundf after he had had his dinner.

Supervising as always.



Screws penetrated by about 3mm so I had to cut them all back with the grinder.



After that I fitted it in the triangulated hole, and realised it needed a bit more work to fit, and with the weight, it needs a small jockey wheel.



So once that was done I shut shop, made a pizza (disappointing) and a shower.

Plans were to get back to it today after work.

[Just call me Sean]

Saw this today and thought of you. It's the garage door guys work truck.

[Palf70Step]

Nice setup with that lamp. Now I have to go bug my dentist to get one of his old ones.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Nice setup with that lamp. Now I have to go bug my dentist to get one of his old ones.

Bill,

I am pretty sure you will find one somewhere.

Just look out and put the word out.





Yesterday afternoon I managed to sort one of my treasure piles out.

All the steel “off cuts” that I had stashed in the garage went out to one shelf in the new wood store. After I rearranged some wood and added a few brackets for very long 8 meter lengths of plastic pipe.



Next job was to remove the motor, brackets, controller module and other junk as well as rear axle from the mobility scooter chassis.



The gearbox opened, I removed all the gears and closed that up again.



Cut the centre post off, all other loose tabs and ground it all smooth.

Then reassembled the rear axle under the chassis.

Rake added.



Current thinking is to lengthen the chassis.

Possibly source a cheap go kart rear axle, narrow it and refit with wide tyres.

OR…….. (and I need advice here)

Use a regular driven lawnmower rear axle and whatever mechanisms are in it, to fit a mower engine and its bits to make a simple, slow (safe) little ride on.



Thanks to @forddan68 for picking up a Schwinn kiddies tricycle for me on his way home last night.

No, I have no idea, I just like them. They are never cheap, and looking at the condition of this one, they should be cheap.

Needs a ton of cleaning up and paint.

But hopefully be a nice little side project






I am thinking red and Lime green.

.

[Grizz1963]

Well, going in some direction, just not sure if it is the right one.

Yesterday I had given to Sally for putting up with me.

So it was a bit of shopping, lunch and coffee at the Turkish in Chatham.

Also some food shopping.

My day was made when I found some USA made Cajun spice, I love cooking with it, as does Sally.




Before we went out, I was looking on Marketplace for a gokart rear axle and some wheels.

Found a seller who had a load of plastics and brackets, and messaged him on the off chance that he may have more parts to sell, turns out he has a ton of parts, mini moto engines, quad engines etc.

But he also had a rear axle, with sprocket, disc and bearings plus carrier brackets and a spare wheel.

Cost?

£50.00 which is way out of my cheap ass league, not negotiable, but if you add up the value, I guess it is still a good price for what it is.

So he messaged while we were having lunch that I could collect.

Went there at 3.00pm after shopping, spent 45 minutes talking to him, Sally sat in the car.

Then back home with the bounty.

Sally went home to water her garden and do a few things.




Quicky mock up shows I will have to cut about 250mm or 10” out the axle and re~weld it to fit better in proportion to the front end, which I still like.

And once the chassis is lengthened it should come into proportion.





While down at the garage, mate Craig started to interfere from 80 miles away.

Sallys son was bringing back the mini moto I had given her for the grandson.

He had partially dismantled it, as it was not running right according to him, only running well on choke.

He had also tried unsuccessfully to “govern” it to slow it down for Harry.

Then gave up.

So in stead of buying some small used motor, I got given bck some small motor that I paid for already.

He brought is back and chatted for a while, then went off again.





So this is where @craigrk comes in.

“Why don't you build it as a TRIKE as you like different, that will be different” he asked me via text.

You see, friends……. Always creating havoc.

So I will take a look and see what a single rear wheeled creation works like, or else I will remove and add just the motor to the ride, narrowing the gokart axle and going that route.


Sally was back by 7.00pm and rather than sit indoors drinking or eating in front of the telly, we did all the cutting and prep for 4 more Blue Tit nests.

To be completed today, and when I get more Soudal Crystal adhesive.



Bootfair was cancelled due to weather forecast.

[Grizz1963]

No bootfair, so a very lazy, slow start.

I don't think I ever had breakfast at 10.00am and then watched some Olympics with Sally.

Eventually made it to the shop.

Ad made some more birds next houses for Sally, every screw had to have a 1.5mm pilot hole as it is thin, nasty, IKEA pine bookshelf wood.

Once done, I set her off to start varnishing them with the brush she chose 10mm wide.

And I made a frame for one of the canvas prints, Anthony the one lodger made for me.



Done, as happy as I need to be.



Sally carried on painting.

But left at 13.00 to go cook Uncle Bob the hoarders meals for three days, and get ready for a BBQ we were headed to at 3.00pm





In the mean time I started to place bits together.

Rear wheel covered in a wooly hat.



Yup, I like that so far.

[Grizz1963]

A few random things.

Not everyones interest, but hopefully something for everyone.

About 8 years ago I built this double nesting box.

Depending on the season, the blackbirds use it every year, and some other birds have built a next in the rear section.

Sunday night it came down.



Note the neat, weaved nest, incorporating moss etc.



Rebuilt.

Blackbird mansion,



And the other side, open for pigeons or whatever birds prefer an open, eaves type space.



Followed by a nice sunset.



Today I had to pick up an order and an eBay purchase.

Soudal Crystal adhesive for the blue tit Teapot nests.

On the way home I popped in at Uncle Bob’s to see a couple of motors he has.

£50.00 buys a Honda, no centrifugal clutch.



Or a B&S motor with centrifugal clutch, but V-Belt drive.



So options for the barstool racer.

The other item was 50 vinyl cutout stars to use for the gate.



Quite challenging to be honest.





Really hard rain came down.

Nice and dry under the roof too.



And finally a coat of blue enamel.



Lets hope the stars come off easily enough once dried.

And also that the positioning is good enough to look like a cartoon style flag.

Not an easy job, placing the stars.

[Just call me Sean]

There's supposed to be a guy leaning on a shovel. He must be on the other side of the truck.

[Palf70Step]

Flag gate came out really good Rian.

[CG]

Thought I would chime in here and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one ... I check in on this thread every week. I really enjoy watching what you're up to across the pond. Just wanted to say thanks for all of your posts.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Just call me Sean

There's supposed to be a guy leaning on a shovel. He must be on the other side of the truck.

LOL !!

Very few shovels used here, I am amazed at how the mini diggers are constantly pulled into use.

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Flag gate came out really good Rian.

Thanks Bill, I am very happy with it.

Made from scrap, and just a wooden gate close up, it suits both purpose and aesthetic in the carport.

I am sure I will like it in winter when it should reduce some chill and the breeze.

It’s rear faces directly into the weather and rain.

Originally Posted by CG

Thought I would chime in here and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one ... I check in on this thread every week. I really enjoy watching what you're up to across the pond. Just wanted to say thanks for all of your posts.

Hi CG

Thank you very much for taking the time to comment.

I have quite a few threads I check in on as well.

And I love seeing the stuff others get up to, not just cars, but the sharing of knowledge, skills, wins and losses.

I tend to write up on one place and then copy and paste followed by an sometimes.


Found this on FB posted by mate Edd, @boddieanddoyle

I really want the screen from @glenanderson and the rollbar I need to still make to create this look.

Most important will be finding a rollbar that is a bit thicker than the typical scaffolding tube people use.





.

[Grizz1963]

Random small BBQ drum build.

A few months ago a friend who is a pianist and former restaurant owner, asked me if I could cut a damaged beer keg/barrel he had found with holes drilled in it in half for him in a way that he could use it as a small BBQ.

Being a pianist, I realised he had no real clue, so asked if it needed a stand as well.

Surprised he said yes please, as he had not thought of that.

I said. I would create something, using some of the angle iron I have stashed away.

So next plan was to figure just how and where to cut it, to avoid the holes someone had drilled in it. Weird, I know.

I also planned a very simple X-design stand as a cradle for the barrel.

In the mean time, I found two stools in a skip (lots of skip treasures out there) removed the nylon seating.



Mocked up, it looked pretty functional.



Then three 1mm cutting discs and a flap disc later.

It is amazing the tension in various parts of the structure.



Tabs cut so that it has some support for the old cooker oven grille planned to lay on top.





From there, I needed to make a decent grille for the floor on top of which the fire or coals can get lit, so that it can all breathe and create a load of heat.



With one more section of angle iron my welder called it a day.



Seemed to be the earth, as the trigger feed still worked, wire pushing out.

So I removed the earth cable an shoved a large phillips screwdriver in the hole, and triggered the wire to see if it arced……..

Yes. But only once.

I will also dismantle the trigger to see if anything is loose in there.



So I called it a day and asked a neighbour if I could tack the last bar with his welder, he agreed to this morning after 11.00



And completed.



So another small job done and out the way.

Today has been slow, a lot of rain, and had to go fetch Sallys Birthday pressent for Monday.

Romantic me.

[Palf70Step]

Nice job on the grill/BBQ Rian.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Nice job on the grill/BBQ Rian.

Thank you as always Bill.

Even I like it.




Smallest bootfair ever. Well, seen smaller.



One for mate Craig



Total.

Dinner lap tray £2.00
Teapot 50p
Bech buggy 10p



Off to the garage to empty out welding caravan that is getting sold today.

[Just call me Sean]

Yes, I've heard it called the rag joint. People upgrade them with universal joints.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Just call me Sean

Yes, I've heard it called the rag joint. People upgrade them with universal joints.

Sounds like a plan.

Once I identify which is correct part to fit.

And of course if it fits.




Massive bootfair but not a great result today.

Small little Jeep, overpriced £1.00
2 knives to be sharpened for steak duties 20p each
HARRY name £1.00
Pint glass 50p
Unused BBQ grille for toaties £1.00
Strong gate hinges, pair £5.00
Flat gate hinges, pair £1.00
Mexican tequila doorstop £1.00
Teapots two each @ £1.00
Green teapot FREE
Cat treat jar £1.00
Chicken sign for Mrs CraigRK £3.00
Remote controlled Ninja Turtles VW Bus £.00
CAT Bulldozer for Harry £2.00





Craig and his family, along with some other friends came over for birthday, new house and leaving celebrations.

He helped me with the Rezin Rockit and took the tank off, plus convinced me to just just cut for now, the absolute mess of a home built wiring loom to the rear that had been threaded around the chassis

Craig is a keen hobby 3D printer as well, and along with @Peteh1969 who did the programming and design, made me a couple of samples for the name tags.

Mate Andy in Tulsa is still playing with the casting and getting the draft right on them.



Mate Darren who bought the Cragar rims off the S10 sent a pic of them fitted to his Dodge van.



Suits the van more than it did the truck imho

@craigrk also sent some cool spots yesterday, as his wife was driving, allowing him to look around for a change.








And my personal favourite.

This guy bombing along on his bike.





So garage time now for a bit.

Report back in the Rezin Rockit thread later.

Some bits happening.

[Grizz1963]

So rewind to Saturday 2.00pm when Craig and his family came over to collect a load of stuff I had gathered for him the last month or two.

After the usual greetings, him and I were straight down to the carport to try get about 45 minutes in on the Rezin Rockit before other friends and David, the one lodger got here.

So with his extra hands I set him loose with rattle gun, spanners and access to the big red toolbox……..

I had the grinder and cut back some more self tapper screws.

Happy guy.



Soon enough we were ready to lift the body off the chassis.

Chose to cit away some wiring that had ben threaded around and through the chassis.

The wiring does look like it was done by a blind monkey with a roll of insulation tape and connectors.


So I called Kevin, David and Sally down.

Sally to take photos, and also Craigs daughter Elli who was put up a ladder to take some photos, including the one below.



Sally also made a video of the body coming off.

With real movement.

Click link:

https://youtu.be/nmgGvGtDqw4

So the rear end, exposed.

Those who know will be able to identify what we have here.

I don’t have a clue.



Front end.



Bigger picture, rear view, @craigrk inspection



Front end.



So today I took a look at the chassis as it stands.

Some surface rust.

When you go through it, red oxide, under-seal was the protection plan when built.

However, thats a great water trap in the long run.



BFH exposed the extent of the problem.



The only bad place was about 150mm or 6” that will need cutting, cleaning and welding with a reinforcement.

Thick flake of rust.



On further inspection, the underslung fuel tank that Craig removed yesterday, seems to be Ready for retirement, inside and outside has a lot of rust.

Clearly a welded together tank, I think a new system of carrying fuel is needed.

I like the look and idea of a Jerry can/s mounted up rear as a gas tank, but it will raise the centre of gravity, which is meant to be as low as possible, considering this is going as low as possible.





So todays question is based around aesthetics meeting functionality.

If I go Mazda MX5 power, the fuelling will have certain demands, as will the rest of the build.

So finding an interesting route to deliver that, would be cool.

After scraping the chassis a bit, keeping in mind it needs a load of work, I tidied up and closed shop.

The next two weeks at work are going to be between insane and silly busy, so maybe not much time to mess with this thing.

However, I will do what I can.

So tonight, it is more than weekend over, rather….. great week off, not masses achieved, but it feels like I stepped off the treadmill for a bit.

I reassembled the front end panels as well, for looks and tidiness

Happy with the outcome.

.


Life is good.


.

[Grizz1963]

After work I went to the garage to just unwind a bit.

Took a sharpened hatchet.

Result.



Only a start, some very sticky grey paint, and Red oxide

Happy with every bit of progress.



.

[Grizz1963]

Went for my daily 2 mile walk early today.

Did a slight detour past the skip on the farm.

Bingo.

Sallys grandson already likes it.



Tonight after work, she popped in for a quick dinner and then headed home.

Two minutes after leaving she called me.

I thought oooopps…… what now.

She had pulled up in a lay by up the road, may e a mile away.

“Do you want a free bike” she asked.

I said yes, of course.

I thought pedal bike, and said yes, as I would just pass it on to someone who needs one.

She confessed that she did not know what type is was, but described that it was where the big, rich houses were.

So I grabbed the Focus keys and drove up there.

Yup, there. It was, parked at the intersection with a label attached “FREE!” So I went in to the second house and spoke to a Nigerian lady, who said it was from the 4th house.

So I drove there, knocked and spoke to thefather of the owner.

Seems that they are relocating, and were busy clearing out their house and toys. There was a large skip on the drive that I did not inspect.

However, he did say the bike was recently serviced and ran well. Just surplus to requirements.

So I went back home after pushing it down the lane and out of direct sight of the main road, removed the sign and went next door to see if Mickey was in, he was, but curled up asleep on his recliner, probably incapacitated.

So I ran upstairs and asked David, the one lodger if he would help me load it.

Oh yes, after the initial discussion, Sally had said it was a black motorbike.

So I grabbed the S10 and and we drove the mile down the road and loaded the orphan child.

It is a WK Bikes Trial 125cc
Front and rear disc brakes, electric start, set up for off road with knobblies fitted.

I got home, unloaded it and parked it.

Due to failing light and increasing mosquito activity.

So we mentioned FREE CASH before.

As found.





CDI system.



Electric start.



Unloaded.



Parked up.




I will try start it tomorrow or when I get time.

Who knows.

It could be a nice little toy.

[Just call me Sean]

Nice mower. I call mine Mickey. Mickey Bolens.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Just call me Sean

Nice mower. I call mine Mickey. Mickey Bolens.

Nice.

I suspect Craig will name his as well, he is like that.





So @pauly came and spent a couple of hours, for a change, not freezing his nuts off, though there is still time. Nice to chat, chew the fat and plan the future and world domination.

One of the things he had done in his usual style, was to convince me that media blasting would be an improved method vs the hatchet job I was doing.

Buggerrr.

Really had not planned that complexity or level of detail, though I will not regret it in the long run.

So Paul convinced me to order 125kg of glass blasting media as he had used when doing Woody, his 66 C10’s chassis.





So when Paul arrived in the Super Fiesta (tm) he came bearing gifts.

A plastic Jeep petrol tank, along with its steel cover. Needs a “Tophat” whatever that constitutes.

So rather than lug it down to the garage, the wheelbarrow came in useful to Pauls amusement , and quick pics.





Pauls highly modified and fine tuned blasting pot and accessories.



While I was out at @craigrk ‘s place my media got delivered.

And Sally moved the 25kg parcels down to the garage and out of the rain.




When I got home, I just moved them deeper under the carport.

Bloody heavy @ 25kg each.

[Grizz1963]

No bootfair today.

An incredible rainstorm at 04.30 then left us sleeping late to 7.30

The buyer for the field bike arrived at 11.30 and was gone by 12.00, happy.

Sally and I had lunch around 13.00 and I really struggled to get out the house to go start the final strip down phase of the Rezin Rockit.

So by 3.30 I crawled down to the shop, followed by sally with her embroidery. Just to keep an eye on my, in case an ambulance was needed.

Got started.

One loose nut.















And close shop.



Next job will be next Sunday as Saturday is bathroom refurb day at Sallys house.

Sunday, weather permitting I need to create a catch ent area for the blast media to land and be collected.

First the frame, then the front and rear ends.

Weekend over.


Thanks for checking in.

[Palf70Step]

That by far is one of the weirdest looking frames I have see. I have seen a lot z-d frames for lowering, but the Resin Rockets just stands out as sorta odd to me. I guess it is just the angle of the front end.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

That by far is one of the weirdest looking frames I have see. I have seen a lot z-d frames for lowering, but the Resin Rockets just stands out as sorta odd to me. I guess it is just the angle of the front end.

They were built for home building, so probably made to fit around the donor cars.

Ugly too.




Found this…..

Remember the gokart, destined to be a barstool racer?

Why not a pickup bed out back.





Seems the skip that keeps giving, keeps giving.

Fold up stool.

Garden kneeler or garage For Sally or Mickey.

[Grizz1963]

Having taken Friday off to sort Sally’s bathroom, in order to get going on the blasting the frame and cross member and axle plus their bits…… I decided to listen to @pauly and the rest of you.

I hope these two items will be worth the £31.00 paid for them, mask and goggles are hopefully correct and decent spec.

I do not often do this part of the job right.



Maybe even a hoody and overall to try keep the sand out of my crack.