GRIZZ’s Chevy S10 - Random Rambling NEXT ROADTRIP 27/10/23

Seem to have kinda got Photobucket back to working again.


Only owned this truck a week and a half and it really is feeing like this is a keeper, possibly why it was on my bucket list, and being as it took this long to get the right basic specs for my personal preference list, it makes me happy.

So we start with some of the “needs fixing” items.

Came with only one ignition key.
Went to Timpson and helpful guy says yup, I cam Mel one, it’s £75.00 of course I bite my tongue not to laugh, saying it does not have a chip, just need to open the door, Ohhh he says, that will be £15.00
So I walked out, I will find a half a brick when I need it.
Got to be a cheaper option somewhere.



So I headed home planning on watching something random on the telly and drinking by lunch time.

First I had to add this little aerial topper like a football player, silly but satisfying.



The Marmite dash in fake wood, it’s staying.
So why post it in the faults section?

No heating, no aircon, just a blower. So that needs to be investigated and repaired.

Maybe the unit in the Blazer from the same era will work as an easy repair, once we figure what has died.



As possibly not yet mentioned, the front seat setup acts as an occasional three seater, along with a lap belt for that passenger.
The armrest is also a storage space, and flips out the way when in use.
They are known to be fragile.



When you open it, the whole top is cracked up, but that’s an easy one to replicate in aluminium and fit in there to retain support.



Next problem is the rear tailgate handle.



Plastic inner to the chrome has a broken tab(s) a $5.00 part, hopefully I will order one to replace it.



So when I got home, I ended up deciding to go it and wash one wheel and tyre. Just to calm my conscience.

I also decided to wash the suspension lowering bits that came with the truck, clean is good.

Before.



After



Of course typically, wash one wheel, became maybe wash the truck first and then do the wheels, one by one.

Sally took a pic as she popped over to watch some recorded telly.

Thanks I am mad, washing the car in 4’C weather with intermittent rain nd wind.



So the car washing took about an hour, because I was giving it some attention.

I did not realise that I was actually going to wash it again on Sunday, as I realised the door rubbers, undersides and some hidden grooves needed some pressure cleaning and a brush or two.

Another thought... late last year I bought a remote central locking kit that I’m going to adapt to fit the Land-Rover. One of those would be a better bet maybe?

The return trips in my case are 12 miles a go,
I think the independents are a good way to go as well.
And to me, factory blank is not an issue as it just needs to open nd start the car.



I actually have no problem with using a key to access or secure it.

If I really wanted, I could rob a pair of colour matched doors form an equivalent S10 Blazer, yes, they are interchange, and come with everything.

But too lazy for that, and the hassle is not worth it to me personally.



I am aware of Timsons employment policy, though I suspect the first 25% goes straight into Lord Timsons pockets, then the landlord followed by the owner/operator/employee

And as you say, even if you were in the carpark, the hassle of three returns would make me wonder about what you were actually buying.

Interesting that there's a big following for them in Nigeria. Glad you got what you needed out of it and that it'll help keep others on the road. 

As you say, roll on the S10. I have a feeling that this will be one of my favourite motors on here. I have no need for a US pick up. But I want one 

I tend not to be emotional or attached about cars and bikes, love and cherish them while I have them, but when done, they are not mine to do whatever with.

I am hoping that this is the keeper it is already feeling like. Unless someone needs is £2k more than me. @mercdan68mkniws about this 😀

The thing is, it deceptively small, compared to a full sized American.

Think Isuzu or Toyota for 15 years ago.



Yes, I always wonder what happens to them, and to be honest, it’s just a morbid fascination, like my old Audi 80GLS Estte that now lives in a German motor museum. Or the Blazer getting done for an Oscar role.

.

So back to phase one of the S10 ownership.

Still on the first cleanup, finding flaws, surprises the good stuff.

After washing the truck, it was onto the wheels, I know they are kinda well past their best by date.

Still good at 5 yards, and the tyres need replacing, despite having loads of life in them.

For illustration, I will post only pics of the drivers side front wheel. It was possibly the worst.

Before washing.



After washing



And after a few hours on the set.

Polished, detailed, done.



Also note, there is a full sized Cragar S/S wheel with like new Kumho tyre.

Needs to be washed, polished, detailed.



Can you say Hovercraft?

Truck on blocks



Front view of the UFO



Working in the cold is kinda less fun than summer, but getting my hands on this truck and getting to know it, seeing flaws, possible issues to address in future, priceless.



Coffee time.

.

Do they sell those funny flappy foam balls that go in your drill over there?
Loaded up with Autosol or similar they're good for cleaning up unprotected mag/chrome/alum wheels. Makes a hard job a bit easier.



Phil

I'm far from a detailing guy and I tend to go for flat faced wheels for my show cars so I manage to avoid the very problem of cleaning between wheel spokes

The only experience I have of using one of those cones on a set of wheels was one that came in a meguiars kit - I managed to break off the foam cone - probably down to user error putting force at the wrong angle to be honest.

This is the one I used - only suitable for use on bare alloy to polish up...
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324307403260

More about getting to know the S10

On Sunday I spent another couple of hours getting even deeper into the grooves, under rubber seals, and behind stuff, lifting, probing, brushing and washing the whole truck again.

This was quite interesting as I found so much more grime, moss, green mould to remove.



After the wheels and going over the whole truck a second time, it was on to the tonneau cover.

It looked good as it was.



But using the Auto Glym product to revive and feed the vinyl gave decent results.

Midway through polishing and buffing.



Job done.



And nicely showing the result the next morning.



After all this I reversed down the drive in order to get the Galaxy in for a quick wheel wash as it was parked over the road in some mud.

So a few cleaned up pics.

Front end, obviously.







This is possibly my favourite angle or view of the truck.



Lastly, went food shopping yesterday, and stopped at the independent locksmiths en-route to have a spare key cut for the truck.

Ouch...... £14.50 which I think is steep, but needed to just get on with it, as it is a brand specific blank, and driving around to find a saving on that, costs money too.

These guys know me well though as they have cut spare keys for all my American vehicles.

Never understand why people lose keys, especially spare keys, surely you store them in a safe place.




Need to start marketing the wheels and tyres and finding replacements.

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