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

[Grizz1963]

Right gang.

I got home at 5.15 after leaving at 07.30

This morning Sweet Sally got up at stu-I-0-clock on her day off to get me to the station.

Thank you Sally.

Had a few bits to do at home when I got there.

@Forddan68 popped around to look and took a few pics, including one of me…… GRINNING.

Then came over to Sallys place for dinner.

Now trying to unwind a bit, interesting how you get wound up slowly on a road trip.


So……

Starting with Strood, my local station.




Tickets .




I also grabbed bits of footage for the YouTube channel.

Hopefully edited and uploaded by tomorrow , so be patient.



Then headed to St Pancras Station, followed by a quick walk over to Kings Cross for my second train up to Doncaster.



Super nice, fast trains.





Soooo smart.

Staff were great too.



Got off the fast train, really enjoyed it.

Certainly better than my local services.



Getting to Doncaster it was time for train number 3 of the day.

Next stop S****horpe



Shortest train ever…….

Two coaches.

Diesel.

Loved the sound, the drone and pace.



30 minutes later I got to my destination.

That’s it.

Good night.




Well…….

I walked out the station and saw Colin, the seller drive in.

Perfect timing.

Car was as nice as the photos showed.

So I jumped in, and we headed to his home, 25 minutes away.

Met his wife, the dog (she is awesome) and we moved money and paperwork about.

Then he headed out to get the wife to Hull, to a hospital appointment.

I sat and set up the Satnav, set it for home.

Started up……..

Grinned like a mad man.

Reversed out the drive, and drove off.

Still grinning.

[Grizz1963]

So I saw the van advertised a while ago on the tightly run ship that is “Unusual cars for sale”

I have always been kinda into Commercial vehicles, trucks, vans, anything practical.

And this was the ad.



But of course I already had the Rumblegrizzkin Chevy S10 in ZQ8 spec with its 4.3l V6 auto and extra cab.

This is an amazing car/truck.

Small, for an American, and actually has 4 seats, the front buckets are also a bench, when you lift the armrest, and the midget seat in the rear folds down for a skinny 10 year old.

But as much as the truck is a great thing, at times my butt itches for a change, and weirdly, with work insecurities etc, the best fix is to buy more cars. IYKWIM

So I got my head around to deciding to reduce the fleet significantly, including the Rezin Rockit should I get approached randomly (which has happened)

The van is well known in certain circles and everyone wanted it, but nobody bought it.

So I did my research and found out what I could, based on a few photos, and later a short start up video.

I also approached a complete random stranger on GarageJournal.com whose avatar showed he lives in S****horpe (10 miles from the van) and after a long, enjoyable conversation with Vaughan, who turns out to be 70, just recovering from cancer surgery, and still rides a KTM 990, he agreed to go take a look at the van, and go for a short drive in it.

This all happened last Sunday, and when he called me later in the day, there were no punches pulled, and his feedback was that is was a 33 year old van, and it had the bones of a good car. It needed a few bits tidied up ( I like to polish turds) and that if faced with the dilemma of buying or not, at the stated price, he would buy it.

So I called the seller ( who was going to buy the truck off me, but ended up buying a 1972 Toyota Crown wagon on Saturday) and asked if there was any movement on price, which there was not.

So I asked if I could still have a go at squeezing his bits, and he asked what I wanted, which I said was taking delivery of the van with a full tank of fuel.

Monday was spent insuring, getting recovery sorted and generally trying to fit the day job into my schedule.

By 3.00pm I had Green Flag recovery switched from the S10 for a total increase of premium of £2.48

Here is a video of my total motivation, and information on the van before buying it.

https://youtu.be/ewf60bR00k8


I will add a few more pics and observations of the van later for those morbidly interested.

In the mean time, having been an underused, 78k mile van, the battery gave me a load of solenoid clicks after I got back home last night.

I went to Sallys place for dinner and to show her the van, which of course needed a jump start.

So a battery is first on the list of items.

I see that as a longer term wear and tear item if a car is not used much.

[Grizz1963]

So on having bought the van and setting off with it, a few random observations of the first hour, well, 5 hours really.

When Colin picked me up as S****horpe station, he just came rolling in, and there was other nois in the background that the camera on the phone picked up on.


https://youtu.be/WYSLvCNGBO4


But the van was shorter, and stockier than I had expected. ✅

The rumble from the twin side exits - OOOOOFFF ! ✅

Having been built and professionally lowered by THE DROP SHOP in Mission, Texas, the road holding, and drive is amazing for a van, being short and low, it can be thrown into roundabouts with gusto, and never wallowed like a typical American car or truck. The further I drove, the more confident I became and far from pushing it, I was assessing it all the way, and it gets a big ✅

Colin filled the tank as part of the deal, and I doubt he zeroed the trip meter, or filled it to the neck, but even in the most unscientific way possible, it used less than an indicated 1/2 tank on the 200 mile trip home, a mix of motorways and A-Roads, so another apparent ✅

Radio/CD/USB/Starship control desk has been cut in by an angry badger, so I need a new/used original dash filler panel to get back to standard as I could not figure the radio out, YET. So a certain ❌

Driving position in what is believed to be Corvette seats is good, but maybe 150mm or 6” too close for me. I will address that soon. ❌

Cubby hole fitted to the “Dog House” engine cover has someone’s old art airbrushed on it, replace or repaint ❌

Door speakers of unknown origin, vintage, ability, and missing a screen one side needs replacing ❌

Comes with a removable tow hitch, in my world that gets ✅✅✅

Load body has remnants of amplifiers etc cut into it, if they work, reinstate and use, if not, remove and cover holes ✅❌

Getting home was a pleasure, simply because it was an unknown quantity to grab and drive 200 miles ✅

Going down the side of the house down my narrow alley necessitated folding a mirror in, it is that wide @ 77” and driving out, I just folded both in, wound the window down and kept my eye on keeping the drivers side 6 inches or 150mm from the concrete posts of the fence, naturally, the other side would be good enough. So size gets one of each too as I would have it despite the size. ✅❌

Due to overall limited use, the battery made it home, then left me in the lurch a few times in quick succession at home, new battery getting collected later today £60.00 Certainly not a seller problem, but a cost ❌

Service records, despite low mileage non existent so no base to work from doing standard maintenance, so need to get a full fluid, filters and ignition service,,again, part of ownership, so neither good nor bad, but possibly bad due to previous ownership ❌✅

Overall impression, looks, first drive gets ✅✅✅✅✅ of these and ❌of these.

Time will tell what else needs doing.



THE DROP SHOP lowered it in the 90’s

They are also on FB and if you look at their builds, there’s some neat stuff.



Approximate collection miles.

I had done 10-20 miles already.



Tow hitch is a massive win in my world of practicality.



Driving position in what is believed to be Corvette seats is good, but maybe 150mm or 6” too close for me. I will address that soon.



After collecting me, the last pic of it in S****horpe with Colin driving.





When I got home I took some photos.

I will do the interior at the weekend with before and after etc.

Against the S10 it shows a bit of comparative size, keeping in mind the S10 is a mini truck.






And on its own.

Chunky tyres on 15” wheels fill the arches nicely.








Bringing it out, shows a tight fit.




@forddan68 came around and took these pics for me,




A very happy man I guess.

Already liking it.





Thanks for stopping by and all your comments, advice and input as always.


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[Grizz1963]

My friend Bob Heine in America made a comment and observation on how,clean the rear is, along with the spoiler on top, compared to a more standard van.

And that spoiler really works in this case.

And I am not a great spoiler fan,

The smoothing, shaving handles, roll pan…… Absolutely improves the look.


Did a quick screen grab rear end pic and found another custom van with more original equipment on Google.







Lots to like about this van.

[Grizz1963]

[quote author="@metalshapes" source="/post/2792437/thread" timestamp="1691608900"]"The smoothing, shaving handles, roll pan…… Absolutely improves the look."

It really does.

Big difference.

I'd be tempted to do a little smoothing & shaving to the front to complement it... [/quote]


Your suggestion is honestly at the top of my list, since I saw the van.

I did the same to the S10.

Clear lenses £65.00



Massive improvement to this……



Either new or good used will go on there, but I think new will just look better than partially faded.

Watch those spaces.

[Grizz1963]

Just did my first possible “repair” on the van.

When I got back on Tuesday evening, and later tried to start it for @forddan68 and my neighbour who is a fan of American cars, there were a few clicks and then it took.

After dinner at Sallys, she had to jump start me as well, and the same thing happened, but once the jumper cables were on, it started instantly.

Last night, due to a huge truck fire on the A2/M2 the roads where I had planned to go buy a battery, we’re gridlocked as people seemed alternative routes home. So in the end I turned around, still 1.9 miles from my destination.

Came home and went to look at the battery again and take a few pics of the engine bay.

So I wriggled the terminals, and the earth which is tucked away under the fender, was loose enough that a bit of wriggling would see it come off.

So this morning I grabbed a very small 13mm socket and tightened it, and it took quite a lot of tightening.

Tried the ignition and instantly fired up.



Could the clicking start up be solved?

No idea, until it happens again and something else proves to be the issue.

Fingers crossed as always with a new toy.

[Grizz1963]

Small jobs.

They keep on popping their little grubby heads up.

Today, after taking the day off yesterday to do a very belated and apologetic birthday BBQ, Sally went home to clean her already clean house and various other tasks.

This made her a lot happier than a fist full of cash I gave her as an apology for forgetting her birthday.



So this morning I got going early because time slips away quietly and quickly.

Steering wheel has irked ,e from day one, just the way paint had flaked over time.



So I polished the ally boss, masked the plastic section and flatted the ally section.

Then wrapped most of the interior in T-shirts and an old sheet in order to apply some satin black.

Result.

Improved.




Video.

https://youtu.be/GXNDFWaGBW4


Once again, not a 5 minute job, but a small one that makes for the right result.


Back to work tomorrow.

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[Grizz1963]

[quote author="@93fxdl" source="/post/2792671/thread" timestamp="1691783556"]Currently enjoying the video on the tv, a suggestion for he front sidelights, since you intend to fit clear indicators, why not pair them with switchback leds, white for sidelight, but flashes yellow
Ttfn Glenn [/quote]


Very good thinking Glenn.

I will certainly investigate that.

One of my clever mates can possibly help, and prevent me spending days figuring it all out, like I did on the S10.

https://youtu.be/jdIu7KdpWs0

That was a great modification to remove the amber front indicator lenses.

If the clear indicators for the Astro allows it, that would be the best way to remove those horns from the front.

[Grizz1963]

Next job after the vacuum cleaner was to get the carpet cleaned.

Even small jobs take time.



So I started with Vanish, clothing bleach type stuff.



Wet the carpet and worked it into all the stains and marks.

Then left it to react for a while.



Followed by the wet dry VAX cleaner.



Resulting in this.



This morning I opened all the doors by 06.30 for it all to dry out some more.




Happy with the improvement.




The 6 litres of water I used probably only returned 2 litres of very dirty water.



And for those who do not read words,……..

VIDEO HERE.

https://youtu.be/80Uv9CkK5l0

This morning once I opened the van to dry out the carpets.

I had a QC inspection.

Passed the security muster as well.




George suggested another road trip.


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[Grizz1963]

So……….

The front end, lights etc.

I had a suggestion from a friend to get an ally grille, to go with the clear side repeaters. Not sure about that.

Had it on the 79 Blazer and replaced with a new old stock original, which I preferred

Also, need to see if there are smoothed/closed in headlight bezels out there, that could work too.

Along with a clear lens side repeater and possibly deleting the current side lights, followed by installing switchback LED bulbs as suggested by a few guys and @westbay.

@zeberdeewesty did a couple of photoshop deletes…..

I like that, compared to the current look.












Yesterday, Mate John, the driving school instructor was over for a few hours to look at the van.

We checked all the lights and found one bright lamp out, and also the reverse lights had been replaced with yellow bulbs as indicators, a great idea IMHO as red indicators are often not seen clearly on American cars.

So I need to go find a correct light bulb, either in the garage or shop.

[Grizz1963]

Took a quick pic of the rear view mirror, trying to show the black with blue metal flake paint on there.

Kinda lost unless you look for it, in bright sunlight.

Still, pretty too.

[Grizz1963]

Busy weekend.

The van has a ton of things to address and keep me busy.

And as I have gotten to know it more and more while washing, cleaning and touching and feeling it, I am realising that I lucked out again.

Keep in mind, there could still be 101 surprises hiding out of sight somewhere.

Mate John, one of my old lodgers and driving instructor, who helped with the electrics of the Rezin Rockit, came around yesterday.

He is a tech fan and bit of a guru.

He really liked the van, casting a critical eye over it.



Also got straight into tuning the intergalactic radio for me



One of the jobs I had identified after washing the van at first, was the Center Line billet alloy wheels that needed to be brought back to life and shine.



Up close they looked really tired.



So I got some Autosol metal polish and some rags to just try it out……

John had the camera.

Test spot looked much better.



And 35 minutes later….



Autosol all the way round.





And then a lovely pic, possibly my favourite so far.

140 plus minutes well spent.

Another hour to be spent today.



So that was a great result.

Overnight I remembered how the Poorboys wheel sealant added to the S10 wheels I had refurbished.



So this morning I got the tub, some rags and started again.

Clearly this sealant polish was still improving the work as it took more ally from the surfaces.

Elbow grease time.



And the RESULT IS AWESOME.





It really is rewarding when you see the changes, day to day.

And the photos allow you to look back and SMILE.

Again, video for the lazy traveler .

https://youtu.be/uBvvhqyndCk

More tomorrow for those who still want to see what is changing.

Weekend over.


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[Grizz1963]

Remember the USA Road Trip ?

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

I am looking forward to three weeks away from work, though I never stop thinking about it.

Dennis just sent this, this morning.

40’C when I get there on Friday.

Add in some humidity, and it seems I will be flying in shorts and flip flops.

I know how the heat hits you in the face as you step out of the buildings.



Luckily even the workshop has air conditioning

And beer.

[Grizz1963]

Seems Someone used an angry badger to enlarge the radio hole.
Fitted is a unit I want to remove as I do not understand it, and also the bottom of this dash surround has been cut.
I will be in the USA soon, with a very large case. And scrap yards are always included in my road trips.
But I was wondering if anyone knew someone who was stripping a Mk1 van, this one is a 1990 short panelvan Astro.

Any pointers are much appreciated.

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[Grizz1963]

RIGHT

NEXT SMALL JOB, WITH A BIT OF RISK, THAT BUGGED ME FROM THE DAY I COLLECTED THE VAN, WAS THE DOORS.

Sorry, caps lock.

After all the years the van has been on the road, the fabric used is actually incredibly well preserved.

But it is grubby, more so to the naked eye, than the camera lens.

So I decided to use some fabric and carpet cleaner, along with a nail scrubbing brush, at the risk of messing it all up.

Before.

Dirty, dull.




After.



Graphics, faded and dusty.



After, certainly much better.




Another job, one I usually do the day I wash a new car, is to clean the interior surfaces, knobs, stalks, controls and all grooves with an ammonia based cleaner like Jif/Cif/Handy Andy whatever, and then using some form of plastic or leather or even wax based wood polish.
This time it was Auto Glym, because I have bottle I bought previously.

Result is a distinct improvement.




VIDEO

https://youtu.be/qxjT2TBaXq0


That is where we are up to today.

A cleaner van.

[Grizz1963]

After Glenn commented about the dash, and after I cleaned it up, I was wondering if there was anything missing here.

It looks like there should be a mesh grille over the 6 holes, but there are no mounting holes, clips or grooves.



However, I was thinking, if I cut to shape painted some of this scrap plastic mesh I found on a discarded laundry drying rack, and just dropped two long strips into the groove, one each from the centre, it could look factory and be a slight improvement.




Of course I have no clue what the original Mk1 vents looks like up front.

Any pics out there?

[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.




.