GRIZZ’s English 2001 S10 Extra Cab 4.3 V6 Truck

[Palf70Step]

Glad you are changing the tial/brake light assembly. The factory looks better to me also.

[Just call me Sean]

Yes, I like the factory ones better too.

It looks like the reverse light was changed to an amber signal light? I always thought that would be a neat way to convert to euro specs. But where are the reverse lights?

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Glad you are changing the tial/brake light assembly. The factory looks better to me also.

Thanks BILL, I do agree of course

Originally Posted by Just call me Sean

Yes, I like the factory ones better too.

It looks like the reverse light was changed to an amber signal light? I always thought that would be a neat way to convert to euro specs. But where are the reverse lights?

Sean, I still need to figure that out.

One plan is o investigate switchback lights.




Covid-19 has taught us to work more sensibly, if not cleverly.

Everything done remotely, and with little more concern, circumspection and care.

So buying the wheels for the truck....... paid remotely yesterday.

Got it all piled up outside a garage at a post code, collection and pickup arranged by someone who happens to be doing a disability conversion for hand controls in a paraplegics car a few houses away.

Clever, or blind luck?

Got to see what I have bought by messenger video today, terrible video quality, but happy to have seen it anyways.

Note the original rear lights, wheel nut caps and centre caps all in the pic as well.



Tyre treads seem to be pretty decent, not needing replacement at this point.



BONUS TIME:

Steve the seller is also giving me a GMC Grille and headlights, which could work on my truck with minimal modifications.



He also has a 4.3 V6 and Auto gearbox to sell. PM me for details.

Then Steve dropped the bombshell........

Gear-lever came off, and I have left the Torx screw on it, in case you have a problem with yours.

He remembered I was looking into changing mine recently and has given me his.



I want to strip the rubbed knob off, and fit this new ally knob.



Somehow the little grub screws are missing, but you get the idea.



Pretty pleased tonight.

Little by Little it is getting together.

Chuffed.

[Just call me Sean]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Sean, I still need to figure that out.

One plan is o investigate switchback lights.

If they do operate as the turn signals then someone had to alter the wiring. Brake and turn signals go through the turn signal switch (I think it's called the multi function switch as it also controls the hazard lights.) It separates front from back and left from right so the fronts don't light when you step on the brake but they do when you turn on the turn signal. So unless there is some kind of signal splitter (we have them to connect single bulb red trailer lights to euro style car lights) then the brake light wires might be cut from the turn signal switch and attached directly to the brake switch. Then the cut switch wires would have wires ran to each reverse light, and the reverse light wire would be moved to the new reverse light.

[Just call me Sean]

Thinking about it more, without having to run any wires, they could have used the reverse light wire for the brake lights, the brake light wires for the turn signals, and you wouldn't have any reverse lights. Most of the modifications would be under the dashboard.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Just call me Sean

If they do operate as the turn signals then someone had to alter the wiring. Brake and turn signals go through the turn signal switch (I think it's called the multi function switch as it also controls the hazard lights.) It separates front from back and left from right so the fronts don't light when you step on the brake but they do when you turn on the turn signal. So unless there is some kind of signal splitter (we have them to connect single bulb red trailer lights to euro style car lights) then the brake light wires might be cut from the turn signal switch and attached directly to the brake switch. Then the cut switch wires would have wires ran to each reverse light, and the reverse light wire would be moved to the new reverse light.

Complete Greek to me Sean, I would call a friend to figure the stuff out.

Originally Posted by Just call me Sean

Thinking about it more, without having to run any wires, they could have used the reverse light wire for the brake lights, the brake light wires for the turn signals, and you wouldn't have any reverse lights. Most of the modifications would be under the dashboard.

Under dash mods are even more of a problem for me, but maybe whoever does look at it will be able to figure something out.




The Fleetside badges on the sides of the truck have been a thorn in my side from day one, mainly because they are both drilled through in 4 places.

I am kinda ambivalent about the aesthetic, but the holes bug the living hell out of me.

And I will not be welding them up or closing them, and repainting the whole truck.

So making the best of it came together today.

Chatting with Fil in Cambridge who fetched the Rezin Rockit, after his offer of a new rear bed mat for the truck, his suggestion of a tongue in cheek name for the truck resonated, and set in motion some work and research

Originally Posted by sparkplug

We need to find a name for the truck, remove the 'fleet side' badges and cast a new badge with the truck's name on it....

Given the lovely engine burble I'm voting for "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX"

Jolity aside - your last post reminded me that I still have plenty of G-Floor diamond pattern flooring left over if you'd like it for the truck bed.

3.1mm thick polyvinyl (waterproof, resistant to oil, salt and even battery acid) 2.3m wide and I can cut the roll to length

Looks a bit like this



It's actually a lighter grey than that photo suggests. Slight blue tint to it - a bit like battleship grey. I can send a sample piece if you want to see the colour properly against the van before lopping off a big chunk?

40mm high



400mm long



Wedge shaped and flat faced, pic taken tonight as part of the planning.




So the attention turned to CraigRK and Andy in Tulsa Oklahoma, both capable 3D printers.

Could they print and Cast me a new set of silly custom side badges to fit over the holes with some double sided tape.


Something along this style.

Of course it may be a divider, but hey, life is interesting.



Let’s see where this goes.

.PS: Fill said that he likes the Rumble of the V6, lets see if it can be improved if I can find an electric cutout switch for the exhaust, fitted before the muffler/silencer.

Could be a nice sound................... A BIT LIKE THIS


https://youtu.be/Fwf1M-irmG0


Another one

https://youtu.be/aVbvZmJ82uY


Just enough of an antisocial tone.

[Just call me Sean]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Complete Greek to me Sean, I would call a friend to figure the stuff out.



Under dash mods are even more of a problem for me, but maybe whoever does look at it will be able to figure something out.

It's actually a pretty simple mod but it doesn't need to be changed because it separates the turn and brake signals. I don't see how you could return it to stock and still have separate ambers but I guess that's something you guys have more experience dealing with.

About the badges, have you thought about filling the holes and doing some kind of "pinstripe"?

[Palf70Step]

Find the back up light wiring and maybe add a couple of flush style LEDs to either side of the plate. I did this to my 64 that didn't have the lights and it worked good. My crappy pictorial of my thought.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Find the back up light wiring and maybe add a couple of flush style LEDs to either side of the plate. I did this to my 64 that didn't have the lights and it worked good. My crappy pictorial of my thought.

Sure I will figure it all out in the end.

Sounds a neat solution

[Grizz1963]

So many things on this truck, which really was meant to just be a get in and drive it type of ownership project has changed.

Typically things changed.

And then, little by little it started to open itself up to me, allowing me to discover its secrets, its quirks, its character, ZQ8 factory build.

Things have kinda fallen in place, sure, I made some effort too, in fact I probably made a lot of effort in some cases.

And one of the things that happened so randomly was being offered for sale, a 20 year old set of factory ZQ8 wheels with tyres.

I never got to see them and still have not looked at them for real, but was told by Steve the seller that they did not have any kerb rash.

That I will check out when I get to wash and clean them for inspection possibly tomorrow.

With the current restrictions of travel, I had anticipated only getting my hands on them at some point when the house arrest is lifted.

Step up mate Martin who is restoring a 1965 C10 truck

His day job is working and converting all sorts of cars for disabled people, from paraplegics to amputees and everything inbetween

Today he had a job up the street from Steve, so by 09.00 he had already stopped, picked up and driven off with the wheels.

Always good to have a mobile job with a van.



Loaded.

Steve also sent me a very good GMC S15 Sonoma Grille to use as a garage hanging.



After work I shot out for food shopping and stopped by to pick up my goodies and help Martin lift his 65 hood into place as he is moving house in the next two weeks.

Again, sensibly he had prepared it all by the time I got there.



The hood is LARGE, really lARGE.



Job done.



And wheels loaded.



Looking closer, but not fully inspected, they will need repainting.

So QUESTION TIME........

Powder coating, anyone do me shadow chrome on any wheels before ?

Please show me and report on durability etc.






One for a few of the guys, @pauly included, is the replacement, swapped out, 20 year old rear light lenses.

They will be getting some serious attention from G3 rubbing compound to revitalise and shine up the lenses.



Also in the bag were the good centre caps for the wheels, GMC items, unfortunately, available to trade for good Chevrolet items.

A few wheel nut covers in plastic, need another 10 of them, and also 20 special wheel nuts with an external thread for the wheel nut caps, they in turn hold the centre caps in place.

Lastly........

The BONUS item

A spare gear shift lever from Steve’s truck, which will be a floor shift manual in future.

I wanted one that I could modify, while retaining the original for refitting if ever needed.



And to close out the day, a nice sunset again.



Life is good, I may have mentioned this before.

[Palf70Step]

Nice haul. So glad it worked out for you Rian, especially getting it quicker than expected.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Nice haul. So glad it worked out for you Rian, especially getting it quicker than expected.

Orchestration,

Wide open eyes, and mind.

Good Karma

Friendships

All came together Bill.

I am thankful and pleased

[Grizz1963]

So this morning I went out to see what my £200.00 or $260.00 had bought me.

Tyres, still have some life left in them. (Subject to getting changed at a whim)



These wheels will be needing a refurbishment, without doubt.



Lacquer peel and also oxidation on the diamond cut surfaces, in order to get them up to the standard the truck is presenting.



During my lunch hour I used a whole large bottle of Cif/ammonia based scrubbing agent along with two large, hard brushes to clean them one at a time.

The two on the left are cleaned.

Dirty on the right.



Also done today, at 07.00 when I got up, I cleaned the front and rears of these caps, 20 years worth of brake dust, muck etc took an hour to clean, but result was decent.

Unfortunately I only got 11 wheel nut caps when I got the wheels, so will need to find or buy some more.





And unless I find a trade for some Chevrolet items in the UK, I may fill these debossed GMC logos with a resin based filler and sand them flat, followed by paint.



What I would like to fit......



Hope to have it all done sooner than later.

[Grizz1963]

Another quick job while on a Teams or was it Zoom meeting today, they get so tedious.

Sat with a big knife and my breadboard below the camera angle (my colleagues would be horrified) and cut the existing knob away.

Then hit hard times.



In fact, so hard that I had to go to the garage quickly to grind back the secondary knob as it was not going to let me cut it away.



Grabbed some magic in a tube, mixed on the back of a pizza box, dribbled into the new ally shift knob,

Followed by the shift lever.



Then set it to dry in the vice, brought it into the house later and laid it on the hot water radiator, hopefully to make it react faster to the heat.




You recall the swapping of rear light units.

Well, looking closer, these need some attention, grinder, DA, Compound I guess.

Not today though.





Once flatted back, polished etc, they should look just fine.



In another great Karma in action turn, I got a PM from @peteh1969 to ask if I was interested in some free 3D design work that @craigrk could print off, in order to create a more interesting cover for the holes in the bedsides of the truck.

The print files would also be sent to Andy in Oklahoma to print and then create aluminium castings for the truck.

So after sending me various designs and ideas, Pete finalised the one I had in mind.

This should be fun, and a massive Thank You to Pete.


Imagine these either in chrome paint, or the ally buffed to a nice shine.



Been a long day, I guess it is bedtime soon.

[Grizz1963]

So many of the things I have done so far were not needed.

But they do make me feel good about the truck.

Ordered a replacement for this manky piece too.




This lot arrived too.

Though current weather completely precludes fitting.



These also landed.

Push fit blugs for the side repeaters.

Guess we will now be drilling bigger holes in the fenders.




Though.........


Looking at the weather forecast it may be a slow week ahead.





Still.


Its Friday, 10 hours to the weekend.

[Palf70Step]

I like the new look on the door. Never would have thought of that myself. Good Job!! Can't wait to see your new bed emblem.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I like the new look on the door. Never would have thought of that myself. Good Job!! Can't wait to see your new bed emblem.

Thanks Bill,

Once the glass is tinted it should come together more.

Snow forecast at 100% for tomorrow,

Emblem is developing.


For a long time I have wanted to buy a metal folder, it beats two lengths of angle iron in the vice.

Which is my usual way.

And the price, new:




So how wrong could I go for £40.00 ?



One meter long, used in a Lamborghini restoration


@peteh1969 finalised the rendering.

Done in three parts with links in the support bar behind, it can be printed on a 200mm bed.







Chatting with Dennis in a cold and wet St Louis, he is busy taking more of the NASCAR Truck apart for more paint and powder coating.





I also carried on with some bits on the truck, wind, rain and chilly.....

Not a lot got done, but a few choice words used.

[Palf70Step]

Nice work Rian. I have never seen those Brazilian taillights. They look pretty good.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Nice work Rian. I have never seen those Brazilian taillights. They look pretty good.

Its coming together bit by bit Bill.

Happy so far.



Random post alert

Not sure exactly where to post this.

A good friend and his wife live and work there along with their 16 rescue cats.

This is near us, a Roadhouse called: Last Exit in Dubai, on the road between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

In Dubai emirates are like provinces

So Eugene sent me these pics.

Mad Max meets popular culture?





















That’s enough.

[Palf70Step]

I could handle the Wagoneer or that 57-59 Chevy truck. My neighbors may not like it, but........

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I could handle the Wagoneer or that 57-59 Chevy truck. My neighbors may not like it, but........

Neighbours......

Hmmmm, they should support you.

Selfish people.

[Grizz1963]

.

Right team.........

Input time.

I may ignore your input outright, or it may support totally when I am doing.

The wheels need to be addressed now. Not going to be cheap, and my common sense says do it yourself, DIY is great, but sometimes, just sometimes........

So the wheels I have are rough as guts, needing a full refurbishment





I do not have plan, or Chevrolet centres.

So I guess, fill and flat back the GMC letters.

Then paint them to match the stripes on the truck.





Stripes are this colour.




Anthracite powder coating for the recesses.




Imagine the gold on these wheels switched for the anthracite colour above.




Thank you for your input and opinions.


All taken note of and taken seriously.

[Just call me Sean]

I like the gold, but that other color would match the truck better. Can plastic be powdercoated? If it can maybe coat the caps too.

These are the spare rims I have for my truck:

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Just call me Sean

I like the gold, but that other color would match the truck better. Can plastic be powdercoated? If it can maybe coat the caps too.

These are the spare rims I have for my truck:

No plan on the Gold, despite loving gold, I just posted it as an example of where the colours go.

The anthracite will match the stripes too. And contrast nicely.

I really like those spare rims, had some offered before I found my set.

[Grizz1963]

A few work days to keep me both busy indoors and weather to make sure I stay indoors.

Woke to this “Sno-Leopard” outside this morning.

Not yet decided what way to go with the alloy wheel refurbishment.



Waiting for this Beast from the East to turn and get warmer again

Got a few things waiting to get done.