[Grizz]

I'm watching and reading with interest too

I too have a lawn tractor project here - bought from the previous owner of the house. It runs and drives fine, tyres need attention as none hold air for long, but the main issue is that the cutting deck is absolutely knackered and missing a few bits. A new deck is stupidly expensive, so unless one comes up on ebay (they are very very rare for this model as far as I can see) I will be trying to repair the one I have. Mowing an acre and a half with a standard mower takes a long time...

Thank you for your reply.
Too late now as it went elsewhere already.
But I discarded a good deck from the Frankentractor.




New Battery for Hopemobile (Westwood) landed early Saturday.





Obviously tried it, unsuccessfully as new carb has not yet arrived for fitting.

I also removed a load of wires and switches from the old battery and chassis that used to drive some LED lights on top of and inside the cowl/grille.



Found a broken emergency escape light fitting in a hospital scrap pile, got permission to remove it……

May be perfect for the FRANKENTRACTOR cowl that still need to be made.

Right width too.



Carburettor from @pauly landed around 7.00pm on Saturday evening.

To add to the rest of the carburettor and breathing parts in the pile that came with the FRANKENTRACTOR and then to try out when the weather eases up from its current unpleasant demeanour.







Got the tractor up onto some ramps and axle stands.

Removed all the waterproofing and plastics.



Slipped the carb onto the studs…….

Obstruction it seems.



When that fun stopped I put the old battery onto the tractor and tried the circuit.

Lights and quiet noises could be heard.

Realised afterward that I had not sat in the seat, or did I ?

Anyway.

Lights came on.



Cold and with the weather turning,a drizzle starting, I closed up everything and went indoors early.

 

[cbst3]

Thank you for your reply.
Too late now as it went elsewhere already.
But I discarded a good deck from the Frankentractor.

No worries - I hadn't twigged that you were not using this as a mower, so hadn't assumed that there might be a deck available. I think yours is a bigger tractor anyway (and I am in Wales, so a good distance away).

 

[Grizz]

Had @nickwheeler pop in for a chat and to bring back a small flexi-head 1/4 inch ratchet he had taken to service a while ago.

Once again he stopped my cutting corners on a future project.

No coffee, which was the first time ever he declined coffee, must be something wrong with the man.

I had a few chores to do in town and needed to get to Sally’s place to do some small daylight jobs.

So I Went grocery shopping in the S10 followed by a nice detour drive, once again realising what a cool little truck it is.

Parked up in Morrissons car park is seems so small, despite being a long but narrow truck



Got home, chatted with my returned lodger, one left this week, and one from a previous 5 months stay is back for another 3 months or so.

Then Sallys, did the small jobs before dark and settled with her Netflix to watch a few episodes of Better Call Saul.

Followed by a very yummy dinner I did not need to cook.

At 10.00pm I got a message from a chap 350 miles from home about a possible new shadow thrower for my driveway.

And by 11.15 I went to bed.

A few more photos, questions which may be dealt with today before making a final decision but I think it has already been made.

 

[Grizz]

It is big, it is long.

And yes, I have more stuff than would keep a small country busy for weeks……

The guy who brought the Micra has declined as his rig is not big enough, but I think he prefers quick, local jobs.

@pauly suggested I buy and drive it to an MOT station locally……. Where I live.

Does insurance cover you driving to an MOT station?

I am very risk-averse at the best of times.

So have to consider looking at the alternative, which is recovery.

[font size="7"][font color="e62919"]SIZE………..[/font][/font]

[font size="5"][font color="19e652"]MOT Fail sheet.[/font][/font]


Again, seems reasonably driveable, but maybe the law would not be impressed.

Thank you for the advice and laughing.

 

[GARRICK.CLARK]

Half of the problems on that list aren't a big deal. Getting it all done in the time they give you before you have to pay again for the test might be

 

[Grizz]

Half of the problems on that list aren't a big deal. Getting it all done in the time they give you before you have to pay again for the test might be

I have walked away from it.
The cost of getting it down south is prohibitive.

 

[Grizz]

Had @nickwheeler pop in for a chat and to bring back a small flexi-head 1/4 inch ratchet he had taken to service a while ago.

Once again he stopped my cutting corners on a future project.

No coffee, which was the first time ever he declined coffee, must be something wrong with the man.

I had a few chores to do in town and needed to get to Sally’s place to do some small daylight jobs.

So I Went grocery shopping in the S10 followed by a nice detour drive, once again realising what a cool little truck it is.

Parked up in Morrissons car park is seems so small, despite being a long but narrow truck



Got home, chatted with my returned lodger, one left this week, and one from a previous 5 months stay is back for another 3 months or so.

Then Sallys, did the small jobs before dark and settled with her Netflix to watch a few episodes of Better Call Saul.

Followed by a very yummy dinner I did not need to cook.

At 10.00pm I got a message from a chap 350 miles from home about a possible new shadow thrower for my driveway.

And by 11.15 I went to bed.

A few more photos, questions which may be dealt with today before making a final decision but I think it has already been made.

 

[Grizz]

[quote author="[USER=25061]@Grizz[/USER]" source="/post/2759614/thread" timestamp="1669625386"]Have decided after 48 hours of intense research here and via my USA info sources, to walk away from this one.

Most importantly, got home last night and went to measure my tight driveway, and the car in question would only get down the drive, in reverse, with one mirror tucked in, and then allowing minimal room for error. The car is 2.118 meter wide, so with the mirrors it is 7 crazy feet wide. My drive is max 2.2 meter wide.

I have enough to keep my busy through winter, and despite having liked these an unhealthy amount over the years, I do not need another 5.0 liter V8 on my drive.

Thank you as always for the input and advice on here.


And for those looking and wondering what got me going.

1992 Chevrolet Caprice wagon.

If you are interested in buying it, send me a PM and I will connect you with the seller.

[img src="https://hosting.photobuck...-46CE-BF6B-6D2F143DE50F_zpsytddiqdr.jpg[/IMG]

But to me, as an aspiring *******…. Heavenly.

 

[Grizz]

Had the truck for two years.

Not done a ton of miles, maybe 2000

Just tripped over to 40k miles a few weeks ago.

But 20 years of living out back when driving, took its toll on the vinyl bed cover.

When I bought it, the previous owner had poked holes through the bed cover that had shrunk over time, and used cable ties to keep it in position.

Recently when I went to fetch the FRANKENTRACTOR from @frankenhealey I had to refit the cover once 5he tractor was unloaded.

I managed to tear it badly, trying to stretch it in the cold.

Keep in mind it has survived 20 years.


Unfortunately Extang do.not make the Blackmax for this model anymore, I called America about it.

And it does not seem like I will be finding a used replacement for it in America either.








So plan B for now seems to be to use a local “Sailmaker” who claims he can make something to cover the rear in a variety of fabrics.

Multiple colours available.

Very tempting is the option to colour match the cover vs going back to black.







So I went to Chatham Pier today, only to find the shop shut.

Typical.

But at least a couple of pics made themselves available.







I am also hoping to hear from the guy I bought the wheels from who happens to be a high end upholsterer.

Fingers crossed I can get something decent made up.



Chatting with Steve, the guy I bought the wheels for the truck from last night about him making the cover.

He is a somewhat high end upholsterer, working on Morgans etc.

His pricing is below, also 130 miles from here.


Labour 6 hours @£55 per hour.£330.00p , 2.5 meters material . Everflex black £75 or Mohair Riven. £150 + new hold down clips / press studs £40.00p


So not a cheap outcome, but I was expecting similar if I even found a used Extang cover to buy in the USA.


And similarly, if I went for something new, if it were available in the UK.


The sailmaker would be around £150.00 and a functional but not pretty piece.


Choices ehhh.

 

[Grizz]

Remember the fog light I lost when I went to @frankenhealey to collect the tractor?

Today after marathon 100 minute Teams meeting I though repairing it was a good way to recover and regain my equilibrium.



Once repaired I had a coffee and called the MOT station to see when I could go down to have the truck tested.

4.30 today became available just a few minutes ago, due to cancellation, interested?

Of course I was.



They were running late.

But we made it onto the ramp and by 5.30 the truck had a fresh MOT.

The truck must have impressed the young guy testing it, he told me the emissions were brilliantly in range, and that it was a cool truck, he loved driving it into the shop.



So we have a taxed, insured and tested truck for another year.

The last 12 months it only did 600 miles, which included the 320 miles it did a few weeks ago to fetch the FRANKENTRACTOR.


I really do not deserve to have this truck if I am not going to use it.

 

[MikeyRv]

When you going to get to work on the 66 Chevy

 

[Grizz]

When you going to get to work on the 66 Chevy

You mean writing up a for sale ad?

 

[MikeyRv]

Are you selling it Grizz, i thought that was a keeper to bet back on the road.

 

[Grizz]

Are you selling it Grizz, i thought that was a keeper to bet back on the road.

Just teasing. For now.
I would like to think it is a keeper but life changes at times.

 

[Grizz]

WANTED:

2001 Chevy S10 Extended Cab bed cover, Mine died after 20 years.

Vinyl, 3 piece hard folder or Canopy/Cap considered.

Bed is essentially a 6 foot/1800mm by 5 foot/1500mm

What have you got, and where are you situated please?

PM me please.




Parts order attempt no2

After failure to dispatch and eventually getting a refund, I ordered another carburettor.

Courier delivered last night.

Will get to it when I can to see if replacing the original on the HOPEMOBILE is as easy as 1-2-3





In the mean time George the cat I don’t have, seems to have cemented his residency here, even more firmly.





Guess I may have a cat for Christmas, though he does disappear at times, presumably to his real home, if they let him in.

There is no catflap, so he is reliant on his humans to let him come and go.

Almost Christmas, looking forward to stopping work for a few days.

 

[Grizz]

Always worth asking in various places.

Thanks to @Westbay for doing the research on cheap new action cameras.




I am in the earliest stages of looking at creating a Youtube channel and Blog online.

Up to now, all that I have ever used is my iPhone and 10 years ago, my digital camera for some short clips.

I want to have a second, fixed mounted camera (that can be moved if needed) to record when not propping my iPhone up against a can of WD40 o stuck inside a roll of ducktape. Get the picture?

There are cheap options…… New DEMi Action Camera HD Waterproof LCD WiFi Compatible GoPro Accessories | eBay

But like so many toys, tools etc, sometimes we get bored or find better options and items (ask me about digital cameras, no only use my iPhone)

So show/tell me what you have out there that I could possibly use to record part of my garage action on.

PM Please.

Maybe an improvement on this:





Thank you.

 

[Grizz]

A random chat with Craig last night, led to him finding what we can only guess is a very old stock (only 1 in stock) original Extang Black Max bed cover for my truck.

I had previously searched using various cross references and come up empty handed.

He found one item online, for sale by JEGS in Ohio

So a few questions on Facebook S10 groups to ascertain that the bed on my extended cab is is the same 6’ length as the “short bed” confirmed that the item for sale was indeed correct.

The extended cabs have a longer wheelbase and slightly different positioning of the wheel,arches.

Chevrolet S10 wheelbases
Regular cab could get long bed or short bed. Extended cab only got the short bed. And crew cab got that tiny bed that was like 3 feet long

Pickup 1st and 2nd Gen

108.3 in (2,751 mm) (reg. cab short bed)
117.9 in (2,995 mm) (reg. cab long bed)
122.9 in (3,122 mm) (ext. cab short bed)



To say I was super stoked at finding this item thanks to @CraigRK is an understatement.

This truck needs to continue to be looked after as it has been to date.

So while we were chatting, we called our tame Chevy guy in St Louis, Missouri, ie. Dennis to check and confirm.

Turns out they are having the storm of a lifetime with temperatures dropping all over America.



I love technology. The three of us on a video chat. Just needed a few beers.

And the weather outside Dennis’s shop had already turned for the worse, with Covid infected Debbie indoors, his isolation spot is the workshop.





So this morning I placed my order for what may be the best find of my year, except for the free motorbike Sally found previously.




And for those who zoom in and look at the details…..

Yes, there is also importation duties and taxes, go do the maths, add another $38.80 or £33.74 to the item price, plus shipping and you see the price of a hobby more than double. Nearer 150% on top of the price.

Looking at the price the item starts at and where it ends on your doorstep makes for crazy reading, and costs.



Today is also my last day of work for the year.

Time to wrap up 2022 from an admin point of view.

It has been a hard and rough year for many of us.

And it is the weekend…….

Soon.

 

[MikeyRv]

Nice Xmas pressie for you and your truck Grizz.

 

[Grizz]

Nice Xmas pressie for you and your truck Grizz.

So chuffed.




Funny how Facebook brings memories from way back, back.


Remembered this was published a long time ago.


Now stored up as a kit truck, waiting for my finger to be plucked out.







Also 12 years ago I came home with this…… Sachs MadAss and absolutely shall we say angered my ex wife beyond belief.

For thise who know my back yard, it was so very different then, as was the garage.







Remember the Scruffy Micra?


Saw it this week.


Along with the plaintive comment from 21 year old Kyle the driver…. “It makes a funny noise from the front”


Later the day, having bought new front brake pads, it turned out one of the slider pins was seized, and somehow one pad did all the work on the drivers side.
Passenger side, both pads were good.


Servicing all the pins, more copper slip grease and the brakes were good.







This little car continues to ride into the sunset, with the sun never quite setting on it.




I want to also wish everyone of you clicking in here a Brilliant 2023 and may it exceed your expectations.
Thanks for the friendships and support through 2022.
Cheers.

 

[pedalcarjoe]

Madass, that rings a bell

sorry about the poor pic quality