Accumulator
Well-known member
Nizmo- Much as I hate to throw in the towel on vehicles that I just *know* can be kept going...if you have a potential buyer who wouldn`t care about the engine, well.....
Beater Truck
- Thread starter Nizmo
- Start date
Nizmo
New member
Kind of where my mind is heading. Truck will be paid off soon (wait, Nizmo, you financed an old truck? Let me explain; local credit union was having a low interest deal, overall it might be an extra $300, but I got to keep my savings and build some more credit....) so after I get the title release it`ll be an easier sell. I hate to put the extra 13K miles on the GTI, but I can get more for the truck if it sounds decent and not have a hole through the block (although that would kinda be epic...).
Accumulator
Well-known member
Nizmo- Understand completely about the financing, lots of considerations these days.
What I *don`t* really understand is your reluctance to put miles on the GTI, I`d drive the wheels off it.
What I *don`t* really understand is your reluctance to put miles on the GTI, I`d drive the wheels off it.
Nizmo
New member
It`s my first new car and I just want to keep it nice. Guess I need to get that mentality out of my head, lol. Didn`t drive it in the salt and snow but once in its life so far. Looks like it`s gonna get coated underneath this year, although VW seems to hold up under corrosion.
Accumulator
Well-known member
Nizmo- OK, what can I say...that`s how I was with some Milestone Cars! Reality always had other plans, the most pampered cars are the ones that irreparable damage befell 
Sheesh, I Deer Incident-ed the S8!
Sheesh, I Deer Incident-ed the S8!
Nizmo
New member
Yea the guy was like "you can get almost 50mpg with that set-up!" I really don`t care about fuel economy, I just want to pull the mountain, lol.
In other news I`m a dolt, while I can`t explain the copper in the oil (maybe I brushed my arm against the rusty frame moving the oil pan?) but the low knocking when cold is piston slap.:blink: Explains why it gets real loud at 15* during the winter.
The lifter tick is a meh thing to me. Some new rockers, lifters, and push rods are a simple thing to do (to me atleast) and about $200 overall. But, it only does it when cold, so I can wait a bit.
Nizmo
New member
Now that the engine "issues" seem to be outta the way for now, I guess I can turn my attention to the body. So I was gently poking around on the rusty rocker spot and my screwdriver went right through. Ugh. It got ugly from there...
So, the initial quick repair is going to be fun! Going to order a Keystone slip on panel and weld it on. The inner rocker will be sandblasted and the small hole can be patched.
PS, if you guys are tired of seeing these post, I can cut back. I know it isn`t exactly "detailing", but a little project progress thread
So, the initial quick repair is going to be fun! Going to order a Keystone slip on panel and weld it on. The inner rocker will be sandblasted and the small hole can be patched.
PS, if you guys are tired of seeing these post, I can cut back. I know it isn`t exactly "detailing", but a little project progress thread
Accumulator
Well-known member
Nizmo- No, no...keep `em coming! Though I *am* often left thinking "better him than me" 
trashmanssd
New member
Same here, Love the post find it interesting. Also in the camp of glad its not me.
Nizmo
New member
Time for some more maintenance for the truck!
Me and my new coworker have been discussing his trucks brake issues and I questioned the last time he flushed the old brake fluid out. This made me question the S10 since I`ve never done it, and God knows if the previous owner did it. So a trip to Wal-Mart for a couple bottles of brake fluid, a helper, and an hour later...
This is what brake fluid is supposed to look like (on right...)
Overall a super easy job to do, and it might just be the placebo effect, but the braking system seems to work better.
Now I still have plenty of DOT3 brake fluid left, I decided since the clutch uses the same fluid I decided it was time to do it. This was the old fluid;
Previously after heavy town traffic the clutch would get stiffer than it already is. Drove around and used the clutch a lot and to my amazement it feels 100% better!
Me and my new coworker have been discussing his trucks brake issues and I questioned the last time he flushed the old brake fluid out. This made me question the S10 since I`ve never done it, and God knows if the previous owner did it. So a trip to Wal-Mart for a couple bottles of brake fluid, a helper, and an hour later...
This is what brake fluid is supposed to look like (on right...)
Overall a super easy job to do, and it might just be the placebo effect, but the braking system seems to work better.
Now I still have plenty of DOT3 brake fluid left, I decided since the clutch uses the same fluid I decided it was time to do it. This was the old fluid;
Previously after heavy town traffic the clutch would get stiffer than it already is. Drove around and used the clutch a lot and to my amazement it feels 100% better!
PA DETAILER
DETAILED TODAY?
I had the brake fluid flush/replace last oil change. It did indeed make a difference in the brake`s.
Accumulator
Well-known member
Nizmo- Yikes, I gather your reservoir is too opaque for you to see its condition...but I`ll still admonish you for not opeing it up an checking it sooner 
Glad you got it changed out, better late than never!
Eh, sorry if I sound harsh.. it`s just that I take "new-to-me vehicle brakes" very seriously regardless of what the maint records say.
Glad you got it changed out, better late than never!
Eh, sorry if I sound harsh.. it`s just that I take "new-to-me vehicle brakes" very seriously regardless of what the maint records say.
Nizmo
New member
Heh, it`s more ignorance on my part really. I`ve never had something this old before. Normally it was oil changes, gas, and go. But something older needs more attention to keep it going. Next is tge power steering system and the brake booster is starting to leak. Never ending.
Ordered a replacement rocker panel today, so getting close to thst job.
Ordered a replacement rocker panel today, so getting close to thst job.
Accumulator
Well-known member
So you gonna keep it?
And yeah...when I first saw my `93 Audi`s condition (the OE wouldn`t sell it to me at that point) I simply refused to drive it, and issued dire warnings to her about *anybody* driving it, until it had a full brake job. All based on a quick look under the hood when I was going to drive it (a whole mile) to my place for a Detail. "No, I`ll take it to my mechanic but nowhere else. It`s simply unsafe."
I`m used to...far too used to!...salvaging cars that only I`d appreciate, so I`m used to what you find on "neglected until they`re unsafe" vehicles. Expensive hobby, one that I`m trying to ditch
And yeah...when I first saw my `93 Audi`s condition (the OE wouldn`t sell it to me at that point) I simply refused to drive it, and issued dire warnings to her about *anybody* driving it, until it had a full brake job. All based on a quick look under the hood when I was going to drive it (a whole mile) to my place for a Detail. "No, I`ll take it to my mechanic but nowhere else. It`s simply unsafe."
I`m used to...far too used to!...salvaging cars that only I`d appreciate, so I`m used to what you find on "neglected until they`re unsafe" vehicles. Expensive hobby, one that I`m trying to ditch
Nizmo
New member
So you gonna keep it?
And yeah...when I first saw my `93 Audi`s condition (the OE wouldn`t sell it to me at that point) I simply refused to drive it, and issued dire warnings to her about *anybody* driving it, until it had a full brake job. All based on a quick look under the hood when I was going to drive it (a whole mile) to my place for a Detail. "No, I`ll take it to my mechanic but nowhere else. It`s simply unsafe."
I`m used to...far too used to!...salvaging cars that only I`d appreciate, so I`m used to what you find on "neglected until they`re unsafe" vehicles. Expensive hobby, one that I`m trying to ditch
For the time being I recon. We`ll see how it does this winter, although I don`t see any winter driving issues honestly.
It has sorta become part of the family, as dorky as it sounds. My new coworkers have already given it a nickname (although I won`t say as it isn`t, uh, family friendly, lol).
When I first got the truck it was pretty solid so I didn`t really do anything to it other than an oil change. I`ve been doing just preventive maintenance to keep it going along. The only "major" failure was the heater core. The engine still ticks and taps, but keeps going on. It`s so darn slow going up the mountain, but the gear ratios are perfect for going down I might touch the brakes twice.
Received my rocker panel panel today and it looks like someone has already done it before. Not surprised as all trucks, big and small, of the era did the same thing. It will require more cutting and welding on my end, but nothing I can`t handle. The cab corners were replaced with a panel that went all the way to the roof. Interesting as it seems that panel is no longer available? Almost tempted to cut them off and start over. As of now a hole in the rocker will not pass inspection so it has to be done. I should have done it right in the beginning, but was short on time and didn`t have a welder suitable.
Accumulator
Well-known member
Ah, OK...looking forward to your next update.
Nizmo
New member
Time for a little more work on the truck! The rear diff cover has looked a little sad for a while, so I think it`s time to do something about it. While not leaking, for about $40, it`s cheap insurance!
This is the old cover. A little crispy, but after closer examination looks to be the original cover that was installed in 1998. It was re-used when the previous owner had a locker installed.
Popped open the cover, and to my amazement everything was in top shape! Just look at the cute little 7.625" locker!
And because I`m a total dork and fun loving guy, I painted the replacement purple! (Note, that`s not oil everywhere, I Fluid Filmed the bejebus out of everything)
As seen in the last photo I went a little thicker with the gear oil. Being a locker it`s known to pop and bang around on corners and low traction situations. The heavier oil seems to have quieted it down over half. The rear end was probably due for a fluid change anyways, so two birds, one stone. The replacement cover was a Dorman, so it won`t last near as long. I`m tempted to sandblast the old cover and repaint it for the future.
This is the old cover. A little crispy, but after closer examination looks to be the original cover that was installed in 1998. It was re-used when the previous owner had a locker installed.
Popped open the cover, and to my amazement everything was in top shape! Just look at the cute little 7.625" locker!
And because I`m a total dork and fun loving guy, I painted the replacement purple! (Note, that`s not oil everywhere, I Fluid Filmed the bejebus out of everything)
As seen in the last photo I went a little thicker with the gear oil. Being a locker it`s known to pop and bang around on corners and low traction situations. The heavier oil seems to have quieted it down over half. The rear end was probably due for a fluid change anyways, so two birds, one stone. The replacement cover was a Dorman, so it won`t last near as long. I`m tempted to sandblast the old cover and repaint it for the future.
Accumulator
Well-known member
Nizmo- Hey, cool little project! I can appreciate a bit of whimsy like the Purple 
And yeah, that *is* a "cute little Locker"! I was wondering whether it was a real Locker (as opposed to a regular LSD) but if it acts like that during low speed turns...
Heh heh, I share your suspicions about anything Dorman, with the possible exception of lug nuts.
I dunno if I could live with the Fluid Film on the whole rear axle housing though, looks kinda slimy to me. Think I`d have hit it with Eastwood`s Heavy Duty Anti-Rust, same idea but available in black so it looks like paint when it`d dried.
And yeah, that *is* a "cute little Locker"! I was wondering whether it was a real Locker (as opposed to a regular LSD) but if it acts like that during low speed turns...
Heh heh, I share your suspicions about anything Dorman, with the possible exception of lug nuts.
I dunno if I could live with the Fluid Film on the whole rear axle housing though, looks kinda slimy to me. Think I`d have hit it with Eastwood`s Heavy Duty Anti-Rust, same idea but available in black so it looks like paint when it`d dried.
Nizmo
New member
Time has come to take care of the hole in the rocker. There was two options I could have gone with, a slip on style, or one you cut out and replaced. After weighing my options I decided to just go with a slip on. It will more than likely last the life of this truck, and honestly I didn`t feel like tearing apart half the side of the truck.
Test fitting the panel. Fitment was laughable at best and required some "gentle" finesse.
Always wear your appropriate safety shoes when cutting and hammering, heh. The cab corner was showing signs of moisture bubbling so paint was removed while I was there. Discovered the cab corner is a cover up panel as well, and unfortunately getting thin. It is what it is, we`ll cross that bridge when and if it happens. With the bottom secure I was able to push on the top portion and spot weld it on. Most people use panel adhesive, but with the iffy fitment and a lack of clamping ability, it was easier this way. Spot welded all around and the seam inside was roughly finished off with a fiberstrand product. Applied 2 coats of self etching primer for now, it will need a thin smoothing coat of filler, but right now is decent.
Like I said before, this is a "cover up", but for a cheap truck it`ll do and now pass inspection again. If this was a resto project I would have done different. I`ll work on it again next weekend, but for the time being I`ll have to rock the ghetto primer look.
Test fitting the panel. Fitment was laughable at best and required some "gentle" finesse.
Always wear your appropriate safety shoes when cutting and hammering, heh. The cab corner was showing signs of moisture bubbling so paint was removed while I was there. Discovered the cab corner is a cover up panel as well, and unfortunately getting thin. It is what it is, we`ll cross that bridge when and if it happens. With the bottom secure I was able to push on the top portion and spot weld it on. Most people use panel adhesive, but with the iffy fitment and a lack of clamping ability, it was easier this way. Spot welded all around and the seam inside was roughly finished off with a fiberstrand product. Applied 2 coats of self etching primer for now, it will need a thin smoothing coat of filler, but right now is decent.
Like I said before, this is a "cover up", but for a cheap truck it`ll do and now pass inspection again. If this was a resto project I would have done different. I`ll work on it again next weekend, but for the time being I`ll have to rock the ghetto primer look.