My new 78 Silverado

[2bits]

I had to sell my 71 Stepside (with a 73-79 bed) to get caught up on some bills and I wanted to get a 73-80 model to replace it. I have been looking at alot of pieces of junk this past week and I have learned that "Runs Good" is a VERY loosely used term! When I saw the ad for this truck I felt pretty good about it because everything under the hood was there, and was stock. I think this was the first truck that I looked at that actually had an air cleaner on it

When I got there this morning I knew if was gonna be good, because it is completely unmolested except for the radio area. It is a two owner truck and this guy has owned it for 10 years. It is a Silverado which means it has everything... tilt, gauges, power windows and locks, nice door panels, headliner (not ripped), cruise control, dual gas tanks, side moldings, wheel well moldings, etc. and EVERYTHING works! He started it up and you can tell is is solid. It sounded like it was new. Everything was there under the hood and around the body as it should be, the cardboard mat that sits on the floor behind the seat is still there. It even has a hood ornament.

I had to put a battery in it and I bought a radio for it today, and I need to get one center cap, but otherwise, I can just drive it. Like I said everything works! Amazing deal for $900. It runs and drives and stops perfect, is quiet on the freeway and there is no squeaking suspension at all. I drove it around for a few hours tonight and it was like a rock. I'll need to get a dashcap, and replace the windshield and there are some small rust spots on it, but the floor is solid, and the truck just feels tight.

I haven't decided if I want to go for the mag wheel and 275/60 look, or get some bigger off road tires, but that will be a little later down the line. First off is to paint the inside of the headlight buckets black and put my '73 grille on it, that will make it look tough. Oh yeah, it is not that shiny, it was wet, but I'm gonna see what a buff job will do to remove some of the oxidation.

I feel very confident in this purchase!

It's just a regular stock longbed, but that's the best thing about it, no one has messed it up...




Clean, complete engine compertment


The driver's view is cool


The interior looks pretty decent, carpet is ok. I guess I have to name it "Claudia" haha that's the guy's wifes name, but it sounds ok to me. I will not be naming it "Big Red" :roll:


Sitting at a stop light the Volts, Temp, and Oil Pressure is at it's optimal readings.

[cochino12]

Nice truck!!

[GMC Guy]

i loooooove that gauge bezel wonder where he got it....

[Pyrotechnic]

Very cool, that reminds me a lot of my truck when I first got it. It wasn't as unmolested as yours, but pretty close.

[menace121978]

nice score man! congrats and enjoy!

[2bits]

Originally Posted by GMC Guy

i loooooove that gauge bezel wonder where he got it....

Thanks! I think it looks cool too. To me it just looks like the standard bezel and he just spray painted the whole thing silver. I am gonna be looking for a woodgrain one later on, or a factory silver one from a 79, but this one looks cool for now! I got lucky with the smaller size aftermarket steering wheel too, it just feels cool to spin the wheel on these trucks!

[78 Big10 454]

Excellent truck. You scored, big time!

[JOEGMC]

Real nice truck you got there!

[2bits]

Originally Posted by 78 Big10 454

Excellent truck. You scored, big time!

Yeah, I just had a feeling about this one! When I was talking to the guy, he was a Mexican dude who barely spoke English and just a good family man. He used to drive to El Paso in the truck every few months and he had the truck for 10 years and has worked at the same factory for 14 years and he said he would change the starter and alternator every three years just because even it they were working fine, they are only $20 and that would safe him from breaking down. I know people can say all kinds of stuff but this guy really added up to me. He said he was selling it because his wife wanted to park in the driveway LOL

I'm gonna go out for a drive right now! hehe

[BIG10]

Congrats on scoring a nice Big 10.

[2bits]

Painted the headlight buckets, and got rid of the "truck" tires and put some 275/60's on it last weekend. Remember those old days of cool trucks! Don't lift it, don't lower it just put some white letter wide tires on it! I would like to get some new wheels (15" of course) but my budget prevents that and since the truck is so original, I just hate to do it anyway. The clentcher was I was at the tire shop and they had the one center cap I was missing just sitting against the wall and you could tell it had been there for years and the dude just gave it to me so my wheels are complete.

[silvereagle07]

Nice! Looks good and a good deal too.

[C10Silverado79]

Very nice truck. It also confirms what I have suspected, that my charging system is not working quite right.

[LiveAnimals]

Nice score

[raws67]

Good looking truck you got there I think the rallaye wheels are about the best looking wheels you can have on one of these trucks but then again I prefer more of a stock look anyways. I bet you can probably buff some of that shine right back out on that paint.

[N2TRUX]

You got a smoking deal. Even though the paint is dull, you know exactly what the body looks like. I would much rather buy one like that than one with a cheap paint job covering up who knows what.

[JohnC]

Awesome looking truck. Nice buy, and I agree with your theory about just putting a set of 275/60's on it. They look really good on there. Keep us updated with your progress. Congrats!!!

[78 Chevyrado]

I like it. unmolested is gold. plus then when you do have it painted, the body shop will warranty their work since they'll know there's nothing hidden under there.

[2bits]

Thanks guys! I hate to paint it since yeah it is the original paint. I think I will have it buffed so it will bring out as much as possible and leave it. You just can't beat original!

[dan76]

Originally Posted by C10Silverado79

Very nice truck. It also confirms what I have suspected, that my charging system is not working quite right.

Check the alternator output with a meter. My gauge is off for some reason.

Nice truck

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

Hey sweet score for sure. Congrats on the new addition. Looks like its in pretty damn good shape

[ECU PIRATE]

Nice find. Send that grill over my way if you replace it....................

[2bits]

Originally Posted by ECU PIRATE

Nice find. Send that grill over my way if you replace it....................

I may, I have the backing hardware already, just seeing what issues I run into with the hood latch since mine in an in the cab version which I like too... Can't wait to see it with a Black 73-74 Grille! Otherwise I'll paint the 78 grille black, at least it has the chrome strips in it to bring it out!

[PRattenbury]

I'm diggin the stock Grant GT steering wheel. Nice truck, it looks like the beginnings of something great.

[2bits]

Originally Posted by PRattenbury

I'm diggin the stock Grant GT steering wheel. Nice truck, it looks like the beginnings of something great.

BONE stock just ain't no fun!

I don't know about beginnings, I think I am done LOL.. OK maybe a radio... maybe... hmm duals... and a dash. OK then I'll be done.