New guy from MI (truck story follows)

[ToughBowtieTruck]

Hey guys, thought I'd join the site to give any knowledge I may have in fixing up the ol' 73-87 rigs. I have went through many a part fixing up my baby trying to keep it era-correct.

I have owned various crew cabs, 4x4s, 2wds and such from the 73-91 body era as well as from the 88-98 era, but my favorite one is the family rig.

It's a 1977 Chevrolet K-20. Originally titled for commercial use; the title has the dry weight of 4483 lbs. Had snow plow prep but otherwise was a basic rig. 4 speed stick, NP 205, 4.10 gears. He bought it brand new in 1977 from a local dealership still in operation today. He used it for about 20 years - hauling 6,000 lbs of feed in the box, pulling wagon doubles between the two farms, driving to work - before it became too dangerous for the road.

Well my dad and I sparked interest in the truck (I was 11 at the time) and seeing how much his nephew wanted it he ended up giving it to me. It spent it's rusty years plowing our driveway until I turned 15 and began fixing it up.

It's come a long way since then, 10 years of picking parts and fixing things can make a vehicle grow on you. To this day I enjoy running it in memory of my uncle who passed away in 2008.

Here's a quick before picture, when dad and I threw on some better fenders and a flat bed.



Latest run on a 100 mile trip with the trailer. Everything worked great; trailer brakes and all.


Hopefully one day I can paint it the original metallic red. Right now it is IH red.

So far, that is where finances have taken me with it.


This looks like a great site so I figured I would sign up!!