Startin the 77 build....finally!

[GuZ]

Hey guys!
new to the forum, been watching and reading for a few months and finally decided to create an account and show you all my '77.

I got my pickup when i turned 16 and have had it ever since....(im 23 now)

It is a 1977 K20 3/4 Custom Deluxe. Original 400sbc blew up on me (no fun) so now she has a 383 Stroker that i built in '07. I have contemplated selling her for along time....just never could post it for sale . But finally after some good friends motivating me and seeing everyone's builds on the forum i have decided to break out the wrenches. I don't think i will be doing anything too crazy with it, but hey you never know! With how many ideas you guys throw out there it's never ending!

First thing im tackling is the body. The bed was pretty badly rusted in the common areas, there was also a real bad bend in the front bed panel.
Taking the bed off was simple..........just wish we had some more helping hands, it was only 2 of us

For all of my body parts it's going to cost just $640 shipped. That's for a set of brand new fenders ($71ea), cowl hood ($391) front bed panel ($74). Personally for all new steel i think that is a pretty good deal! (Especially after seeing how much things cost for my roommates' C5 Corvette he's building....but trust me that thing is going to be WILD)

Thanks for reading guys and i will keep you all updated on my build!

[GuZ]

Day 2, got the rear half of the frame prepped and painted! Looks 100% better and is now protected

The leafs, axles, differential and driveshaft still need to be cleaned and then those will be painted as well.

[trout]

nice

[GuZ]

thanks Trout!

[JRANGER]

Very nice...What all did you use to clean it? Mesh wire? What did you coat it with?

[GuZ]

just sprayed it down with some degreaser first, then a buddy and i just started going to town with a wire brush. we painted it with some of that Rustoleum paint/sealer/protector stuff. Black Satin is the color. I think it came out surprisingly well! 3 Coats made a night and day difference IMO

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Might want to replace your fuel hoses (from sending unit) while you have the bed off. I just did it with the bed on and it was a real PITA.

[GuZ]

Hey Guys!
Day 3

We finished up a few spots that needed some more paint, then it was time for the fun part. The temp. outside was somewhere around 19 degrees (notice the frozen windshield) and the hoist wasn't really working for us.....so we had to lift the bed up by hand. Damn these things are heavy! Especially these 8ft ones! But my buddy and i were able to do it and got it lined up and dropped those bolts in

I LOVE this bed, there is virtually no rust anywhere but the little spot on the driver side rear quarter, and it's just a wee-bit of surface rust. Couldn't be any happier and as far along as we are. (I work 7-4, so only gettin in about 4-5 hours of work on the truck at night). Thanks for following guys!

[JRANGER]

nice

[GuZ]

thanks!

don't think much more will be done in the meantime....2' of snow in the forcast, already have gotten 8'' today.

[JRANGER]

sounds like you need a garage...So do I...but no snow here

[GuZ]

Yeah..........someday!

[made2drag]

looking good so far...keep the pics coming

[GuZ]

will do, lots of pictures are always good!

thanks for looking

[GuZ]

Well due to the weather we're having up here with all the snow, Day 4 was a fun day.


Just loud music, some rum and destruction of the old bed

It wasn't untill we tore it apart that we saw the MASSIVE amounts of bondo that was used on it before i bought the truck........oh well. RIP old bed. Going to the scrapyard tomorrow.


Here it is

[JRANGER]

wait wait..I want some sheet metal!! Seriously..I want a small piece of the bed itself for a patch

[GuZ]

Originally Posted by JRANGER

wait wait..I want some sheet metal!! Seriously..I want a small piece of the bed itself for a patch

SORRY BUD!


It's already on it's way, My buddy is hauling stuff all day today. I wish i would have known!

But really though, there was not a whole lot of clean sheetmetal. Alot of it was rusted in some way.

[JRANGER]

o ok

[JRANGER]

its only about a foot worth anyway..Ill just make a piece

[GuZ]

Alright guys time for your input.

I'm looking for suggestions about what brand of exhaust to run (true dual, 2.5") Right now it's got purple hornies on it and those got old REALLY fast lol.

Also what brand shocks/struts should i be looking at? The old ones were TOAST

I do need to update the front end a little bit as well (steering is a little sloppy but not too bad. Has that almost "floating" feeling to it, i've seen ALOT worse) Any recommendations?

I appreciate it fellas!

[JRANGER]

haha, wow you are asking all the questions I was going to ask when i got to that phase...Im getting my welding done tomorrow and working on a transmission leak and undercoating but that was all next on the list lol

[GuZ]

Im anxious to get back out there and work but the weather just isn't cooperating!


So any responses regarding my last post guys? Any insight would be greatly appreciated

[JRANGER]

I like flowmaster!!! I hear though if you want cheaper you can get thrush mufflers that sound very similar

[GuZ]

Well guys, nothing new to report as of late. It's been a quiet winter, but now it's startin to warm up nicely now


And to start off this nice weather i picked up a new (to me) drivers door for the low low price of $40!! The glass is in great condition as well. Very happy

Time to get back to work

[JRANGER]

man...get to work!!! lol