New toys...a month later

[N2TRUX]

With all the crap weather, and the carnage that ensude my trip to Rockwall a month ago ended in displeasure. What should have been an exciting trip got turned in to a lesson in frustration.

Regardless, I have finally had a few minutes to get my 77 in the air and repair the air line. After evaluating the routing of the line to determine what happened, I decided that the broken exhaust must have allowed the pipe to move close enough to the air supply line to cause a blow out. I have to pick up some grommets tomorrow, but I plan to reroute it through the frame just as a precaution.

Here is a pic of the blown line. Not much better than before, but you can see how bad it blew...

[N2TRUX]

Now for the good stuff. I sent my 77 to Stoked Out Specialties to have the bed repaired. The PO had installed bed rails, and whoever painted the truck didn't weld the holes. They used "Kitty Hair" which is fiberglass strands mixed with bondo. Needless to say it didn't work well enough to keep my happy. Most people wouldn't have notoced, but it bothered me.

While it was there, I had some goodies installed. I decidded to add a few factory options that I thought should have been there all along. One of these items was a tilt column....

[N2TRUX]

I drive trucks all day that have all the options. You tend to get spoiled ;ittle things like power windows and locks...

[N2TRUX]

While they were at it, I replaced the arm rest pads. Mine were starting to curl up, and the color was exactly the same as the door panel. I had all the interior redyed to one color. They also replaced the door panel that I broke a while back..

[N2TRUX]

Thanks to Crossy, I had a "correct" restored tach dash to install. This is the best shot I could get with the lighting I had. You will also notice another new feature that was added. Not only did Stoked Out install power door locks, they used an Autoloc kit with a remote....

[N2TRUX]

The last pic is really blurry, but right now it is the one that has me the most excited. It is a pic of my air gauges.....holding pressure

[bigblock73]

Looks awesome Ken...I guess you could say your 77 is now fully loaded.

I think there was a CB available for 77...might wanna pic one of those up too.

Seriously, cool pics, thanks for sharing!

[N2TRUX]

If you have a sharp eye you will notice a few things in those pics that aren't correct. I need to replace the cigarette lighter with the right one, and the knobs on the radio are wrong as well. Somehow I am going to get factory intermittent wipers too.

I think I will pass on the CB radio. I do want to install a hidden system though. I plan to stash a disc changer, and amp and a few speakers somewhere.

[swervin ervin]

That is cool. It looks better than it did new for sure. One sharp rig you have there Ken. I like it.

[N2TRUX]

Thanks Mike, that means a lot coming from someone else that is a stickler for details.

[BaggedC10]

Looks great, Ken. Your truck has the perfect balance between custom and factory classic.

[bagged74]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

If you have a sharp eye you will notice a few things in those pics that aren't correct. I need to replace the cigarette lighter with the right one, and the knobs on the radio are wrong as well. Somehow I am going to get factory intermittent wipers too.

I think I will pass on the CB radio. I do want to install a hidden system though. I plan to stash a disc changer, and amp and a few speakers somewhere.

I think I have the part you need for the wipers. Isn't there just a little control box and a new switch? I have a brand new set-up somewhere, dont know if it is the right year though. I'll dig it out for ya, if ya want it i'll send it to ya.

[Izzy]

Looks so much better in person, wish I could say the same for the owner.

[1FaastC10]

wow Ken, that's one *****in truck. i didnt use to be one for factory looks , i liked em customized. you have definitely changed my outlook on things! i hope one day i can see it in person, especially if what Izzy says is true. keep up the good work!

[Lynx]

Your truck is awsome! wish I had the money to get mine like yours!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by 1FaastC10

wow Ken, that's one *****in truck. i didnt use to be one for factory looks , i liked em customized. you have definitely changed my outlook on things! i hope one day i can see it in person, especially if what Izzy says is true. keep up the good work!

Jeremy I have always been a custom kind of guy too. This is the first time I have actually went out of my way to make one original. Since these parts are sometimes hard to come by, and they require being freshened up or restored it's almost the same thing as doing something custom (sorta).

Don't believe a word Izzy says. The truck looks like chit, it's the owner that is good looking....

Originally Posted by bagged74

I think I have the part you need for the wipers. Isn't there just a little control box and a new switch? I have a brand new set-up somewhere, dont know if it is the right year though. I'll dig it out for ya, if ya want it i'll send it to ya.

Well sort of. Thats the way it works for later trucks anyway. The 77 switch and wiring are different from the later ones. Post a pic of the switch and plug so we can compare....

[BeerMonkeY]

where did you get the polished or chrome surrounds around the gauges, or are they part of the dash panel?

[N2TRUX]

That's the stock dash bezel. It came that way...

[BeerMonkeY]

what years/models came like that? i want 1 for my burban