1977 Cheyenne Build

[westie 666]

Hi, I’m from Auckland New Zealand and imported my 1977 Cheyenne from so cal in December last year, I had a buyer find and import it for me, he will also get new parts as I require them. When it got here I had to get registered for NZ roads which was not too hard as it is in original condition, I had to repair the power steering pump, change the head lights to right hand drive ones, new seat belts and one front break hose. Then a new VIN was issued and it was registered and warranted, we have to have our vehicles safety checked every 6 months and if there have been any modifications it must be certified as safe by an engineer, this includes things such as later model seats or sports steering wheel. We don’t have emission testing yet but do have noise level limits.

But I digress, within 3 weeks of driving it, it was off to the panel beaters for a tidy, so I thought, you know the usual car park dings just didn’t realise there was so much to do, I’ll let the photos tell the story. As we speak it is now at the paint shop for a good paint job, but this has also snowballed and is now quite extensive as well. More later.

[N2TRUX]

Keep us posted on it's progress. I like 77 Cheyenne's....

[streetstar]

Originally Posted by westie 666

But I digress, within 3 weeks of driving it, it was off to the panel beaters for a tidy, .

I learn a lot of "new" expressions (to me at least) from you Kiwis and Aussies

[gchemist]

Welcome to the site!!

[westie 666]

At first it was decided that I would go for a quick panel and paint with the windows left in but as the panel progressed we just kept removing things like the grill, door handles, all the trim, then the windows and interior, the seat went off to get recovered, the carpet was rotten so that had to go, the dash pad has a crack but was able to control myself and will put a dash mat on that for now, the head lining came out but is in good nick so will reuse, all the plastic trim came out and will be repainted, the floor is in excellent condition and still has a shine on the paint like it left the factory so nothing required there. The side trim is in good nick but I don’t like the yellow highlight so have stripped that out, the only bad bit was the strip across the back of the cab so have got a new one coming as well as the corner mouldings. I have removed the Chevrolet trim off the tail gate although my friends say I should leave it on. All the rubbers will be replaced and the doors have been stripped out and new parts are on the way. I have a big list of parts that will be imported from the US, all parts will be NOS unless they are not available, so far I have spent about $2500.00 on parts. I want to keep it as original as possible, although it is going to be dropped as far as we can without having to get it certified (we are not allowed to cut springs or use flip kits) so will use drop shocks and spindles and maybe remove a leaf or two. So on to the photos.

[slug]

How Much Did It Cost You To Import From The Us?? Shipping??

[westie 666]

Shipping, tax, maf inspection and customs came to about $4500.00

[westie 666]

So the photos, these are from panel and aren't all that good, but I do like the seat.

[westie 666]

Last 2, the next lot will be from the paint shop, stay tuned.

[slug]

Looks Good. Are You Going To Convert It To Rh Drive??

[Outfoxed]

Looking good so far, seat and dash look real good.

[westie 666]

thanks, don't have to convert if over 20 years old also right hand drive aren't worth as much, we can bring in newer vehicles but have to own and drive them for 90 days then don't have to convert.

[westie 666]

I got a question for ya, the stock radio works but the tuning rubber on the inside of it has broken, I looked into removing it but it looks I have to remove the air ducting under the dash to get at it, if this is right, how do I go about it?
I want to repair it.

Thanke in advance.

[gezn2]

Originally Posted by westie 666

I got a question for ya, the stock radio works but the tuning rubber on the inside of it has broken, I looked into removing it but it looks I have to remove the air ducting under the dash to get at it, if this is right, how do I go about it?
I want to repair it.

Thanke in advance.

The stock radio comes out the front of the dash, you need to take the plastic face over the instrument panel off and you'll find the stock radio in a steel mounting plate held down with a few screws. there may or may not be another bracket on the back of the radio you'll have to access from underneath.
Aftermarket radios don't take punishment like stock units, my old '79 ran around for a few years with a vintage Delco unit that proudly proclaimed 'Oldsmobile' and that was the *fourth* vehicle that radio outlasted

[westie 666]

The dash has holes for the tuning and volume stalks so has to come out the back which is why I want to reuse it, it will save me having to cut the dash to fit an after market one.

[1980GMC]

Nice project!

I really like that seat.

[gezn2]

Originally Posted by westie 666

The dash has holes for the tuning and volume stalks so has to come out the back which is why I want to reuse it, it will save me having to cut the dash to fit an after market one.

I think we're talking past each other here
The bottom of those tuning stalks are threaded, and have thin-wall nuts on them holding the radio chassis securely to a plate that is screwed to the frame of the dashboard, the radio *has* to come out the front of the dash
Pull the knobs off the radio, they're friction-fit, and undo the handful of phillips-head screws around the rim of the plastic dash fascia, the whole unit will lift off with some gentle persuasion

[killthewabbit]

First, allow me to welcome you to the board.

Second, I have to say that you're very committed to having this truck there, as shown by the time and money you've spent getting the truck shipped and ready for inspections. Hats off to you.

Third, could you tell me what this means? What are right hand drive headlights?

Originally Posted by westie 666

change the head lights to right hand drive ones

[andresco50]

Awesome that upholstery is the original???

[cochino12]

Originally Posted by westie 666

I got a question for ya, the stock radio works but the tuning rubber on the inside of it has broken, I looked into removing it but it looks I have to remove the air ducting under the dash to get at it, if this is right, how do I go about it?
I want to repair it.

Thanke in advance.

Just push the ducting to the driver and then to the passenger side and it will loosen up enough to drop out. Remove the nuts off the tuning shafts and push the radio toward the front of the truck, there may be a strap mounted on the back of the radio (cant remember if gm did that stock?) if not it should just fall out.


Good luck with the truck, nice to see them getting some attention over seas.

[westie 666]

Originally Posted by andresco50

Awesome that upholstery is the original???

No, it was full cloth I got this done here.

[westie 666]

Originally Posted by killthewabbit

First, allow me to welcome you to the board.

Second, I have to say that you're very committed to having this truck there, as shown by the time and money you've spent getting the truck shipped and ready for inspections. Hats off to you.

Third, could you tell me what this means? What are right hand drive headlights?

The head lights in the states dip to the right so we change them to ones that dip to the left.

[westie 666]

Originally Posted by gezn2

I think we're talking past each other here
The bottom of those tuning stalks are threaded, and have thin-wall nuts on them holding the radio chassis securely to a plate that is screwed to the frame of the dashboard, the radio *has* to come out the front of the dash
Pull the knobs off the radio, they're friction-fit, and undo the handful of phillips-head screws around the rim of the plastic dash fascia, the whole unit will lift off with some gentle persuasion

I think you may be thinking of a later model truck, there is no is no plastic facia on this truck. See cochino12 post

[andresco50]

Where you buy the new parts?

[westie 666]

Originally Posted by andresco50

Where you buy the new parts?

Most of them from Truck Shop in Orange CA, I have a catalog with prices and order form and give my order to my guy that goes to the states 3 times a year, he then buys what I want and packs it into another vehicle he is shipping home, so no freight charges and if we can get them out quick enough there is no tax to pay. (we unpack the containers) The next trip is next week I think.

Anyone know where I can get a tube or billet grill that dosen't cost an arm and a leg?