Grandfathers memory 78 GMC 3/4 ton pickup.

[audrima]

hey, I'm Mariah (ah a girl run! ). Well Where to began. ah the beginning, My Grandfather bought this 1978 GMC Sierra (2500 hd?) 3/4 ton pickup new in 77 and optioned it himself. he drove it since then. I remember when I was young going camping and going for coal (his furnace was cold heated. ). In 97 he bought a new truck due to doctors orders, he was not allowed to drive a manual anymore. So this truck was used here and there by my dad after that. In 2000 my grandfather had my dad redo the truck. a New "rust free" bed was found (still have the old one!) Floor pans, cab corners, rockers were all replaced the bench seat was redone or replaced. and the whole truck was cleaned up and repainted. we used it to move stuff until the 2005 where it was parked in front of an old church on my grandfathers property. I've always wanted the truck, I have no use for it but soo wanted it because it was my grandfathers and I had good memories from it. My Grandfather passed way earlier this month (feb 2nd 2011) and  1 weeks ago  I was given the truck. So my little kia (01 kia Optima) was killed by a bus (no I was not hit but was forced off the road, destroyed the oil pan and the oil pump. and the top end burnt out my dad said) so I need the truck to drive around until I get another car or the weather turns so I can ride my scooter. ^_^

So right now the plan is to fix her to run her. with out any more typing the pictures

the day I pulled her out:









Some plates stuff don't know what there really called lol.






next post...

[muddnutz]

Good looking truck.I got my truck from my dad.  Great memories

[audrima]

So Saturday me and dad get to work on the truck, we pulled the rad out last time we worked on it. and and put it back in Saturday. we aired up the tires, they had intertubes in them interesting lol did some cleaning checking brakes etc. then we worked on the land for my grandmother.She is almost ready for State inspection and driving. All she needs now is fluid changed, some rust spots patched and some systems checked. So here is some pictures ^_^



hehe already having it work


the "rust free never patched" bed bah need to fix it


the only major rust spot


the nice clean bed ^_^


gas cap, the bed was from a duel tank truck mine does not have that.


The inside.




a rust spot


the front as the truck is cycling the ant-freeze.



that's it for now, Should be out there tomorrow to fix the rust and take her to get the inspection and the fluids done.

*smiles*
Mariah

[slammed79]

Great truck. I love the old stick shift squares. Its great that you're putting her back to work

[bake74]

     It's always a good thing when you save a truck that belonged to a family member, keep up the good work.

[audrima]

thanks everyone.

Today I got the truck inspected and the fluids changed and some other stuff done. like window cranks. she runs great! but had to have her towed to a shop, the front brake thingy seized on it and the wheel would not move. I told the guy just rebuild both and make sure the back are working well. yay! learning experience ^_^

Mariah

[Gilby959798]

glad you got her almost ready to be put on the road... good luck with the truck, i have to admit you got the truck on the road faster than i got mine (ive driven it but its still not right)...

[hotrod24]

Nice truck, i second the 4 speed always liked them...

[audrima]

thanks I like driving her. the brakes are fixed cost me $260!  I pick her up tomorrow! yay! I'm trying to think of a way to make her look nicer on the cheap right now thinking ether flat black rattle can job. or we might take the time and repaint it the color it is now. we still have the color sitting at my dads.   but that's for little later. right now I need to figure out why I don't have high wipers, no heat (blower I belive) and like why the steering wheel is all stick and big o0

^_^

[BigRuss]

if your patient and willing to do some work on your truck check out this option
http://www.rickwrench.com/index79master.htm?http://www.rickwrench.com/50dollarpaint.html

im using this method on my 81 and my buddy's 66...

[beastie_3]

You can start new posts for each of the issues you have and we can reply specifically to each one.

In my opinion, I would leave the paint as is for now. rattle can paint jobs dont come out all that well, so you would just be wasting money.

[autofreak]

thats a good truck. its always good to see girls share a love of driving and fixing their trucks. Keep up the good work

[audrima]

^_^ thanks! I got my truck back today, been driving her and I love her!

I cleaned the inside rather quickly. the first thing I'm going to fix it the heater >.< think the blower is full of mousie stuff. Then the wheel it's all sticky and big and turning my hands black lol. I think it melted a bit this summer. also need to fix the speedo it's not working lol. ah well it's party time


Mariah

[Bitzer!]

Who needs a speedo!

great work, little and often is the key 

[87454westernhauler]

Nice truck!!