My Build Thread, 78Chevyrado's 1978 C20

[78 Chevyrado]

New Tonneau is Installed.  EXTANG 14535.  Looks Great and fits good. 

My review:  The cover is high quality, all parts fit together easily and properly.  The way it came, it covered the stake pocket holes completely EXCEPT for about a 1/16" to 1/8" gap in the front two pockets.  I planned for this though and bought these Stake Pocket Caps:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TRD-8794
They are black Plastic, Fit Perfectly, Look High quality.

I put the stake pocket caps in the front 4 holes (LWB= 6 Stake Pockets)  (SWB= 4 Stake Pockets)  I have a LWB.  Bought the four pocket cap kit (as the rear pockets by the tailgate don't let water into the bed compartment)  I only truly needed four of them.

Onto the pics!  I like it I have a bigger trunk than any year Cadillac and this tonneau cost less than another toolbox!

Truck is still dirty as I havent washed it since my trip and got arm prints on it from installing the bed cover. 







I like it a lot, being new though the whole truck smells like new vinyl when you walk up to it...lol  but thats okay, makes the whole thing same new.

Whoever noticed the new dents on the drivers side rear of the bed, well I found those in the home depot parking lot one day....  Won't come out without paint, so at a minimum it won't be fixed till my rockers get chiped up enough to warrant more paint.  then we'll see. 


The cover did exactly what I wanted it to though, It covered the stake pockets and it covers/hides the holes left from my toolbox.

[454Man]

Awesome! How easy I'd it to access your tool box? I'm thinking about getting one. I heat it reduces the drag while driving also.

[78 Chevyrado]

I got rid of the toolbox.  It wouldn't work with this tonneau, as the front end by the cab doesnt peel back like the sides and rear do.

I've got a couple of surplus army boxes for ammunition I'm thinking about bolting down in the back by the tailgate for my tools.  They'll be out of the weather are metal, and can be locked.

[bake315]

Got em all put in!  I likey!

I liked yours so much, I ordered one just like it last week.  Only difference was that I got the blue horn button with the bowtie.

[78 Chevyrado]

Nice!  I really got to appreciate the new wheel on my long trip.  I like the thicker hand grip and the leather is so nice.  when it gets hot it doesn't scald the hands like the old wheel did, and it shouldn't suck the heat out of my hands in the winter time either.

[78 Chevyrado]

Got some new current pics taken, with the changes I've made recently...

Here's my BFORE and AFTER Shots.

BEFORE in 2007


AFTER in 2012



And on to the rest

[bd]

Very nice!

[bake315]

MERCY, that's a good looking truck!

[reload]

Not sold on the fog lamps without a surrounding air dam, however everything else on that beast is perfect imo. 

[78 Chevyrado]

Not sold on the fog lamps without a surrounding air dam, however everything else on that beast is perfect imo.

I love em!  It's a little taste of my first truck, and when I turn on the hi-beams going 75MPH on the freeway, it's nice when the sun comes out...   

A later on project is to get a stock airdam on it, (hopefully to help some with mileage.)

[lindsdavid]

very nice indeed!

[slickgtp]

Very nice indeed!  I only hope that mine will look as nice one day...   

[78 Chevyrado]

Thank you for the kind words.  I spent 15 years (since I could drive) wishing for the same thing.  I hope you can get yours nice before 15 years.  It took forever, but I'm in a good place today.  and I have the last years of NOT HAVING to thank for that.  You'll get yours fixed up if you work for it. Lots of work, but way worth the payment...  (As in no more work, and driving around and getting complimented constantly.  I end up talking to car guys who like my truck at least 20 mins a week)   

[oldwhity]

Yeah, it's looking great!  I haven't viewed all of the threads that I've posted on in the past but it's interesting to see the difference from then to now!

[Bitzer!]

That looks the dogs danglies! Awesome work- just lovin' it.

Slightly gutted (mild understatement) re the dents that have appeared