My 1977 GMC Sierra Grande
 

Here is my new truck. It's a 1977 GMC Sierra Grande. 6 months after my 78 Silverado got destroyed by a reckless driver I finally found this truck. It's very rust free and mostly unmolested. The original AM radio and mono speaker is in place and it all still works. The A/C is also functional.

Got lots in store for it this summer!

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/190/5...07b0a3_b_d.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/228/5...24b5f7_b_d.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/244/5...30d7cc_b_d.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/246/5...c324c9_b_d.jpg

Re: My 1977 GMC Sierra Grande
 

:metal: Sweet looking

Re: My 1977 GMC Sierra Grande
 

WoW, beautiful truck...I love it!!

What does it have for options?

What are your plans for it?

Re: My 1977 GMC Sierra Grande
 

Very NICE!

Re: My 1977 GMC Sierra Grande
 

Some of the options:

Heavy Duty Chassis Equipment (3/4 ton springs, big brakes)
A/C
350 4 barrel
3.42 12 Bolt Rear (Open)
Variable Ratio Steering
Front Stabilizer Bar
Turbo 400 (This was on the sticker but it has a Turbo 350 now so I'm guessing the 400 burned up and a 350 got put back in at some point)

So far I got the ignition sorted out and it's running real strong. Someone had some cheap small tube full length headers and dual exhaust with turbo mufflers installed. Sound pretty cool though, very old school.

This weekend I put some Monroe Gas Magnum shocks on it and it rides very nice. It had the original Delco shocks out back and some old Monroe Matics up front. I also put the rims and tires from my 78 on it since the tires didn't even have 50 miles on them. BFG Radial T/A's on American Racing chrome 10 hole rims. I'll post pics with the new shoes once I get the truck cleaned up after this rainy weekend.

Plans:
The most immediate plan is to get the drivetrain from my 78 into it which includes: New engine, trans, drive shaft, Posi rear end, and dual 2.5 exhaust with 50 series Flowmasters. After that I plan to tackle things like the interior, sound system, and eventually paint and body. I plan to paint it basically how it is now but with a good base/clear coat type of paint.

Oh yeah, I need to get that farmers bumper off the back and replace it with a sport bumper.

Re: My 1977 GMC Sierra Grande
 

very nice truck

Re: My 1977 GMC Sierra Grande
 

Nice truck!

Austin isn't too far away...

Re: My 1977 GMC Sierra Grande
 

Good looking truck, Pyro... :cool:

Looks like the hood needs to be straighten out and braces for the hood hinges installed to prevent the hood from buckling.

Hmm, a cargo lamp turned it into a third brake light...:cool:

Good, solid truck. :cool:

Re: My 1977 GMC Sierra Grande
 

Gotta love the hood bending in the middle, half of these trucks have that, mine is on the passenger side and it quite frankly pisses me off - hopefully will get taken care of tomorrow tho, stupid thing. Other than that, very nice truck, wish mine looked that good :D

Re: My 1977 GMC Sierra Grande
 

take the springs off the hinges and use a prop rod would solve that

Re: My 1977 GMC Sierra Grande
 

That would get old REAL quick! These hoods are heavy, and hard to lift while trying to prop up...hell, my 'glass hood I had with no springs was a pain itself.

Fix/replace the hinges...much better solution IMO.

Re: My 1977 GMC Sierra Grande
 

I like that color of paint, is that factory or a repaint?


i got the springs off my hood....and as heavy as that thing is i can still safely prop the hood.

Re: My 1977 GMC Sierra Grande
 

I never said it can't be done, it just gets old real quick. Why band-aid fix something (technically, it isn't fixing anything either) when it can be easily fixed and work like brand new. Besides, now you have to lug around a prop rod, and use it every time you want to do anything under the hood.

Like I said, I ran my glass hood for two years using a prop rod...it got old.

Re: My 1977 GMC Sierra Grande
 

Nice truck -- former Austinite here. I also have a 77 Sierra Grande (but a short bed). Enjoy your pickup!

Re: My 1977 GMC Sierra Grande
 

go to the junk yard and find a prop rod off a newer car that would work. heck on an old fairlane I had, I drilled a hole through the hinge,( where two pieces crossed), and stuck the hood pin through the hole

Re: My 1977 GMC Sierra Grande
 

Meh, I ain't lifting 50lb of steel hood, screw the hood prop stuff - I just "fixed" my hood with a piece of angle iron and 4 bolts, drilled right through the hood and bolted it on the under side, worked out alright. One of these days I'm gonna buy longer pieces of flat stock and add two more bolts top the passenger side and also do the driver side, and while I'm at it I may as well replace the regular bolts I got now with some carriage bolts for better looks, but for now that'll do just fine.

Re: My 1977 GMC Sierra Grande
 

New Pics! Here it is all cleaned up with some different tires and rims. Also got the spare tire carrier back under it. Gonna get some pics of the stock engine compartment and interior soon. Thanks for all the comments!

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/203/5...8ef175_b_d.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/254/5...6bb89e_b_d.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/230/5...ded50a_b_d.jpg

Re: My 1977 GMC Sierra Grande
 

hey guys, I have a 73 and my hood looks and works fine, is there something I should do to keep it that way? I've seen some support brackets at LMC. Is this the way to go? thanks bob

Re: My 1977 GMC Sierra Grande
 

Yeah, if you don't it will look like mine...
http://a861.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...555abe97cc.jpg

Re: My 1977 GMC Sierra Grande
 

Very nice ride - well preserved. I am partial to the late 70's...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...cture099-1.jpg

Re: My 1977 GMC Sierra Grande
 

Nice! are you interested in lowering it? Hope ya don't mind, i was curious to see what it would look like. Looks sharp.

Re: My 1977 GMC Sierra Grande
 

Thanks for the lowering job! It actually looks pretty cool like that.

I do plan to take about 3 leafs out of each of the rear springs. It was ordered with 3/4 ton springs and the 8 leafs on each side is just overkill. Might switch to some 1/2 ton front springs too.

Yes, I do need to get that hood fixed. You can see a piece of aluminum that the PO screwed into it, except they screwed it in so the hood would stay bent like that. :crazy: The sheet metal on top is creased though so it will need a new hood regardless but for the time being I'd like to redo the brace so it at least sits flush.

Re: My 1977 GMC Sierra Grande
 

That truck looks like a 2wd truck, in that case he can indeed swap in the 1/2-ton front springs and be happy with it. What you're talking about is the rear springs, while he meant a front swap from what I understood.

Re: My 1977 GMC Sierra Grande
 

I quoted the wrong part of his message...thanks for catching that. I deleted my reply.

Re: My 1977 GMC Sierra Grande
 

well what he's saying is he's got 8 leaf 3/4 ton springs now, he's gonna pull 3 leafs and make it a 5 leaf 3/4 ton pack.