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Old 07-24-2016, 12:45 PM   #1
AbigailAmelia
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"Abigail Amelia."

Here's my new-to-me-finally-got-a-truck 1977 GMC K25, "Abigail Amelia." I figured a truck this long deserves first and middle names. :^)
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Old 07-29-2016, 11:50 PM   #2
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Re: "Abigail Amelia."

Good looking truck!
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Old 07-30-2016, 03:19 AM   #3
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Re: "Abigail Amelia."

Nice, what's the plan?
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Old 07-30-2016, 03:02 PM   #4
dragonball98312
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Re: "Abigail Amelia."

77, my fav year
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Old 07-30-2016, 03:36 PM   #5
AbigailAmelia
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Re: "Abigail Amelia."

I've gotten as far as new wheels, and I had that partial bracket removed from the front. Hubby and I are wishing we'd selected tires that were a little bigger (37") and wider. Oh well, next round...

The brakes were completely rebuilt the day after we bought the truck (THAT was a scary test drive!).

It seems like the truck has been treated reasonably well by previous owners. The engine sounds great. So other than cosmetic stuff, I don't have a big plan yet, other than Don't Break It. I plan to preserve / restore the interior. I like patina, but maybe this truck's patch work of colors would be better restored to the original bright blue. And, it's a work truck, purchased to help with an interstate move and possible home rebuild, so I don't need a paint job that's too nice to scratch.

Trying to decide if I should keep this grill or look for an original replacement, or get creative?

What ideas would you guys have?

Michelle
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"...We won't live forever. Make sure you accomplish what you were put here for.”
Abigail Adams (First Second Lady, Second First Lady)
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1977 GMC K25 Sierra Classic Long bed "Abigail Amelia"
1986 Jeep CJ7, 1973 Chevy K5 Blazer (Hubby's projects)

Last edited by AbigailAmelia; 07-30-2016 at 03:38 PM. Reason: Forgot photo
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Old 07-30-2016, 06:44 PM   #6
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Re: "Abigail Amelia."

Looks perfect the way it is....I wouldn't change a thing on the exterior.
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Old 07-30-2016, 07:35 PM   #7
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Re: "Abigail Amelia."

Quote:
Originally Posted by Willowrun View Post
Looks perfect the way it is....I wouldn't change a thing on the exterior.
X2 Nice and straight and looks great in patina.
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1984 K30 292 TH400 NP205 D60/14 Bolt 4.56's flat bed 7'6" Meyer Plow
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Old 07-30-2016, 08:23 PM   #8
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Re: "Abigail Amelia."

I love it and I would keep the grille. I'd also keep the round eye front end. I'll be watching.
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Old 08-02-2016, 01:34 AM   #9
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Re: "Abigail Amelia."

So I have a To Do list like all the trucks on this site.

1) A previous owner cut the exhaust pipes short, but left the brackets, so we'll return that to normal. What do you think his plan was?

2) The engine has a quick ticking sound (like a traditional kitchen timer). Small exhaust leak?

3) The receiver for the tow hitch needs to be reworked, especially since Abigail will likely be towing a trailer of vehicles or stuff over the Grapevine to north-western Oregon.

4) The emergency brake immediately disengages. Cable?

5) Replace gauges for peace of mind? How do you know if your old truck's gauges are telling you the truth about engine temperature, etc? (I haven't checked yet; maybe all of these gauges are new.)

6) Replace gas tanks and/or fuel sensor. We haven't checked out the age/condition of the tanks to see if they've already been replaced. But there's no way 6 gallons of fuel truly moves the needle from "Empty" to over half a tank (except in my Kia Soul).
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"...We won't live forever. Make sure you accomplish what you were put here for.”
Abigail Adams (First Second Lady, Second First Lady)
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1977 GMC K25 Sierra Classic Long bed "Abigail Amelia"
1986 Jeep CJ7, 1973 Chevy K5 Blazer (Hubby's projects)
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Old 08-03-2016, 10:30 PM   #10
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Re: "Abigail Amelia."

My emergency brake pops back up sometimes, I haven't gotten around to checking into it though. My exhaust is cut the same way, I did it myself, but I'm assuming for different reasons than the previous owner of your truck, ha! P.S. I also own a Kia Soul, ha again!
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Old 08-04-2016, 11:39 AM   #11
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Re: "Abigail Amelia."

Quote:
Originally Posted by AbigailAmelia View Post
But there's no way 6 gallons of fuel truly moves the needle from "Empty" to over half a tank (except in my Kia Soul).
It could...

If you have the base 16 gallon tank: There's two or three gallons remaining when it's at "E", and there's a a gallon or two above full. That leaves twelve-ish (or less) within the range so your 6 gallons could put it around 1/2 tank.

Give or take.

K
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Old 10-20-2016, 03:14 AM   #12
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Re: "Abigail Amelia."

Here's a newer picture of the truck. Basically just better tires and wheels.

Given that this truck is in relatively nice shape, this thread will be about maintenance, restoration, safety upgrades, and trade-offs between preservation and convenience.

While I have an efficient Kia Soul as my daily driver, it's amazing how much "daily driving" I do in this truck. I just LOVE driving it!

Today I had the former angle-iron tow hitch replaced for safer long-distance towing. I took the opportunity to get some photos of the underside to share later as I consider other maintenance.
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Abigail Adams (First Second Lady, Second First Lady)
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1977 GMC K25 Sierra Classic Long bed "Abigail Amelia"
1986 Jeep CJ7, 1973 Chevy K5 Blazer (Hubby's projects)
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Old 10-20-2016, 06:18 AM   #13
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Re: "Abigail Amelia."

Such a cool truck.
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Old 10-20-2016, 07:24 AM   #14
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Re: "Abigail Amelia."

Late to the party but Im here now to see more.
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Old 10-20-2016, 12:30 PM   #15
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Re: "Abigail Amelia."

Good call on replacing the hitch. That original one was a little scary for any real load. Looks like a nice truck. I see it has the dropped shackle hanger in the rear instead of blocks, much better solution.
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Old 10-20-2016, 11:15 PM   #16
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Re: "Abigail Amelia." -- Extending Exhaust Pipes

On my next payday (this is cutting into my wine budget!), I plan to have the exhaust extended, as half of it's missing. I have a choice between going to the back of the truck or ending at the rear wheels.

The shop owner says extending to the back will dampen the sound in the cab, although that's not really a concern for me.

Any thoughts either way?
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"...We won't live forever. Make sure you accomplish what you were put here for.”
Abigail Adams (First Second Lady, Second First Lady)
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1977 GMC K25 Sierra Classic Long bed "Abigail Amelia"
1986 Jeep CJ7, 1973 Chevy K5 Blazer (Hubby's projects)
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Old 10-20-2016, 11:58 PM   #17
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Re: "Abigail Amelia."

I personally like exiting behind the rear tires. Up here you get lots of exhaust frost and crap on the tailgate in the winter going out the back. Truck looks great!
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1991 V3500 L29 454 4L80E NP205 D60/14 Bolt 4.56's
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Old 10-23-2016, 10:57 AM   #18
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Talking Re: "Abigail Amelia." - - My first repairs - - fuel vent hose

I did my first repair work on the truck yesterday...so fun to work on the truck myself!

In another thread, I complained that I spilled too much gas when filling up. I'm better at that now (California +EVP boots. Hold the pump nozzle parallel to the ground and go slowly.) But instead of a dribble, the passenger side leaked like there was a hole or something. Well, there pretty much was, given that the fuel vent hose was brittle and disconnected.

This was a great first repair project for me. My husband helped as far as pointing me in the direction of the correct tools in the garage, and he had a package of tubing ready due to his own '86 Jeep project. But I was the one under the truck, figuring it out, getting dirty, and alternately cheering and swearing. I'm medium build as ladies go... I don't know HOW you bigger guys fit your hands, arms, and bodies. It's so hard to get any leverage sitting under the truck!

Time well spent! Totally worth the bruises, scrapes, and ruined manicure. I can't wait for the next project!
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"...We won't live forever. Make sure you accomplish what you were put here for.”
Abigail Adams (First Second Lady, Second First Lady)
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1977 GMC K25 Sierra Classic Long bed "Abigail Amelia"
1986 Jeep CJ7, 1973 Chevy K5 Blazer (Hubby's projects)
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Old 10-24-2016, 12:58 PM   #19
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Re: "Abigail Amelia."

It is good to see a girl getting her hands dirty.
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Old 11-02-2016, 05:43 PM   #20
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Re: "Abigail Amelia."

I personally like my exhaust at the rear wheel. Yes, it can allow a little more exhaust noise into the cab, but I like to put as much distance between my exhaust and my trailer as I can.

If your primary intention with this truck is a tow rig, with a lifted truck, you're gonna be dumping your exhaust right on the front of your trailer if you exit out the back.



(Before everybody posts, yes, I know you will still hit your trailer with your exhaust, even if you exit at the wheel. It's not a perfect world, but I like to minimize those issues when I can)
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Old 04-02-2017, 09:42 PM   #21
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Re: "Abigail Amelia."

Low/no-budget upholstery: No budget for a real re-do, but $16 of fabric + $6 in grommets = DIY, low budget seat covers. I'm a girl... I couldn't pass up some patriotic Waverly print!

While the original fabric is disintegrating, the vinyl is still in good shape. The new fabric easily slides behind the vinyl patches. Still needs some tweaking, but it will work until it doesn't.

And I solved my mug holder issue: the entrenching tool cover from Army Navy surplus holds my Thermos mug perfectly.
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"...We won't live forever. Make sure you accomplish what you were put here for.”
Abigail Adams (First Second Lady, Second First Lady)
===============
1977 GMC K25 Sierra Classic Long bed "Abigail Amelia"
1986 Jeep CJ7, 1973 Chevy K5 Blazer (Hubby's projects)
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