Recreating my first truck

[benjaminearle]

OK, so I’ve been on here for a while looking for a 67-72 LWB 4x4 but recently drove one that was reasonably priced and I think GM made a good decision in '73. Whereas the trailing arm 67-72 is a nice ride, the heavier leaf spring 4x4 is just a buckboard.

My very first vehicle was a '78 LWB GMC Sierra Grande purchased new by my dad, two-tone gray over a red cloth interior. Power locks and windows, automatic, originally a 350 Diesel, the engine was replaced with an Olds 350 Rocket by my dad before I got it. American Racing outlaw wheels and always Michelin LTX tires.

I remember the truck vividly. I am in the market for a truck now and would pretty much like to recreate that old beast with a few slight modifications. Of course, the closer I can get to it to start with will save me money and time in the shop, but I'm also unsure of what "acceptable" donors would be to eventually end up there.

I was born in '77 and it appears that the '77 and '78 have a unique grille/headlight/signal arrangement, so I’d like to at least end up there. If that's doable on certain years and not others, I’d love to know. Also, I prefer the vertical corner markers that stopped, I think, in '79. Then, on the interior, 1) how difficult is it to change the color on the metal lower dash? Does it unbolt and pull out or must you paint it in place? And 2)I much prefer the early, "fat" door handles, not sure when those stopped. Also, I like the gas filler doors - not sure if those started in '78 or '77. I haven't found a '77 yet with them. I think most everything else is pretty consistent from ’73 to ‘87

The biggest change I want is that since it's now going to be MY truck not the truck I got from my dad, I want 4wd.

So, in the end, it would be GREAT to build this thing up as a legitimate '77, I would be very pleased with something that looked like a '77 or '78.

Any advice from anyone?