'77 Bonanza Build - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

MrDanB · 03-03-2015, 10:25 PM

I picked up a 1977 Chevy Bonanza 20 last weekend. It's got a 400sbc / TH400 with freeway unfriendly gears and 4x4. It's black and silver with red interior. This will not be my first Chevy to wrench on, but WILL be my first full size truck project... I've gone through the fluids, replaced lights n fuses etc (general maintenance). Seems to run good for a nearly 40 year old truck! I think I'm a bit overwhelmed by the rust in the body panels, but I'm also just stupid enough to try to save this thing

**rgunlock** · 03-04-2015, 08:02 PM

Looks pretty nice in the pictures. You won't be nearly the only one who has tackled a lot of rust on one of these

Good luck with it.

greg64 · 03-04-2015, 08:24 PM

Good looking truck! Are you planning to repair the rust or just leave it?

Eyegore · 03-04-2015, 08:34 PM

Not stupid -- MOTIVATED!!!!
I would suggest moving to the build thread though then it will be easier to follow your progress. Keep us posted!!!

MrDanB · 03-04-2015, 09:20 PM

Thanks for the feedback. I plan to leave the rust for now and simply collect parts. IF I can find a 2 tone silver and black set of fenders and hood with no rust.... Oh wait, nevermind, would be easier to get a raise at work.

The rust is worse than the pics show. Anyway, Just wanted a truck to get stuff done around the house and get parts at the local wreckers. Once I get everything together, I'm planning to do body parts swap and then go to town with the DA sander and get her in DP90, prime and paint. A 4" lift was in my mind, but I think getting the body done is more important than a lift and 33's or 35's. I learned from my last build that it's WAY better to be able to drive and enjoy it then have a thousand pieces in the shop and no ride...
BTW, I joined here years ago and had just purchased a '57 3100 truck. You can see THAT rust bucket in my profile pic (when I first picked it up).

77K10Silverado · 03-04-2015, 11:05 PM

Sweet 77! Save the yellow trim! Can you post a pic of the RPO build sheet in the glovebox?

y5mgisi · 03-05-2015, 12:00 AM

Subscribed.

cadillac_al · 03-05-2015, 08:18 AM

Looks nice to me and I can't see much rust. I wonder if the 400 is original? I thought 76 was the last year for it; nice combo though. Yeah, be careful with that yellow trim. I actually have some black and gray fenders but it sure wouldn't be worth shipping them. I think you scored well on this one.

MrDanB · 03-05-2015, 09:43 AM

Forgive my ignorance.... What's with the yellow trim? Special item on these old rides?

MrDanB · 03-05-2015, 10:27 AM

I moved this thread to the build section: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=662391

03-03-2015, 10:25 PM	#1
MrDanB Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mukilteo, Washington Posts: 48	'77 Bonanza Build I picked up a 1977 Chevy Bonanza 20 last weekend. It's got a 400sbc / TH400 with freeway unfriendly gears and 4x4. It's black and silver with red interior. This will not be my first Chevy to wrench on, but WILL be my first full size truck project... I've gone through the fluids, replaced lights n fuses etc (general maintenance). Seems to run good for a nearly 40 year old truck! I think I'm a bit overwhelmed by the rust in the body panels, but I'm also just stupid enough to try to save this thing Attached Images __________________ If you can't see the bright side of life, try polishing the dull side

03-04-2015, 08:02 PM	#2
rgunlock Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Tomball, Texas Posts: 1,592	Re: '77 Bonanza Build Looks pretty nice in the pictures. You won't be nearly the only one who has tackled a lot of rust on one of these Good luck with it. __________________ Rick 78 GMC K15 SWB, 350/NV4500/NP205/4.10s Project Hazel 71 GMC C25 350/TH400 - Project Angie 59 Chevy SWB Stepside (next in line? Not sure now ) 2001 GMC Sierra K2500

03-04-2015, 08:24 PM	#3
greg64 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kimberley, BC, Canada Posts: 799	Re: '77 Bonanza Build Good looking truck! Are you planning to repair the rust or just leave it? __________________ Greg 64 GMC Suburban - 283, NV3500, 14 bolt 77 C10 swb - 292, SM465, 12 bolt

03-04-2015, 08:34 PM	#4
Eyegore What Hump? Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New River AZ Posts: 2,009	Re: '77 Bonanza Build Not stupid -- MOTIVATED!!!! I would suggest moving to the build thread though then it will be easier to follow your progress. Keep us posted!!! __________________ Lil red 86 c-10 99 Sub 78 Camper Special w/ 454

03-04-2015, 09:20 PM	#5
MrDanB Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mukilteo, Washington Posts: 48	Re: '77 Bonanza Build Thanks for the feedback. I plan to leave the rust for now and simply collect parts. IF I can find a 2 tone silver and black set of fenders and hood with no rust.... Oh wait, nevermind, would be easier to get a raise at work. The rust is worse than the pics show. Anyway, Just wanted a truck to get stuff done around the house and get parts at the local wreckers. Once I get everything together, I'm planning to do body parts swap and then go to town with the DA sander and get her in DP90, prime and paint. A 4" lift was in my mind, but I think getting the body done is more important than a lift and 33's or 35's. I learned from my last build that it's WAY better to be able to drive and enjoy it then have a thousand pieces in the shop and no ride... BTW, I joined here years ago and had just purchased a '57 3100 truck. You can see THAT rust bucket in my profile pic (when I first picked it up). __________________ If you can't see the bright side of life, try polishing the dull side

03-04-2015, 11:05 PM	#6
77K10Silverado Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 561	Re: '77 Bonanza Build Sweet 77! Save the yellow trim! Can you post a pic of the RPO build sheet in the glovebox? __________________ *Mike B.* 77 K10 - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post6752641

03-05-2015, 12:00 AM	#7
y5mgisi Second Chance Program Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,642	Re: '77 Bonanza Build Subscribed. __________________ 90 Chevy Suburban 2500 5.3 swap/th400/np241/14bltSF/10blt. 77 C20 crew cab Silverado. 396/th400. In work.

03-05-2015, 08:18 AM	#8
cadillac_al Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Maine Posts: 2,376	Re: '77 Bonanza Build Looks nice to me and I can't see much rust. I wonder if the 400 is original? I thought 76 was the last year for it; nice combo though. Yeah, be careful with that yellow trim. I actually have some black and gray fenders but it sure wouldn't be worth shipping them. I think you scored well on this one. __________________ 76 Chevy K20 76 GMC K15 77 Chevy C10 77 Chevy K10

03-05-2015, 09:43 AM	#9
MrDanB Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mukilteo, Washington Posts: 48	Re: '77 Bonanza Build Forgive my ignorance.... What's with the yellow trim? Special item on these old rides? __________________ If you can't see the bright side of life, try polishing the dull side

03-05-2015, 10:27 AM	#10
MrDanB Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mukilteo, Washington Posts: 48	Re: '77 Bonanza Build I moved this thread to the build section: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=662391 __________________ If you can't see the bright side of life, try polishing the dull side

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