"Abigail Amelia."

[AbigailAmelia]

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. :^)

[tommys72]

Good looking truck!

[MTCK]

Nice, what's the plan?

[dragonball98312]

77, my fav year

[AbigailAmelia]

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

[Willowrun]

Looks perfect the way it is....I wouldn't change a thing on the exterior.

[MTCK]

Originally Posted by Willowrun

Looks perfect the way it is....I wouldn't change a thing on the exterior.

X2 Nice and straight and looks great in patina.

[rusty76]

I love it and I would keep the grille. I'd also keep the round eye front end. I'll be watching.

[AbigailAmelia]

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).

[Red Beard]

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!

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by AbigailAmelia

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

[AbigailAmelia]

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.

[rusty76]

Such a cool truck.

[flashed]

Late to the party but Im here now to see more.

[daddyjeep]

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.

[AbigailAmelia]

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?

[MTCK]

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!

[AbigailAmelia]

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!

[daddyjeep]

It is good to see a girl getting her hands dirty.

[wilkin250r]

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)

[AbigailAmelia]

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.