1977 GMC Sierra – Keith. W.

My name is Keith Williams and this is the story of my love for Chevy trucks and my 1977 GMC Sierra. My first truck was a Ford F-150, it was my Dad’s wood truck and not the truck I wanted but better than no truck. Fortunately, I got to do a few upgrades, a new paint job and interior. I got to pick the color so I picked Camaro yellow and tan interior. I got used Baby Moons and used tires and we completed a 4-inch lowering front and back in the garage. It was my first truck but nothing like my cousin’s “77” C-10 fire engine red, with red velvet interior, 3-inch lower kit, 50 series G/T Qualifiers, dual exhaust with glass packs and shift kit. My cousin always has the coolest cars and trucks. I will never forget the day my cousin called me from Redding, California and asked if I wanted to buy his truck. Of course I did, and he sold it to me for $3,000. It was the baddest truck in my small town. I live in a small town in Northern California. Susanville is surrounded by mountains and desert at approximately 5,000 ft. elevation. A town with lots of 4X4’s and not many lowered trucks and mine was the lowest one in town. I drove that truck from my sophomore year 1985 through 1990 when the 350 finally died.
I had always wanted to get another truck, and in 2005, I was sitting at a local park with my wife. I looked across the park and saw an old two-wheel drive GMC Sierra in front of the house of my mother-in-law’s parents home. Her dad had passed away and they were in the process of cleaning out his estate. I immediately called my mother-in-law and asked what the plan was for Bert’s truck. She said it wasn’t worth anything and would probably just need to be hauled away. I expressed my interest in the truck, and lucky for me after talking to the other family members she called and told me it was mine.
I immediately grabbed a new battery and some fuel and I drove it home. When I got the truck home, I removed the wood rack, aluminum running boards, big side mirror and cleaned out all the debris out of the bed. I washed it and put my old school Kregors on it. Immediately, changed the look completely. Unfortunately, I was so excited for the transformation I didn’t get a picture of what it looked like when I got it. It was beautiful besides the faded cream color paint. I was so anxious to get it painted and decided to paint it myself. I had never painted a vehicle, but after talking to a few people, I did it.
I found some bucket seats and a console at the junkyard for $200.00 and had them upholstered black and yellow. Thanks to LMC, I was able to replace the door seals, new side mirrors, chrome bed rails, chrome molding over finder rails, billet grill and many more purchases. I really do appreciate LMC making all these replacement parts available and at a great price. The orders were always received quickly and returns were easy. Money well spent.
Unfortunately, the 350 died and “Bert” sat outside in the weather for the next 5 years waiting for a new motor. I was finally able to build a shop and I pulled my precious Chevy in the shop and started working on it again. I found a built 350 with slant plug fuel heads, headers, cam, and Edelbrock top end, a really nice motor. I installed the motor and Bert was on the road again. Bert needed some TLC, the paint was chipped, the windshield cracked, doors dented and a lot of other upgrades that needed to be done. Initially my plan was to repaint the yellow reupholster the interior and freshen up. But I had just retired and after many nights admiring my truck, my plans changed. This is what it looks like today: new yellow paint job, Trans Am shaker hood, all new upholstered seats, center console, dash and door panels, carpet kit. The digital dash became available during this time and I couldn’t resist. I ordered the digital dash from LMC and at such a great price. New exhaust, thruster, mufflers with cut-outs with interior switch. Shaved door handles, gas ports and markers. Thanks LMC for the kit. Ghosted tail lights and front markers. Tinted windows, color match 422 mirrors, chrono bed rail kit, new marker bezels and headlamps, roll pan in back and chrome brake booster, alternator, water pump and new hood hinges. Thanks again LMC.
My final project was a custom bed, with a tonneau cover the actuating lift, matching custom upholstered bench seat that also operates with actuators, custom vinyl bed kit with 6×9 speakers and two 12-inch kicker, boxed in fuel ports. Light kit in the bed, cab, under the vehicle and under the hood. I have a picture portfolio on the tonneau cover of Bert’s life and my loving family. This is the truck of my dreams. Thank you LMC for making all these parts available.

Keith Williams