I grew up around my Dad’s 76, it is quite dear to our family.

Just because it’s not your cup of tea does not mean you need to run down someone else’s truck.

 

Congrats Tbear

 

I thought he was being sarcastic, guess not?

 

Oh WoW! And both other trucks are outstanding .... Thanks to all (well, "all save one") who commented &/or voted. The old truck was starting to really show it's age these last 15 or so years prior to the start of the long over due refresh started in 2021 after my Wife told me to just do it .... on our 42nd Wedding Anniversary. I by then knew that "I" wasn't gonna get it done alone, so I reached out to a buddy with the needed skills and a shop. I did the fenders and doors and he did the bed side swaps. Bed sides have some few welds, but all along the top, rear, front are bonded / sealed with the 3M system too.

Roy's the same guy that came and looked at a '67 Chevelle I was selling in 1984, but he was short of funds then and didn't ask me for time. I just wanted a white paint that looked presentable and to be free of rusty body panels, he did an over the top job with finish work & paint. The new parts took care of rust holes. He used a razor to skim the layers of prior paint & primer off the cab and hood ... I offered to help, he said no.


If he had asked for time, I might have changed my mind and kept it ... or he'd have it sitting in his garage today and I'd be trying to buy it back. I had swapped in a 454 with tri power, it was a 4 speed car with PB, P tilt steering, and AC too. But if I hadn't sold it in 1984, I likely would not have had means to buy this truck in 1986 after a short stint with a Chevy C-10 step side in between.


Yeah, I still love 1976 Mack Truck "Fleet Blue", but I broke the trend when I bought my '77 in 1986. I confess, I even considered it for the '77 here recently but with a red interior ... not sure ....but Roy talked me out of the blue.

This was the then fresh paint on the '77 in 1986, up on Big Hill Road. I changed it in 1989 to red in the racetrack, white elsewhere, removed trim back of cab then too. We did consider going back to this, but the trim in my dent was rough in places.
.


Below is as done in 1989, I was camping some, so had a shell too. This pic was with a trailer built from a wrecked '79 ... had a tilt ability too.


I hope I didn't commit a "fopaux" here.. I just thought I might should supply the "rest of the story" It really has been a sweet truck for us Was a time I'd never have thought I'd keep one 40 years, but l think it likely that I will .... come 2026.

 

Congrats tbear! Nice piece of olde iron!!

 

I like new trucks, but any vehicle kept in good shape for over 35 years of ownership will get my praise any day (not to mention the truck itself is nearing the half century mark). The time and effort put in during those years is seen and appreciated. It's the love and care that get put into a vehicle that makes me want to recognize it. Congrats on TOTM tbear!!!

Great looking trucks as well Firerunner and ser3100!

 

We all love new trucks, but it takes a certain commitment to keep the old ones going. Mine's still "young" at only 28, but I don't plan on ever letting it go!
Hooray for tbear, really love your truck! I especially liked it in the red and white versions!!
Gives me something to shoot for in keeping mine till it's in it's 40's!!!

 

I like my newer truck but there is something about an older truck that I like too. I miss my 85 4x4 Step side.

 

Thank you for the kind words. I love my other, newer one too, long ago decided to keep it going even if it ever needs repowering.. If you park it, then get out and walk away without looking back, you bought the wrong one.

I was wanting to reinstall the dent wide trim and paint below that the new Ford Vermillion Red like on my '07, and the Oxford White it is now above the trim, like it was when purchased in '86. Problem was after I removed the trim, it had old paint on the lowest side from '89 and it was just not so noticeable under the black next to the same red, and a lot of aged tarnish all over. I saved it though, I even changed the ends behind the marker lights to straight terminations. Roy assured me that he could easily add the red later if I decided to add it. If I get the trim either looking good or replaced, it might happen yet. I would not put the thinner lower race track on it, but a white or even silver (not chrome tape, but silver metalic) pin stripe mimicking the race track might would look good .

The picture with the trailer and shell are after the '89 redo, those are both mid '80s Toyota colors ..... "Super Red" & "Super White". It was all polyurethane and Johnny (different guy) did the shell then too.