IF IT AIN’T BROKE, FIX IT
’77 Cheyenne Challenges Dad’s Age-old Wisdom
’77 Cheyenne Challenges Dad’s Age-old Wisdom
MY DAD ONCE TOLD ME, “Son, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it till it is.” That comment came after he saw me customizing a car, and he didn’t really understand why you would take apart and modify something when it was working just fine. I learned a lot of life lessons from my dad’s common-sense thought process—but I never quite succumbed to this theory.
Back in 2003, I bought this 1977 Chevy Cheyenne. It had been restored to showroom condition by a previous owner. Ignoring my dad’s “leave it alone” philosophy, I immediately delivered it to Roger Lynsky of RPL Custom fame and commissioned him to install a Ridetech air suspension system. We added a set of 20-inch billet wheels along with a few details to the stock motor.
At that time, the ’73-’87 square-body trucks were just starting to grow in popularity. The restored look of this truck along with the modifications we made caused it to become an
internet sensation. Through magazine features, vendor ad campaigns and forum frenzy, it was soon one of the most recognized C10 trucks on the internet.
After several seasons of shows, the truck was put in storage while I spent quality time with my daughter. She had become an accomplished volleyball player and our family traveled the country with her until she went off to college.
With family obligations achieved, I returned to my passion for classic trucks. Encouragement from good friends and my nephew Christian pushed me to bring my Cheyenne out of retirement. I felt it was time for a new look and recalled an old Photoshop
edit I had with woodgrain on it. This image became a rendering for a truck soon to be known as “Elwood.”
The pursuit of this fresh look escalated quickly to a full-scale makeover. I reached out to Low Sierra Company that provided the woodgrain kit. This 3M wrap emulated the factory option and was installed locally by Daryl Tracey of Deluxe Garage.
My friend Chris Plump of American Racing told me they had plans to introduce a Carter Hickman-designed vintage style wheel. The retro look was perfect for the theme I was after. A set of 22-inch VF 526 was sent through their custom shop for a silver face with polished hoops.
Looking through the windows of the wheels, you notice a full set of Wilwood brakes are visible. A Wilwood master cylinder sends fluid to matching 13-inch slotted rotors all around. They are slowed with six piston calipers in front and four piston versions in the rear.
Underneath the factory frame was stripped and painted in preparation for the best suspension available from Ridetech. An updated version of the Ridetech HQ Series four-link kit was installed. The all new Ridepro X bluetooth system controls dual Viair compressors. The pumps send air to a pair of aluminum tanks, which is distributed to the corners through Big Red valves.
Lift the hood and a Ramjet 350 has been smoothed with custom metal panels from RPL Customs and painted bright silver. The GM crate engine runs an Eddie Motorsports S drive system with color matched accessories.
Gloss black Slosh Tubz fender liners o er additional tire clearance. These are accompanied by a matching set of Slosh Tubz filler panels and radiator cover to enhance the smooth under-hood look.
A polished and painted 700r4 transmission sends 350 horsepower to a 10-bolt rear with 3.42 gears. The exhaust system begins with coated GM Ram horn manifolds going through a Y pipe that’s connected to a Gibson stainless mu er. The exhaust pipe is held in place by Deeds Performance clamps and billet hangers that exit out the driver’s side.