Woodgrain v. Brushed Aluminium

[Boondock]

Anybody have any comparison pictures and prices? I'm thinking about giving my interior a resto-overhaul this year during the summer and I'm not sure if I want to go woodgrain or brushed aluminium. Also how good does the woodgrain inserts hold up?

My originals are brushed aluminium, but I know that in some there was infact woodgrain.

This of course is talking about the 77-80 model interiors. What do you guys think look best? Kind of just a random thought here, but I thought it would be a pretty interesting conversation piece among all of us square body owners.

One last bit: How do you guys think woodgrain would look on a dark red/maroon/crimson red interior v. the brushed aluminium? I know if it were a tan interior, the wood would definitely look righteously awesome.

 

[Boone83K10]

you will get more admiration from brushed aluminum than wood grain. wood grain has a perception of cheap/old person especially in a truck. personally I think wood grain is gaudy in everything but those old 40s/50s woody wagons.

 

[Driver4r]

my 74 was saddle and it had wood grain. I say had cause its a parts truck. Its burgundy and white on the outside.

 

[Boondock]

you will get more admiration from brushed aluminum than wood grain. wood grain has a perception of cheap/old person especially in a truck. personally I think wood grain is gaudy in everything but those old 40s/50s woody wagons.

I can see that. I just remember seeing a 1979 Dodge Power Ram - Palomino edition and it look really snazzy with the wood grain. Iunno, not sure what it'd look like in the 77-80 interiors though. Brushed probably does look the best, but not ruling out wood grain just yet.

 

[bucket]

Woodgrain was used in the '77 model. I love my woodgrain in mine (it has a red interior) and I spent a lot of time finding nice original stuff to use. But I also like the brushed trim in my '79. I guess I just don't know what I like better, lol.

 

[chengny]

Some representative interiors - from sales brochures (77-80):

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[Boone83K10]

oh how sweet it would be to just reach into those pics and get the parts you need.

 

[Boondock]

Woodgrain was used in the '77 model. I love my woodgrain in mine (it has a red interior) and I spent a lot of time finding nice original stuff to use. But I also like the brushed trim in my '79. I guess I just don't know what I like better, lol.

Show some pics if you got them, bucket. I didn't know that woodgrain was for '77 models though. I guess if I wanted to be accurate, I should definitely go for brush aluminium, but I just don't know. Weighing my options here.

And Chengny, that's awesome to see!

 

[HAZZARDJOHN]

I say black or woodgrain. The Stainless steel looks like cheap 80's appliances to me. The burled Plastiwood in my 91 burb looks pretty good IMO.

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[77 K20]

The only wood ones I've seen were very weathered. They don't hold up well to the sun. Also wood interiors remind me of my grandpa's old vehicles. I like the black trim.

 

[Boondock]

I think the black looks too modern and bland. The aluminium would look bad too, but I love the old west/saloon trim around the inserts that really bring out the classy look of the design. I'm not sure how I'd like the wood trimmed in that.

 

[bucket]

There's a "post your interior thread" around here somewhere. I think you would like to see it.

 

[bucket]

http://www.gmsquarebody.com/forum/showthread.php?t=818&highlight=post+interior

 

[Green79Scottsdale]

I have the black with silver outline in my truck right now. I think what I have now is nice, but it is all I have known for my whole life.

I am considering going to the brushed aluminum pieces myself. My dad has told me he always thought about switching since he got the truck. Back in the day his best friend had the aluminum dash and he thought it was really nice. Right now when (more like if at this rate) I get ready to swap in my tach cluster, I might go all the way and get the brushed aluminum pieces at the same time.

The woodgrain conjures up too many of the aftermarket stick 'um on pieces that IMO look like crap. I have seen way too many over the years that ruin the look of an interior. Everything from GMT400's to Corvettes. Factory pieces may very well be totally different, but I am not buying anything just to find out. If someone GAVE them to me, I would give it an honest shot, and I very well may like it.

 

[89Suburban]

I love the look of woodgrain

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