Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Looks good.
Kim

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

I like the use of the vintage 327, keep up the good work!

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Nice project!

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Thanks for the encouragement! I've been frustrated by my slow progress.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Don't feel bad you aren't the Loan Ranger we are all behind schedule :lol::lol: Nice project by the way, looking forward to seeing more pics.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Thanks BC Toy Chest. I've been following your build thread, I like all the pics you post. Your truck is looking good.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

I threw a rim on to see how the 5 spokes look with the narrow whites. I'm really happy, looks exactly like I had pictured in my mind.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...pshh79emel.jpg

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Looks good on there.
Kim

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Finally have some progress to show..

Before I pull the cab off the frame I wanted to make sure it has a solid foundation. When I built the truck the first time when I was 17, just cut out some sheet metal that I found in Dad's scrap metal pile by hand with tin snips. I bent it over a wooden post, my knee, whatever I could find to get it the shape I needed. I then proceeded to screw the patches down with sheet metal screws. At the time, the finished product looked pretty good.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...pspy4vibu7.jpg

Too good in fact, because I forgot how horrible things were under my crudely constructed patches.

Drivers, side:
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...psrfum1qd9.jpg

Passenger side:
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...pszw2hsmli.jpg

I attacked the driver's side first. Replacing the floor pan snowballed into the floor pan, lip that the floor pan butts up against, cab brace, front of the step where the cab brace is welded to, inner and outer hinge pocket.

Then I moved on to the passenger side. I thought the driver's side would be the worst of it since the driver's door hinge was wore out and the passenger side wasn't at all. I deduced that this old farm truck probably didn't have a passenger most of the time and since the door hinges were not worn out there wouldn't be a passenger's wet boots rusting out the floor board on the passenger side all the time like the driver's side. As has happened a few times in this project I was completely wrong!! The passenger side was way worse than the driver's side. I now remember that I had to fix a leaky heater core, when I first put it on the road and that was likely the culprit. Passenger side needed everything the driver's side needed plus I ended up fabbing a patch for the kick panel. It rusted from the inside due to a plugged cowl drain.. I ended up using alot more of the patch panel as the metal was paper thin. My criteria was stabbing at the metal with my awl, if it went through I started cutting until I found good metal.

Only 38,698 tack welds later, here is the completed floor pans. My process was to overlap the old metal with the new patch, then cut through both pieces of metal with a thin cut off wheel. I used sheet metal screws in the cut between the two pieces of metal as low buck clecos to hold everything flush. Then I butt welded it all in with my 110 flux core wire feed welder. Gas Mig would be better but I figured since most of this will be hidden on the firewall side under the inner fenders it will be good enough. A copper backer was used to prevent burning through. While I was at it, I plan on moving the battery under the floor. I copied the 47-54 chevy battery door idea that a few others have used.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...psdkwlyn7u.jpg

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

nice repair on the floor.
Kim

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Thanks Kim!

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...psurbgxmuy.jpg

I built a couple of dollys out of 2x4's to place under the cab steps and dropped the frame out from under the cab. I'm "laying frame" now :lol:

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

I just found your thread, keep on keeping on. I support BC, "Goals, we don't need any stinking goals" They just cause hate and discontent. NC

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Thanks Nutcase!! The rust repair on the cab seemed to drag on forever, but I was determined to do it right this time so I won't need to fix it for a 3rd time. I don't want to have to do this again another 20 years.

Now that that part is done I've been really excited about my recent progress.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

hey, 59chev, what part of calgary are you in? I am building a 57 gmc (for like, the last 5 years) so it might be nice to trade secrets. I am in the northwest near crowfoot centre.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Hey dsraven, I'm just east of Calgary. How's your project coming along? Do you have a build thread?

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

it has been sitting since last Christmas due to work and a kitchen reno. I don't have a build thread, not that tech savie and never seem to have the time to start one. I did try but it never went anywhere. it said I had started one but i could never find it to add comments and pics. pm me and I will send you some pics of what I have done to mine so far.
how far east are you talking?

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Awesome build thread 59chev

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Nice build !! , without regressing too much , i would like to know more detailed info on the gauge setup you did , what you did looks nice because the gauges look like they would be a stock "option" , they have the correct sweep and look "stock" in the instrument panel , and this is what i was looking into doing with my inherited 58 that i will be finally starting on tearing apart in spring , any pics of the setup (with the face of the cluster off , etc ) and any part numbers of the gauge set would be nice , as i want to do this for the Volt/Amp ,Water and Oil gauges on mine

Also , was there a reason you did not swap out the Water Gauge ??

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

I didn't use the temperature gauge because it was a capillary tube style and I figured I would probably wreck it trying to cut it out of the housing. With the Oil pressure Gauge you can unscrew the tube from the back of the housing but with the temp gauge, the fluid inside must be kept sealed and if you nick the capillary tube, the gauge is ruined. I have been looking for a similar electric temperature gauge to fill out my cluster. The Classic Instruments Hot Rod Series Looks like it might work. I think from 180 to about 220 would be visible in the stock cluster.

I'll post some more pics of how the gauges fit in the stock cluster a little later.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

I see you mentioned on page 1 you like the 60's semi low rider look. I've saved a few pictures of that look and in particular I kept some of someone here (can't remember the screen name right now) that are in line with your preferences. It's a GMC and a Fleetside but I think it looks GREAT. Anyway, hope they provide some inspiration.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...ssxqstcxz.jpeg

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...scx2bqxrf.jpeg

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

OK that makes sense , Thanks , and keep the pics and build progress coming !! , the one i will be working on has been in the family since i was 6 or 7 , when i went on trips to Canada to visit our relatives in it then (Ontario , but i do have some relatives in Alberta , and i am still Canadian), it was my dads then , then my older brothers after my dad passed in 2003 , and just last June my older brother passed ,(both brothers and my dad are gone now) the last time my brother had it running was 2005 so its in rough shape compared to when i last saw it running , but now its mine , so now its my turn to get it back going again and modernize it a little more , it already has a 69 350HP 350 and Turbo400 in it , i just have to fix all the mistakes that were done over the years , and get it back on the road (for now) , it will have the stock suspension for a bit , but the body is fair , so its a good base to start with .... anyway ....

And yea i guess the lesser the sweep the more numbers will show in the opening ....Thanks for the info !! , and keep the project progress coming !!

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Agreed Dan, That is a great looking truck. Definitely along the same lines style wise that I am going for.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

You really have some history with your truck JimDirt. I didn't get a chance to get out to the garage last night to snap more pics of the gauges, hopefully I can make it out there tonight.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

I haven't posted in a while but I've been super busy on my truck.

As I started to get ready to mount the front sheet metal I realized that I had pushed the wheelbase too far forward, my intended 2 inches forward ended up being more like 3 inches. The core support was ending up right on top of the steering box of the camaro clip. With the 15" wheels bolted up instead of the 14" rollers the wheels looked too far forward in the fenders.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...ps87add3d7.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...pshmpfrxya.jpg

Since I am planning on switching from a longbox to a shortbox anyway I decided the best course of action was to move the cab mounts forward and take that much extra out when I shorten the frame. It sucked but I drilled, ground and pounded out all 20 or so rivits holding the cab mounts and master cylinder bracket on. I ended up mocking up the mounts 1 1/4" inches forward. I'm way happier with the results. Here is the adjusted wheelbase.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...pscweapjos.jpg

I did mock up the a fender initially before I welded in the clip but my mistake was not using the intended wheels and tires. It looked fine with the camaro's stock 14" rims but once I put my intended wheels and tires on it looked wrong. Luckily this lesson only cost me time.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Nice fix.
Better now than when the frame is painted.
Kim

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Nice Task Force Project!!! Ill be checking in on it !!!

I have the Gen 2 Z28 front clip on mine too, I really like the steering box forward of the wheels for room for headers and other stuff.


enjoy!

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Thanks ptc! I've been following your build. Your truck is looking awesome!! The huge tires look great in those rear fenders.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Somebody needs to scoot over to DSRAVENS place and help him fire up a thread!!!!

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Great build. Love the bed treatment with flat stock. Keep the photos coming.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Got a little more done. I will am relocating the battery under the cab so I needed a battery box. I made a template out of cardboard and cut out a simple pattern out of some 12 gauge with my plasma and welded it together.

I wanted to get mount the battery box as close to the frame rail as possible to line up with the 47-54 battery door I welded into the cab floor. If I sat the box on top of the camaro clip it would be too close to the floor, If I mounted it outside the camaro clip it would be too close to the cab step. So I decided to put a step in the outside of the clip for the battery box to sit on.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...pssf5tz9mw.jpg

With the box bolted to the frame

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...psoa1kc6r5.jpg

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

That came out nice.
Kim

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Thanks for the comments on my build! - Yours is looking pretty nice there.... Keep it going...

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

I've had a few guys now ask about how I did my gauges so I snapped a few more pics:

I started out by looking for a set of 2" gauges that had a complementary font and needle sweep to the stock gauges in the truck. I purchased an Autogauge by Autometer 3 gauge set. I ended up using the voltmeter and oil pressure gauge. I did not use the tempature gauge as it is a capillary tube style. I may add an electric temperature gauge in the future if I find one that matches.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...psipn9pytw.jpg

I carefully cut the Autometer gauges apart by cutting between the gauge face and the glass with a small cut-off wheel on a dremel. Then I drilled out the rivits that held the stock ammeter to the tin backing plate. This is the volt meter mounted beside the stock temp gauge. The Voltmeter uses the mounting studs as positive and negative so I used the plastic insulators from the gauge to keep the studs from touching the stock tin mounting plate.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...psqlzmbgfw.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...ps6ktutltq.jpg

The text on the Autometer oil pressure gauge was lower on the gauge face than the voltmeter so I had to trim a bit off the top to make it fit and have the pressure increments centered in the cluster.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...psbazgz8st.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...pskkdiz4kz.jpg

I also had to clearance the stock cluster just a touch for the oil line fitting to fit ( just to the right of the lower mounting hole )

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...psntrgdqrb.jpg

Here's what it looks like from the back:

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...psvjahuw1u.jpg

And the finished product. I painted the pointers metallic green years ago with Testors model paint because they where so sun beached, so I painted the new gauge needles to match. All you have to do is slide a piece of paper between the needle and the gauge face and carefully paint them with a small brush.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...ps8ibutlod.jpg

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Nice job on the gauges.
Kim

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Lookin' good, keep the photos coming.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

I made some more progress this past weekend. After spending a few nights with my angle grinder with a wire brush mounted on it, I quickly decided it was going to take me forever to clean up the entire frame. So this weekend I took it to a DIY sandblasting place and it only took me 40 minutes to do what would take hours with the angle grinder. Getting the frame out from under the cab was a bit of a chore however as I had to remove the rear end to get it out from under the cab, put it back in to haul it to the sandblasting place, then repeat the process when I got back home.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...psayllxpay.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...psh0f5hbmv.jpg

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Frame looks nice and clean.
Wish we had a self serve sand blasting shop.
Kim

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

The snowball effect is in full force. Even though my progress has been super slow I decided that this time around I was going to build exactly what I wanted. Once the clip was in and I spent some time staring at the stance and proportions, I decided that I wouldn't be happy leaving the truck as a longbox.

I finally have some progress to share: First I leveled the frame side to side and front to back, then I made some legs that bolted to some existing holes in the frame to keep the two pieces of the frame supported after I cut it in half.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...psa1chfplj.jpg

I then used a carpenter's speed square to draw two perfect 45 degree parallel lines on the frame. I clamped a piece of flat metal to the frame to use as a guide for the plasma cutter. Once the cuts where made, I cleaned them up and beveled them for good weld penetration with an angle grinder.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...psxgtew1nv.jpg

I had the frame stick welded together by a professional welder with a fish plate on the inside for additional strength. The crossmember located under the cab is located further back on a longbox and mine was rusted through in a few spots. I decided to cut it out completely and build a new crossmember out of 2x4 box tubing moved forward to the shortbox location. I boxed the frame from the back crossmember up to where the legs of the camaro clip start. I painted the inside before I tacked the boxing plates in.

I still need to put a c-notch in the new crossmember for driveshaft clearance and fully weld in the boxing plates.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...ps54sciudi.jpg

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Nice detail. Can't wait to see it shortened up!