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dsraven · 12-30-2016, 08:59 PM

-IFS-check out the scottshotrods page, their cross members are built as one piece with control arm pivots already in the right place. there are others as well like this. saves the guess work of the kits that have a seperate component for the upper control arm pivot that needs to be welded on the frame. usually the axle centreline is an inch ahead of where it was originally if he is going to lower the truck. this is because the fender's wheel opening is angled at the rear so when the truck is brought down over the wheel it looks like the wheel is too far back and "stuffed" into the rear of the opening. when dissassembling it is a good idea to centre punch the original axle centre line on the frame. take lots of pics as the body comes off so you can remember where everything goes at assembly time. upgrade to what he wants right away, it's cheaper than waiting. big brakes, coil overs or bags etc etc
-ls engines-check out pirate 4x4 for a timeline of the engine family and go from there for what he wants. truck engines are plentifull so cheaper. try to buy a complete donor vehicle so he gets everything he needs and then sell or get rid of the rest when he is done. engine, trans, ecm, seats, rad, body mounts, rad, electric rad fan, fuse/relay box, accel pedal, brake pedal and booster etc. he will likely need a different oil pan if he gets a truck engine because the pan is deep. i used a 2000 camaro pan with a new baffle, oil pump pick up, dipstick and tube. if he finds a camaro parts car he could also grab the exhaust manifolds because they are narrower and will fit between the 58 frame rails. lt1swap has info on reprogramming the ecm to eliminate certain things that aren't needed in a hotrod. ls1tech is another site to research. the original computer can be used to make it run and there are several forums on that subject.
-rear axle- lots of guys are using a ford 8.8 from a mustang or explorer. the explorer diff has the pumpkin offset. they come with big axles and posi, also disc brakes. the axles and discs can be redrilled to accept a chevy pattern.they also have easy to configure park brakes. the track width is similar
-welders series has all kinds of brackets and parts. they also sell 4 link kits etc. they are Canadian so the dollar difference is in your favour
-check out other builds and see what you like

12-30-2016, 08:59 PM	#2
dsraven Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: calgary alberta Posts: 8,501	Re: 58 Apache builds, pictures, parts.... -IFS-check out the scottshotrods page, their cross members are built as one piece with control arm pivots already in the right place. there are others as well like this. saves the guess work of the kits that have a seperate component for the upper control arm pivot that needs to be welded on the frame. usually the axle centreline is an inch ahead of where it was originally if he is going to lower the truck. this is because the fender's wheel opening is angled at the rear so when the truck is brought down over the wheel it looks like the wheel is too far back and "stuffed" into the rear of the opening. when dissassembling it is a good idea to centre punch the original axle centre line on the frame. take lots of pics as the body comes off so you can remember where everything goes at assembly time. upgrade to what he wants right away, it's cheaper than waiting. big brakes, coil overs or bags etc etc -ls engines-check out pirate 4x4 for a timeline of the engine family and go from there for what he wants. truck engines are plentifull so cheaper. try to buy a complete donor vehicle so he gets everything he needs and then sell or get rid of the rest when he is done. engine, trans, ecm, seats, rad, body mounts, rad, electric rad fan, fuse/relay box, accel pedal, brake pedal and booster etc. he will likely need a different oil pan if he gets a truck engine because the pan is deep. i used a 2000 camaro pan with a new baffle, oil pump pick up, dipstick and tube. if he finds a camaro parts car he could also grab the exhaust manifolds because they are narrower and will fit between the 58 frame rails. lt1swap has info on reprogramming the ecm to eliminate certain things that aren't needed in a hotrod. ls1tech is another site to research. the original computer can be used to make it run and there are several forums on that subject. -rear axle- lots of guys are using a ford 8.8 from a mustang or explorer. the explorer diff has the pumpkin offset. they come with big axles and posi, also disc brakes. the axles and discs can be redrilled to accept a chevy pattern.they also have easy to configure park brakes. the track width is similar -welders series has all kinds of brackets and parts. they also sell 4 link kits etc. they are Canadian so the dollar difference is in your favour -check out other builds and see what you like