1959 Apache Project

[badfast]

My name's Andy and I wanted to give everyone a peek at my ongoing 1959 project. I live in central Texas and have had a relationship with this truck for about 5 years. I started with a 59 I bought from a coworker. Texas truck with only 2 owners. It looked like it was going to be restored and then someone gave up. We trailered it home, in pieces and didn't run.

[badfast]

I tore it apart and got the interior straightened out, new wiring harness and got the engine running. I determined it had a 350 with a 2 barrel and a 4 speed. It had dual exhaust with glass packs.

[badfast]

My Dad as been in the car business his entire life but this was my first project, so I had a lot of learning along the way. I got it pieced back together and running. I had it inspected and registered, that was a high point for me.

[badfast]

I got some rally wheels for it and was getting ready to look at painting it when I had a fantastic idea.

[badfast]

Tear it apart and put a 454 in it....

[badfast]

I had the front axle dropped 4", put a Camaro rear end in it and acquired a 454 and auto trans. I also put front disc brakes on it and replaced the shocks.

[55dude]

the transmission looks like a car 4spd to me. were you refering to the tranny that was in the truck when you purchased it?

[badfast]

Correct. That's the one that came in the truck when I purchased it, I realize it isn't the "original" stock tranny, that one would have been the three on the tree. Who knows when it was retired and replaced with the 4 speed.

[badfast]

Hard to work on a truck when you are dealing with this...

[Houston54]

Looks like a perfect time to wet sand it.

Nice work. Are you going to stay with the stock front suspension, steering, and brakes?

Discs on the front will help reduce the pucker factor under hard braking and brake shoes do not work that great when wet. I mention that becuase it appears that is a problem there from time to time.

[badfast]

Stock front straight axle dropped 4" by Nostalgia Sid's, front disc brakes by CPP with power booster, '75 Camaro rear end and new wiring harness. The engine is in, clutch linkage in, brake lines finished and new front engine mounts. My next step is alternator, finish wiring, fuel line, reroute battery to bed and finish firewall prep.

[E-tek Restorations]

Wow - to almost have it "finished" and then decide to tear it apart, swap a few engines and do it again - you've got some energy!!

Good luck on getting it done - it's gonna look great!

[badfast]

I finally heard it run yesterday! It started right up, this is my first complete rebuild on an engine and carb so I was a little anxious. It sounded great I just need a little valve adjustment, I was close but just missed a couple. I'm going to move the radiator back about 3 inches, adjust the valves, fab a throttle linkage and clean up my wiring.

[badfast]

I'm keeping the brass top radiator, I stripped the paint off of it and I think it's cool. Here is my problem, any ideas on getting that tie rod end farther away from the tire? Different wheel setup? I'm open to ideas.

[badfast]

Interior shots. I'm going to replace the rust and put the original bench seat back (with seat belts). The rest just needs cleaning it's already been painted.

[badfast]

Rear end setup.

[Kim57]

Looking good.
Kim

[bajabob]

"Nice project you have and in my opinion there is no such thing as too low the problem is with the roads."



I knew that was coming, just wondered how long it would take... lol

sweet project... looks like you have lots of room for the others as well....

[Blake_H]

That is really looking good. What color are you going to paint it?

[badfast]

Flat black.