58 Apache with C4 Flatout Engineering

[lexteak]

New to the form. Just starting on my first build. 58 Apache. Attempting to install Flatout Engineering C4 kit. Just got the frame back from the blaster and pondering what to do next. Love the forum and happy to post my progress.

[Kim57]

Welcome.
Should be a real nice build.
Kim

[lexteak]

Thanks Kim. Lots of work ahead, hope it all goes smooth.

Jay.

[ChuckDriver]

Nice looking truck! Looks like you have a C-10 clip on your TF frame?? Don't think the Flat Out cross-member will work with that setup.

[lexteak]

JJ You are correct, that is a c10 frame. That is what came on the TF when I purchased it. It had a c10 frame, SBC 350 with a TPI a narrowed ford 9 inch and a turbo 400 trans. Wasn't real confident in what I had, so I sold everything but the body. Found an original TF frame in Wisconsin and that is what I am starting with now. Bought a wrecked corvette, so the suspension, motor and trans from the vette is going in the TF.

Saw part of your build thread. looks great, cannot wait to go thru it in detail. looks like a lot of good information I can take advantage of.

Much appreciated. Thanks Jay.

[dug224]

Looking forward to the build.

[lexteak]

Thanks Dug. Saw you thread a few weeks back. Great work. Keep it going.

[lv2tri2]

I have a similar project and considering Flatout's kit so I'll be following your build. Good looking truck.

[lexteak]

I ordered the kit a few weeks back. It is nice stuff. real high quality. Going to try and mock up the rear first. then move on to the front. Sounds like getting the front wheel looking correct is the main challenge. I plan on putting the entire frame together first. then taking it apart for paining. Hopefully a little warmer by then, so the painting will not be a problem. I'll try a document my progress as best I can. Hopefully you can benefit from the many rookie mistakes i'm sure I'll make. Thanks.

[FarmerSid]

Nice build. Doing the same but in a AD.

[lexteak]

Thanks. Got thru a few pages of your build. Wow, I am simply stunned by your metal working skills. I would give my soul to be able to do anything close to that. Real nice work on the IFS brackets also. Looks as good as mine from flatout. Can't wait to look at the rest of your thread.
I have an uncle that lives up your way in Oshawa. not sure how far you are from there. nice area.

[FarmerSid]

Originally Posted by lexteak

Thanks. Got thru a few pages of your build. Wow, I am simply stunned by your metal working skills. I would give my soul to be able to do anything close to that. Real nice work on the IFS brackets also. Looks as good as mine from flatout. Can't wait to look at the rest of your thread.
I have an uncle that lives up your way in Oshawa. not sure how far you are from there. nice area.

Thanks! I'm about an hour and a half east of there. Actually going to be up there next weekend for hockey.

[Advanced Design]

Great project and I will be tagging along. Have fun!

[Daze57]

lexteak

Welcome to the board
i have the same vette set up - ans yes v good quality stuff --- for the IRS measure several times and mark everything -- if you are bolting it in get some good sharp drill bits .
good luck sir !!!!

[lexteak]

Thanks for the info. Going to try and mock up the rear this weekend. Weather here tomorrow is 67. Might have some yard work that gets in the way. hope its quick. Saw Jim's post and he indicated the wished he started with the Front Suspension. I was going to start at the Rear. I asked Jim for some clarification. Any thought you have on which is better to start with ?

[FarmerSid]

I would start with the front first. The vette rack sits up high on the front cross member which limits how low you can set the ride height. You have to C notch the front frame rails for the rack to go through. The amount of notching depends on how low you want your truck to sit when finished. By the looks of the IRS and rear of frame picture, you plan on installing the IRS without making new C notches. If that's the case, you should have no problem with the IFS if you install the rear first.

[lexteak]

I might end up notching the rear also. I'm going a little low, but not dramatic. I'm in the 8 inch range for the rockers. I'll take both F&B into consideration before I make any final decisions. Again I appreciate the info. Thanks Jay.

[lexteak]

Got a little farther along the last couple weeks. Had a few tiny tweaks in the very front of the frame at the end. Pushed them out with a HF pipe bender. Finally found something useful for that chuck of iron. I made some levelers for my jack stands and set the frame up with a little rake. I clamped the rear in place and took some measurements. Seems the way the rear mounts you can only go so low, because the batwings will interfere with the frame. Best I could do was about 2.4 degrees rake. Not a real fan of that much rake but without any frame mods that is my only option.

Long story, but I came across a second 58, that is a fleetside. Could not pass up the deal. Had in in storage and just drug it home. It currently sits in my driveway. So I just used it to mock up the ride height and rake from the measurements I took on the frame in the garage. Fleetside vs Stepside but I think the ride height and rake with appear similar. Made a cardboard wheel and tire, because I cannot stand up the real tire in the well when it sits so low. Tires are 28'' which is what I plan on using.

Maybe you guys can give me some feedback on the overall look of the stance. First group of pics is the 2.4 ride height, then about 1.5 and finally about .5 degrees.

Cannot decide if I should go to the effort to modify the frame so I can go lower that the 2.4

[lexteak]

2.5 degrees

[lexteak]

1.5 degrees

[Hilljack51]

2.5° definitely gives it more of a hot rod look to it, but I'd have to agree with you on the attractiveness of the subtle 0.5°. Great illustrations!

[lexteak]

Thanks. I wish one looked way better than the other. Then my decision would be easy. I think I'll start exploring what it would take to drop it down. The Flatout kit mounts the batwing bushings at a very specific angle on the hump in the frame over the axle. If I go with any mods I'll have to ditch those and make my own brackets. Your build is looking good. keep up the momentum.

Thanks jay.

[Kim57]

I like the 1.5.
2.5 is a bit much and .5 looks too low in the rear.
Kim

[lexteak]

Thanks Kim. I agree on the 2.5. That means frame mods. I think I'll start planing on that. Maybe I can make enough room with the mods to have some wiggle room. then I can put the cab and fenders on the stepside and make a final ride height choice.

I wish I loved that hotrod look, it would be just a simple bolt on and go. Nothing is ever easy.

[lexteak]

Made a little progress this weekend. Originally going to build a 4 sided boxed bridge to span the new notched frame area. Decided the back of the frame needed to have a lot modified. It needed to be boxed in, the crossmembers needed moved and there were a lot of holes I thought I might fill. So i decided to just build rails all the way back. Lot of things to still take into account, and need to reinforce the joints. For now I just tacked it so I could get a visual on the fitment.

I have a separate question about the website. When I update the post like this with progress, do I just "post a reply" or is there a better way to initiate a new update. Thanks Jay.