59 Apache Stepside Rookie Build

[hotrodrookie]

Hi guys, this is my first time building a vehicle, im 21, just finished jr. college and moving onto state next semester for mechanical engineering. I got this truck when I was about 17, my dad's longtime friend sold it to me for $100, it was basically stock except for the mild 350 that was in it, we drove it home.(thanks again Arnie) This build has and will continue to be a sloww one due to school and money(lack there of). But over the last few years I tore into it a bit and fixed some rust patches, and have collected an assortment of parts to throw at it. The basic theme of this is low sitting cruiser that will be a reliable street truck. I made the grill in high school, I wanted to use old bumper gaurds like the ones used for led sled mercs but I couldnt afford em, so I built something that kinda had the same theme. Im not sure if im gona use it though, but I still have the original grill.

At the moment, Im trying to fit my front sheetmetal to the cab and frame. For this I need to modify the camaro clip for new mounts. But my big problem is that when I went back to put my front fenders on, the bottom is sticking way too far out. What I think happened is that I replaced the firewall lower cab corners already without fitting the fenders. Has anyone had this problem or could advise me in fixing it? I'll put up some pictures of them tonight.

suspension: camaro front, parallel 4 link/watts link in back

engine/trans: 2001 5.3/th400 (maybe upgrade in future)

Rear axle: ford 8.8 limited slip w/ disk brakes

Wheels: Cheap ones that fit

[hotrodrookie]

These are in reverse order, but you get the picture.

[hotrodrookie]

So it turns out that after I trimmed the front frame horns off the camaro clip, it allowed the sheetmetal to tuck around the hinge pocket on the driver side, it should be fine. The passenger side bolt bracket needs to be cut off and tucked in closer so that the fender doesnt stick out, that will be tomorrows goal, maybe even patch the fender too.

As for the rear coilover, I just did this as a mockup to see how the frame sits on the coil spring. I need to build the 4 link before I mount the other shock or else everything will come crashing down.

[Kim57]

Thats a ton of work you've done. Looks good.
Kim

[entourageguy]

Nice to see another 4 lighter arising from the rust.
Man you have done a ton of metal work. Nice job.
For the coil overs you might want to try moving them to the inside for more wheel clearance.

[hotrodrookie]

Thanks for the compliments guys,

I thought about putting the coilovers on the inside. I decided to mount them on the outside like that because I dont plan on running that much bigger of a tire, theres going to be a watts link on the inside of the frame rail, and its very similar to the nolimit fat bar setup. But who knows, theres always room for modification and thats why im just mocking it up now. I think it will work.

[hotrodrookie]

Today was the first time in a long time that I touched any sheetmetal (my patch panels were rusting) But I cut off the little fender tab and then had my way with the lower fender. The worst part was getting the tar off of the back, had to burn it a scrape it. It isnt much to show for today, but I tried to take my time on it.
Ill finish welding the patch tomorrow, and then move onto the radiator support mounts next.....

[hotrodrookie]

part 2

[hotrodrookie]

Update!

So Ive spent all summer working at a sheetmetal shop, and one of the perks was that I got to make some parts on the laser. I just got started assembling the parts. In the batch are brackets for a 4 link, watts link, and shock mounts. Hopefully Ill have the truck rolling by the end of next week.

[hotrodrookie]

more

[hotrodrookie]

Thanks Tri5, I just came up with the design in AutoCad so it was just a standard dwg. The laser at work runs off of its own software and it just converted the dwg to its own usable code.
No kidding about the laser, Im very happy with how the parts came out. It sure beats my original plan of cutting all the parts out by hand with a plasma. lol

[Russell Ashley]

Very impressive work, keep the pics coming. You can change your ID to HotRod Pro when you get this one finished, LOL.

[jjjmm56]

Looking real nice!

[Kabwe]

Looking great man, keep it up.

[CAL 58 GMC]

NIce job! Your welds look really nice.

[hotrodrookie]

Thanks guys, right now Ive been out of town for a couple days visiting family. Im really itching to get back to the garage and finish the rear suspension. I should have updates by the weekend...

[sgtusmc]

I agree, I think it's time for you to change your name. "Rookie"...I think not!

[hotrod1]

NICE WORK! I think you almost completely built up the cab from nothing.

[LEEVON]

First off, thanks for saving the old '59. Lots of guys would have parted it or passed. Second you've got some skills! Your welds look outstanding, especially the lap weld on that shock bracket!

Leevon

[hotrodrookie]

Yesterday me and dad spent most of the day playing with the front sheetmetal to get the two radiator core brackets mounted to the frame. Now that they were in place, we took off all the sheetmetal as well as the body and I went to town cleaning and grinding up the framerails to prepair them for welding. That black tar sure doesnt like to come off, and it stinks when it burns. I also removed all the brackets from the leaf spring suspension with the good ol air chisel. It makes mince meat out of all those rivets. After that I cleaned up the rest of the rear axle by removing the stock brackets that were still atatched to it. Lastly I got a heads up on boxing the rear frame section which Ill most likely finish tomorrow...

[Kim57]

Looking good. The mail box is cool.
Kim

[sgtusmc]

You have an amazing amount of talent for being so young. Your work is top notch. Keep it up!

[LEEVON]

Rookie my a**

[hotrodrookie]

Thanks for the compliments guys! Ive got most of my ideas from watching builds on the forum. So today I was able to mock up the Watt's link. The mock up is temporary because there isnt enough weight in the back to make the bars level. You can see in the last picture how the bars become level when my dad and I are standing on the frame. Currently the spring rate on the coilovers is 225, I might step it up to 350 due to the angle on the shocks.

[hotrodrookie]

watts up!