58 Apache Stepside vs Fleetside same frame?

[olskool68]

So I found a donor 3200 for my 58 Apache bent frame but it's a stepside. Will the frames interchange? I searched the forum and found answers to later gen trucks but not mine. I'm trekking a few hundred miles and a few hundred dollars for the donor. I would hate to haul her home and find it's no bueno. Thanks

[OrrieG]

55-2nd -57 are the same. 58-59 are the same as earlier except the front frame channels are 3" long for the longer fenders and hood. As long as the wheel base is the same it will work. Look at the oldcarmanual site in my link, scroll down, click year index, find your year truck, then look in the index for frame information. There is a chart that shows the models, wheelbase and frame dimensions. 3/4 and 1 ton with the same wheel base will work, but the frames are a little deeper and thicker material.

[_Ogre]

same basic frame for 55-59 except for the 3'' on the front for 58-59 as noted by orrieg
55-59 1/2 and 3/4 ton frames are flat on top except for a hump over the rear axle and a slight turn down up front
one ton frames have the same turn down up front but are flat over the rear axle
as long as the wheelbase is the same, yes, it will work for step, fleet or panel

[olskool68]

Great news, gentlemen. Thanks

[dwcsr]

No so great ... The 32 is a long bed with a longer frame. If you have a long bed Fleetside it will work. But a 32 won't work for a short fleetside unless you chop it 9".

[olskool68]

Still great news. I have a longbed fleetside.