SkinnyG's '61 Apache

[SkinnyG]

I've been driving a square for the past three years or so, but my heart isn't in a square. Truthfully, the square was to be a "rolling donor" for a 60-66.

I picked this up yesterday, and will document the build as it happens:

[Rolland]

Great looking truck! Couldn't ask for any better patina.

[Palf70Step]

Kewl! Not often you see a long stepside. Be looking forward to seeing you transfor it as you rob the square.

[Captainfab]

That truck looks to be in fairly decent shape. What are your plans for it?

[SkinnyG]

My intent is that is the truck becomes my daily, and sails me into retirement; I want to make it last.

It's all original, I6/4spd, allegedly numbers matching, never been in an accident, still original paint. It's been sitting for the past 17 years.

It has typical rust - the door sills are gone, but it doesn't look like the floors are worse than that. Typical fender rust. Rear cab supports gone. Rocker rust, and the cab corners -seem- ok, at first glance, at night, with a flashlight.

I'm going to try and get it running, then possibly drive it for a month or two, planning out what I want.

On one hand I can appreciate the originality, and that's hard to molest. On the other hand, I cannot handle owning "stock;" I have to molest it. If I'm keeping it for me, for a long time, I should make it what I want.

Tentative plan:

Frame off, blast, short-box, epoxy sealers, air ride, Z frame, pancake crossmember, rack & pinion, step notch, painted steelies, powdercoat frame.

I want to do this all old-school; hours and hours of fabrication (because I'm stupid).

[SkinnyG]

Got the truck dropped off at my work so I can get it running and mobile. Zero clutch, zero brakes. Rad is still full. That's not original paint. I thought the "primer" was suspect - it used to be orange. Hasn't been on the road since '98.



I want to find an automatic-column and lose the stick.







Scary rim with a re-cap spare:

[SkinnyG]

'61 Apache - Planning the Project! - YouTube

[SkinnyG]

I picked a handful of my most trusted students to go through the brakes and clutch and make them work.

Today we got a functional clutch pedal. Rebuilt the master, and got a new slave since I couldn't find a kit.

Brakes have all new kits in the cylinders, just needs to be bled. Shoes are all acceptable.

The front wheel bearings are POOCHED (but will get me home), and I just got replacement flex lines.

The truck needs to drive into my shop in the back yard; a tow truck will not fit.

Once we have brakes, we'll get it fired it up.

[SkinnyG]

Brakes are bled, good pedal.

Fuel tank/lines/pickup are plugged solid, but after we cleaned the breaker points we had spark, and it fired up with no drama. Sounds like all the other 235's on youtube. Sewing machine goodness.

More vids soon.

[aggie91]

Tuning in to watch your plans come to life...

[SkinnyG]

'61 Chevy running, after 20 years. - YouTube

[shp4man]

Nice truck. I have a long stepper, too. If it were mine, I'd keep it stock, but do whatever floats your boat.

[SkinnyG]

'61 Apache - Part 2: Fixing the Brakes! - YouTube

(note to self so I don't have to keep looking it up: paste the link, delete the "s")

[SkinnyG]

Neglected "first start" video:

'61 Apache - Part 3: Getting It Running - YouTube

Next: Driving it home!

[SkinnyG]

And I have never been more scared....

'61 Apache - Part 4: The First Drive - YouTube

[SkinnyG]

I've decided I need to sell my V8 Pontiac Firefly before I start into this project. I need to free up that money, and free up the space. Fortunately, I'll enjoy the Firefly a bit first, because I have a fresh 350 in there, and it's pretty fun to drive. It will go on Bring A Trailer next summer.

In the mean time, I picked up a 6.0L LS and a 4L80E with ECU and harness today for $1000CDN ($765US at today's exchange rate).

[SkinnyG]

Changed my Avatar to reflect where I'm spending most of my time (was my blue/white '77 Silverado).

[SkinnyG]

Pulled the harness off the LQ4 6.0 just to help tidy up the drivetrain and make the motor more manageable. I'd -like- to hide all the wiring when it comes to the install, but that's a ways a way from know. I labeled all the plugs I could ID with black and silver Sharpies.

Shortened the van oil fill tube and dipstick.

Popped the fan clutch off since I want to go Electric. Also turned the motor over by hand - has what I think is reasonable compression. Nothing strange to report.

[rusty76]

I’m in on this one. Really cool truck.

[68Gold/white]

I like!!!

I'd like to think you could keep it original looking, just my opinion... I just don't see anything like this on the road anymore!!!

[SkinnyG]

I just learned that there is a tariff thingie for Canada Customs - many replacement parts can be had duty-free for vehicles older than 25 years. Memorandum D10-15-20

Does not allow my freshly ordered turbocharger kit to be duty-free, but I'm sure the hoards of parts I'll be getting from LMC will qualify.

[SkinnyG]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUWXeik15DE

[SkinnyG]

Stripping the LQ4 with my son over Christmas break. I am VERY pleased with the insides. I do have video coming....

Under the valve covers looks super clean:



Deep in the intake ports looks good.



Cylinders have zero ridge. This is not what I'm used to seeing on the old 'Murican V8s of old.





Looks like Gen4 rods in there!!!

[roll_the_dice]

Nice truck....did I read right that you are going to put a short box on it?? I love my LWB stepside, I don't see any others around where I live, so it is nice to have it, plus it is more useful to use as a truck.

[SkinnyG]

I do plan on shortening it, and it is still the early boxed/x-frame. I am confident it can be done.

I'm not building it because it's rare, or collectible, I'm building it the way I want it to look. That usually means reducing the resale value ("because I'm stupid"), but -theoretically- this will be my last truck, and I intend to drive it until I shouldn't.

It may not make sense, but it's -my- sense.

(grin)