new apache owner.....

[no1udknow]

Hey guys, new to the forum, but I have been lurking here a while reading posts. My names Mike and I just got a screamin deal on a 59 apache short bed step side for $1000. It is all stock, matching frame and cab numbers, had a straight six but it has been removed along with the 3spd trans. Other than that it is a complete truck. I'm looking to do a little modernization and wanted some advice.
I have searched through the forum quite a bit and ha e not found a definitive answer, but is there another newer truck that makes for a good full frame swap? The reason I ask is by the time I buy an IFS kit, engine, trans, rear end, steering box, and god knows what else, I will probably have 10k in to it. Whereas if I could find a donor that is maybe wrecked or won't pass smog, I could get the whole shabang for a grand or two at the most. I'm a great welder/fabricator so mounting the body probably won't be an issue, it would be finding a frame with the same dimensions. I would like to do a nice street rod/cruiser.
Thanks in advance.
Mike

[Highsider]

Clean title?

[55metalmonkey]

S-10 or dakota seems to be the most common, link below from someone who is doing one
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ght=frame+swap

Quite a few things to consider before you start though, I would recommend using the search function in the forum and read all the threads on TF frame swaps and see what issues some guys had to overcome had with the swap.
Also
Not sure what the laws are in CA but if they are anything like they are here you may need the papers from the frame and the original cab to register it, not a big deal for most but something to keep in mind.
Some places also issue a new VIN if you merge two vehicles together and will make you meet the smog reqirments of the frame/ drive train so you might want to look into it

The big question is are you going to keep the engine/ trans ect with the frame or do you have plans to upgrade the whole drive train along with the swap? or are you going with a SBC swap as well?

[no1udknow]

Originally Posted by Highsider

Clean title?

yup, my buddy has had it for about 10 years now. He was going to put the cab on a 4x4 80's truck but never got around to it so he was in need of $$ and gave it to me cheap. It's in pretty good shape, only a little rot in the passenger door, drivers door has been replaced, needs bed planks... but other than that everything else is in pretty good shape.

[no1udknow]

Originally Posted by 55metalmonkey

S-10 or dakota seems to be the most common, link below from someone who is doing one
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ght=frame+swap

Quite a few things to consider before you start though, I would recommend using the search function in the forum and read all the threads on TF frame swaps and see what issues some guys had to overcome had with the swap.
Also
Not sure what the laws are in CA but if they are anything like they are here you may need the papers from the frame and the original cab to register it, not a big deal for most but something to keep in mind.
Some places also issue a new VIN if you merge two vehicles together and will make you meet the smog reqirments of the frame/ drive train so you might want to look into it

The big question is are you going to keep the engine/ trans ect with the frame or do you have plans to upgrade the whole drive train along with the swap?

I was hoping to find something like a 5.7 with a 700r4, I'm thinking a late 90's vortec with a carb setup paired with an older 700 so I can just install an OD switch. Then maybe a high geared rear end to help with mileage. Like I said, cruiser,street rod no drag racing, no hauling or towing, but if I want to take it for a long ride or a trip up to Tahoe, I don't want it to cost an arm and a leg.

[55metalmonkey]

Sounds like you have a plan!

If I was to do mine again I'd go with the MII IFS but when I started, money was the issue, now that I'm near the end I just don't leave the recipts laying around for the wife to find

something else that is popular is a 2nd gen camaro front subframe (or nova) + rear posi 10 bolt from an 80's camaro. Disc brakes on all 4 corners and it gives you the 5.7 motor mounts and trans mounts (if you use the full clip)

[paulspickupparts]

Front clips from 63-72 have the same frame dimensions as the 55-59. I had a friend add one. You could barely tell it was not original. Because of the same frame measurements you can cut and metal finish the outside. Use a short sections of the old frame to box the inside. Very clean and easy. Camaros work also but not quite as clean of finished look. You will still have to fab your radiator support mounts but gives you power steering and 5.7 engine mounts. This also lowers the front end a little due to arch of the front frame vs. the stock straight frame. If you want to go even lower it can be done with springs or dropped spindes.

Several years ago I was at a show in Texas and someone had a truck like years. The owner had used a 73 and up short frame and said it was fairly easy. Going by his word on that. Would have to add the cab mounts/box mounts.

Good luck.

[57chevyman]

Originally Posted by paulspickupparts

Front clips from 63-72 have the same frame dimensions as the 55-59. I had a friend add one. You could barely tell it was not original. Because of the same frame measurements you can cut and metal finish the outside. Use a short sections of the old frame to box the inside. Very clean and easy. Camaros work also but not quite as clean of finished look. You will still have to fab your radiator support mounts but gives you power steering and 5.7 engine mounts. This also lowers the front end a little due to arch of the front frame vs. the stock straight frame. If you want to go even lower it can be done with springs or dropped spindes.

Several years ago I was at a show in Texas and someone had a truck like years. The owner had used a 73 and up short frame and said it was fairly easy. Going by his word on that. Would have to add the cab mounts/box mounts.

Good luck.

my truck has the front clip from a '68 truck. power steering was also added from a mid 70s truck and the front of the frame was modified to make room for the steering box. The guy who built my truck said that he chose the 1968 front clip to achieve the jacked up look of a 4x4 truck

[paulspickupparts]

If it was well done you might consider a dropped spindle and or spring. Depends how low you want to go.

[soonerfanru2]

My 59 is sitting over on a 85 chevy c10 short bed half ton everything worked good here is a pick got it lowered with drop axle in back and drop spindles in front and one link cut off springs.

[soonerfanru2]

Cab mount

[soonerfanru2]

Rear cab mount

[no1udknow]

Wow, thanks for the pics sooner.

Well after some talking with some great sources, I have found an answer:

I went to a local hot rod shop and talked to the owner about what I intended to do with the truck, his advice was "by the time you spend money on an IFS kit, disk brakes, power steering, new cross member, mounts for a v8, rear axle, and god knows what else chassis-wise, you will probably have spent $10k, and still have inadequate leafs in the rear and an old frame. you could probably pick up a newer style truck that is used, wrecked, or won't pass smog for under $2k that will have every thing you need and just need some body mounts fabbed."

So I googled "apache frame swap" and ended up at www.e-zchassisswaps.com/, and called the owner, who called me back the very same day, and was full of useful information, and very nice. He advised me that the best options for my truck are a 73-87 short bed or long bed pickup. He said that the short bed has a 118" wheel base so the rear axle can be moved forward 3" to meet the 59's 115" wb using an axle corrector plate, or the shackles can be cut off and re mounted. The drawback to using the short bed frame would be that the shocks would not line up quite right with the axle. The long bed would be a better choice, and it would need to be shortened 16 1/2" under where the cab sits, but that this puts the axle in the perfect spot. (heres a video link of it being done...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R39Kj99cjiM

)

E-Z chassis swaps then sells a "bolt on" mount kit for the cab and front end for $750 to go with the shortened chassis, but I will likely just build the mounts myself. Furthermore, I was talking to a guy at work the other day and he told me he has a running 85 heavy half that I can have if I'll come cut down a tree in his yard. It's been parked for a number of years because it wouldn't pass smog. I'm super pumped cause it looks like this is going to come together quickly.

[soonerfanru2]

Sounds like you have it figured out keep me updated on your build.

[OrrieG]

three issues you need to reflect on. 1) newer models have wider track so unless you run very skinny tires (I run 8" on stock steel wheels with 74 K10 axles to keep them under the fenders) the tires will stick out for the hot wheels look and associated rocks, mud etc thrown on the body. 2) most later frames are wider in the cab area and can interfere with the recessed steps. On 4wd you can raise the body to clear, on 2wd the body sits higher than stock or you can end up modifiying that area. 3) later frames have a higher kick up under the bed, again on 4wd not a problem, on 2wd you end up raising the bed floor to compensate.

I agree the frame mounts look pretty easy, but remember you need to modify the front for radiator support which affect the hood and fender mounting, which affects the cab location. Also need to make mods for the front bumper mount. I can't remember if the firewall is affected with engine location or not. Later model trans might need mods to the floor and bellhousing area of the cab too.

I think sgtusmc and blackdiesel used later model frames and running gear on their trucks. Go to the build section and look for more too.

[akdg87]

Take a look at my build thread(56 on a 72 c10 frame), you can see what i did to accommodate the core support mount. If you want more detailed pictures feel free to ask.

-DG