1960 Apache SWB - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ApacheWillard · 11-07-2011, 02:05 PM

New to the forum, building my 1st truck, and could use some help. Have a couple of questions and looking for answers for a "novice"!

1. By staying on the budget route and going with a 3/5 lowering kit with springs and shocks for about $320, how poor is my ride quality going to be up front?
2. If I'm thinking of maybe going the 20 or 22 wheel route in the future, can I stay 6-lug or am I going to have to go with a disc front kit and swapping to a 5 lug rear end?
3. Positive I have a good ole stock rear end turning crazy r's while driving 45. Ideas on safe and simple rear end swaps with a better ratio and 5 lug?

Any threads you could post would be great, and especially interested on anybody that has personally had a static drop c10 with springs and shocks only. Thanks for all the help and advice you can give, I have a lot of old parts, some new ones, and am really excited about my build!!!

**aerotruk63** · 11-07-2011, 02:13 PM

Can't answer any of your questions, but I can say "Welcome". By the way, how about more pictures of your truck, especially if you have an original steering wheel. Under the hood would be nice as well. Don't be shy, we thrive on pictures!

glos55 · 11-07-2011, 02:27 PM

Welcome ApacheWillard! Great to have u on the site!! I'm liking what your'e starting with. Looks like a alot of fun to me. I took a coil and a little over half off the front and used jeep springs in the rear and that gave me 4.5 front and 4 rear drop. It rides good but I'm running 255/60s front and 275/60s in the rear which help. If you do a drop like mine and then run 20s or 22s the ride will be harsh. If you decide on the big wheel rubber band style tires then spend the extra money and lower it with spindles in the front. Anyone else have anything for Willard? Again Welcome!!! Didn't you just have an earthquake?

brawley · 11-07-2011, 03:55 PM

welcome ! its hard to be on a budget and do what we want to these trucks- I found that out the hard way, just do 1 thing at a time- that way you don't get in over your head. sometimes you end up spending more money trying to save money- unless you have great fab skills and lots of time. your better off buying kits designed for these trucks. I had my stock rearend rebuilt and I did a 3/5 drop kit and my truck drives nice and smooth - ive always thought these trucks ride smoother than newer ones.

ApacheWillard · 11-07-2011, 04:52 PM

Yeah just had an earthquake, pretty wild to feel one that much here in OK! Leaning towards just buying the 3/5 kit and going from there, I can always add spindles and lowering blocks later on I guess.

I'm dying for more comments here, help a brotha out!!! Thanks!!!

More pics to follow...
Posted via Mobile Device

**Corts60** · 11-07-2011, 05:22 PM

Welcome from Victoria! Well, since you own a '60, you have a torsion set up in the front right? Or has some one changed that? If it is still the torsion, you can back off the tension to lower the front and put Jeep TJ springs in the rear to get your desired drop. You can usually find the Jeep springs for around $40 or less on craigslist or local 4x4 shops.

I lowered my suburban for $40 and I still maintain a good ride. I didn't back my front torsion off all the way either. The front can get lower.

chevytrucknut61 · 11-07-2011, 05:24 PM

Welcome! First you have torsion bars on the front of your truck so you have to swap the front if you are going to drop it with springs.The bars can be adjusted down some but not a lot. I put Early classic 2 1/2 in. drop spindles on my truck. Wish mine looked as good as yours when I started! Again welcome.

ApacheWillard · 11-07-2011, 05:35 PM

Guess I should have cleared that up, yes it has a 63 front end with coils.

I'm digging the wide white walls, find a good deal???
Posted via Mobile Device

**aerotruk63** · 11-07-2011, 05:58 PM

Hydraulic clutch, single master? Pictures My friend, pictures!

Dustin07 · 11-07-2011, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApacheWillard

Guess I should have cleared that up, yes it has a 63 front end with coils.

I'm digging the wide white walls, find a good deal???
Posted via Mobile Device

sweet! my '61 already has the front end done too. i'm super excited about that

go with drop spindles up front.

**Corts60** · 11-07-2011, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApacheWillard

Guess I should have cleared that up, yes it has a 63 front end with coils.

I'm digging the wide white walls, find a good deal???
Posted via Mobile Device

They are Cokers. Pricey but they ride great and do not have all the characteristic "groove grab" or egg shape problems like early nylons.

jason65 · 11-08-2011, 02:01 PM

I cut one coil off the front springs and ended up about 3 1/2" below stock and put 5" drop springs in the rear. At 5" of rear drop you'll need to notch the frame over the axle and get an adjustable panhard bar. I had to remove my front bumpstops. It drives straight and rides as smooth as a Cadillac.

11-07-2011, 02:05 PM	#1
ApacheWillard Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Oklahoma City OK Posts: 15	1960 Apache SWB New to the forum, building my 1st truck, and could use some help. Have a couple of questions and looking for answers for a "novice"! 1. By staying on the budget route and going with a 3/5 lowering kit with springs and shocks for about $320, how poor is my ride quality going to be up front? 2. If I'm thinking of maybe going the 20 or 22 wheel route in the future, can I stay 6-lug or am I going to have to go with a disc front kit and swapping to a 5 lug rear end? 3. Positive I have a good ole stock rear end turning crazy r's while driving 45. Ideas on safe and simple rear end swaps with a better ratio and 5 lug? Any threads you could post would be great, and especially interested on anybody that has personally had a static drop c10 with springs and shocks only. Thanks for all the help and advice you can give, I have a lot of old parts, some new ones, and am really excited about my build!!! Attached Images

11-07-2011, 02:13 PM	#2
aerotruk63 Check The Champ, Demonstrator Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Montreal,Quebec Posts: 6,627	Re: 1960 Apache SWB Can't answer any of your questions, but I can say "Welcome". By the way, how about more pictures of your truck, especially if you have an original steering wheel. Under the hood would be nice as well. Don't be shy, we thrive on pictures! __________________ 1963 *Chevrolet Truck* Literature LINK: https://picasaweb.google.com/113840717762774560215 YouTube Channel with 20+ Original *Chevrolet Truck* Salesmen, Mechanics & Service Department Training Slideshows. https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...otruk63&page=1

11-07-2011, 02:27 PM	#3
glos55 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 1,008	Re: 1960 Apache SWB Welcome ApacheWillard! Great to have u on the site!! I'm liking what your'e starting with. Looks like a alot of fun to me. I took a coil and a little over half off the front and used jeep springs in the rear and that gave me 4.5 front and 4 rear drop. It rides good but I'm running 255/60s front and 275/60s in the rear which help. If you do a drop like mine and then run 20s or 22s the ride will be harsh. If you decide on the big wheel rubber band style tires then spend the extra money and lower it with spindles in the front. Anyone else have anything for Willard? Again Welcome!!! Didn't you just have an earthquake?

11-07-2011, 03:55 PM	#4
brawley Easy Does It Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Dirdy Mo , North Carolina Posts: 450	Re: 1960 Apache SWB welcome ! its hard to be on a budget and do what we want to these trucks- I found that out the hard way, just do 1 thing at a time- that way you don't get in over your head. sometimes you end up spending more money trying to save money- unless you have great fab skills and lots of time. your better off buying kits designed for these trucks. I had my stock rearend rebuilt and I did a 3/5 drop kit and my truck drives nice and smooth - ive always thought these trucks ride smoother than newer ones.

11-07-2011, 04:52 PM	#5
ApacheWillard Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Oklahoma City OK Posts: 15	Re: 1960 Apache SWB Yeah just had an earthquake, pretty wild to feel one that much here in OK! Leaning towards just buying the 3/5 kit and going from there, I can always add spindles and lowering blocks later on I guess. I'm dying for more comments here, help a brotha out!!! Thanks!!! More pics to follow... Posted via Mobile Device

11-07-2011, 05:22 PM	#6
Corts60 Just here to tinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Holland, MI Posts: 3,697	Re: 1960 Apache SWB Welcome from Victoria! Well, since you own a '60, you have a torsion set up in the front right? Or has some one changed that? If it is still the torsion, you can back off the tension to lower the front and put Jeep TJ springs in the rear to get your desired drop. You can usually find the Jeep springs for around $40 or less on craigslist or local 4x4 shops. I lowered my suburban for $40 and I still maintain a good ride. I didn't back my front torsion off all the way either. The front can get lower. __________________ 78 C10 SWB Diesel #1 (wrecked)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...1978+silverado 78 C10 SWB Diesel #2 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=650751 60 GMC Suburban (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=445526 60 GMC 1000 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=298235 67 GMC 1500 (sold) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=803695 73 Chevy C20(Daily)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=852767 86 Suburban(summer unit) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=810697 88 Suburban 4x4(sold)

11-07-2011, 05:24 PM	#7
chevytrucknut61 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Wichita Ks. Posts: 130	Re: 1960 Apache SWB Welcome! First you have torsion bars on the front of your truck so you have to swap the front if you are going to drop it with springs.The bars can be adjusted down some but not a lot. I put Early classic 2 1/2 in. drop spindles on my truck. Wish mine looked as good as yours when I started! Again welcome. Attached Images

11-07-2011, 05:35 PM	#8
ApacheWillard Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Oklahoma City OK Posts: 15	Re: 1960 Apache SWB Guess I should have cleared that up, yes it has a 63 front end with coils. I'm digging the wide white walls, find a good deal??? Posted via Mobile Device

11-07-2011, 05:58 PM	#9
aerotruk63 Check The Champ, Demonstrator Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Montreal,Quebec Posts: 6,627	Re: 1960 Apache SWB Hydraulic clutch, single master? Pictures My friend, pictures! __________________ 1963 *Chevrolet Truck* Literature LINK: https://picasaweb.google.com/113840717762774560215 YouTube Channel with 20+ Original *Chevrolet Truck* Salesmen, Mechanics & Service Department Training Slideshows. https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...otruk63&page=1

11-08-2011, 02:01 PM	#12
jason65 Registerd User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,118	Re: 1960 Apache SWB I cut one coil off the front springs and ended up about 3 1/2" below stock and put 5" drop springs in the rear. At 5" of rear drop you'll need to notch the frame over the axle and get an adjustable panhard bar. I had to remove my front bumpstops. It drives straight and rides as smooth as a Cadillac. Attached Images Last edited by jason65; 11-08-2011 at 04:23 PM.

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