Raising a 58 Apache - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

paulem55 · 04-08-2013, 08:04 PM

Hey Guys!
New to this forum.
Working on a 58 Apache.
I know, I know . . . most lower them to the ground, but I want to
raise mine a little.
I'm keeping the stock front and rear end and want to raise it about 3 inches.
Thinking about extending the shackles or perhaps adding some leafs to the front or rear.
Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Thanks.
Paul

**Dan in Pasadena** · 04-08-2013, 08:14 PM

Blocks and longer u-bolts work.

**Denee007** · 04-08-2013, 09:14 PM

Hi, welcome! are you trying to achieve a 4x4 look? How about a pic of your truck? We like pics!

dne'

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulem55

Hey Guys!
New to this forum.
Working on a 58 Apache.
I know, I know . . . most lower them to the ground, but I want to
raise mine a little.
I'm keeping the stock front and rear end and want to raise it about 3 inches.
Thinking about extending the shackles or perhaps adding some leafs to the front or rear.
Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Thanks.
Paul

SCHRUMGMC · 04-09-2013, 12:37 AM

Awesome, and Welcome

Photos ?

**G&R's57GMC** · 04-09-2013, 12:50 AM

Your Factory front axel is a drop style by design. If you want to raise the front there are a couple of was to do it.

1. Have the springs rearched.

2. Rehang the springs on new longer fixed mounts and shackles.

3. Get a straight axle. (Speedway has them)

Do Not use blocks on the front axle !

The REAR can use blocks & U bolts, be sure to set the pinion angle.

paulem55 · 04-09-2013, 03:20 PM

Thanks for the response guys.

I'm not looking to go too high . . . like a 4x4, only want it to sit up a little higher than stock.
I'll take the advice G&R's57GMC gave me and perhaps raise the shackles,
or maybe even get new springs.
I use to have a 55 Chevy car back in the 70's and we raised the rear end by putting welding coil springs between the leaf springs and frame.
Ever heard of anyone doing that on one of these old trucks?

Here are a couple of pictures of my 'rust bucket' . . . work in progress.
I'm taking the cab off this week and putting a new frame under it (the old one was botched up by someone).

mechanixman · 04-09-2013, 03:31 PM

It looks slick!
I can't wait to see how it turns out.
I wonder if you can ask sid to flip the axle over, and raise it instead of dropping it..

dubie · 04-09-2013, 03:34 PM

stick it on a 73-87 chassis and it'll sit fairly high. Here's mine sitting on an 82 chassis when I bought it. That's just slouched on the frame rails. If you put some spacers in there, like a 3" body lift, you'd have the look you're after and a better ride than a solid axle. These frames are easy to come by

SCHRUMGMC · 04-09-2013, 04:00 PM

Loving this Truck pics

paulem55 · 04-09-2013, 04:35 PM

Hey G&R's57GMC.
Real nice trucks! Love the NAPCO 4x4.
Need any long bed steps?
I've got a couple in real good condition. Can send pics.

apacheben · 04-22-2013, 08:58 PM

I`m trying to lower mine. it has 6 inch blocks.
also drives terrible. need to lower it and get an alignment.
want to buy new leaf springs.

fabguy · 04-23-2013, 12:43 PM

Posted via Mobile Device

dubie · 04-23-2013, 01:04 PM

HOLY CRAP those are some BIG blocks!!!

SCHRUMGMC · 04-23-2013, 04:21 PM

X2

How do you weld on new Steps on a bed ?

SCHRUMGMC · 04-23-2013, 04:23 PM

*Delete Duplicate*

**mr48chev** · 04-23-2013, 05:31 PM

I'd have the front springs rearched or get new springs that would lift it the right amount. Around this area I see too many cobbled up "lifted" suspensions on rigs that are nothing but an accident hunting a place to happen to want to see anyone stick long shackles or space the spring mounting points up to raise the front.
A good set of blocks and U bolts from a 4x4 shop will take care of lifting the back as long as you don't go nuts with real tall blocks. I think I would do the front first and then figure out what size block I need to have for the rear to level it. That should give it a decent pre-runner look.

OrrieG · 04-23-2013, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCHRUMGMC

X2

How do you weld on new Steps on a bed ?

They bolt on. Factory Assembly Manual has the details. Best $25 you will spend once you get your truck.

Mr48 is right, extended shackles allow suspension parts and axles to move in the three XYZ axis, which makes front end adjustments close at best and makes for interesting bump steer and corning issues. 4" blocks in the back is tallest recommended and sold my manf. Anything else is probably home made and could allow the rear axle to move laterally and let the blocks slip.

SCHRUMGMC · 04-23-2013, 05:54 PM

Oh wow, I thought they had to be Welded on..Thank you Orrie !!!

04-08-2013, 08:04 PM	#1
paulem55 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 3	Raising a 58 Apache Hey Guys! New to this forum. Working on a 58 Apache. I know, I know . . . most lower them to the ground, but I want to raise mine a little. I'm keeping the stock front and rear end and want to raise it about 3 inches. Thinking about extending the shackles or perhaps adding some leafs to the front or rear. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks. Paul

04-08-2013, 08:14 PM	#2
Dan in Pasadena Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendora, CA Posts: 6,341	Re: Raising a 58 Apache Blocks and longer u-bolts work.

04-09-2013, 12:37 AM	#4
SCHRUMGMC Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,989	Re: Raising a 58 Apache Awesome, and Welcome Photos ? __________________ 1971 GMC Sierra 1959 GMC 100

04-09-2013, 12:50 AM	#5
G&R's57GMC Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Shasta Lake, CA. Posts: 1,624	Re: Raising a 58 Apache Your Factory front axel is a drop style by design. If you want to raise the front there are a couple of was to do it. 1. Have the springs rearched. 2. Rehang the springs on new longer fixed mounts and shackles. 3. Get a straight axle. (Speedway has them) Do Not use blocks on the front axle ! The REAR can use blocks & U bolts, be sure to set the pinion angle. Attached Images __________________ Glen & Jane's Rides ‘57 GMC NAPCO Long Bed V8 4 speed Bought 2008 7 other cars & trucks , 5 trailers '56 Chevy Long Bed I6, 4 speed Bought 1990 Sold 8.22.2020 ’56 GMC Suburban Pickup V8, 4 speed Hydramatic Bought 1996 Sold 10.11.2020 My Other Tinkerings http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...75#post8967275

04-09-2013, 03:20 PM	#6
paulem55 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 3	Re: Raising a 58 Apache Thanks for the response guys. I'm not looking to go too high . . . like a 4x4, only want it to sit up a little higher than stock. I'll take the advice G&R's57GMC gave me and perhaps raise the shackles, or maybe even get new springs. I use to have a 55 Chevy car back in the 70's and we raised the rear end by putting welding coil springs between the leaf springs and frame. Ever heard of anyone doing that on one of these old trucks? Here are a couple of pictures of my 'rust bucket' . . . work in progress. I'm taking the cab off this week and putting a new frame under it (the old one was botched up by someone). Attached Images

04-09-2013, 03:31 PM	#7
mechanixman Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Mt. Prospect, ILL Posts: 820	Re: Raising a 58 Apache It looks slick! I can't wait to see how it turns out. I wonder if you can ask sid to flip the axle over, and raise it instead of dropping it.. __________________ -Nick Projects: 1952 Chevy 1 ton = The Build page

04-09-2013, 03:34 PM	#8
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,853	Re: Raising a 58 Apache stick it on a 73-87 chassis and it'll sit fairly high. Here's mine sitting on an 82 chassis when I bought it. That's just slouched on the frame rails. If you put some spacers in there, like a 3" body lift, you'd have the look you're after and a better ride than a solid axle. These frames are easy to come by Attached Images __________________ My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795

04-09-2013, 04:00 PM	#9
SCHRUMGMC Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,989	Re: Raising a 58 Apache Loving this Truck pics __________________ 1971 GMC Sierra 1959 GMC 100

04-09-2013, 04:35 PM	#10
paulem55 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 3	Re: Raising a 58 Apache Hey G&R's57GMC. Real nice trucks! Love the NAPCO 4x4. Need any long bed steps? I've got a couple in real good condition. Can send pics.

04-22-2013, 08:58 PM	#11
apacheben Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: modesto ca Posts: 63	Re: Raising a 58 Apache I`m trying to lower mine. it has 6 inch blocks. also drives terrible. need to lower it and get an alignment. want to buy new leaf springs. Attached Images

04-23-2013, 12:43 PM	#12
fabguy Elev8r Man Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Glendora, CA Posts: 835	Re: Raising a 58 Apache Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1955.2 C4 Carry-all / Suburban ---> 55.2 Build Thread!! 1958 Fleetside SWB ---> 58 Fleetside Build thread 1939 2 door sedan *My F.B. project page.*

04-23-2013, 01:04 PM	#13
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,853	Re: Raising a 58 Apache HOLY CRAP those are some BIG blocks!!! __________________ My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795

04-23-2013, 04:21 PM	#14
SCHRUMGMC Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,989	Re: Raising a 58 Apache X2 How do you weld on new Steps on a bed ? __________________ 1971 GMC Sierra 1959 GMC 100

04-23-2013, 04:23 PM	#15
SCHRUMGMC Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,989	Re: Raising a 58 Apache Delete Duplicate __________________ 1971 GMC Sierra 1959 GMC 100 Last edited by SCHRUMGMC; 04-23-2013 at 04:29 PM.

04-23-2013, 05:31 PM	#16
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,705	Re: Raising a 58 Apache I'd have the front springs rearched or get new springs that would lift it the right amount. Around this area I see too many cobbled up "lifted" suspensions on rigs that are nothing but an accident hunting a place to happen to want to see anyone stick long shackles or space the spring mounting points up to raise the front. A good set of blocks and U bolts from a 4x4 shop will take care of lifting the back as long as you don't go nuts with real tall blocks. I think I would do the front first and then figure out what size block I need to have for the rear to level it. That should give it a decent pre-runner look. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.



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04-23-2013, 05:54 PM	#18
SCHRUMGMC Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,989	Re: Raising a 58 Apache Oh wow, I thought they had to be Welded on..Thank you Orrie !!! __________________ 1971 GMC Sierra 1959 GMC 100

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