1961 Chevy Apache My Beater - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

hardwaa · 07-12-2018, 02:17 AM

1961 Chevy Truck. This is my favorite year of all Chevy trucks. This truck is ROUGH but I totally DIG it!! 6 Cylinder/3 speed trans. A autorepair/hotrodshop installed the dropped front spindles, added front disc brakes and got it running. They also pulled the front torsion Keys and the rear coil springs out to bag it. Customer lost interest/ran out of money. truck sat for 6 months. I Bought it Thursday Jan 5 2018.

My plan is to keep it simple and cheap.

Pic is how i found it. It was LUST at first sight.

hardwaa · 07-12-2018, 02:26 AM

After getting it home I gave it a Good wash. Checked over all the fluids was able to get it to start! I even drove it up and down the street at about 5 mph (No suspension)

hardwaa · 07-12-2018, 02:35 AM

The seller needed the wheels and tires back. I scrounged around found some stock 3 nub not 4 nub 15x5's for the front and 15x6's for the rear. Bought some tires and used hubcaps.
I also located some missing hardware for the torsion keys so i could install working suspension back in the truck. Added some lowered rear springs at the same time. The Beater was starting to take shape!

Side note I learned stock wheels came is 15x 5, 5.5,and 6"

hardwaa · 07-12-2018, 02:44 AM

Spray painted the wheels Bermuda green metallic 1954 Chevy car color. Had a local guy buff side walls to expose entire whitewall.
Hubcaps are 1961-1962 chevy car.

hardwaa · 07-12-2018, 02:52 AM

Next was make this truck reliable. replaced all the normal maintenance stuff. Fluids,Plugs, wires, cap, rotor, upgraded to a pertronix 1 and coil. Also replaced H2O pump, rad cap, t stat, hoses,added a H2O temp gauge, belt, fuel pump and hoses.
Brakes were new up front. I replaced rear brakes and hose.

hardwaa · 07-12-2018, 02:59 AM

Next I got to do some FUN stuff to get this truck ready to work.
Tailgate chains removed.

hardwaa · 07-12-2018, 03:03 AM

Bed floor repair. Filled in the big gaps with cheap fence pieces. Then added a 5/8" thick sheet of plywood over center of bed floor. sprayed Lynseed oil over wood to help protect it.

hardwaa · 07-12-2018, 03:08 AM

Interior upgrades included a hurst shifter, reduced hole around shifter with license plates, scrounged a complete seat that seem to fit the lock of the truck and I added seat belts from left over projects.

hardwaa · 07-12-2018, 03:16 AM

Installed new exterior mirrors, shocks and had the exhaust redone at a old time style exhaust shop.

hardwaa · 07-12-2018, 03:31 AM

I cannot express how much FUN I have with this truck or how handy it is to throw crap in. Here is a bunch of random pics of The Beater working.

hardwaa · 07-12-2018, 03:33 AM

More out and about and work pics.

hardwaa · 07-12-2018, 03:37 AM

Most recently I needed to move and 350 engine ,350trans, and engine hoist from garage to side yard pad for my 71 chevy truck project. The Beater saved the day!!

jimmythompson1964 · 07-12-2018, 07:59 AM

What did you do about the suspension?

hardwaa · 07-14-2018, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmythompson1964

What did you do about the suspension?

I reinstalled the torsion Keys up front. This is my first torsion bar truck. Rides Great.
In the rear I installed 4" lower CPP rear springs.

jhrusk · 09-21-2018, 01:41 PM

Just found this thread. Such a cool truck.

plainred65 · 09-27-2018, 07:25 AM

Missed this truck first time around, very cool. Nothing better than being able to use a truck like a truck.

hardwaa · 12-04-2018, 02:39 AM

Was at Goodguys in Scottsdale in November. Had a BLAST. Also cleaned the truck up a little. Wash,scrub, and wax before Goodguys.

Grizz1963 · 12-04-2018, 03:29 AM

I love what you have managed to do with thismtruck, and to keep it a working truck is just perfect.

I was looking for one of these hoods for a long time to fit to my 66 C10 which has a thread on here, but in the end decided it was not going to happen in England.

In the mean time I bought this http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=774451 and it has made me happy and returned my mojo.

I hope to see more of your truck being used.

Thanks for sharing.

64RELIC · 12-04-2018, 07:53 AM

I really like the wheel, tire and cap combination you came up with. Classic.

jhrusk · 12-04-2018, 08:44 AM

Awesome truck

roastmaster · 12-04-2018, 04:44 PM

I've seen this truck periodically on ig and now on here. I haven't really seen it at the club meets though. you should totally take it out this weekend

hardwaa · 12-09-2018, 01:44 PM

So-Cal Speed Shop Arizona has a Great little show every 2nd Sat of the month. Starts early 6AM. Pic from yesterday’s.

hardwaa · 12-16-2018, 10:29 PM

Christmas tree day!

Grizz1963 · 12-17-2018, 03:51 AM

I love the way you,also record your truck working (well, it really is play to us)

Every time I see an update, I have to look in.

Merry Christmas in the mean time.

**Android04** · 12-19-2018, 02:44 PM

Way to keep it alive and using it for what it's meant for. Love it.

07-12-2018, 02:17 AM	#1
hardwaa Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: gilbert, az Posts: 802	1961 Chevy Apache My Beater 1961 Chevy Truck. This is my favorite year of all Chevy trucks. This truck is ROUGH but I totally DIG it!! 6 Cylinder/3 speed trans. A autorepair/hotrodshop installed the dropped front spindles, added front disc brakes and got it running. They also pulled the front torsion Keys and the rear coil springs out to bag it. Customer lost interest/ran out of money. truck sat for 6 months. I Bought it Thursday Jan 5 2018. My plan is to keep it simple and cheap. Pic is how i found it. It was LUST at first sight. Attached Images __________________ I LOVE BURNOUTS:metal NO BOZO's

07-12-2018, 02:26 AM	#2
hardwaa Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: gilbert, az Posts: 802	Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater After getting it home I gave it a Good wash. Checked over all the fluids was able to get it to start! I even drove it up and down the street at about 5 mph (No suspension) Attached Images __________________ I LOVE BURNOUTS:metal NO BOZO's

07-12-2018, 02:35 AM	#3
hardwaa Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: gilbert, az Posts: 802	Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater The seller needed the wheels and tires back. I scrounged around found some stock 3 nub not 4 nub 15x5's for the front and 15x6's for the rear. Bought some tires and used hubcaps. I also located some missing hardware for the torsion keys so i could install working suspension back in the truck. Added some lowered rear springs at the same time. The Beater was starting to take shape! Side note I learned stock wheels came is 15x 5, 5.5,and 6" Attached Images __________________ I LOVE BURNOUTS:metal NO BOZO's

07-12-2018, 02:44 AM	#4
hardwaa Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: gilbert, az Posts: 802	Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater Spray painted the wheels Bermuda green metallic 1954 Chevy car color. Had a local guy buff side walls to expose entire whitewall. Hubcaps are 1961-1962 chevy car. Attached Images __________________ I LOVE BURNOUTS:metal NO BOZO's

07-12-2018, 02:52 AM	#5
hardwaa Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: gilbert, az Posts: 802	Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater Next was make this truck reliable. replaced all the normal maintenance stuff. Fluids,Plugs, wires, cap, rotor, upgraded to a pertronix 1 and coil. Also replaced H2O pump, rad cap, t stat, hoses,added a H2O temp gauge, belt, fuel pump and hoses. Brakes were new up front. I replaced rear brakes and hose. Attached Images __________________ I LOVE BURNOUTS:metal NO BOZO's

07-12-2018, 02:59 AM	#6
hardwaa Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: gilbert, az Posts: 802	Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater Next I got to do some FUN stuff to get this truck ready to work. Tailgate chains removed. Attached Images __________________ I LOVE BURNOUTS:metal NO BOZO's

07-12-2018, 03:03 AM	#7
hardwaa Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: gilbert, az Posts: 802	Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater Bed floor repair. Filled in the big gaps with cheap fence pieces. Then added a 5/8" thick sheet of plywood over center of bed floor. sprayed Lynseed oil over wood to help protect it. Attached Images __________________ I LOVE BURNOUTS:metal NO BOZO's

07-12-2018, 03:08 AM	#8
hardwaa Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: gilbert, az Posts: 802	Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater Interior upgrades included a hurst shifter, reduced hole around shifter with license plates, scrounged a complete seat that seem to fit the lock of the truck and I added seat belts from left over projects. Attached Images __________________ I LOVE BURNOUTS:metal NO BOZO's

07-12-2018, 03:16 AM	#9
hardwaa Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: gilbert, az Posts: 802	Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater Installed new exterior mirrors, shocks and had the exhaust redone at a old time style exhaust shop. Attached Images __________________ I LOVE BURNOUTS:metal NO BOZO's

07-12-2018, 03:31 AM	#10
hardwaa Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: gilbert, az Posts: 802	Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater I cannot express how much FUN I have with this truck or how handy it is to throw crap in. Here is a bunch of random pics of The Beater working. Attached Images __________________ I LOVE BURNOUTS:metal NO BOZO's

07-12-2018, 03:33 AM	#11
hardwaa Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: gilbert, az Posts: 802	Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater More out and about and work pics. Attached Images __________________ I LOVE BURNOUTS:metal NO BOZO's

07-12-2018, 03:37 AM	#12
hardwaa Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: gilbert, az Posts: 802	Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater Most recently I needed to move and 350 engine ,350trans, and engine hoist from garage to side yard pad for my 71 chevy truck project. The Beater saved the day!! Attached Images __________________ I LOVE BURNOUTS:metal NO BOZO's

07-12-2018, 07:59 AM	#13
jimmythompson1964 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Greeneville TN Posts: 251	Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater What did you do about the suspension? __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=765151

09-21-2018, 01:41 PM	#15
jhrusk Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: mid ga Posts: 553	Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater Just found this thread. Such a cool truck. __________________ check out SANFORD build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=522019

09-27-2018, 07:25 AM	#16
plainred65 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Beaver, Pa. Posts: 197	Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater Missed this truck first time around, very cool. Nothing better than being able to use a truck like a truck.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

12-04-2018, 02:39 AM	#17
hardwaa Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: gilbert, az Posts: 802	Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater Was at Goodguys in Scottsdale in November. Had a BLAST. Also cleaned the truck up a little. Wash,scrub, and wax before Goodguys. Attached Images __________________ I LOVE BURNOUTS:metal NO BOZO's

12-04-2018, 03:29 AM	#18
Grizz1963 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Rochester, KENT Posts: 10,565	Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater I love what you have managed to do with thismtruck, and to keep it a working truck is just perfect. I was looking for one of these hoods for a long time to fit to my 66 C10 which has a thread on here, but in the end decided it was not going to happen in England. In the mean time I bought this http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=774451 and it has made me happy and returned my mojo. I hope to see more of your truck being used. Thanks for sharing. __________________ MY BUILD LINK: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...585901]Redneck Express - 1966 C10 Short Fleetside MY USA ROADTRIPS http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/...2018-humdinger IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, YOU'VE GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM MATE.

12-04-2018, 07:53 AM	#19
64RELIC Registered User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Wenatchee, Wa Posts: 19	Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater I really like the wheel, tire and cap combination you came up with. Classic.

12-04-2018, 08:44 AM	#20
jhrusk Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: mid ga Posts: 553	Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater Awesome truck __________________ check out SANFORD build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=522019

12-04-2018, 04:44 PM	#21
roastmaster Registered User Join Date: May 2017 Location: Mesa Arizona Posts: 25	Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater I've seen this truck periodically on ig and now on here. I haven't really seen it at the club meets though. you should totally take it out this weekend

12-09-2018, 01:44 PM	#22
hardwaa Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: gilbert, az Posts: 802	Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater So-Cal Speed Shop Arizona has a Great little show every 2nd Sat of the month. Starts early 6AM. Pic from yesterday’s. Attached Images __________________ I LOVE BURNOUTS:metal NO BOZO's

12-16-2018, 10:29 PM	#23
hardwaa Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: gilbert, az Posts: 802	Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater Christmas tree day! Attached Images __________________ I LOVE BURNOUTS:metal NO BOZO's

12-17-2018, 03:51 AM	#24
Grizz1963 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Rochester, KENT Posts: 10,565	Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater I love the way you,also record your truck working (well, it really is play to us) Every time I see an update, I have to look in. Merry Christmas in the mean time. __________________ MY BUILD LINK: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...585901]Redneck Express - 1966 C10 Short Fleetside MY USA ROADTRIPS http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/...2018-humdinger IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, YOU'VE GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM MATE.

12-19-2018, 02:44 PM	#25
Android04 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 376	Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater Way to keep it alive and using it for what it's meant for. Love it.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.