1958 Apache 38 Dually Dump Project

[A.T. RockDriller]

As always.....the most sanitary award goes to R-Tonka and crew.

[RockTonka]

Thanks Les


Spent some more time on the bumper today...it's not done yet, but close.

[RockTonka]

Started eyeballing what it's going to take to fit the radiator in with some kind of fan...not a lot of room.

Picked up a tilt column to start laying things out...

[RANDY COX]

I like that Grill Guard, Looks Killer, I seen a Camaro in the background what yr. My Brother used to have Chevelles now he's into Camaro's he has a 69,67,67 pro-street.. he's had the 69 for over 20 yrs....


the one on the left he's finished now but I don't have a finished Pix...

[C@rnut001]

Your truck is coming along great. Keep it up and keep the updates coming.

[RockTonka]

Thanks Randy! The Camaro is a 68, picked it up a couple months ago...gonna build it up for the wife.

Thanks Owen, we're trying to keep the fire lit on the 58!!

Worked on the bumper a bit more today and got a good start on the mid-body mounts...hope to finish those tomorrow night.

[Kim57]

The bumper looks real good.
Kim

[RockTonka]

Thanks Kim, we still have to plate the top gap...I've been putting that off.

We did finish up the mid-mounts tonight though! The body is officially on the frame.

[Kim57]

Your mounts are very nice.
Kim

[_Ogre]

bumper looks good. should have made it a fold down so you could use it as a step ladder

[skymangs]

That's a great looking setup. looking forward to more!

[RockTonka]

Originally Posted by Kim57

Your mounts are very nice.
Kim

Thanks Kim, they're not going anywhere...definitely solid!!

Originally Posted by _Ogre

bumper looks good. should have made it a fold down so you could use it as a step ladder

That would have been handy! Where were you two days ago??

Originally Posted by skymangs

That's a great looking setup. looking forward to more!

Thanks skymangs! We got more coming...good or bad, we'll post it up!



Started gutting the interior and pulled the doors to rebuild the hinges...only had to break 2 bolts and torch off one!! The pockets aren't too bad, some through rust to the inside/underside, but the mounting points are all solid. We hope to get the inside cleaned, patched, and scuffed in preparation for bed lining the interior...hopefully before the weekend.

[Dieselwrencher]

Great work and I love your fab work! How's your son's extended cab truck coming along?

[RockTonka]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Great work and I love your fab work! How's your son's extended cab truck coming along?

Thanks DW, we are kinda jumping from project to project and the 58 has priority for a bit...hope to get back on my boy's truck later in the summer.


Been patching holes (and crappy work from the PO) for the last couple nights...gonna take through the weekend to get it right. Hope to get to the bed liners Mon.

[RockTonka]

Still working on patching/filling/smoothing the floor/cab in preparation for lining the inside. Both my son and I have been too busy with work/life to get more than an hour or two a night in .

[BC Toy chest]

Awesome. Really like following this project. Waiting to see what's next. GR8 work.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by RockTonka

Thanks Kim, we still have to plate the top gap...I've been putting that off.

We did finish up the mid-mounts tonight though! The body is officially on the frame.

Just catching up on this, that is one NICE mount body mount...truck is looking good.

[RockTonka]

BC, Orrie...Thanks!

Little here, little there...keep chipping away at it!

Found a simple battery box at a local circle track shop...easier than making one

Cut apart and rewelded the header reducers and a 3 1/2" 90 to turn the exhaust parallel to the frame. With everything we'll have going on behind the cab, I may just drop some Flowmasters on and dump to the side behind the cab.

[Luther Grimace]

Looking killer!

[RockTonka]

Thanks Luther!

Worked on filling the top gap left from flipping the bumper over. Cut pieces and fit in along the top edge, welded up all the seams...I'm not looking forward to the grinding it's going to take to smooth it all out!

[RockTonka]

I'm also really struggling with the need for steps of some sort. It's tall enough to need them, I just don't usually like the look of steps.

My boy and I decided to make a simple set that was based on two sections of c-channel running under the frame side to side. The height is right, acts as a cross member of sorts to tie the frame together, is easily removed, and is pretty stout.

We fit 2" tube to the outside and will plate the top. It looks like it sits down low and sticks out too far, but will tie in well once we fit the bed and underbody boxes back on to the chassis and is at a good position to be effective steps.

Oh, while it may not look like it, the exhaust/mufflers will fit between the steps and body.

When its all said and done, if I really don't like them...4 bolts and they're gone.

[dug224]

Originally Posted by RockTonka

Got the cab positioned and welded in the rear mount along with frame gussets. Also whittled a couple pieces of the 3" channel down to fit across the top of the frame for the front body mounts/rad support, used the same poly urethane bushings there too...only one between body and mount though...the driver side mount just barely clears the steering gear box.

Cab mounting technique is nice. I have been inspired to consider this for my '59 bed where i intend to use the factory Trailblazer mounting points. Very well done. dug

[Luther Grimace]

I'm interested to see how you rebuild the doors and hinges. My Cummins 55 truck doors rattle like a recycling bin on square wheels.

[Dieselwrencher]

Great work. The bumper and steps look great and those headers and exhaust look killer!

[RockTonka]

Originally Posted by dug224

Cab mounting technique is nice. I have been inspired to consider this for my '59 bed where i intend to use the factory Trailblazer mounting points. Very well done. dug

Thanks Dug!

Originally Posted by Luther Grimace

I'm interested to see how you rebuild the doors and hinges. My Cummins 55 truck doors rattle like a recycling bin on square wheels.

We picked up the hinge rebuild kit...simple new pins and bushings, half the pins in our doors were broken! We still need to get the doors/hinges tore down and rebuilt...probably this weekend.

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Great work. The bumper and steps look great and those headers and exhaust look killer!

Thanks DW! The headers have become one of our favorite parts on this truck


Spent a few hours this evening smoothing the front bumper and fitting some 10 ga. to the steps...maybe get those done this weekend also.