59 Apache Stepside Rookie Build

[hotrodrookie]

Got some pretty good progress on the rear end over the last couple days. I ended up scratching my original plan of mounting the coilovers on the outside of the frame and ended up bringing them inside the frame. So far Im pretty happy with how it looks. Right now everything is just tacked together, all the axle brackets will be fully welded on the table. The next step is to box the frame behind the shocks and then set up the watts link

[hotrodrookie]

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[hotrodrookie]

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[hotrodrookie]

Here is the way its sitting right now.

While I was working I made this mailbox out of scrap stainless..

[Kim57]

Looking good. The mail box is cool.
Kim

[sgtusmc]

You have an amazing amount of talent for being so young. Your work is top notch. Keep it up!

[LEEVON]

Rookie my a**

[hotrodrookie]

Thanks for the compliments guys! Ive got most of my ideas from watching builds on the forum. So today I was able to mock up the Watt's link. The mock up is temporary because there isnt enough weight in the back to make the bars level. You can see in the last picture how the bars become level when my dad and I are standing on the frame. Currently the spring rate on the coilovers is 225, I might step it up to 350 due to the angle on the shocks.

[hotrodrookie]

watts up!

[Woodbutcher]

Very nice work on this build, Rookie. We all like to see lots of pics and lots of details. My guess is that you took welding while at the JC?? Somehow I think you are all pulling our leg - those pics are of your son, not you, aren't they?

[hotrodrookie]

Originally Posted by Woodbutcher

Very nice work on this build, Rookie. We all like to see lots of pics and lots of details. My guess is that you took welding while at the JC?? Somehow I think you are all pulling our leg - those pics are of your son, not you, aren't they?

I guess I'll take that as a compliment, but no my dad has been helping me mock up the parts as they have been going in. (His welding is forbidden on my truck) As for myself yes I did take welding classes in high school, tig welding class at the JC, and I just spent the summer tig welding at a sheetmetal shop. Having laser cut parts makes it really easy to weld. It took me several months to come up with a usable design for the for link and to create all the brackets in drawing to be cut out of .25" steel. I designed everything so that I didn't need a press brake or any other tools at work to complete the suspension except for a welder and simple hand tools.

Unfortunetly for my build and you guys, my recent progress is going to come a hault as next week I start school. The next thing I have to do is to weld in a rear cross member and the end of the frame, and then finish fabricating the aluminum gas tank I started making last winter to go behind the watt's link. From that point i would like to get the drivetrain going with plumbing and wiring. Who knows when I'll get to that...

[JML55]

Really nice work, it will look awesome when completed and should ride very good.

[hotrodrookie]

Update! Semester break from school means truck time I was sick and tired of looking at my unfinished gas tank for over a year and finally got it together to get it welded up. First I had to weld in a piece of angle as the rear crossmember because the tank had to tuck in underneith it. When I originally designed the tank I wasnt planning on building the watts link, oh well, it worked out ok.

[hotrodrookie]

more tank fab..

[hotrodrookie]

Next thing is to weld up all the holes in the rear section of the frame then drill new ones in it and the tank flaps so it can be mounted.

[kgmunro]

Your build is coming along great! I love the fuel tank.The work looks top notch!

[Kim57]

The tank looks great.
Kim

[hotrodrookie]

Slow day today, I figured I would get a head start on the header build. I originally had 1/4" flanges, but I decided to go with 1/2" instead...

[hotrodrookie]

The home brew flanges werent gona cut it I should be getting some in the mail this week. Decided I was going to start the mockup on the headers. Man this takes a long time...

[hotrodrookie]

I could never make these for a living, each primary took about 4 hours each Anyhow, its a learning process as I go, I hope to finish the driver side tomorrow, my fingers are crossed

[Kim57]

Wow that looks like a ton of work. Do keep posting pics of the progress.
Kim

[Tchia65]

I've always wanted to try and make my own headers. It does look like a pain though.

[hotrodrookie]

More tube action.. Today I was able to piece together the rest of the tubes on the driver side.

[hotrodrookie]

Next thing is to weld up all the joints and pop off the tubes and weld them to the new flanges when I get them, followed by the collector. Then I get the fun of doing it all over again with the other side lol.

[WELD4DAYS]

Awesome skills!