Another 1959 Apache build!

[Wheelie]

Originally Posted by kaycee

HHHMMMM You cut your stock frame at different lengths pass. side is a little longer than drvs.side.I got lost on this did you eventually cut them the same?

Yes, I cut just behind the steering box on one side and just lopped off the other with the old eyeball. They are now equal and square.

[hotrodsbyray]

Don't cut your arms under there - think how many miles of welds will be there to keep the frame and subframe hooked together!

[hotrodjoe1952]

i amk curious as to how this turns out, looking good so far.

[Wheelie]

Thx guys, I am hoping to get back on it soon. I need to finish all the fab work so I can blow it apart for blasting and silver hammertone powder coating but we are slammed. Im tired of it looking like a rusty turd!

[Wheelie]

Just a quick update on mine. I have the 383 stroker motor at the machine shop. I am using a resin mock block and trans to complete fab of the trans and engine mounts. Also I have laid out the location of the rebuilt ford 8.8 reared and 4 link. I am waiting till I can head to the metal yard to get box plate and some rec tubing for the 4 link bracket mounting. Things have been slow on the project but its starting to come together a bit more now.

[Wheelie]

[Wheelie]

Incase anyone is wondering where the truck will sit with control arms level (General rule of thumb to set ride height after removing springs for mock up.) here it is. Its about 5 inches to bottom of subframe and almost 6 to cab rockers.

[Wheelie]

Originally Posted by hotrodsbyray

Don't cut your arms under there - think how many miles of welds will be there to keep the frame and subframe hooked together!

Thats a good thing! More welds= stronger. But yes, it isn't the most pleasing to the eye.

[ambryatim]

Originally Posted by Wheelie

Thats a good thing! More welds= stronger. But yes, it isn't the most pleasing to the eye.

Yep, I left the arms on mine too....Hey, Wheelie....you are pretty close to me. I live just south of Denton. If you need any help let me know and I will do my best to help if you need it.

[Wheelie]

Originally Posted by ambryatim

Yep, I left the arms on mine too....Hey, Wheelie....you are pretty close to me. I live just south of Denton. If you need any help let me know and I will do my best to help if you need it.

Thanks man! I appreciate that. Unfortunately I need more money/time at the moment but I may take you up on that! I have been through Corinth a time or two. My sister lives out in Sanger.

[Wheelie]

Progress today, got the doors off and removed cab bolts.

I was alone today, I got impatient and had to pull the cab off now. A dolly, 4 ft 2x4 and my new bad ass floor jack and some muscle I worked the cab off....ALONE.

front view of impatience.

Cab off!


With the cab off its time for some heavy metal

and for fun I wondered if I could draw my truck without looking....and I don't draw.

[kgmunro]

Looks to be a cool project...can't wait to see more!

[Wheelie]

So things are still slow but I recently located my engine placement and welded up my motor mounts. Still need to box them but here ya go. I chose to place the engine higher then it would have normally sat in the subframe. The pics should give you an idea. Reason being that I personally think the engine sits way too low if using stock camaro mounts. Raising it looks better too, and I can go over bumps and lay frame without tearing off my oil pan.

[Kim57]

Looking good.
Kim

[OrrieG]

Not a bad idea, the engine compartments on these are SO deep you can raise the motor 6" or run outrageous intakes without touching the hood. I think you can even mount a blower and have the hood shut. I keep reminding me of that when I get wound up about how something down by the frame looks.

[Wheelie]

I had my control arms powdercoated satin black and rebuilt them with all new bushings and balljoints. What a pain in the ass!

[ChuckDriver]

Powder coating is always cool!

[squirrely_1]

I have a 58' that i am eagerly awaiting to get tearing into, it is all original, but 75% of the fenders are trash. But it has the OE 235, with a 3 on the tree.. I am so glad to have found your thread, i have been wanting a visual on someone actually doing a sub frame swap on a 58-59.Thanks for the pics! keep em' coming!

[Wheelie]

Originally Posted by squirrely_1

I have a 58' that i am eagerly awaiting to get tearing into, it is all original, but 75% of the fenders are trash. But it has the OE 235, with a 3 on the tree.. I am so glad to have found your thread, i have been wanting a visual on someone actually doing a sub frame swap on a 58-59.Thanks for the pics! keep em' coming!

Thats great its pretty straight forward. Just a bunch of measuring and remeasuring! I just found that I am getting me a 58 that I sold to a buddy a few years back when I got this one. So I am excited about my next project and keeping that one original more or less .. maybe

[2dwn4u]

Originally Posted by Wheelie

I have always liked the look of ralleys on these trucks, looking good!

[87Lowrider]

Any more progress?

I'm starting a similar project on my '57 stepper with a '78 Clip. Is 28.5 still the magic number or is that with the 2" considered for front to rear centering?

Btw, I found this thread via jalopyjournal and am still finishing Lux's thread...

Nice work also!!

[55Cameo]

whats the size of your wheels n tires. i like your ride height and stance. great job

[Sin7]

Looking good so far. Can't wait to see this one around town.

[Wheelie]

Originally Posted by 87Lowrider

Any more progress?

I'm starting a similar project on my '57 stepper with a '78 Clip. Is 28.5 still the magic number or is that with the 2" considered for front to rear centering?

Btw, I found this thread via jalopyjournal and am still finishing Lux's thread...

Nice work also!!

I went out and remeasured and I ended up being at 29.5 inches measuring from the top front of the body mount on the frame straight to the center of the upper shock mount hole. On progress.. I pretty much boxed in one frame rail. The engine is STILL in the machine shop. Its been like a year but he is hooking me up. Sometimes having a buddy do work for you cheap can cost a lot of time but I work at a slow pace like him. He promised me last week that the engine will be done soon. He hired a new machinist to speed up process at his shop and my engine was on priority. As soon as that comes back I'm starting up again because having that virgin engine there will put the fire on me to get out finish the fab work. I also got sidetracked with my new tow rig. I got a Dodge 2500 Cummins HD truck and had to put injectors in it and that was a lot of $$.

[Wheelie]

Originally Posted by 55Cameo

whats the size of your wheels n tires. i like your ride height and stance. great job

Thx! 205/75R15 on 15x7 (I think) rallys and 275/60R15 on 15x10 rallys in back.