The Apache

[-hooch-]

Originally Posted by JML55

Cool truck

Thanks JML55.

Ground on the notches, got the rear end set under the frame, and set the bed on top of it all. Pictures to come soon.

Also changed the name of the truck to Geronimo. He was an Apache, so I thought it was pretty fitting. Geronimo means one who yawns, and this will be a cruiser so it fits there too.

[_Ogre]

big back window and fleetside bed... what's not to like about it
fyi, the apache name was 58-61.
no idea why gm bridged 2 different partial models with the apache moniker

[-hooch-]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

big back window and fleetside bed... what's not to like about it
fyi, the apache name was 58-61.
no idea why gm bridged 2 different partial models with the apache moniker

Thanks man! I just think apache sounds meaner than "the 55" or something else. Plus being in oklahoma we have a heavy indian influence

[-hooch-]

Talked to a guy this weekend, and I got some (what sounds like) solid information. Trucks that have some sort of trailing arm suspension can go lower than a leaf spring equipped rear end. Can anyone confirm this, and if so, what triangulated rears do people around here recommend? Or other setups?

[JakeDW]

You can use a parallel 4 link with a wats link in the rear that would keep the best pinion angle and keep the wheels centered in the wheel wells.Or a triangulated 4 link would be less work if you do it that way try to make the bars long and about or the same length.

Just wondering if you are going to lay the truck on the frame if you made sure the bottom of the cross was level or higher than the frame.

Cool truck to do.

Jake

[-hooch-]

Originally Posted by JakeDW

You can use a parallel 4 link with a wats link in the rear that would keep the best pinion angle and keep the wheels centered in the wheel wells.Or a triangulated 4 link would be less work if you do it that way try to make the bars long and about or the same length.

Just wondering if you are going to lay the truck on the frame if you made sure the bottom of the cross was level or higher than the frame.

Cool truck to do.

Jake

hey jake!

I will have to take a look at the crossmember.

Sorry for the lack of pics lately, it has been slow. We're down to the bare frame. Right now we are working on the notches, and we have decided on a parallel four link with panhard bar. We figured if we're going to bag it, we might as well put it on the ground.

I have also nailed down a color - velvet green from Volkswagen.

I also finished a really good drawing I hope to turn into a rendering... so get ready! Here's a sneak peek...

[made2drag]

awesome work...love the detailed pics!

[-hooch-]

Originally Posted by made2drag

awesome work...love the detailed pics!

Thanks man! I'll try to get some more up, but first I've got to get some stuff done

[-hooch-]

Alright guys I have more questions:

1) what parallel four links are you guys running?

2) Is there a good place or better brand to get? Possibly a package that comes with all the hardware and panhard bar?

Sponsors you want to chime in?

Also, here's the start of our notch. Any ideas? Criticism? Tips?

[Kim57]

Looks like it should work to me.
I used a TCI in my build.
Purchased years ago through Currie when I had them narrow my rear end.
Kim

[-hooch-]

Updates: We got a triangulated four link from airbagit.com. Looks like good stuff!

Got one notch almost completely done, and the other one to come. Moving slow now that school has started. Pics to come soon.

[ChuckDriver]

I was looking through your build again today, and noticed Pic #7 in Post 9. It looks like you cut out a lot of the forward cab mount below the floor. Just thinking you might want to rebuild or replace it.

Looking forward to more progress pic's!

[-hooch-]

Originally Posted by ChuckDriver

I was looking through your build again today, and noticed Pic #7 in Post 9. It looks like you cut out a lot of the forward cab mount below the floor. Just thinking you might want to rebuild or replace it.

Looking forward to more progress pic's!

I went back and found what you were talking about. I can't remember exactly, but I want to say we beefed that up when we fixed the floor. I will have to look again though. Thanks Chuck!

[-hooch-]

About time for some updates...

1) we sold the blue 64, so that will get some money coming through for this build. Set of wheels and hopefully most of the paint and body.

2) found a guy locally that seems to know everything about bags, so hopefully he'll come out soon and we'll see if we can get the suspension finished up

3) the rear notches are completely finished thank goodness. Grind and clean them up a little, and then it will be time for the rear end and triangulated four link to turn in.

Without further ado... here's some pics of the notches!

[JakeDW]

I like your notch concept.What wheels you going with.

Jake

[-hooch-]

Originally Posted by JakeDW

I like your notch concept.What wheels you going with.

Jake

Centerline smoothies, or maybe if I can swing it the delmo specials.

[Kim57]

Coming along real nicely.
Kim

[-hooch-]

Originally Posted by Kim57

Coming along real nicely.
Kim

Thanks! Can't wait to see them cleaned up and painted.

[-hooch-]

Pics as promised

















Ride height?



Close to aired out?



The notches will definitely let me go as low as I want. Now just need to figure out triangulated rear and crossmember. Then it's time for bags. Just one step at a time...

[JakeDW]

I did not realize the frame was so far up in the body on thoes so I'm sure your front cross should be fine.Bed looks nice on there.

Jake

[Kim57]

Looking good.
Kim

[ChuckDriver]

Very cool!

[-hooch-]

Kim and Chuck - Thanks for keeping up with the build guys!

Jake - I think it will be good enough too, and thanks! The bed is one of my favorite parts about the truck. Love the arrow.

Been playing around with some renderings in photoshop lately. Being able to visualize the truck as well as seeing the bed touch the ground should get me motivated enough to knock out a lot of work soon.

Here's some of my favorite renderings:

[ChuckDriver]

Here's a pic I saved some time ago.

[-hooch-]

JJ is that your truck?? That's the one we based our notches off of.