Project 59 Apache "1st Build"

[Tri5Nerd]

Originally Posted by Fat Mike

I still have to cut a hole in the boxed side and put a piece of pipe through it to sleeve the hole for more support for that bolt. If you look very close there is a small gap if ther was any water and I was going to put 3 small hole as bleeders in the bottom.

Does anyone know how much it might cost to cut down one side of that tank and have it rewelded?

Mike, Be very careful about cutting and rewelding a used tank, there can be a fire if you dont completely get all the gas and fumes out of the tank. Why don't you look into a mustang and Chevy Van tank. I see them new online for a little over $100.

[Fat Mike]

Originally Posted by Tri5Nerd

Mike, Be very careful about cutting and rewelding a used tank, there can be a fire if you dont completely get all the gas and fumes out of the tank. Why don't you look into a mustang and Chevy Van tank. I see them new online for a little over $100.

I probably will. I am just a cheap @ss and try to utilize as much stuff as I can first without having to spend money. Just so you know I definetly would not be the one to cut and do the welding on that gas tank! LOL!!

[Woodbutcher]

Originally Posted by Tri5Nerd

Mike, Be very careful about cutting and rewelding a used tank, there can be a fire if you dont completely get all the gas and fumes out of the tank. Why don't you look into a mustang and Chevy Van tank. I see them new online for a little over $100.

I gotta agree. Old gas tanks and sparks go kaboom! $100 fora gas tank is cheap when compared to the cost of plastic surgery on your face, etc.

[nikwho]

Hey Mike, the project is looking good! looks like your doing all of the stuff that im doin on mine. Im going to be filling all 2000 holes in my frame here soon! Decided to box the entire length of the frame, too. Yikes! lots of welding! Keep up the good work!

eta: the late 60's mustang gas tanks sell on ebay for under $100!!! And the good news is that they aren't actual f*#d parts so its not as big of a sin. ;-) Different ohm sending units though, so if you go that route, make sure that you can get your fuel guage to work. Im buying aftermarket guages so i'll get one with the coresponding ohms.

[Fat Mike]

Thank you nikwho. I finally got all the metal I need and my g-body subframe. I bought a pipe bender today so I can build my cage for my frame and got all my parts for the four link. Adapters for my rims so now I just need some time!

[Fat Mike]

Let me start by saying I am very thrifty and try to make things work. It's not that I am cheap because 4 link stuff is expensive but I want to see if this is going to work the way I think it is. I got these brackets to weld on the lower axle but am not sure why they have the bend in the bracket. It looks like it could be one of two things. Where the bracket bends it could look like it would attach the lower shock mount and the upper hole would be for the lower link bar. Or if you turn the braket the other way it would have the upper and lower link bars, which I was told that is how it is suppose to be. Need some imput!!

[Fat Mike]

If you look at the way the brackets are you can see how the lower one can do either a link bar or a shock. So using these brackets you can either have a triangular or 4-link system.

[Fat Mike]

Well I decide that I was going to use it as a 4-link using the upper and lower holes for link bars. I decided to get 3/4" chrome heim joints. In the last picture where my hand is pointing I plan on welding in universal brackets to mount my lower shock tower. Because I am putting the shock mount there I had to cut and bend a piece of 1/8" steel to box in the 4-link brackets.

[Tri5Nerd]

Looking good Mike, you're really becoming a fabricator now. Keep it going! It's amazing to see how someone that didn't know much about building and restoring trucks can learn so much for this forum. Once again thanks to all who contribute information and how to.

Tri5

[Fat Mike]

Had very little time to work on this truck today but got a battery tray made up. I have alot of time at work so I make alot of templates of thing and try making them myself so I don't have to spend so much money. Tell me what you think. I also started my c-notch but can't figure out how to get the right angle. I am going to have to take a refresher coarse on geometry. I cut the lower cut that will tie into the frame at 35 degrees. I cant figure out how to get the angle on the other side for the top rail. Need help please.







I also got a pipe bender off craigslist and am going to build a very extensive frame cage. Started bending and have a very extensive blueprint. Hope it all works out.

[Tri5Nerd]

Mike,

All 3 tubes should be at 35* at the top, not the bottom.

Tri5

[Fat Mike]

That is where I messed up. I cut it the wrong direction. when I put the two pieces together it was not flat at the top it went the wrong way.

[Tri5Nerd]

Originally Posted by Fat Mike

That is where I messed up. I cut it the wrong direction. when I put the two pieces together it was not flat at the top it went the wrong way.

So flip the 2 vertical peices and cut both ends of the top at 35* and put then together.

Tri5

[BC Toy chest]

Gr8 work Fat Mike. I like those butt clamps too didn't know about those things I'm gonna look in to getting some of those.

[Fat Mike]

Originally Posted by BC Toy chest

Gr8 work Fat Mike. I like those butt clamps too didn't know about those things I'm gonna look in to getting some of those.

They sell these clamps @ harbor freight for $5 for 8 of them. Read through my thread and Kawbe gives alot of useful info on using them correctly so that your butt welds are tight.

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by Fat Mike

They sell these clamps @ harbor freight for $5 for 8 of them. Read through my thread and Kawbe gives alot of useful info on using them correctly so that your butt welds are tight.

Hey Mike,

BC is a really good friend of mine so if you mention my name associated with anything he will not listen.lol Just give him the info and don't mention my name and he will take it in.lol I told him about these clamps years ago, but did he listen? He comes on here and act like this is the first time he's seen or heard of them.lol Friends sometimes I wonder why we have them.lol He is telling the truth, he didn't know about them because he was not listening with I told him.lol

Mike you are doing a good job keep it up.

[Spackle100]

Originally Posted by Fat Mike

I also got a pipe bender off craigslist and am going to build a very extensive frame cage. Started bending and have a very extensive blueprint. Hope it all works out.

I am interested in a frame cage as well. Where did you get the blueprint?
Thanks!

[Fat Mike]

Originally Posted by Kabwe

Hey Mike,

BC is a really good friend of mine so if you mention my name associated with anything he will not listen.lol Just give him the info and don't mention my name and he will take it in.lol I told him about these clamps years ago, but did he listen? He comes on here and act like this is the first time he's seen or heard of them.lol Friends sometimes I wonder why we have them.lol He is telling the truth, he didn't know about them because he was not listening with I told him.lol

Mike you are doing a good job keep it up.

I understand what your talking about. I have a friend that has built 100 of these trucks and cars and makes fun of me because I read everything on this site at least 10X. I tell him all the time about stuff I see or hear and he laughs at me! He cut his frame to short doing a subframe job the other day and called me over to look at it. I just shook my head and said you should slow down and read more often. Friends just don't listen and when they do they still don't. Oh well, thank you for the compliment.

[Fat Mike]

Originally Posted by Spackle100

I am interested in a frame cage as well. Where did you get the blueprint?
Thanks!

I know a guy at a hotrod and fabrication shop that offers alot of advice on different things that I will be doing. I asked him to help come up with a frame cage that will help with strength and a huge motor. I will be starting this very soon and will show plenty of pictures.

[BC Toy chest]

Originally Posted by Kabwe

Hey Mike,

BC is a really good friend of mine so if you mention my name associated with anything he will not listen.lol Just give him the info and don't mention my name and he will take it in.lol I told him about these clamps years ago, but did he listen? He comes on here and act like this is the first time he's seen or heard of them.lol Friends sometimes I wonder why we have them.lol He is telling the truth, he didn't know about them because he was not listening with I told him.lol

Mike you are doing a good job keep it up.

BC WAS a really good friend..... DITTO MIKE you are doing a good job. I'm trying not to come on here so much but it is so addicting. It's getting worse, more people keep joining, there's just too many trucks to check out.

[ratty 46]

Very kewl project.

I dig the fact that you're doing it on the "cheap" too. No shame in that.

If you lived closer I'd mod the fuel tank for you ... I love aluminum.

Ratty 46

[chevyrestoguy]

Mike-
I haven't had a chance to look at your thread in awhile, and I think you're getting the hang of the fabrication! Very Impressed!

I love the fact that you're doing it on the cheap, too. Always hit the self-serve wrecking yards and keep an open mind. There's treasure in those places and there's tons of parts to be had for cheap. The coolest part is when you use a part that nobody has done before and it turns out awesome.

[Fat Mike]

Thank you for the compliments guys. I wish I could afford the expensive stuff but I just can't! Oh well, I think it is great trying to come up with a new idea for an old part.
This is where I am now on my frame. I got another 76 camaro subframe for $80 and decided it was time to install. I spend alot of time looking on this website for info and finally tried it myself. First thing I did was strip the subframe down to the bare frame and got the 59 frame level. I decided that I really wanted to do it where you cut the arms off and widen the frame alittle. I cut the frame 8" from the hole on the side of the subframe just above the rear lower a-arm. Then I cut out 1 1/2" out of the top and bottom of the subframe right where the frame was cut off.

[Fat Mike]

[Fat Mike]

Next I cleaned up the cuts and beveled the edges to a 45* angle. I used one of my large clamps and closed up the gap. I welded the seam up and the cleaned it up with my angle grinder with a blending sanding pad.