Another 1959 Apache build!

[dug224]

Nice build! Not sure how it got by me. Thanks for the support on my build. dug224

[Wheelie]

I got some more done yesterday. I fabbed up my trans mount using a new one I got at work from another project we couldn't use and modified it. It is tube, has the clearance for my exhaust to pass and it looks good. I had cut the old mount plate off after I bent the side mounts up to fit between my boxed in framerails. It was offset almost an inch to one side? Fortunately I had another raw mount plate and used that and gusseted the sides. I got to use my new welder some more. Its nice to have equipment in my garage thats better then at the shop I work at, It burned it nicely. I still need to modify the frame to make the mount bolt in so it is serviceable.

[Wheelie]

I began making my frame cross member and remaining supports and got the rear crossmember welded in yesterday. I still need to notch it for driveshaft clearance but I will do that later. Now that the rear cross member is in place I can weld off that forward to make my left and right hand frame supports and allow the driveshaft to pass through. I may end up modifying my trans mount and have it bolt directly to the supports Im making. Anyways heres the progress so far, not much but not to bad for how slow I am! Probably going to work on it some more today.

[_Ogre]

wheelie, i have a similar setup on truk; axle flipped on top of stock springs
when you figure for the x-member clearance with the drive shaft
figure it with the axle on the bump stops and then some
truk rubbed the driveshaft going over big dips in the road that set you in your seat

also you might want to c-notch your frame, you will need the clearance for the axle

[Wheelie]

Thanks Ogre,The driveshaft rubbed the top of the stock crossmember over big bumps? Thats a lot of travel. I knew I would lose some with the weight of the bed but damn! I had been planning on using a 2" U-bend tube as the driveshaft passthrough and have the bend go on top. I will just set it up a bit higher then I planned. I will be doing the c notch the same time I finish up locating the axle and weld on the spring perches but I ran out of material. Hopefully all my major chassis fab will be done in a few weeks and it will be a roller.

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by Wheelie

The driveshaft rubbed the top of the stock crossmember over big bumps?

yes it did. if i had to do it over again and learn from my mistakes i would do a 4 inch notch minimum.
i would either raise the bed floor or hump the center section to allow for the extra notch.
and then i would modify the x-members to clear with the axle on the frame.
as is when i hit the bump stops hard, i also just barely hit the floor of the bed.
there is a bedwood bolt over the rearend punkin that hits the punkin, i had to recess the nut into the bedwood and cut the bolt off to keep from loosening the nut.
i like truk as low as it is and the stance. i would just do a few things to make it better

this is how truk sat without the bed on it, plenty of travel before it hits the frame
with the bed, fenders, gas tank and bedwood installed i have less than 1.5 inches to the top of the notch



my bump stops are located outside the frame and intrude into the notch an inch
they work well, i have never had frame to axle contact

[Wheelie]

Cool, thx Ogre!

[NEWFISHER]

Your build is looking good. Any updates on the chassis?

[Wheelie]

I just pulled the trigger on a jd2 model 32 tube bender to finish my frame crossmembers and make some other odds and ends like a tilt forward front end using the stock sheet metal which will be fun. I got the 180 degree 1 3/4 tube die which will allow me to make my driveshaft hoop for the rear crossmember. I plan to then come off that forward and 45 off to just forward of each left and right forward body mount. The frame should finish out nice. Its been about 5 years since I bent some tubing so I am chomping at the bit to get back into it.

Also I got my 550HP rated short block and high lift cam.(estimated 420-450 hp w my cam) I also got a new holley 750 double pumper and a new high rise intake. My race ported corvette double hump heads are getting new springs to match my cam and hardened seats installed for one less thing to worry about. I got all new tie rods, center link etc. to complete my steering components. I also got a few other small parts like new hardware etc for the clip. Im getting there slowly but surely. I need to finish brake lines, fuel tank and lines and decision on keeping with my idea of using my muncie or using my t350 auto.

[Wheelie]

Got my JD2 model 32 tube bender! Going to pick up my tubing today and hopefully be done with the chassis soon.

[Kim57]

I like it.
Kim

[Mac the Yankee]

Wheelie, the build looks great!

I'm thinking of removing 3 leaves from my rear springs as well- do you remember which ones you took out?

[Wheelie]

Thank Kim, I cant wait to start using a bender again. The possibilities are endless with them.

Mac, I removed the three lower load leafs, they would be the smaller more flat leafs.

[Wheelie]

Got some engine work done today, more tomorrow!

[Wheelie]

Got all the gasket surfaces cleaned and prepped, installed my one piece oil pan gasket and got the waterpump on. Prepped and painted the assembled short block. Heads are done I just need to pick em up. The block is ready for them, almost done!

[Kim57]

Looking good.
Kim

[Wheelie]

FINALLY, got my heads back and installed. Ran out of time today but plan on finishing the valvetrain set up tomorrow.

[Wheelie]

Good god things have been slow on my truck project but rememeber its a super budget build. So far Im at about $1800 invested total. Im starting to get back into gear on it again. I got the rear crossmember done. I started on installing my fuel cell. My exhaust stuff is here and I should be plumbing my brakes and stuff in the next few weeks.

Here is the completed crossmember, frame is upside down in this pic.


Here are a few cool trucks in my cites fourth of july parade.

[Kabwe]

Hey Wheelie,

Everything is looking great man. Keep it up and nice tube bender.

[87Lowrider]

Originally Posted by Wheelie

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 $$.

I don't know how I missed this. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Wheelie

Good god things have been slow on my truck project but rememeber its a super budget build. So far Im at about $1800 invested total. Im starting to get back into gear on it again. I got the rear crossmember done. I started on installing my fuel cell. My exhaust stuff is here and I should be plumbing my brakes and stuff in the next few weeks.

I tore my '57 apart in '06 but it's been the garage since '97. I've worked here and there on it when I had time. I finally decided to send it off and let the body man / fab guy get some of the heavy duty stuff done for me so I can get back on the rest of it. It all takes time and money. You'll get there too.

[vht]

Would really like to see a tilt front end. I would think as low as the eng sets in these trucks, a tilt frt end would be great, but I haven't seen very many people do this. Nice build, I'll be keeping track of this one.

[Wheelie]

Thx guys! I keep chipping away at the chassis. I have about got it ready to start on the brakes and finish the z bar etc. I really want to fire up the motor and piss off the neighbors.

[Roadkill58]

Wheelie what's happening with your truck?









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[Wheelie]

Cabs back on and so is the bed for now. It still needs a lot of little things. I need to install tank and plumb fuel and brakes. I need to finish the steering which I am working on now and get the front sheet metal/ core support/ bumper mounts fabbed up. I still have to do some cab work as well like pedal mounts.

[Kim57]

Good to see you're still with it.
Nice looking wheels.
Kim