SkinnyG's '61 Apache

[SkinnyG]

Picked up three 2.25" 409 stainless J-bends to do the crossover, and also picked up a big cone filter for the torbo so I can accurately place the turbo. But to be sure exactly where the turbo sits, I need to know where the tires are going to end up, so me and Mr. Plasma got happy.

It will ACTUALLY STEER like this, full lock-to-lock, with the control arms on the ground. Inner fenders will be patched up, outer fenders need to be notched 2.5".

[SkinnyG]

Inner fender #1 tacked together. Some more wee patching to do.

[jkeating1]

You get the intercooler/condenser/trans cooler/ps cooler/oil cooler location worked out?

[SkinnyG]

I have bold ideas, but not solidified yet.

Intercooler will fit easy with cutting of the rad support and removal of the "X".

I've decided on the AC system I want, and it looks like the condenser will only need 1" of space. Makes moving the rad easy.

The other coolers I will place wherever I can fit them; they aren't critical.

I wanted to get exhaust done this weekend, but I had to know where the inner fenders were going to be. This took longer than I expected. Hopefully get exhaust done over Christmas break.

[SkinnyG]

[Notch1988]

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

Looks good, looks like those PA fenders worked out well.

[jkeating1]

Fabrication like this is my favorite part of the build--but still, I'm anxious to see when the Tremclad and roller come out, whether this truck will be green or red.

[SkinnyG]

I won't be Tremclad rollering this one. I want to do a better job of this, as it is intended to be my "last" truck. And it won't be green or red.

[jkeating1]

I'm sure the paint process won't be subcontracted, so it will be interesting to watch you attack that when the time comes.

RE coolers..

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

...Intercooler will fit easy with cutting of the rad support and removal of the "X"....The other coolers I will place wherever I can fit them; they aren't critical.

since you have a penchant for the out-of-the-ordinary, had you ever considered a top mount intercooler (as a WRX), taking air from the "nostrils"?

Is that too out-of-the-box?

[SkinnyG]

I didn't think of putting the intercooler there, but it didn't present itself to me as a worthwhile place to put it.

Certainly would be out-of-the-ordinary.

[SkinnyG]

Originally Posted by Notch1988

Looks good, looks like those PA fenders worked out well.

It took three fenders to do the two. I still need to figure out how I want to do splash-shields/inner-fender-shields to keep road crap out of the typical rust areas.

[SkinnyG]

Filler panel for the inner fender. The outer fender will be attaching to it from underneath, hence the holes.

[SkinnyG]

Wow. I have SO many hours into these inner fenders. Oh my gosh. And I'm out of MIG gas, on Christmas day.

[SkinnyG]

Started in on the exhaust.

[SkinnyG]

Turns out I didn't cut the manifold at an angle for the v-band, and should have. So I cut it apart again and re-welded it.

Then spent the entire rest of the day trying to devised a mount which would hold the turbo while I fabricate the pipes to run it. Trying to get the right placement so the exhaust can feed it, so the turbo can expel, so the wastegate can be placed, so the turbo compressor can reach the intercooler, so the plugs can be reached, so the oil fill cap won't melt, so the heater hoses will clear, so the AC hoses will clear, so the filter will fit, so the hood will close.........

Not really happy with the mount itself, but I think it's a good placement.

[Captainfab]

I have heard that the LS exhaust manifolds are cast steel instead of cast iron. Is that true?

[jonzcustomshop]

looking cool! following!

[SkinnyG]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

I have heard that the LS exhaust manifolds are cast steel instead of cast iron. Is that true?

They broke like cast, but they weld like steel, so I would confirm that.

[namloc]

very cool.

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

Wow. I have SO many hours into these inner fenders. Oh my gosh. And I'm out of MIG gas, on Christmas day.

[SkinnyG]

[SkinnyG]

'61 C10 Apache Part 9: Shortened Pan, Motor...

[Grizz1963]

I continue to enjoy your build.

Filler panel on the wheel arch looks good.

I know nothing about building performance, but turbos turn me on.

[WunTon]

Great work and nice video. Is this your home shop?

[SkinnyG]

It is my home shop.

I designed and built the shop myself, and did all the work from the concrete forms to the roofing shingles and everything inbetween except actually pouring the concrete and finishing the slab.

This is the house that I will head to the old folks home from. Watching my dad sail into his infinity having never realized his dream of owning and working on antique automobiles, I decided I needed to built it. I did NOT want to sail into my infinity without chasing my dreams too. Rolled the cost all into a re-mortgaging of the house.

The equipment has been amassing over the years. Some were sweet deals, some were cashing in gift cards. Some were "I will find a way to pay this off." I used to just work out of the two-car house garage, with my wife always having parking priority. But eventually more and more equipment came in, and then I had two project cars on the go, and then there was no room to work any more, and it was a whole lot less fun.

The shop is 1065sqft, and pretty much as large as I am legally aloud to build. It's tucked right in close to the back of the property. The biggest drawback is I cannot get a tow truck or a dually into the backyard at all. But I can get my truck back there without even folding the mirrors in.

[SkinnyG]

I forgot the most important part - I have a very loving and supportive wife. She's amazing. I'd do anything for her.