58 Apache on Blazer 4x4 chassis?

[dyno]

Hi,

My son and I want to start a 58 Apache short box 4x4 project. We have looked at some Napco trucks, but decided we wanted to do a build with newer running gear. How well does a 73-87 Blazer frame work? Would a shortened K20 truck chassis work as well? We would also like to put in a tilt steering column.

[Berg]

There are a few guys on here who have kept their stock frames and swapped in axles and changed out the trans/transfer case. The good thing about this is you have a lot less fab time spent on cutting down a frame or making mounts to fit. If you find a flat top knuckle Dana 44 or run a Dana 60 front axle you could make up a crossover steering setup too using mostly off the shelf GM parts. Of course if you found a later model K10, K20 or 30 or even a Blazer it would be a lot easier to swap the whole drivetrain from that vehicle into yours. Are you thinking about doing 4 speed or going with an auto trans? I recommend the NP205 T-case for a conversion like this unless you feel like you would want more low range. They are almost Bulletproof along with the SM465 and parts are readily available for them still.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=233305
Lurker- OrrieG
This link is a thread to a member on here who redid a 59 Apache in the 70's when research wasn't as easy without the internet. He is doing the truck over the second time around and has a lot of useful information towards what you'd like to do. I highly recommend you read the thread front to back and ask away. He added power steering and power brakes and retained a real original look to it so far. To the untrained eye you and your son could have this thing looking factory fresh with modern amenities.

[dyno]

Thanks for the input Berg. A whole drivetrain swap onto 58 frame makes quite a bit of sense. Yes, I'm going with a 205 t-case and sm465 tranny. We would love to power it with a 4BT Cummins, but they are spendy. He is concerned about fuel economy since this will be his daily driver. I have a ranch truck with 6.2 diesel...hate the lack of power, but it gets 25mpg! So we are thinking about finding a 3/4 ton 4x4 with 6.2 for our running gear donor truck.

[rgunlock]

I'm doing a similar build, a 59 short stepside on a donor 76 4x4 Blazer frame. Just finished getting the frame ready. Had to lengthen the frame to get the 114" wheelbase. I wasn't keen on raising the floor in the bed, so I made perches for the bed, cab and core support that aren't too pretty but should get the job done. That was the toughest part for me. Had to buy a bushing set and do a LOT of mockup to get reasonable gaps, etc. Here's where mine is at now.

[Berg]

I had a 6.2 in an old CUCV plow truck. That thing was great as long as you took care of it and didn't rev it out. My only complaint about that engine was removing swollen glow plugs and the Standadyne injection pump that went out and cost more than a replacement engine from the junkyard. It actually had a decent amount of pep with the Banks kit on it. I think that would be a nice clean simple build with not much to go wrong with it. I have never seen a 6.2 in an Apache so you'd get originality points too! If you did keep it gas however I wouldn't overlook going with a 1970's Inline 6 with HEI ignition so long as it isn't the integral head engine. For some reason I'm not a fan of those. The good news is you can get the PS pump brackets and 12SI alternator brackets easily. Same goes for the 6.2 swap. I just wouldn't want to go any higher than a 3.73 gear with a direct drive transmission for a daily driver but with that low 1st gear and a strong 2nd gear I don't think you'd have much of a problem staying in with traffic.

[Berg]

Rick, looks like a good start. I like the idea of boxing the frame under the cab. Is that where you stretched it?

[rgunlock]

Berg - may have been total overkill, but I welded angle top and bottom inside the frame where I stretched it. Wasn't sure I trusted that, so I boxed to a few inches either side of where I stretched it, and added fishplate to the outside of the frame as well. Wouldn't want that area to buckle at 70mph!

[OrrieG]

Look at my build thread. When I did my first conversion, the internet was not in place, I just looked at what had been done locally. I decided it was easier to bolt on the axles, make a crossmember and mess with the steering than deal with everything required to mount the body. But guys like Sgtusmc are more ambitious that I am, his is 2wd but you can see the challenges. I am still a fan of keeping the original frame and mounting newer stuff even on the 2wd trucks. Less variables to deal with. Link to my build is below.

[Hutch]

I kinda like this idea
http://www.e-zchassisswaps.com/
I bet it makes for reliable truck that you can still get parts for.

[dyno]

Originally Posted by Hutch

I kinda like this idea
http://www.e-zchassisswaps.com/
I bet it makes for reliable truck that you can still get parts for.

Thanks for digging up that link! Sounds like this kit will take all of the guesswork (and time) out of all the bracket fabbing. I will be giving them a call to find out more.

[renegade6]

Mine was converted sometime in the 80s with the original frame. The one thing that is different on mine is the way that the steering was set up.

Link on my signature.

[OrrieG]

Reading the fine print, it seems like the kits require modifying the step area, raising the cab and raising the beds. Ok for show trucks but could be problematic for a driver or one that is used. Also might make it tough to get the lowered slammed look most 2wd's want. Not being critical, just making clarification points.

[Ruff]

My 58 apache,

[55dude]

those kits are around $1,500 and are for S10 swaps. if you have any skills you can build the parts for a frame swap.

[mr48chev]

I've seen a number of them both ways around here and usually the ones with the stock frames and the added 4x pieces look better to me. The ones with the frame swaps seem to be the ones that are crawling around the woods more often though.

With the leaf springs already under the TF and the straight ladder frame it seems that doing the swap would be pretty straight forward.

[dyno]

This is an old thread of mine that got ressurected. I ended up using the stock frame and bolting 80's K20 springs/shackles/brackets under it. Worked out slick. It's over on my build thread.

[rgunlock]

[quote=mr48chev;6643039I've seen a number of them both ways around here and usually the ones with the stock frames and the added 4x pieces look better to me. The ones with the frame swaps seem to be the ones that are crawling around the woods more often though.

With the leaf springs already under the TF and the straight ladder frame it seems that doing the swap would be pretty straight forward.[/quote]

I agree. The Blazer frame I posted a couple years ago will likely just donate parts when I get back on my 59 project. Current plan is to use stock frame.