61 c15 Apache Build

[lucasmooers]

We after 25 years of sitting in the barn me and my father have decided to tackle the restoration of the family farm truck that was bought new in 61. The truck was used every day up until the mid 80s as the rust finally put a stop to its everyday use. What we plan on doing is this we have a 1984 Chevy 1/2 ton 2wd donor truck that we plan on using. What we want to do is this...

Swap the torsion beam front end to the modern 84 coil front end.(The torsion beams are very worn and need a total overhaul and parts are non existent or very very expensive)

Swap the 235 and 3 speed on the tree to a nice running 305 and TH350. (The 235 would be eventually placed in a Oliver 77 frame)

Swap the rear axle from coils to leaf springs and a GM 10 bolt. (I know a lot of people love the coil rear end but ours needs total rebuild which would push 700+ dollars whereas the leafs from the donor are in great shape and our time is free as oppose to buying parts)

All of the above swaps would be on the original 61 frame which is a long bed feet side. We also have a nice 63 cab from a C60 truck to put in place of the 61 cab which is rotted pretty bad.(thanks to 30 years of Maine road salt)

Any input for this project would be greatly appreciated especially if people have done the front end swap and the read end swap.

[1963c-10]

Sounds like you've got some big plans for it. Cant wait to see some pics. Are you putting the 235 in an Oliver tractor? Dont see many of them down here...mostly John Deere country here but I saw a couple at a tractor show last year.

[awbrown]

We need Pictures !! I want everyone to see what Mainers have to do fix one of these jewels... my other truck was a maine truck .. This what I started with .. Most guys would say to find a new cab , but In Maine ,you wont...

[awbrown]

There are threads on this forum to do all you want to do , just search the forum in the google box and you should have some extensive reading ...

[lucasmooers]

I will have pictures of the project as soon as the snow melts the truck, cab, and donor vehicle out of the snow bank. We were very lucky to find a very solid cab from a 63 c60 farm truck that was exclusively used for potato transport in the fall only. But as the pics from above show Maine trucks have RUST from tip to tail in every place. Luckily my father is a master body man with over 40 years experience resurrecting crusher bait in to museum quality trucks and cars.

As for the Oliver tractor with a 235 conversion I have seen it done before and it can be done with very little effort. The hardest part is rigging up the aftermarket Governor.The hope is to send as little of the truck and donor vehicle to scrap yard as possible. No need for the American steel to be shipped to Japan to be melted down in to toyotas.