[twotone64]

So I did some bartering with my cousin. He had two trucks a 1955 Heavy duty 3/4 ton Chevy and a 1959 Apache long bed step side. He started pulling them apart over 10 years ago and left it at that. So I asked him what he was going to do with them. He said he wanted to sell the 59 and keep the 55. I asked how much, he said "a grand and I have a Camaro Front clip" I told him I might be interested he said well since you do awesome work (his words not min) on restorations if youd be willing to work on the 55 Ill give you the 59.

So we agreed on a price at $30/hr till i get to the $1000 and we would renegotiate. He wants to basically get it back on the road, however I don't think he has any idea how far it is from being on the road, but it makes no difference to me. I have plenty of time and not a lot of money, so its a win/win.

The trucks were located in Escalon, CA (my Grandma's house), and I live about an hour south of her so I had a buddy pull his trailer and we picked them both up at the same time. The '59 is already in boxes, buckets, and all torn apart and PRIME for doing ANYTHING I want. Now if I could just get the money to do the same. Anyway my plan is to have this done in 3 years for my now 3 year old son.

My plans are to drop in a 5.3/6.0 truck motor with 4L60 (complete with OEM wiring harness and computer, late model split bench for the three of us to sit in, flat black paint, Mustang II independant front suspension, very little drop, if any, and pretty much everything else either aftermarket, fabricated parts or adapting the originals. I want to basically make it a modern, safe example of old American iron.

I will post some pictures of both of them tomorrow.

 

[berner]

Sweet deal. I had a 59 short box with a mild BB, TH400 & a 12 bolt years ago. I regret selling it more than any other vehicle I've owned.

I saw an electric wiper conversion kit somewhere on the net. It might be something to consider. A 53 year old vacuum motor has probably seen it's day.

Good luck with the project.

 

[Kim57]

Very cool.
This is a great site for info and advice on what you may need.
http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/
Kim

 

[LeoP]

Nice, I am currently working on a 1980 GMC Indy Hauler. It's on the road, but still needs many things. Good luck with your Apache.

 

[TMAC396]

Neat truck. I have a '59 short bed stepside that I've had for years. It's in flat black paint also, with white grille and bumpers. Threw a 283/glide drivetrain in with a '57 Chevy passenger car rear and '54 Chevy passenger car front hubs. That way it and the Chevelle can share and swap wheels whenever the urge hits. My son LOVES this truck and drove it all through high school. And, yes, an electric wiper conversion is DEFINITELY worth considering. You should have a fun project there.

 

[Cameano]

Post up some pics, Rod. A good friend had a '59 Apache longbed stepside with wrap-around window when we were teens. He had a RAIII Pontiac 400 with an M22 and '57 Olds rearend in it, fun truck. Spent a few summer nights cruisin' SW Military Dr. in San Antonio back in the early 80's.

 

[John in NC]

Love those trucks! Not the same year but similar idea- you might want to browse through this guys build, he did a great job.
http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/1107690-1972-short-bed-6-0-4l80e.html

 

[sschevellefan]

I had a 57 big window project years ago. did a mustang II frontend and a flip kit in the rear with a 9". It was a cool truck and its what I learned what little fab skills I have on. shoulda kept it. I love the 55-59 body style.

 

[Tom Mobley]

http://www.trifive.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=76

I also hang out in the hi-perf and engine areas. I guess I should admit I'm a supermod/admin over there too. go by tmoble.

I hung out on 67-72 for awhile, but got tired of the admin/mods attitude. Just because I called out some vendor over a cheap crap trick he was pulling on the members. I was accused of vendor bashing and labeled a troll. Mod h8ers, take that!

 

[joeyv69ragtop]

So I did some bartering with my cousin. He had two trucks a 1955 Heavy duty 3/4 ton Chevy and a 1959 Apache long bed step side. He started pulling them apart over 10 years ago and left it at that. So I asked him what he was going to do with them. He said he wanted to sell the 59 and keep the 55. I asked how much, he said "a grand and I have a Camaro Front clip" I told him I might be interested he said well since you do awesome work (his words not min) on restorations if youd be willing to work on the 55 Ill give you the 59.

So we agreed on a price at $30/hr till i get to the $1000 and we would renegotiate. He wants to basically get it back on the road, however I don't think he has any idea how far it is from being on the road, but it makes no difference to me. I have plenty of time and not a lot of money, so its a win/win.

The trucks were located in Escalon, CA (my Grandma's house), and I live about an hour south of her so I had a buddy pull his trailer and we picked them both up at the same time. The '59 is already in boxes, buckets, and all torn apart and PRIME for doing ANYTHING I want. Now if I could just get the money to do the same. Anyway my plan is to have this done in 3 years for my now 3 year old son.

My plans are to drop in a 5.3/6.0 truck motor with 4L60 (complete with OEM wiring harness and computer, late model split bench for the three of us to sit in, flat black paint, Mustang II independant front suspension, very little drop, if any, and pretty much everything else either aftermarket, fabricated parts or adapting the originals. I want to basically make it a modern, safe example of old American iron.

I will post some pictures of both of them tomorrow.

Can't wait to follow these projects!

Love those trucks! Not the same year but similar idea- you might want to browse through this guys build, he did a great job.
http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/1107690-1972-short-bed-6-0-4l80e.html

Looks like he used the truck to pick up its new power plant, awesome!

 

[JNorton]

Can't wait to see pics...Apaches are cool. I remember the guy across the street had one when I was kid. When he would drive me and his son to/from school, we would roll around in the back like loose cargo for fun.

 

[Alwhite00]

My first "car" was a 59 Apache 3/4 ton longbed - Wouldn't stop or steer worth a damn but if you wanted to haul something - look out. Got any pics?

LK

 

[Durwoods69]

Sounds like a great project! Just got my '59 Apache finished and on the road 3 months ago after a 4 year frame-off resto. It's a 3/4 ton longbed.

 

[davewho1]

^^^NICE, Darren! :thumbsup: :beers:

Where's those pics, Rod?

 

[Andy69]

http://www.trifive.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=76

I also hang out in the hi-perf and engine areas. I guess I should admit I'm a supermod/admin over there too. go by tmoble.

I hung out on 67-72 for awhile, but got tired of the admin/mods attitude. Just because I called out some vendor over a cheap crap trick he was pulling on the members. I was accused of vendor bashing and labeled a troll. Mod h8ers, take that!

those damn modernators l

 

[twotone64]

Here are a few of the '59 as well as the '55 that I will be working on:

boxes of parts for the '59

the 1955:

 

[Chris R]

Looks like a solid project. Ive always liked that body style.

 

[Alwhite00]

Looks really solid, Lots of work but you have a good foundation. Are you putting a clip under it or are you going stock?

LK

 

[twotone64]

Looks really solid, Lots of work but you have a good foundation. Are you putting a clip under it or are you going stock?

LK

I considered the Camaro untill I looked at the alternative. I'll probably go with a Mustang II front suspension so I don't loose the use of the stock locationg points for the sheetmetal, and from what I understand with the Camaro clip I would have had to cut the inner fenders. Probably going to use the stock rearend with some investigation, otherwise I have a '68+ a-body rearend I can weld the brackets on.

I haven't exactly decided on a fuel system yet, I'd like to take that fuel tank out of the cab and use some sort of OEM fuel tank for an injected car since I am doing the LSx drive train.

I learned a lot when I did my Chevelle 5.3/4L60 swap, I am going to do a much better job, in my opinion this time around. I would like to do the 6.0 but a 5.3 would be fine.

 

[berner]

I remember (25+ yrs ago) some guys using a mid 70's Volare clip with the torsion bars. They are a complete assembly c/w the cross member. The whole assembly bolts in under the frame with a couple of L brackets and some brackets for the torsion bars (I think). There's no cutting of your frame rails required. I had one but no shop, no $, never got installed.