What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Geronimo: 1959 Chevy Apache

1959 Chevy Apache long bed Fleetside with some modern stuff inside. Built for long trips
Overview Gallery Discussion
That's the best one yet with the wheels and whitewalls, and I think the white grill and bumper brings in the camper top a lot better. It looks a little like the 70s on a 50s truck with all the metal flake though. A cool truck either way...(y)

What's with all the giant exhaust tips sticking out? Has anyone tried to hide the exhaust tip in the photochop? Even the last one appears to stick out so far someone might trip over it, a subtle tip is much cleaner. Some hang down so low they look like they came back under the axle.
 
folkenheath said:
That's the best one yet with the wheels and whitewalls, and I think the white grill and bumper brings in the camper top a lot better. It looks a little like the 70s on a 50s truck with all the metal flake though. A cool truck either way...(y)

What's with all the giant exhaust tips sticking out? Has anyone tried to hide the exhaust tip in the photochop? Even the last one appears to stick out so far someone might trip over it, a subtle tip is much cleaner. Some hang down so low they look like they came back under the axle.
Click to expand...
The exhaust tip was added, though in real life, it wouldn't stick out that far. They are called "Bellflowers" and they are very 60s style.

Metalflake was something that started being used on vehicles in the the 60s. But yeah, in the 70s it was hugely popular
 
I'm not feeling the the bellflowers on this, but personally i've never cared for them on trucks in general.
Your build.

Did you make it to iron invasion?
 
Last edited:
beags86 said:
I'm not feeling the the bellflowers on this, but personally i've cared for them on trucks in general.
Your build.

Did you make it to iron invasion?
Click to expand...
I did, the drizzle scared some people away, but it ended up being a nice weather day.
 
muddermilitia said:
The exhaust tip was added, though in real life, it wouldn't stick out that far. They are called "Bellflowers" and they are very 60s style.
Click to expand...

Thanks for teaching me something new, I've never heard of those before and had to look it up, I suppose it's like a sidepipe, but for the back of the car. :pimp1:
 
folkenheath said:
Thanks for teaching me something new, I've never heard of those before and had to look it up, I suppose it's like a sidepipe, but for the back of the car. :pimp1:
Click to expand...
Heath didn't know something about a car?!?! Holy cow the sky is falling!
 
Moving right along. Painted and assembled the steering. All MOOG parts.

1115181712.jpg 1120182231.jpg

Today I took the doors off the cab and repositioned the chassis. Hoping to put the cab on the chassis this weekend.

Inside of the hinge pockets look pretty good. These cabs are known to rot out there.

1121181128.jpg
1121181128b.jpg
1121181129.jpg
1121181130.jpg
 
They were calling for a snow storm to hit us Sunday mid day and continue all through the night. So Saturday, my brother and I moved the cab to my driveway and then loaded it on to the chassis. I'm pretty happy with the way its sitting. Still plenty of weight to be added with the powertrain and the rest of the body. The top of the cab is right at 6ft from the ground.

1124181447.jpg 1124181534a.jpg
 
muddermilitia said:
They were calling for a snow storm to hit us Sunday mid day and continue all through the night. So Saturday, my brother and I moved the cab to my driveway and then loaded it on to the chassis. I'm pretty happy with the way its sitting. Still plenty of weight to be added with the powertrain and the rest of the body. The top of the cab is right at 6ft from the ground.

View attachment 286630 View attachment 286631
Click to expand...


Looks like you are going to have to get creative with the steering shaft.
 
jekquistk5 said:
Looks like you are going to have to get creative with the steering shaft.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I'll have to decide what column I'm going to use 1st, then go from there.

The EZ chassis swap kit includes a plate for the firewall with holes for you to mount a 90s caprice column in. Then you use an Astro Van steering shaft.

I absolutely hate when people put modern steering columns into vintage vehicles so I will not go that route. I think I am going to use an aftermarket column with a clamp on turn signal switch and possibly a 59 Impala Steering wheel???
 
Ordered up new rear springs. Went with 4" drop springs from Western Chassis. They are back ordered until the end of the month.

Also got new spring mounts and drop shackles. Need to paint and install. I got a heavy duty sway bar for the front. Mocked that up.

Mocked up the radiator support. Then realized its actually for the 55-57 front sheet metal. Checked my other rad support I have, its the same one. So I need to get the correct one. Working on getting my garage furnace working now. Temps are getting cold around here lately.

0102192037.jpg 1231181426.jpg 1207182156.jpg
 
Well that was quick. Put out a wanted post on a few Apache facebook groups last week. The same day, a guy that lived about 60 miles away replied and said he had what I needed. Sunday I went and bought the correct radiator support, inner fenders and a good latch panel from him.

I installed the rad support last night. The passenger side inner fender looks like it's close to fitting, just a little trimming needed. But the driver side will need more cut off to clear the steering gear box. I need to get a 2nd set of hands over here though to help out with deciding where and how much to cut. My dad went into the hospital on Sunday, so I'm gonna be a little busy with that for awhile though.

Anyways, here's a pic of Sundays haul

0106191048.jpg
 
muddermilitia said:
Well that was quick. Put out a wanted post on a few Apache facebook groups last week. The same day, a guy that lived about 60 miles away replied and said he had what I needed. Sunday I went and bought the correct radiator support, inner fenders and a good latch panel from him.

I installed the rad support last night. The passenger side inner fender looks like it's close to fitting, just a little trimming needed. But the driver side will need more cut off to clear the steering gear box. I need to get a 2nd set of hands over here though to help out with deciding where and how much to cut. My dad went into the hospital on Sunday, so I'm gonna be a little busy with that for awhile though.

Anyways, here's a pic of Sundays haul

View attachment 290993
Click to expand...

I am down your way alot. I could swing by sometime if you needed some extra hands.
In fact I was just down by you doing a welding project for a guy last week.
 
No actual truck progress right now. But we did get my garage furnace working and started on adding some more electrical outlets. This Monday I have the day off work, driving up to a friends place. He sold his business and is now running a body shop out of his garage. He's going to restore the front fenders for me.

Also I have been looking into rear axle options. I think I will get a 9" housing from Strange engineering. I have a 3rd member already, that just needs the gears changed but that part can wait till next year. Strange Eng is located fairly close to my house, so I can just pick up there to save on shipping and handling.

If I get back home early enough on Monday, I'm gonna try and get the rest of the frame painted and start working on painting the rear spring hangers
 
So it got cold around here last week. Like really cold, like -25 F cold. So I didn't get anything done last week.

Yesterday we had a warm day (50 degrees) so as soon as I got home from work, I cranked up the furnace and warmed up the garage for 2 hours. I scuffed down the back of the frame, turned off the heater, then sprayed 2 coats of paint. Then set up fans under the garage door and aired out the fumes. Finished installing 3 more outlet boxes in the garage too.

I called Western Chassis, they are expecting to get the back ordered dropped leaf springs next Monday and they will ship out after that.

I called Strange Engineering and placed my order for a 9" axle housing. That will be ready in 2 weeks.

My body guy is picking up the front fenders from the acid dipper tomorrow and then he will start on the rust repair and body work.

Looking at a lot of 12hr days at work for the next month. But its ok, I have some time until parts start showing up again. In the meantime I gotta get the spring hangers painted and installed

0204192118.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom