Hot Rods 1960 Apache Crew Cab Build

cool truck ! I had one years ago that was army green with all its military marking on it yet. Mine was made by armbruster coach works, had a metal emblem under the rear window, like the old dealer emblems on car trunks. I've only seen 3 others, now 4 with yours. Army and the railroad liked them. My friend had an airport limo, 60 chev, carryall , built by armbruster also. 6 doors if I remember correctly. here's the link, have fun with it ! http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/a/armbruster/armbruster.htm

 

I'm really hoping I find some markings underneath this rolled on housepaint! We'll see.

 

Here’s some progress pics of the frame stretching I’ve been figuring out. It’s finally time for a long bed.

 

Subscribed.. a most unusual truck.

 

Your frame rail construction looks well thought out, and should be strong...nice.
I agree with the long bed for this particular truck.

 

The long bed will really improve the proportions. Great job on the frame stretch, too!

 

neat, no notch for the axle?

 

Nice job so far! Good luck with your progress.

 

I’m hoping I won’t need one but we’ll see. It won’t be slammed or bagged. It still needs to tow my trailer and family around.

 

More progress from today. Should sit nice. Everything is tacked into place and seems to be working out. Started with a square body Chevy 3/4 ton hangers and leaf springs . Had to cut em a bunch and pull some leaves out.

 

I’d drive it

 

For once the long box wins. Cool project.

 

Interesting. When I built my extended cab 59, I spliced a donor rear frame onto the original, but I did so where the frame is tall, under the cab. I hope yours doesn't sag. Also the original frame has a hump over the axle, it rises up a couple inches so it's just under the bed wood.

 

I have some ideas to compensate for that.

 

My son has a crew cab with an 8 foot box that has a long turning radius. It is not parking lot friendly so it gets parked away out at the end of a row. My crew cab with a 6'-6" box needs some turning room.

 

I was given an old long bed pickup bed trailer and brought her home. Now it’s time to remove all of the original bed crossmembers and make my own to get the bed to sit right. I like the look of this truck so much better. But she ain’t parking lot friendly!

 

I had a 76 Ford supercab long box that rode nice. The front went over a bump and it would take a bit for the back to go over it. It handled washboard back roads great. Your truck will have a good comfortable ride with the long wheelbase.

 

I hope so!

 

Messing around with bed mount ideas and an old aluminum camper. I’m really digging the new look

 

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Easy enough. Thanks

 

I think the short bed looks the coolest but I am realistic as it is a pick up truck and It is so much more useful as a long bed...
I can't speak for anyone else on this site but I use my trucks as actual trucks, age doesn't give them retirement. I don't deliberately beat on them but they definitely get a workout if I own them. It may get engines in the bed,1500 lb worth of swap meet material or it might even go to Home Depot and get a load of "sheetrock" and a few hundred pounds of all-purpose mud.
In a long bed 4x8 sheets of stuff sit flat on the floor in a short bed they destroy the top of the tailgate.
It's you dream So do what you want with it but in my opinion I would definitely Long bed it.
Edit: I guess I should have finished reading the post It looks like it is now a long bed It looks excellent.

 

Do you have any more details on this shifter mod? I believe this is a short throw Mustang T5 shifter, correct? I see where you cut off the one end and was curious what else you did. Thx.

 

I dig the camper shell.

 

I like your project...cool with a very practical side.

While you didn't ask, I'm not feeling the aluminum truck cap. The shape just doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the truck. I'm sure you're not looking for more work, but I wonder about finding an old suburban or panel that's rusty up to the door handles and making a cap from it's roof? That way, at least the lines would follow with the rest of your truck. I'm pretty good at spending other people's money, or filling their free time.

 

Lol...the HAMB in a nutshell...love it or hate...all sides of a discussion if you wait long enough.

 

After the current builds “wrap up” I’d like to build a 60-66 c10.
I hope I can find an old ugly non flowing camper shell.
Or a utility bed.
Those ugly eyesores are beautiful

 

Well now that you have the truck and camper….

 

^^^ That sprint car trailer is COOL!!! ^^^