Hot Rods 1960 Apache Crew Cab Build

here’s the link to the Amazon shifter. Look at the first pic of the shifter in this thread and you can see where I cut it. I had to drill out holes bigger to make it work. Then cut the steel post and weld it at 90 degrees more or less.
MAGQOO Racing Short Throw Quick Shifter Compatible with 83-04 Ford Mustang 83-88 Thunderbird T5 T45 /85-90 Cosworth T5 Black https://a.co/d/3F**dir

 

Thanks and good solution. I got mine off that auction site but they all look to be the same for basically the same application. I have a longer Indy stick I that I will drill mounting holes in to use on mine. It's really funny one cannot find the difference between the shifter mounting bolt pattern. Do you still have the original shifter?

 

Welds come in all shapes and sizes... have at it..

 

nope. I never had an original shifter. I would’ve been glad to cut up the original

 

Got the rear crossmember welded in. Next I’ll need gussets for the rear spring brackets

 

Cut off the old shock mounts from the original frame, and put the old crusty coil overs for the time being

 

Driveline is back from the shop. Brakeline is extended and more fish plates welded in

 

Used some 1”x2” tube for the metal bed strips to bolt to.

 

I don't think those shocks will do much due to the angle they are at. Almost look like they could go over center under compression.

 

Nice fab work on the frame extension. Maybe even overbuilt. But overbuilt is good for ch***is stuff.

I have to agree with BJR on the shock angle. My F100 has the stock shocks mounted at a pretty severe angle too, but not nearly as severe as yours. I elected to put air shocks on the rear for those occasions when I would put some weight on the back. However, they are fairly ineffective. Putting 75PSI in 'em doesn't even raise the *** end an inch.
However, over time, using the truck, you'll be able to figure out what works and what doesn't. You look to be the kind of feller that wouldn't be afraid to cut it off and start over if it don't work.
So....Carry on!

 

Finally got to take the limo on an 11pm first test drive. No drive line vibrations that I can tell. And the truck rides way nicer. Not sure if it’s the leaf springs instead of the coils, or the longer wheelbase, or both. But it’s a night and day difference on ride quality. Still have some wiring, ebrake, and of course the camper shell to ****on up, but it was nice to have it mobile again

 

Looks great! Proportions are so much better with the long bed with that cab in my opinion!

 

That’s pretty typical shock angel on a truck.

 

Must be the camera angle then, the angle looks much steeper in your photo.

 

Looks great with that long bed on it! Nice job!

 

Yes sir home run, the sum is worth much more than the individual parts. Not sold on the cap yet, that might cause some serious blind spots.

 

That thing looks *****EN!!!!

 

Nice look, I wasn't sure at first but it fits the rig well. What is the turning radius like?

 

Not sure yet. I haven’t put many miles on her yet. But in a couple weeks I’m taking the truck to the Hot August Nights show in Reno NV. And I’ll have to park in a parking garage. I’m not exactly looking forward to that

 

I really like how your project is making progress !
Style and comfort and patina, and the ability to carry a load!

 

From when I had my OT Ford long bed crew cab, when parking in a structure drive to the roof. Much easier parking. IMO

 

My Ford is manual steering, I pick where I park carefully.

 

Please tell us you will someone along with you that can take a video of “the park”
I agree with all, proportions are so much better, but dang she’s long!

 

I once heard it takes a long board for a good teeter.

 

I got a lead on an overdrive setup for my sm465 . Does anyone know what this setup is? I know nothing about it.

 

Those overdrive units were made by Gear Vendors at one time, now somebody else sells them. From the research I've done, they are reported to have been originally designed in the WWII era, and can be quite noisy I'm told. As you can see, they go between the bellhousing and the transmission, and require that nice new driveshaft you just had made to be shortened. I've thought about getting one for my parts chaser truck with the granny 4 speed, not so much for the overdrive, but to split gears since the spread on the ratios is so wide.

Devin

 

Put a few hundred miles on the rig going to Reno for Hot august nights. Had to battle some parking garages and some parallel parking situations with manual steering. That’s going to change real soon. I ordered the power steering kit from captain fab. When it’s time for a 427 motor swap, it’ll go on.

 

Been making some progress. I ordered a power steering adapter kit from Captain Fab. It went together well with no issues. Also put in a mildly built 427. Had to cut and recess the firewall for the valve covers and weld in a tube motor mount in place of the old horseshoe mount. and now the truck has tons of power ( at least compared to the tires 305. However it’s running hot now. Next step, figure out how to put in a much larger radiator and better fan set up. I have no room for a mechanical fan which I usually prefer

 

What a Beast, especially like it with the camper shell. A/C, power steering, what's Next?!

 

I have had one of those Trans Dapt mounts on the shelf for well over 40 years...