1959 Chevy Apache..questions for build.

I realize that I'm not all that knowledgeable but I'm also not slow. I like to learn, I'm in no rush.

But I do know it's an 80's shortbed half ton. I know projects get p***ed around, I've seen it and I don't want to do that but I do need some guidance. I can weld and I can cut, that's all I know.

 

By the way, I do appreciate everyone's input here!

 

Maybe he shouldn't worry about a ***le, that way if he gets marred again it wouldn't be in his name so she could take when its done!

Good luck, it's not that much money and if it gives you something to do, then have fun. Mike

 

that frame is NOT from an 80s truck, it's an original 55-59 frame.

Look for the number stamped on top of the driver side frame rail, there should be two of them, once near the original steering gear, another under the driver seat. Same numbers stamped in two places.

 

You sure on that squirrel...is there something I'm not seeing? Man, you sure are a big help. The guys says he bought it out of an 80s truck and fab'd it himself. He is a fabricator (or so he says).

 

the frame on an 80s truck is not flat, your frame is flat, and it has all the parts where it should to be a late 50s frame. Yes, I know what they look like...very well...

 

You're right! I just looked at a frame from a guy here and looked at a very similar angle and the bolt holes, random pieces of metal and stuff are identical. Hmmm

 

I was under an 87 chevy truck for about 6 hours earlier this week...I've built half a dozen of the late 50s trucks...

Look for the numbers. The frame won't have the complete serial number, it's missing the first few characters that describe the model (such as 3A) because you can figure that out just looking at the frame. It will have the year, ***embly plant, and 6 digit serial number, such as 59L123456. 1955 numbers look a bit different.

 

Man Jim, you're a wealth of knowledge...can you move to FL? Haha!

Okay, I told him it was definitely a 59 frame, he said, well I was told it was for a 80's truck but that he cut the frame up and made the mods and never ran the numbers. So he went back out to check. I didn't tell him what numbers to look for and ironically enough, it is missing the 3A. All is well.

Body - 3A59K14154
Frame - 59K14154

 

neat, tell him if he gets a ***le you'll give him $500 for it. The cad mill and trans might be worth that

Seriously though, there are a lot of mods done to the truck, some of them may have been done right, others might not. There's probably a good reason it's in pieces, rather than put together so you can see if it all fits and works.

It's a serious project, you're going to learn a lot if you decide to tackle it. But I would want him to get the ***le first, if he wants to sell it. That is not a h***le you want to buy.

btw here's a pic of my car in front of the Kansas City plant where that truck was built. this was taken in 1997

 

Thank you Jim...if you're even in FL, I owe you dinner and drinks!

As for the ***le, from what I was just told by the DMV, as long as it's not stolen (I'll have my uncle run that tonight) or has a lean on it and I have a bill of sale with VIN number and insurance on the vehicle, it's $75+ for a ***le. Not sure if FL makes it easier but that is what I was just told.

I'm gonna tackle it...it's a challenge and I'll see how I do. If I can't do it, I'm out a couple hundred bucks as I'm sure I can sell the cab and rear end.

Thanks, I'll be back after I get the truck!

 

Never question squirrel, he knows everything, seriously.

 

As I now know.

 

...from what I see those "parts" are well worth the $800 asking price, around here that cab is worth $500 alone.
...you need any help, PM me, I've done a bunch of these old trucks..

 

rusty1, thank you! I'll definitely message you once I have it and tell you what it has in total and where I want to go with it.

 

Got the truck today. Couple of stupid mods, like mirrors molded for the doors but I'll get rid of that once I move to the body. The front end, as far as suspension looks clean and well done. I need to clean up some surface rust, box it in and box in the rear where he had to cut the frame for the notch but other than that, it's pretty good. The fuel cell is pretty nice and I'm excited that he did such a great job welding/filling in the original gas tank door. He also did a great job welding up the door handles. Biggest problem I can see at this point, it's missing a LOT of parts, so in order to keep costs down, I'm gonna try to find other sources for parts (i.e. master cylinder and door regulators from some vehicle in a junkyard).

Either way, I'll be away for the next two weeks but once I get back, I'll be hitting it hard. Also, my granddad, who built a 57 chevy when I was 6 is gonna help so I've stored it at his house as he will be able to put in time while I work and it'll give me a great reason to spend some time with him.

 

First things first, boxing the frame where it's needed. Now I just gotta get my hands on some steel then I'll report back with some pics.

 

So the guy gave me a caddy seat, just the coils, frame and electronics from what he said was a 66. My question, use that or is there something better?