Hello all Wrenched on newer cars but now taking on my 58 Apache thats been in the family since 78. The truck hasnt driven in 25 years and I want to get back on the road this year to surprise my family. In a couple weeks I'm going to begin the tear down process, planning on starting the build from the ch***is up with most everything stock besides the brakes. I'd like to upgrade the brakes to power disc and do a 5 lug conversion. Any suggestions where to start looking for both? thankyou
Hit Speedway, they can sell you a conversion to ****py GM metric floaters and a power brake booster. Hit up any of the axle manufacturers for 5 lug axles or get your rears drilled for 5 lug and do the same with your brake drums. Of if you want 4 wheel discs get the rear out of a late model Trans Am and swap it out. If you are serious about stopping power call Willwood and tell them what you are doing, you want 6 piston brakes on the front and 4 piston brakes on the rear. They can fix you right up.
Hell I am running '40 Ford brakes on my door slammer. LOL This old pig ran the stock drums, never had any trouble hitting the return road on the big end or getting stopped at the end of the off ramp.
I’ve got a 72 Chevelle on drums that runs 11’s, and my dad ran a 10 second Chevelle on drums. Both stop better than his current ch***is car with 4 wheel disc. I like drums. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Like was said Speedway sells a disc brake kit and a dual master cylinder and brackets to match your stock pedal. CPP sells a firewall mount kit to put a power brake booster/master cylinder on firewall and give you a swinging pedal. LMC, Brothers, Cl***icParts all sell them too, I happen to have a Cl***icParts catalog handy here.
Be careful, be smart. Many go in with a roar on a project like this and abandon it with a whimper. Just get the truck running and stopping first. Gain your skill on the stock repairs. Start small. Set obtainable goals. Enjoy the fruit of your labor. First get it running. This may mean points,plugs, oil, oil filter, fuel pump, wires, switches, new cap, new coil, new fuel pump and most likely a new gas tank. Get it rolling.... Repack bearings, attend to the drums....sometimes they just need sanding all the way up to replacement, clean up and rebuild the wheel cylinders, rebuild the master, replace all the rubber brake lines, likely the metal lines will need replacement as well, rear bearings and seals may need replacement, new tires, new wheels maybe, pay attention to the backing plates.....sometimes they need some work so the shoes slide properly, new high quality brake shoes, maybe some new brake hardware, and make sure the parking/emergency brakes are renewed. Then there is the springs and steering....tie rods, king pins, shackles and bushings. This just this is a big job. Do this first. This provides you a good base to go further if you wish not only in material but more importantly skill and familiarity with this vehicle. Plus you get the reward of....hearing it run and driving it rather than the light being way way at the end of the tunnel.
My brother drove his 58 Chevy pickup over 300,000 miles with drum brakes. Towed cars and trailers all the time no issues. Save your money and just rebuild the stock brakes.
The BEST money you will EVER spend will be for a repop factory SERVICE MANUAL, and ***EMBLY MANUAL - available from many sources - LMC, Cl***ic, The Truck Shop, etc. Next, seek out a local parts store that has a focus on older vehicles - or, at least several graybeards behind the counter that can still read catalogs. You will be suprised what is still available locally from a GOOD jobber willing to take the time to order what they don't have in stock from their wharehouses - usually within a day or two! F-ONE's advice is SPOT-ON! Get the truck running and STOPPING, then go drive the snot out of it! Evaluate what it needs with each drive, then priortize each project. Keep the truck INTACT, except for the next project - your reward for completing the project will be hot-laps around town... the SMILES PER MILE are priceless! Good Luck, Tim
Great thread and feedback here guys. Just joined the Forum, but have been following as a visitor for a little while now. I am beginning to restore a 1959 Apache. Will be hitting all you guys up for more advice soon. I can post more pictures soon.
I'm just finishing up my 59 Apache fleetside.... They are fun to work on, Cl***ic Parts is a great resource, they have helped me a ton and their parts work really well. Not true of all aftermarket suppliers. Everything you want to change/improve is out there from good sources, but listen to the comments and do it in small chunks so you get the thrill of driving while working on it. I have lessons learned, feel free to reach out to me if you want my experiences along the way, always glad to help. Also some left over parts if you know what you need first. I have changed everything on mine, but pay attention to the wiring. They usually didn't come with a real fuse panel originally. I dumped the stock wiring for a Speedway 12 circuit kit, comes with a real fuse panel. I get nervous not having fused circuits... You might have to commit to that project along the way, its easier than you think it is on these simple trucks. Good luck, they are great trucks and really coming on strong.
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