Hot Rods Official 1959 Chevy Apache Build Thread

Yeah no kidding about that gut feeling . it will be up and running again soon. When are you going to come over and drink a bunch of beer and give me a hand tearing this front end apart?

 

No. I can dig in my boxes of stuff and see if I can find some more, and compare...but usually the tie rod gets bent by people hooking a chain under there, or driving over a stump, or something fun like that.

 

^^I don't know what it is about that sentence, but it made me laugh.


I'll take them if you want to part with them as long as they are okay and aren't screwed up. I trust your judgement since you are the chevy guru.
Just let me know.

 

Glad to hear that you and the truck are in good shape. Im sure you will get it figured out. The truck is really looking great, nice looking little shed you got there. Lol. No more tripping hazzards now.

 

Thanks Phil. No more tripping hazards yet.... lol

 

Well the fiance and I got back from goodguys hot rod show in Columbus and boy it was hot. Good news it was a good trip because I found the steering parts I need to fix the steering and found a new column. Pics to come soon

 

Well I went through and installed my new power steering bracket assembly on the truck, but didn't tighten it down yet. I don't have all of my tools over here yet, so it was just installed finger tight.... I can tell there is a difference and I am pretty happy with it. I also removed the tie rod and the drivers side tie rod end/steering arm. I should be getting a couple things in the mail soon, so that will be nice. I will post some more pictures as I start rolling on this more.

 

I found this gorgeous truck across the street at the other hotel and I think I found the color I am going to paint the truck. I really enjoyed the pinstripe work that was done on it as well. Just beautiful.

 

Yes, count your blessings. Looks like the new shop will keep ya busy as well. I enjoy working with a blank canvas and designing a shop in it. I've only had the chance to do it once however.

 

Well I got all of my parts in, just waiting to get all my tools together and the garage cleaned up before I start really taring into the pickup. I did however remove the tie rod and the left steering arm (both bent). I installed the newer column and will be shortening it 4 inches total and shortening the actual shaft 6 inches. Then I will have enough room to play with and make sure everything is done correctly. The Borgeson U joint has some issue with it connecting with the power steering gear box, so I will have to figure something out with it. Anyway, I got the plymouth over and picked up a goodie from a hot rodder here in town that saw the coupe.

 

there's a lot of room in there for now!

I have a Sonic menu that looks real similar to that

 

Yeah I am exited about having the room!

Do you have any pictures with the sonic menu?

 

Well I decided to start on the truck even though everything isn't cleaned up yet. You can see I have a lot of little work to do. But I had several small victories tonight, one of which being the input shaft of the gear box. I had to buy a couple very small files to basically make the grooves of the teeth sharper so the Borgeson u-joint could actually engage it. I had to do this a little on the u-joint itself too, basically to make some guides so it could line up and install easier. It still needs a lot more work, but at least it engages the first set of teeth! I will need to adjust my design for the exhaust too to be used with the tie rod (needs to be raised about 4 inches). I also need to find out of someone makes lower shock mounts for these trucks that do not interfere with the tie rod as much, other than that it will be ready for the road again!

 

Looking great as usual!!!!

 

correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the newer style tie rod mount through the bottom and not the top? All the installs I've seen have the tie rod end coming up through the bottom. It looks like it would solve your shock mount clearance issue too.

 

On the pass side you can relocate the shock back to the front where it belongs, can't you? I don't know what to do about the driver side, maybe make your own lower shock mount bracket.

You have the correct Ujoint for that steering box? They changed the size and spline count in the late 70s.

 

Absolutely nothing wrong with the way you're doing your build. You do nice work, after you get it on the pavement you can always upgrade as the $$ flows in .
One item I do want to point out is the Fram filter you're using. They are not the good quality filter they used to be. NASCAR quite them 10 yrs ago. Another hint is that Wally World handles them.
WIX or Napa Gold are both reasonable, rank on top, & are priced right.
I just saw one of the last pic, -- Puralator filter -- good

 

No on the shock mounts because in order for me to swap them to the back I have to flip the passenger to the drivers side and vice versa. I wish I could swap them. Here are the shock mounts that I am talking about (they sell them cheaper at the truck and car shop):

http://www.brotherstrucks.com/prodin...number=5559FSM

The splines are correct for the one I purchased. Its just the borgeson doesnt want to fit on there right. I had to use the file to basically make a groove to lead the teeth into the correct area. It is a 30 spline 3/4 inch spline on the GM gear box and a 3/4" by 36 spline off of the column. The column slides right on.. This one didnt, but now after a little work does.

 

Frams are pretty cheap and I had a couple on the shelf from another build and since I am breaking in the engine still as far as mileage I decided to just use my stock. Thanks for the point out though and the compliment!

 

It would solve it, but you can only do that with a drop axle from what I am being told by a lot of people better at this than I am (Squirrel). An issue that I have if I do it the way I had it before (the way you suggested) is that the tie rod now has the ability to drag on the ground or get caught on something without the front axle protecting it.

 

Thanks Eric! still trying to reach the level of your build on a couple things

 

thanks for the clarification. I'm looking forward to more progress already. This truck is really coming together nicely

 

I was just wondering why you mounted the shocks in the rear? Did you have clearance issues in front? Weren't the upper shock mounts riveted to the frame in the front?

 

When he added power steering, the gearbox mounts outside the frame in front of the axle...right where the shock used to be.

 

Oh, I got it. What a mess to have to figure out. Maybe the shocks could be mounted inside the frame rails in the front...unless you have engine side mounts.

 

Actually, after looking at it, if those brackets draw the bottom of the shocks closer to the axle by an inch or more, I would agree that they would be the right solution. That new power steering and box really do rob a lot of room.

 

I'm putting new bushings in the original steering box in my 57 one ton right now...I hope I can steer it for many years to come. Power steering looks like a pain.

 

My thoughts exactly.

BTW: do you think this is the correct rebuild kit? I noticed that one gasket is missing (which could easily be fabricated) and it looks like there might be n extra seal, but everything else looks right.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/55-56-57-Ch...=682660494828359845&pid=100011&prg=1005&rk=1&

 

That kit is for cars, not trucks....has an extra bushing, extra seal, and I think the bearings are the wrong ones for trucks, but it's been a while and I'm not sure. although we could look them up in the chevy parts book.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/1929_57chevyparts/index.htm

This one looks reasonably good....

http://www.classicparts.com/1955-59-Steering-Box-Rebuild-Kit/productinfo/76-912/

 

The one in the second link looks correct. It doesn't have the nut circuit sleves (halves) or ball bearings, but those parts didn't look bad at all in mine mine. I have 4 short columns and was considering rebuilding them as swapmeet material, or for anyone here needing one. $64 for the kit isn't a bad price either. I wonder if we could find the gear nut circuit sleeves and ball bearings if we needed them. Maybe the ones in the other kit are correct...