58 chevy apache fleetside restore

Hey everyone,

I just started on my 1958 Chevy apache fleetside 3200 truck. So far, I have the original straight 6 pulled out, the transmission, and drive shaft also. As well as the bench seat in the cab and I am now needing some direction. I want to do it right,my next step would like to be taking the body off the chasis and sanding everything down to repaint/ clean up. If there is anyone who could offer some advice or even pics it would be much appreciated.

thanks
Johnny.  

Hey, Johnny. What are your intentions with this truck? Stock, near stock, custom, rat rod etc...? Are you planning to show it or use it as a daily driver...? Glad to see you're keeping another alive--I've got a 59 3200 fleetside. Alan  

I am not sure what I would be classified as. I would like to keep the Body near stock but re sand and paint everything. As far as the engine I would like to go performance, as well as the tranny, driveshaft and rearend. Maybe lower just a few inches. Beautiful truck, whast have you done to it?

Thanks
Johnny  

Hi Jonny

I took the cab off my 56 truck a couple of months ago to clean up the chassis properly (rust is a problem on an ex California truck in England). I got some useful pointers off this forum as I asked if I needed to brace the cab before removal, turns out you dont. I stripped everything out of the cab. I had already removed all the other sheet metal and the engine. I also had taken out the windsheild and doors. I removed the cab by myself by unbolting it from the frame and moving it towards the front of the frame. I had to move it a bit each side as it is quite heavy and you have to lift the cab corners clear of the out riggers.Once it was roughly over the framewhere the goes I pushed a standard engine cherry picker throught the windsheild opening. I looped a couple of nylon ropes through the cab mounting holes and the hook on the cherry picker and lifted it enough to clear the front wheels. then I pushed the chassis out backwards form under the cab. I lowered the cab onto a wooden pallet which I had fitted some heavy duty 3 inch castors onto. I got the castors from a hardware store. once it was on the pallet I removed cherry picker and tied the cab to the pallet to keep it in place. i can now roll it around the garage and beacuse it is on the pllet it is easy to wok on the roof. All together it took about an hour from unbolting the cab to getting it tied down onto the pallet.

The only thing I havent decided with my cab is how to treat the space between the two roof skins for rust.

I hope this is some use to you, good luck with your project

Steve
England  

Getting ready to restore my 58 chevy apache fleetside, but really having a hard time as to where to start. Body in good condition, a friend of mine wants to sub-frame it to upgrade to disk brakes and power steering he will sand blast all bottom and primer put new harness and new everything below for 3,000. I got other advice and they say not to cut the frame just buy all kits to change everything. Want to be able to drive this truck not only for Sunday drives with wife, but show it and be proud of this classic. We have a classic car parts swapmeet coming up in June and will be purchasing all items there but don't want to buy stuff I don't need. Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks  

It always comes down to things like skill, money and time fighting desire, reality and ambition. Drive it, show it, be proud now. I don't care who says what. They didn't have to juggle the balls. Keep on classic truckin' dude!  

I have to agree with hotrodace, you have to do what you want and what you want to spend. I've had 4 of these apaches (3 stepsides 1 fleetside) my preference is the mustang 11 IFS with power steering and disc brakes, rides great. The painless wire harness is great and not very expensive. I'm customizing another one now (59) so I'll post some pictures tomorrow of the IFS. Keep us posted