1959 Chevy Apache Rat Rod Project

Up to Ames

2012-09-10T06:22:00.001-07:00

Took the truck up to my buddy's shop in Ames, Iowa, Swagger Customs. Austin is going to be doing the major surgery / transplant of all of the Chevy van running gear to the Apache! Beau, my 15 year old son went with to check out the shop and made friends with a giant shop dog.

Raod Trip

2012-08-27T06:12:00.001-07:00

The Apache will be heading north 30 miles to my buddies shop in Ames, Iowa. Austin will be doing some major surgery over the fall and I hope to get the truck back before the snow flies. I'll post pictures of the progress as I can. Truck is heading north on Saturday or Sunday.

Update August 22, 2012

2012-08-22T09:00:00.002-07:00

A couple of thing to report: sold the 235 engine and 3 speed manual transmission to a fellow hot rodder from just up the road. I'm glad it will be put to good use.

I also had the good fortune to have my friend Tony and his future son-in-law (kidding) come over and help me install the rear green tinted glass and seal. I have to say that it was a lot more difficult than I would have guessed but nothing that a few beers and some elbow grease couldn't handle! haha

And....it's out!

2012-05-20T19:09:00.001-07:00

The engine and transmission are out!

Pulling Engine

2012-05-20T08:44:00.001-07:00

Removed the carb, manifold, and exhaust. I also got the cherry picker in place.

2012-05-17T19:19:00.000-07:00

Not much to report but I did manage to get the drive shaft out tonight.

2012-05-14T11:40:00.000-07:00

A little progress to report. I was able to sell the 1978 Camaro front clip and all of the associated steering and suspension parts. I no longer need them because I found a 1991 Chevy conversion van and I am going to use as many parts as possible from it. It has a fuel injected 350, automatic transmission with overdrive, air, power steering and brakes, front coil over suspension with disk brakes, tilt steering column, drive shaft and rear end. At the end of parts taking, I'll still be able to part out some of the valuable pieces for $300-400 and the scrap value will also be around $200 so this will be a very reasonable way to upgrade the truck's running gear.

In preparation for the swap, I have started to remove the engine. So far I have removed the generator, the fan, the radiator and the front two motor mounts.

2012-05-03T07:07:00.000-07:00

I'm going to one of the largest, midwestern Rat Rod rallys this weekend: http://www.vintagetorquefest.com/

Torquefest is in Maquoketa, Iowa this Friday and Saturday. The big day is Saturday. There are going to be a bunch of bands, over 400 cars, trucks and rods. $10 for adults and kids under 12 are free. I going to bring a camera so I can capture some great ideas. I also hope to meet some builders and get some good advice for my project.

2012-05-02T06:55:00.001-07:00

Question for anyone viewing this: 305 or 350 automatic? 305 would get slightly better fuel economy but the 350 would have a little more power and parts are easier to find and cheaper. Thoughts?

2012-04-30T07:26:00.003-07:00

Sorry there are no images (will post soon) but over the weekend I located and bought an original bench seat in Guthrie Center, Iowa. The guy I bought the seat from is building a '55 and used a late model 3rd row seat out of a Tahoe so the seat belts are integrated. I applaud the safety feature but the bench looked a little too narrow in the '55 cab to me.

Seeing the stance of his truck convinced me to put a more modern front end under my truck. Yesterday I bought a '78 Camaro front end and all of the associated parts. The frame was already sandblasted so that will save some time. It came with steering, disk brake calipers, rotors, coils, anti sway bar, upper and lower control arms, etc. Those parts need to be blasted, painted and re-built but I'm looking forward to it. The motor mounts were not included but I'm not sure whether to go with a 350 or 305. Both have some good points. 305 may get a bit better fuel millage but the 350 will be easy to find and cheaper for parts. Thoughts?

2012-04-24T06:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had a few minutes so I took out a spark plug at a time and shot some spray lube into each cylinder to try to free up the engine. I did one at a time so I wouldn't screw up the firing order. I also noticed that the coil is missing. It appears that and the air cleaner are the only missing pieces in the engine bay. Robert is lending me his hoist and engine stand so I'll be getting those later in the week.

Bringing Her Home

2012-04-23T12:49:00.000-07:00

The adventure begins. I purchased a 1959 Chevy Apache Step Side Short Box. I live in central Iowa and traveled to Tulsa, Oklahoma to pick it up. I borrowed a buddies race car trailer and my friend Robert was kind enough to go along and help.

Robert is on the left and Gary, the previous owner of this fine truck, is on the right.

Loaded up and ready to go. Not pictured is all three of us struggling with a cheap Harbor Freight come-along pulling the truck up the ramps.

That's me on the left - a little dirty from the loading but the smile says it all!

The pick up box had a few items headed to the dumpster.

Getting ready to unload into it's new home.

Angela, Gary's daughter is the one who posted the Craigslist ad for her dad. They were both really nice and helpful. Gary was only the second owner of the truck and he bought it in 1975.