1960 Chevy Apache

[Straw Rube]

Hey all, first post.

I've got a 1960 Chevy Apache that my grandfather bought new has been passed along to me. It has been sitting in a field for the last 10 years and I'm getting ready to bring it home to start some work on it.

One of the things that I'm looking at is whether to leave the suspension and brakes stock, or whether to upgrade. I've presently got a 1971 C20 Chevy that I could use a donor, but I'm concerned about the heavier chassis of the ¾ ton vs. the ½ ton. I remember the ride was really nice in the '60, and I'm inclined to leave the torsion bar suspension alone and just repair it.

Any thoughts as to why I should replace the stock suspension? There seem to be brake kits out there that will allow upgrades to power disk brake to the stock suspension.

[oem4me]

Depending upon how you plan to use the truck, my first thought is ..."if it aint broke, why fix it?" I'm liking what I see, "as is". Cool truck!
p.s. - still got the camper?

[blackdawg]

I would just replace with new parts and keep it stock.

[Clyde65]

Is the 60 a 3/4 or 1/2 ton?

[1963c-10]

Nice truck, what are your plans for it?

[aerotruk63]

Nice looking truck and the Big Back Window on top of it all. Thank you for sharing the family pictures. If you get the chance, more pictures but of the interior and engine compartment please.

[LostMy65]

I agree with the comment:
'if it ain't broke.....'

You should feel very fortunate to have your Grandpa's truck.
The pictures and memories just take the value to priceless.
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[Corts60]

That is really great that you got your grandfathers truck and it seems really unmolested!

If it were me, I would just rebuild the existing suspension. I love the way my '60 rides and I tow a 13' camper everywhere with the manual brakes and steering and I get along just fine. You have to be more cautious than you would with modern discs, but they do the job just fine once you set them up properly.

Let's see some more pics! Also, where in Sacramento are you located? I grew up all around there: Folsom, Rancho Cordova, Elk Grove.

[bosephus]

Nice history on the truck. If upgrading to disc breaks you get rid of the expensive/inferior wheel bearings. Ball joints are high for 60-62 and not interchangeable. Aftermarket parts have a limited selection compared with 63+ trucks but disc brakes,drop spindles and power brake boosters are available. I'm keeping torsions on mine cause I think they ride better jmho. Whatever you do good luck and have fun! Ask questions and post LOTS of pics!
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[Goat herder]

I'm in agreement. A properly adjusted fully rebuilt 1960 braking system works fine, and was designed for the truck. Love the originality of your truck. It's getting rarer, and rarer seeing original trucks out there. Even has the original wheels and hubcaps!

[1963c-10]

Its nice that its been in the family so that you know the use and abuse its had over the last 50 years

[Rich 5150 69]

Hey glad you could make it to the site, alot of very skilled people here willing to help, also there are a dozen or more in this area alone. One day we will have to get together.

[losthope]

Welcome aboard, Very nice truck and cool that its still in your family,Like Rich in the ^ above post i too am from Sacramento,there is a group of guys here on the forum that get together and goto the local car shows together keep a eye out good luck and hope to see you around!!

[markeb01]

Welcome to the forum! If your plan is to restore the truck and drive it locally, I would keep the original torsion bar suspension. They do ride nice. I swapped my 1960 front end for a 1975 primarily because of the inferior ball bearings available today for the front wheel bearings. I subsequently read 1962-66 front hubs are a direct swap and are designed for tapered roller bearings. Not sure how easy it is to find 1962 hubs, but probably less work that converting the entire suspension.

Rebuilding the stock front end will probably cost 3-4 times as much as the later suspension, but once completed it will probably last another 50 years without needing attention.

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum

I would say what to do depends on what you want to do with the truck. If you want to drive it a lot, some upgrades might be nice. If it will be an occasional driver then stock may be good enough.

Nice original looking truck, and very special that your Grandfather bought it new.

[andyspinstriping]

Im in the middle of a resto job on the 1961 apache I inhereted from my grandfather! If you have memories of the truck with your grandpa I would say leave it as stock as possible. I want mine to have the same "feel" as how I remeber it You have a very cool truck by the way!

[62 Longbed]

Welcome to the Forum !!!! Great history and pictures of the truck , I would just get it up and running / along with all the safety checks and enjoy !!! Good Luck !!!! Again very nice truck !!!

[Straw Rube]

Hey, thanks for all the replies. The truck is out in Byron right now, I hope to get it home to Elk Grove by spring. It's encouraging to see so many of you in the Sacramento area (Rich, Timmy) would like to hook up and see the work you've done on your trucks.

I kind of like the advice, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." I think I'm just going to start on the repairing the brakes completely and from there just bring it up so that I can drive it safely.

The camper pictures were taken on a trip my family took to Yellowstone in 1965, the camper was borrowed.

Here is a picture of the interior.

Bill

[markeb01]

You might want to consider placing an insect bomb in the cab when you finally get it home. A lot of creepy crawlers enjoy getting up inside the gaps between the inner and outer roof panels. It would be nice to know anything potentially in there is dead before you get surprised.

The thing I love about the big camper photos (besides the cool factor) is how straight the frame remains. I’ve seen a lot of the later C channels frames bend enough for the front of the camper to rest against the rear of the cab. I’ve never seen a 60-62 “convertible” frame deflect under any amount of weight.

[aerotruk63]

Is that an aftermarket 3 speed floor shift?

[Rich 5150 69]

Originally Posted by Straw Rube

Hey, thanks for all the replies. The truck is out in Byron right now, I hope to get it home to Elk Grove by spring. It's encouraging to see so many of you in the Sacramento area (Rich, Timmy) would like to hook up and see the work you've done on your trucks.

I kind of like the advice, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." I think I'm just going to start on the repairing the brakes completely and from there just bring it up so that I can drive it safely.

The camper pictures were taken on a trip my family took to Yellowstone in 1965, the camper was borrowed.

Here is a picture of the interior.

Bill

Hey we understand competely..its your truck. You might want to consider a dual master cylinder though for you and your families safety..not sure how to do that with a slave cylinder for the clutch but I`m sure someone here does... other than that just replace all of the fluids and rubber hoses..brakes included...have fun with it.

[losthope]

Just wondering if any updates on getting your truck to elkgrove..?

[LostMy65]

Like Rich suggests;

Go buy a dual master cylinder.
Very economic upgrade.
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[MailManX2]

I hope it doesn't have as much rust in the cab as my grandparents 60 Apache did.. Good luck with it...

[Straw Rube]

Well, brought the '60 home last weekend. It's lived out on the farm in Byron since my parents bought it in 1963, 49 years. Feels good. I'll start on the brakes, make sure it stops before I make it go. Thought I'd see if the battery would hold a charge, it was completely dead. Left side of the truck is okay, but the right will need a lot of work. The doors too.