Finally got a truck

[LordDevlin]

Good day folks,

I have posted before on here and another site but not much... I shared some struggles I was having with a couple truck deals that fell through due to blatant seller dishonesty. Well, I am happy to report that I finally purchased a truck and just got word that it is being picked up today for shipping from California to Ottawa, Ontario Canada, where I live. It is a 59 apache fleetside short box, that is in pretty original condition including paint and wheels... interior has been redone and is beautiful original finish. I have attached some pics and I will be trying to match drivers side box and tailgate with the rest of the original paint on the truck.

I will be doing some stuff with it over the next while, however my priority right now is getting some insight and suggestions from you folks about lowering it.

I ordered all the front end parts from Sid a few weeks ago (as soon as I actually purchased the truck) knowing that it was going to take a while for it to get to me. It took even longer because the seller couldn't find the title so had to apply for a new one. Anyhow, I had originally asked for a 4" dropped axle and asked him how long I had to change my mind as theres about an 8 week wait. I am wondering if I would have been better off with lets say a 3" drop and then work on more if desired by using lowering springs. I do plan on using my truck on roads that are not perfect and will use it ocasionally for moving stuff as well as driving to my cottage which isnt the best road, and was wondering if the 4" drop will make me regret my decision. Then again I suppose that 1" probably won't make that much difference.

Also, I would like some suggestions on lowering the rear. I am thinking a simple axle flip. What should I plan on getting to do this flip? any new parts that I need or should replace?

Any suggestions and comments about the lowering or anything else would be much appreciated.

Thanks very much for your help.

Elliot

[mr48chev]

That's a nice truck to start out with. Congrats.

[_Ogre]

nice 4 eyed apache you have there

we're full of ideas. some cheap, some not so cheap.
flipping an axle will give you a 7'' drop. a kit will cost you $129 i believe.
i was able to flip mine for about $29 using mostly trailer supply parts that i found locally.
you will of course need to drop the front a similar amount

read as many builds as you can to get lots of different options
you can always start with the build link in my signature line below

[av8tr33337]

That is a sweet A$$ truck! Looking forward to seeing it progress.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

...i was able to flip mine for about $29 using mostly trailer supply parts that i found locally.
you will of course need to drop the front a similar amount...

As much as I'm on this site how is it I've never heard of these "trailer parts"? C'mon, 'splain how you did it!
Posted via Mobile Device

[Number 9]

Nice start. Drive it a while before you tear into it and the ideas will come. Mine has been in pieces for 7 years. Wish I would have driven it for a while first.

[LordDevlin]

Originally Posted by Number 9

Nice start. Drive it a while before you tear into it and the ideas will come. Mine has been in pieces for 7 years. Wish I would have driven it for a while first.

Yes I understand that thinking for sure... who knows I might not even get to the lowering until its put away for the winter.

Originally Posted by _Ogre

nice 4 eyed apache you have there

we're full of ideas. some cheap, some not so cheap.
flipping an axle will give you a 7'' drop. a kit will cost you $129 i believe.
i was able to flip mine for about $29 using mostly trailer supply parts that i found locally.
you will of course need to drop the front a similar amount

read as many builds as you can to get lots of different options
you can always start with the build link in my signature line below

Thanks for the insight. So if Im not quite ready to have the rear down 7" and then have to bring the front down even lower to match, what would my other options be? Would lowering springs for the rear achieve a 4 or 5" drop that I need?

I appreciate all the nice comments... thanks very much. I look forward to getting more involved in the site now that I am actually getting the truck.

I attached some pics of the interior.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by Number 9

Nice start. Drive it a while before you tear into it and the ideas will come. Mine has been in pieces for 7 years. Wish I would have driven it for a while first.

Boy, I can relate. That's why on my '55 I've opted to do EVERYthing mechanical piecemeal while still driving it on weekends.Y tule of thinb is its never undriveable for longer tjan one week at a time. I want yo enjoy owning it!
Later when it's totally done to my satisfaction; I mean including suspension, AC, chrome - the works, I'll take it all apart for real paint.

Lord Devlin, that is a truly nice nice truck. May I offer an opinion? I think I'd find a local shop to spray the tailgate to match and just color sand, polish the existing paint. Sure, the sanding/polishing MAY go through to the primer in a few spots but that is REAL "patina" to me. Not the made up faux patina and not the totally failed paint film with lots of surface rust kind. Then address whatever it needs as you use it. Focus on safety first - brakes, seat belts, etc. you've got the "advantage" of a winter period to do larger jobs.
Posted via Mobile Device

[dubie]

to drop the front you'll need the dropped axle and dropped leafs springs, either Posie's or mono leafs. The rest of it will be depending on your wheel and tire combo. If you're going to use it for every day use I'd recommend the Posie's Super sliders. They'll drop your truck 3" all the way around and you'll still be able to run a taller tire and haul a load. I only plan to haul ass in mine so I dropped it right down with mono's and a 3" drop axle

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

As much as I'm on this site how is it I've never heard of these "trailer parts"? C'mon, 'splain how you did it!
Posted via Mobile Device

By "trailer parts" he means U bolts and spring pads from a trailer supply Vendor.

You can order a pair of Moroso spring pads from your local parts house that sells speed parts or from a vendor like Summit

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mor-85090/overview/
The Moroso 85090 is pretty easy to find.
Or you can go old school and cut the pads off the axle and put them on the bottom side.

U bolts can be found at most automotive spring shops, some parts houses and another good source is 4X4 shops where you might also find the other pieces.

You will also want a C notch that you can cut out of a piece of pipe or could order from http://www.welderseries.com/blog/onl...ll-piece-rear/

They also have tabs for shock brackets and other pieces.

It looks like the Hortons packed up and went to Memphis for the street rod nationals and won't be in the shop for a week though. They sell a lot of nice little tabs and pieces that are real handy and not too expensive for guys that don't have the equipment to cut them out themselves.

[LordDevlin]

Originally Posted by dubie

to drop the front you'll need the dropped axle and dropped leafs springs, either Posie's or mono leafs. The rest of it will be depending on your wheel and tire combo. If you're going to use it for every day use I'd recommend the Posie's Super sliders. They'll drop your truck 3" all the way around and you'll still be able to run a taller tire and haul a load. I only plan to haul ass in mine so I dropped it right down with mono's and a 3" drop axle

Speaking of the drop.... if im running 15" wheels and everything stock up front, would I be fine with a 4" dropped axle in terms of the scrub line? I need to let Sid know asap how much drop I need so he can do the work as I guess its time for my stuff on the waiting list. If I do lowering springs after that doesnt affect the scrub line concern at all right?

I asked the previous owner to measure for me if he can as its still with him... i know i know, im putting the cart ahead of the horse by ordering my parts before I could actually measure the scrub line myself

[LordDevlin]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Boy, I can relate. That's why on my '55 I've opted to do EVERYthing mechanical piecemeal while still driving it on weekends.Y tule of thinb is its never undriveable for longer tjan one week at a time. I want yo enjoy owning it!
Later when it's totally done to my satisfaction; I mean including suspension, AC, chrome - the works, I'll take it all apart for real paint.

Lord Devlin, that is a truly nice nice truck. May I offer an opinion? I think I'd find a local shop to spray the tailgate to match and just color sand, polish the existing paint. Sure, the sanding/polishing MAY go through to the primer in a few spots but that is REAL "patina" to me. Not the made up faux patina and not the totally failed paint film with lots of surface rust kind. Then address whatever it needs as you use it. Focus on safety first - brakes, seat belts, etc. you've got the "advantage" of a winter period to do larger jobs.
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks for the advice Dan, getting the body panels to match is definitely a priority. My father was speaking with someone about getting a dent out of his front fender around his headlight on his 56 gmc big window and I guess that same guy said he could paint the box and gate and make it match pretty well, not sure what his technique is. Is this what you are referring to in terms of the not REAL patina? Should I just have him paint it as he would do without trying to make it match and then work on it myself by sanding and polishing to make it match?

Thanks for all the help and input guys, Im gonna need it lol..... I appreciate and respect your opinions on this site.

[pvienneau]

If it aint broke don't fix it. It is best left as is. I hope you drive it as original for a while.

NICE TRUCK

Pat

[VTX-Black]

If you haven't already discovered malmberg trucks just east of St Laurent, they make up custom shackles and do suspension work on these old trucks.

The fabricate a lot of what they need right on the spot, including relining brakes in their brake shop, fabricating hangers eta while you wait. Cool place.