Project "Tracy Lee" 59 Apache

[Jebb1978]

Sherwin Williams is good quality paint, I am no painter but I know they used it on my Nova and that shop has done some really high end show cars.

Sounds like you really dug right in! I heard a rumor that the Blazer or Suburban takes fit just this past weekend. I am going to wait for you to verify and then I am going on the prowel for one. Thanks for sharing!

[texascowboy593]

Thx for the comments guys. I'm being sent a custom color chart of all the different hues of Turquoise that can be mixed up. Hope to get it fairly soon. I just got back from a week long trip and I'm beat (1300 miles on 4hrs sleep!). I have a meeting to go to Saturday morning and then Im off to play with my Toy! Jebb, I plan on getting down and dirty with that tank tomorrow to see how to fit it. I will try to get pics and measurements on the post tomm. night. I do know that the tank has been in the weather for a few years and needs a good cleaning and a new filler neck welded on. the old one rusted out!Hope the rest of the tank is OK. I'll be back with you guys tomm night!

Btw the new door patch panel from Brothers came in this morning. I just need to find someone with MIG welding experience and I'll be set!

[texascowboy593]

OK only had a couple of hrs avail today to work on "her". I did get the Blazer tank removed and got the measurements. I also started on trying to remove the rear crossmember on the apache frame. Looks like I'll be able to remove both rear crossmembers (or maybe just the rear-most) and install the crossmembers from the Blazer frame. Just have to measure distance between crossmembers and bolt them up!

Jebb, here are the dimensions I got:

Inside the Apache frame is 33 3/4 left to right
Blazer tank is 28 3/4 left to right and 28 1/4 front to back (these measurements include the tank's "lip")
Inside the Blazer frame is approx 33 3/4 as well.

Looks like the blazers crossmembers should slide right in w/ no problem.
Heres a couple of pics of so called progress today... ran out of time before I could get crossmember removed. At least I've got next Saturday...

[texascowboy593]

Couple detail pics...

[Jebb1978]

Wow, cool! This may just work. I will keep an eye on your progress.

Thanks as always for the info.

[texascowboy593]

Just made it back from a whirlwind trip across North Arkansas (UGH). One of two things will happen this weekend:

The paint samples from Sherwin Williams were finally rec'd by my friend today. He thought it would be a paper color chart. He actually got sample metal pieces painted with 9 different shades of turquoise! I think he said 2 were Peterbilt colors, 1 was a Toyota color(?), 1 was a 58 apache color and the others were all fresh custom mixes... I plan on meeting with him tomm (he lives 3 hrs away) but if he cant make it...

the other option is to drive 1 hr in the other direction to work on my "ride" for a few hours. I only have time for one or the other this weekend and I wont know til morning which one Ill get to do.

Either way, I will have some pics of either progress or of all the paint samples for y'all to judge... Later, J

[texascowboy593]

OK I didn't hook up with my buddy with the paint so I worked on the ride Sat and Sunday! I filled in the holes left by the mirrors on the doors with JB Quick. Its good stuff. Mix it togh=ether and its pliable til you put it in place. Strong as steel but still sandable. I still need a bit of Bondo to smooth it out.

My welding buddy was able to help me out today. We took the rear crossmember out of the 80's Blazer frame and "Southern Engineered" it to fit. We had to cut off part of the crossmember to fit within the framerail and welded tabs on the bottom to lengthen the crossmember within the framerails. Looks like it'll work! Thats all for now. Here's a couple of pics of what we were able to do... Later, J

[texascowboy593]

more pics...BTW, it's just a test fitting of the tank. It still needs to be sent out for cleaning...last pic is of a 1/2 inch notch I cut out for clearance...

[texascowboy593]

For the heck of it. Here's my daily driver on a small country road nearby. Thought it was a cool pic...

[dwcsr]

I see the problem with the progress. Not enough beer bottles in the tire.

Nice truck

[texascowboy593]

Originally Posted by dwcsr

I see the problem with the progress. Not enough beer bottles in the tire.

Nice truck

^very funny! You didn't see all the bottles in the trash can.we've been working (cough-cough) very hard! I do appreciate your comments...Thx, J

[Jebb1978]

Nice work on the blazer tank fitting. That swap is going to save you a bundle!!

[texascowboy593]

I appreciate the comments Jebb. That tank is a bit "suspect". It needs a heavy cleaning and I will either JB weld a new filler neck on it or my buddy might weld one on. His dad said that it can be done. Just "fill the tank with water then weld it". Sounds like it would work to me...then again, I've never welded before.

BTW, the front of the front crossmember(?) will have some kind of tabs or eyelets welded on for the stock Blazer tank straps. I think its coming along pretty well! Later, J

[texascowboy593]

Another little highlight... This is the picture (in general) that I plan on having airbrushed on the tailgate in the corner. It'll be approx 4x6"..."The Tracy Lee" in cursive just above it at an angle.

[dwcsr]

Cool. I see way to many sunsets, catus' and religious type things on tailgates. Its nice to see something original.

[55ChevyPU]

cool stuff.

[CAL 58 GMC]

I like the picture! Cool, way cool!

[texascowboy593]

For what its worth... Here is the color for the truck 1958 GM color Tropical Turquoise. I finally met up with my friend to get the paint samples. There was this one as well as 2000 Toyota, 2000 Peterbilt and 5 custom mixed turquoises. I was going to post all of them for a poll but you can't tell the difference thru pics (pointless). Last weekend was spent moving my old 67 GMC to a buddys house 200 miles away and it was a brutal trip. Ill spare you the horrifing details .

I plan on figuring out why I can't get "Tracy Lee" to start. I bought a new ignition switch and Im picking up an Optima Red Top battery tomm to take out there Saturday. If I can get other progress on the outside, Ill post pics...Later, J

[dwcsr]

That looks like the original color maybe just a tad lighter.
One of the problems with Texas is that you can drive 2 -3 hours in one direction and still never be near the border.

[pgf545]

Like that airbrush photo....that will look great on your truck.

[JIMBO59]

Want To Meet Girl Who Posed For Pic. Woo Hooo. I Think I Am Going To Go With A 68-69 Camaro Tank. A Lot Thinner Than Blazer Tank. Long Neck On Tank So I Can Fill Up Behind Rear Licsence Plate Holder.

[texascowboy593]

Well I did some work yesterday on the truck. I was having a problem starting her up but that is now solved. I replaced the battery, ignition switch, coil and spark plugs. I did get a video clip of me starting the engine but I need to find a place to upload it (putfile?) The engine work took most of my time so no progress pics on bodywork . BTW the blazer tank is trashed. Its got a few pinhole leaks on the bottom and it would be better to just find a better tank... Later, J

[Jebb1978]

Sorry man, that sucks. It will still be much cheaper to replace it than to put a cell in it.

[texascowboy593]

OK Im on Putfile now. I uploaded a clip of me starting the Apache. The sound quality is not the best. The truck is so loud (I mean LOUD) that it distorts the sound quality somewhat... Just a little something to keep yall somewhat entertained! Later, J

Click here to watch 59-Apache-Start-up

[wrnchhead29]

Looks great, needs more pictures