63 Apache for FREE!!!

[Patriot]

My friend just gave me a 1963 Apache for free. He has a 64 truck that is a shortbox that he is going to restore.

He said he didn't want the Apache and gave it to me. COOL!!!

I already have a few "Square Bodies" and this is my first 60's truck.

I do have a few questions for you fellas:

What were the Apache years?
What size motor(6 cyl.) is in my truck?
Are the Apaches rare?...it is a 2WD.

The truck is a long box, 2WD, manual tranny. It was bought in 1963 by the US Air Force and was used its whole life at Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota.
It is all complete.

Thanks in advance fellas. I'm real excited about his old rig. I will be restoring it AFTER I finish my 1979 1 Ton 4X4 dually.

[Dan in Pasadena]

MOST kewl. Free rocks.

Here's a shot of a '65 long bed that I think may be one of the nicest longbeds I have ever seen If I had one, I'd be making it look like this. Just submitted as an idea of what you COULD do with yours. Hope you like it.

[Patriot]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

MOST kewl. Free rocks.

Here's a shot of a '65 long bed that I think may be one of the nicest longbeds I have ever seen If I had one, I'd be making it look like this. Just submitted as an idea of what you COULD do with yours. Hope you like it.

SWEET!!!! Is it hard to put disc brakes on these old rigs??

[LILRED66]

The Apache badging was 1960 & 1961...the Apache lettering was not present on the '62 model in the light-duty line of Chevrolet trucks. I am not certain of production numbers of the Apache's compared to the '62-'66 model years, but they are not rare. That being said, original grille assemblies, hoods, body trim and other year-specific options/features are becoming quite rare and hard to locate, especially in good, serviceable condition.

If the motor is original to the truck it is a 235 cid straight six, but the surefire way to tell is to run the numbers found on the pad, adjacent to the distributor deck.

Congrats on the gift and post some pictures, so we can enjoy also.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by Patriot

SWEET!!!! Is it hard to put disc brakes on these old rigs??

There are NUMEROUS sources for all sorts of mod's including disc brake upgrades - modern 5 lug or original 6 lugs, power boosters, dual reservoir master cylinders, and on and on. DO a search here for anything in particular you are interested in. Plus the guys are all very helpful. Make sure you post your progress with LOTS of pictures.

[Patriot]

Originally Posted by LILRED66

The Apache badging was 1960 & 1961...the Apache lettering was not present on the '62 model in the light-duty line of Chevrolet trucks. I am not certain of production numbers of the Apache's compared to the '62-'66 model years, but they are not rare. That being said, original grille assemblies, hoods, body trim and other year-specific options/features are becoming quite rare and hard to locate, especially in good, serviceable condition.

If the motor is original to the truck it is a 235 cid straight six, but the surefire way to tell is to run the numbers found on the pad, adjacent to the distributor deck.

Congrats on the gift and post some pictures, so we can enjoy also.

Thank You sir. The truck actually says Apache on both fenders. It has the 4 headlights and the 2 big bumps on the hood with the light in the middle.

Is this a normal 63 Apache?? I have never seen one like this before with those Apache badges.

[Captainfab]

If your truck is actually a '63, but it has the 'Apache' badges, four headlights and that hood, the front sheet metal has been changed. As Tony stated, the Apache's were '60 and '61 only in this era of truck. Does your truck have torsion bar front suspension, or coil springs like your '79? The '63's were the first year for front coil springs. All the front suspension parts from '71-'87 will interchange on the '60-'66 trucks.

[markeb01]

It sounds like the front fenders and hood were replaced with 60-61 components at some point in its life, or it is in fact a 60-61. The easy way to tell is look under the front suspension (assuming it remains original). If it has coil springs it's a 63 or newer. If it really is a 60-61 it will have torsion bars. These are long rods that run from the inner lower control arms to a crossmember under the cab, and there will be no coil springs between the upper and lower control arms. The difference is pretty obvious. The 1962 has torsion bars also, but it has the 1963-66 style hood, and does not have Apache badging.

For disc brake information, here's the most comprehensive thread available:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=367260

[Patriot]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

If your truck is actually a '63, but it has the 'Apache' badges, four headlights and that hood, the front sheet metal has been changed. As Tony stated, the Apache's were '60 and '61 only in this era of truck. Does your truck have torsion bar front suspension, or coil springs like your '79? The '63's were the first year for front coil springs. All the front suspension parts from '71-'87 will interchange on the '60-'66 trucks.

Ok fellas, I just found the VIN on the post of the cab. The truck is a 1960.

The VIN reads 0C154KXXXXXX

"0" is 1960, "C" is conventional 2WD, "15" is 1/2 ton long wheel base, "4" is pickup and "K" is Kansas City, MO.

So it is a true Apache...right fellas????

[Patriot]

Originally Posted by markeb01

It sounds like the front fenders and hood were replaced with 60-61 components at some point in its life, or it is in fact a 60-61. The easy way to tell is look under the front suspension (assuming it remains original). If it has coil springs it's a 63 or newer. If it really is a 60-61 it will have torsion bars. These are long rods that run from the inner lower control arms to a crossmember under the cab, and there will be no coil springs between the upper and lower control arms. The difference is pretty obvious. The 1962 has torsion bars also, but it has the 1963-66 style hood, and does not have Apache badging.

For disc brake information, here's the most comprehensive thread available:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=367260

It has torsion bars on the front end. Oh yeah, it only has 32,000 miles because it was only used on the base until an old man bought it and gave it to me.

[likaroc13]

very cool; hard to beat FREE! be sure to post pics when you get a chance...good luck with it

[jchav62]

Congrats!!!!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Like I posted above, "Free" rocks. And free usually means a rust bucket, incomplete POS...though even that rocks. An original '60 with only 32,000 miles for free is just flat smoking good.

Let me be the first to say with all due respect, "I hate you!"

Please get some pictures of this truck on the site asap....then we will ALL say we hate you. What will be your plans for this truck? Disc brakes obviously since you asked about them, but do you intend to update the mechanicals only? Do you intend to restore it, hotrod it, customize it, rat-ify it?

[Chevy Fleetside]

[Patriot]

I forgor how to post pictures fellas. I took a few and will post them when I can fiqure out how. I have only done it once.

I found out the truck was put in a storage shed on base and sat there for many years until about 5 years ago. That explains the mouse nest and dead cat under the seat.

[Captainfab]

To post pics that are on your computer....After you click 'REPLY' and once you finish typing in the reply box, scroll down to where it says 'Manage Attachments'. Click on that and another window will pop up. Then click on 'Browse' to find the pics you want on your computer. Once you have selected the pics you want, click on 'Upload' and wait for it to finish. Close that window, and then click on 'Submit Reply'

If you want to post pics that are already on the internet. Above the text box is this icon Just click on that and paste the URL of the image in the window that pops up. Click 'OK' and you're done.


Now lets see some pics.....

Originally Posted by Patriot

I forgor how to post pictures fellas. I took a few and will post them when I can fiqure out how. I have only done it once.

I found out the truck was put in a storage shed on base and sat there for many years until about 5 years ago. That explains the mouse nest and dead cat under the seat.

[markeb01]

The nice thing about most military vehicles that live on a domestic base or station, is they are not treated like police cars or taxi cabs. They are generally managed by trip sheets and maintenance logs, and heaven help the guy that puts a nick or scratch in one. Although they are subjected to countless indifferent drivers, the unit assigned the vehicle is generally possessive and protective of their stuff, since it is unlikely it will ever be replaced. Sounds like you really got the deal of a lifetime.

[Patriot]

Here are the pictures. Thanks Captainfab.

[aerotruk63]

Deluxe cloth seat material under that seat protector. Would like to see more! Come on take it off! LOL

[markeb01]

If that hood is as perfect as it looks in pictures, it alone is probably worth nearly as much as the rest of the truck. 1960 hoods are almost impossible to find undamaged and not rusted, and can bring a lot of money.

[aerotruk63]

Would look nice original green. Could make money with it in the movies.

[Patriot]

Originally Posted by markeb01

If that hood is as perfect as it looks in pictures, it alone is probably worth nearly as much as the rest of the truck. 1960 hoods are almost impossible to find undamaged and not rusted, and can bring a lot of money.

The hood is near perfect. No rust. The pads are still in the braces under the hood.

[Chevy Fleetside]

I would have taken that for free... Good Job...

[Newtz67]

What a great deal!

[1985-GMC]

That is a very cool truck I like it. Do you have a build thread for your 79?