total cost replacement sheet metal 59 apache stepside

[Barney Rubble]

Still in the planning stages for a rebuild of my 59 apache stepside.
I am considering a complete chassis 'swap' eg Scotts, No Limit; and also a crate engine; and complete disassembly for paint.
My question is, has anyone priced up the complete list of replacement sheet metal (from LMC or similar) for this vehicle?
Vehicle costs in Australia are very different to what you guys get to pay stateside. A show class vehicle is about $50000 here; a register-able beater is about $15000. Our aussie dollar is worth more than the USD at present ($1.07)

I was thinking about getting the new chassis, and motor; putting all new sheet metal on; and selling the truck I have now (would get $20K+ for her).

Am I crazy?
Guess it depends on sheet metal costs........
BR

[Gene Sharp]

the only problem I see is the front fenders
wihch are not really useable
They simply do not fit
nearly $1000 wasted
What I am saying is the new made fenders will not work better hunt a pair of restorable used fenders

Gene

[Barney Rubble]

hole #1 in plan

[OrrieG]

never mind I mis read Genes comment. Best way is to go to someone like LMC and scroll the on line catalog. Add it up and go shopping for best shipping and cost. Most parts are made by the same limited number of companies. Be prepared to massage just about every piece.

[Barney Rubble]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

best shipping and cost.
Be prepared to massage just about every piece.

Shipping costs would be from Vendor to port, as I think the cost of a container with engine, and chassis in it, would have space for additional sheet metal/panels.
Fit and finish is good but not outstanding on the original truck I have.
I would be balancing costs of fitting, under this scenario, versus disassembly, any unknown rust repair, paint prep, and reassembly after painting of the existing sheet metal/panels.

[Gene Sharp]

these parts are mostly made overseas see if there is a local dealer
who can get direct
or maybe get them drop shipped

Gene Sharp

[55metalmonkey]

I found this this site
http://restorationpartssource.com/st...Body_Parts.htm

There are others like LMC and CPP as well
I know your still in the planning stages but what’s the condition of what you have? If the sheet metal isn't too far gone you may want to consider restoring what you have. Sometimes the replacement panels don't fit as well as the originals, Like OrrieG said you will have to massage just about everything.

[northerngmc]

I used reproduction front fenders on my 59 GMC and they body shop said they were impressed with them. This was in 2003. The only issue was the fit around the headlights.

No they were not bolt on and paint, but not that bad.

So are you talking cab, doors, fenders, and box?

I agree it might be easier to sell your truck and start again, but I would start again with a working truck. I am thinking about all the small parts that you will need to source.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by northerngmc

but I would start again with a working truck. I am thinking about all the small parts that you will need to source.

Good point, I bought mine as a working truck and DD in 1976 and am still finding stuff in the assembly manual that either fell off or was taken off during previous repairs and maintenance and not put back on. I also have a couple of pieces I did not catalog well when I took it a part that I cannot find a use for.

[55metalmonkey]

Originally Posted by Barney Rubble

Still in the planning stages for a rebuild of my 59 apache stepside.
I am considering a complete chassis 'swap' eg Scotts, No Limit; and also a crate engine; and complete disassembly for paint.
My question is, has anyone priced up the complete list of replacement sheet metal (from LMC or similar) for this vehicle?
Vehicle costs in Australia are very different to what you guys get to pay stateside. A show class vehicle is about $50000 here; a register-able beater is about $15000. Our aussie dollar is worth more than the USD at present ($1.07)

I was thinking about getting the new chassis, and motor; putting all new sheet metal on; and selling the truck I have now (would get $20K+ for her).

Am I crazy?
Guess it depends on sheet metal costs........
BR

if your talking ALL new everything bumper to bumper, frame cab fenders hood box ect... basicly a new truck that will have a new VIN and register as a 2011/20012 but it looks like a 40's-50's your looking at a huge amount of $$$$$.

there are companies that are re popping the cabs for about $8g+ , new frames with 4 corner air bags =10g+. when your talking new the sky is the limit. if your looking at it from an investment point of view it likely won't be worth it. From a hobby point of view it might be worth it for personal satasfaction

If you have something that can be brought back to life or is in pretty good condition I'd say revive/ restore what you have. The red 59 in your avatar looks to be in excellent shape... I wouldn't touch it IMO. I'd definately look for a project truck

[Barney Rubble]

thanks for all the great feedback.
The issue may be tracking down all the little pieces.
Registration might also be a problem.
I thought it would be an interesting exercise to work through.
As I said, parts are cheap, compared with complete vehicles here in Aus.
There is also the great unknown of what is under the good looking paint on my truck.
Hopefully will get some time on weekend to look at panel costs.

So far I have tracked down fender spears, and just found a V8 hood emblem for the nose!
There will be colour change.

[55metalmonkey]

I hear ya mine looked just fine, just a few small places to touch up, I was planing on just some quick touch ups to the sheet metal and a new paint job..... after I dug into it a bit I found a bunch of stuff that needed to be done and I just couldn't bring myself to pass it over and hide,
Still the truck in your avatar looks sweet

who knows the more you look you might just stumble upon some sheep farmer out in the middle of no where that has a dozen of them.... well you can hope anyway

The big pieces are the cab, and in some cases the box and hood other than that fenders won't be too hard on the wallet.

[Barney Rubble]

a beater sitting in the paddock will cost you about $6000.
Professional paint and panel is also prohibitive. More than 10 years ago I had a 1959 Holden FC sedan restored, total was over $16000 for bare metal respray.
The Apache is a great rig, drove her to work today.

[55metalmonkey]

wow that is a bit on the pricey side

[sgtusmc]

Looks like I might have to build some trucks and sell them over there...haha

[Barney Rubble]

there was a 56 chev, show car, won heaps of trophies. Bloke reckoned he spent $200000 on it.
Was listed for sale for $100000.
Currently $45000.
ad

[55metalmonkey]

We get the same here, it's mostly the guys that can't do anything for themseves that spend that kind of cash,

when you have to pay someone who knows what their doing to do everything for you they don't come cheap.

[OrrieG]

Seems to me for the price of shipping a complete frame and all the sheet metal you could ship a complete rust free truck since it take up almost the same room with crating, etc. Find a nice one that has already been clipped and is running stuff it in a container and you are set.

EDIT - I just reread the thread and you said you drove the truck, so I assume you have a running truck? I thought from the original post you had just picked up a cab, bed and rusty fenders and were wanting to go with everything new. If yours is complete than you are back to just replacing the panels. T-mans thread in the build section shows just about the worst case scenario for panel replacement.

[Gene Sharp]

I agree
I would have been so much better off to have started
with an already started truck

Gene Sharp

[Barney Rubble]

yep, mine is an already running truck.
The equation is a lot different over here. A complete, running, registered truck is worth heaps.
To get parts from the usa to here, is relatively cheap.
With my complete, running truck, I am considering complete frame swap, and possibly a crate engine.
Hence, my consideration of selling the complete, running unit for 25 or so, and starting afresh.
Love the ideas, keep the feedback coming.

[55metalmonkey]

It would almost be worth your time to buy up 4 or 5 $2000 or less barn finds from US/ Canada, stuff them in a shipping container and import them.

Years ago (late 80's/early 90's) there was a guy buying up every 60's and 70's camaros, firebirds, vetts, and any other pony car he could find and shipped them to Austrailia. They were selling for a mint down there. This was before these cars started being worth a fortune up here.

[Barney Rubble]

believe me, everytime I see another thread on "is this a good price" for an almost mint truck costing $15000 I think of importing