Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
Looking good! Once you get the steering column in place it will become clear what you need to do.
It looks like you won't have any problems. . |
Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
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So I've been looking for a keyless 70's GM tilt automatic steering column with no luck. I dont mind keeping the factory column for Lucky the Trucky if I can get it to shift the 4L60e smoothly...can anybody who has acheived this chime in with some advice/tips? The Jackalope used the factory column and frankly it shifts like crap. |
Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
Question did you move you cross member back from flat out directions?
27 1/2 didn't work for me |
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Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
Looking grand, strong work. How did you establish ride height for the C-4 front and rear suspension? I'll be using the C-4 suspension as soon as I can get my 57 GMC build off perma-hold.
Thanks in advance NC |
Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
Making some good progress. Nice work on the tbss manifolds.
I was gonna hit you up on the C4. But the wife got let go from her job. It's so weird that 5 yrs ago i sold my 67 cutlass and that money was going into the 58 and she lost her job the next day. It's a conspiracy I tell ya! |
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I measured the frame distance to ground front to back and made sure the back was about 2" higher only for the purposes of leveling the crossmember. The Flatout kit seems to have a fixed ride height unless you modify the frame. Something tells me I'll wish it was lower when it's all finished, but I intended to use this for truck things, so it's probably for the best. |
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Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
Well it's been a bit over a year and I'm definitely nowhere near as far along as I'd hoped. Not even close, actually.
Over the holiday I finally decided on some mounts and ordered Randy Ellis's tubular mount setup. For $50 + shipping it was not too much more than buying the materials myself. I got the frame portion welded in and then cleaned up and primered all the bare steel since it was starting to get a bit of surface rust. http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/lucky/framemount.jpg http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/lucky/frameprimer.jpg Not bad for a guy who has never built a truck before and has maybe 5 feet of welding under his belt, I think. Progress seems to come in spurts... nothing happens for a month, then one weekend I spend 12 hours in the garage. While keeping busy since I'm not sure what the next step is without having more parts, I decided to clean up the dash area and get it ready for wiring and PCM mount. I learned this cool detail that the factory ignition has a little light bulb that shoots light through the hole where the key goes. Very cool. Anyone know how to remove these ignitions, and can I get a key made? http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...itionlight.jpg |
Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
If I remember there is a pin hole in the key side of the switch that you would insert a paper clip wren in the lock position and then turn the key counter clockwise to release the lock cylinder. But you need the key to do this !
Then the bezel can be unscrewed and the switch can be removed. Your option is to call a mobile locksmith and have a key made on site . Be sure to tell them you need a key blank for the 50’s GM ignition . BTW if your lucky it will match the door lock |
Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
Thats a good idea, I think I'll get a key made. I like the original ignition!
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Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
Checking in with some progress...
The suspension is pretty much complete but with space being so tight I have to resist mounting everything, so it's still down to the frame in front. I've been working on the hydroboost setup, and the Ogre setup with a mustang hydro mounted on the frame is what I'm going with. I found an awesome pedal mount that attaches to the factory MC mount and two additional spots and holds the pedal so you don't need to use a cut-off MC to hold the pedal... $40 on ebay and its a solid piece. http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...ount1small.jpg Unfortunately I already removed the MC bracket before I knew this existed... at least I get to clean behind it now and prime/paint. I'm still going to use the lower section of the factory MC mount, just with bolts instead of rivets. I made a simple bracket to hold the booster to the frame. http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...ount1small.jpg http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...ount2small.jpg I'm working on a clevis and pin setup to connect to the mustang booster rod. I machined an aluminum pin and roughed out some pieces, and I need to order the heim joint and rod to connect to the pedal and then stare at it some more. http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...rpin1small.jpghttp://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...rpin2small.jpghttp://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...rpin3small.jpg I also started in on cleaning up the wiring harness, removing everything I won't be needing and re-taping/covering the wires. I relocated some of the grounds to make them easier to hide and repurposed some wires for a dual fan. http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/lucky/wiring1small.jpg ..and since I'll now have corvette power steering, I can downsize the steering wheel a bit and make ingress and egress even easier.. Not sure what this center cap is, but its a 60's chevelle wheel, red and worn, just like the truck. http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...heel1small.jpg |
Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
Some good progress dave. I would love to come check out your truck sometime since we both live in roseville. :D
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May 2019 Update
Well it seems like I have a 2 month cadence to updating the thread.
In the last couple months I've worked on shortening the motorhome column I picked up from the classified section. It was definitely an interesting process, and cutting/welding the inner tube was quite a challenge. We'll see if it breaks and kills me I guess! Here is a pic before I adjusted the shaft and converted it to 3/4 DD instead of splined: http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...olumnsmall.jpg I tried to make a new mounting plate for the cab based on the factory mount. It began with good intentions but didn't end up working out. I've started a new one but haven't moved past the base plate portion. I need to figure out how to get the angle of the column right and supported correctly. I need to order a drop mount for the dash that lowers the column an inch first. http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...ntcabsmall.jpg Most recently, I decided (with the overwhelming support from the forum) to shorten the bed instead of finding one. Either way, the longbed frame needed to be cut down. Using the awesome post on shortening a longbed TF from this forum, I jumped in and started cutting. My frame was covered in dirt and surface rust so cutting it down also let me pull the back half out to be pressure washed and wire wheeled down to something manageable. http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...framesmall.jpg This little piece of angle iron was used as a guide for the plasma cutter and it definitely helps make a nice straight cut! http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...framesmall.jpg http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...eningsmall.jpg http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...tstepsmall.jpg After adding the reinforcing plates and smoothing the welds out, I need to get the rear kit from Flatout to mount my c4 suspension, get a tank back there, move the rear crossmember, and cut the end of the frame back to fit a short bed. I'll probably end up raising the Flatout kit as high as I can and adding a small notch to the frame, like another forum member did to get rid of the rake and tuck the suspension higher up. Not bad for a couple months, but I do need to work faster. Once we're rolling then it's off to a shop to run the brake and fuel lines, get the LS going, get a driveshaft, sort out the exhaust, and probably some other miscellaneous. |
Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
on that master cyl spring pin, take that thing and use it for something else. use a cotter pin that fits the hole nicely and have it backed up with a washer behind it. trust me, when that spring pin falls out you will be thinking the same thing. happened to me long time ago. no brakes because of that. went off the road and into a gulley that had just been logged off. rolled several times and came to rest right side up with the front end up a tall stump and the back end sitting on a short stump. no injuries for the humans, not such a good ride for the equipment.
looking good man! |
Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
Your making some great progress. I just about have my frame ready to cut but still haven't decided on at Z,90 or 45 yet. I've researched a lot but its almost like the "what oil to use threads" I'm going to talk to the welder and see what he thinks. either way it will have some fish plates and maybe boxed. I ordered my flat out rear kit today. Cant wait to get going
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Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
great progress daveshilling!! Looking good! I just did the column shortening and shortbed conversion myself. I'm now working on putting in a 4 link and a step notch
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I imagine that the c-notches people put in their frames are probably weaker than this splice. |
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Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
***Quarterly Update**** I got the frame shortening done and welded on a plate, and it was on to the Flatout IRS. Notching the Frame I wanted the kit to sit higher, and since I have a taller frame than the shortbeds, I had some room to work with and did a notch/pancake sort of hybrid on the frame. This gave me some extra real estate to mount the IRS up as far as it can go without raising the bed. I think it looks better than just a regular notch. Safer? meh. http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/lucky/rearnotch3.jpg http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/lucky/rearnotch1.jpg http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/lucky/rearnotch2.jpg Raising the IRS Kit I got the IRS kit from Don, and trimmed the batwing mounts so they no longer mounted under the frame (like an L) , only on the side. (Like an I) Then I moved everything up as far as possible, clamped, measured, remeasured, reremeasured, started over, clamped, rereremeasured, drilled, and bolted everything up. http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/lucky/IRSinstall.jpg I had my whole family hop on the frame to simulate the weight of a shortbed, and lemme tell ya, those springs hardly budged. 400# might be a bit stiff, but I think I'm okay with that... should be fun to drive! Crossmember problem-solving http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...tetoosmall.jpg Since the crossmember never fit in the first damn place (longbed problems) I went ahead and figured out how to have my cake and eat it too... narrow the frame height and fit the plates OVER the top and bottom, instead of between. I had to round the edges of the frame so the plate would sit more flush, but not much. http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...ountplate2.jpg http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...mountplate.jpg positioned the crossmember like 50 times and got it drilled and bolted. Now I just need to make a new mount that goes down to the rear end. http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...ossmember3.jpg http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...rossmember.jpg I can't keep up with Kevin_C, he has already gotten his kit installed and powdercoated, even after getting hit by a car! If you can do it, I better hurry my ass up. Granted, I DID buy another 59 pickup to leave all stock and fart around town while I built Lucky the Trucky, but that is now ending up as a flip, so no build thread for that one. Rebuilt the carb, replaced teh gas tank, fuel pump, a bunch of hokey wiring, and slapped a chevy grill on there... found a rear main leak I dont have time to deal with so she's up for sale! And I'm back on track! http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/lucky/gmcfull.jpg |
Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
Looking good Dave. My front kit should arrive tomorrow. My speedway motor mounts arrived today so I'm gonna start prepping this week to pull the engine. Hopping to do a little front cab repair, firewall clean up and paint along with the IFS before the weather gets too cold.
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Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
Well, a week of work took me almost 8 Months.
My last update, I had the rear end bolted in. It's taken me all this time to finally get it all painted, order some earlier year C4 IRS aluminum dog bones on eBay, get new poly bushings installed (I did acquire an arbor press recently that lit that fire) and re-assembled. http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...onversion5.jpg The aluminum arms are really a huge visual upgrade. I'm sure Chevrolet has their reasons for changing them, but I'll stick with the more attractive option. http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...neupgrade1.jpg Since that was done and I wouldn't need quite as much unrestricted access to everything, I decided to finish the longbed to shortbed conversion and chop the bed. I measured the Jackalope's shortbed to get distances to fender bolt holes as reference points. I wanted to keep the welds on the edges, so I cut at seams and pulled the supports in. http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...onversion8.jpg http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...onversion7.jpg http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...onversion6.jpg Re-welding the spot welds did leave dots in the bed, I wish I'd have approached that differently in hindsight... i should have filled the holes completely while the supports were off the truck, smoothed them, drilled smaller holes that would accommodate a smaller tack and reduce heat, and tacked them on. If you find this thread by searching for tips to convert your bed... take the extra time to do this step. It won't take long, I just didn't sleep on the idea first. I also accidentally made the bed pockets too large! Whoops. I guess when I finally get back to it, I need to slow down to speed up! http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...onversion3.jpg I did add a bit of a flourish at the end of the bed... rather than chopping the top rail flush, I extended it and added a curve back in towards the bed. I really like how it turned out, and if I dont like it later, I can easily cut it off. http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...onversion2.jpg http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...onversion1.jpg NO MORE DILLYDALLYING! I'm going to be putting regular work in. |
Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
looking good!
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Time for an update Dave ... bring us up to speed ppplease
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Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
August 2020 Update ..thanks Glen.
Once I got the rear suspension sorted out, I did some more staring and figured its time to trust my life to some DIY brake lines. I used the Eastwood-style Made in China Brake flaring tool that works really well and is sold by many vendors (I bought one badged as ARES because it was all black and a few bucks cheaper). It makes flares very easy, practically idiot proof! I used some old copper line to mock up bends, and used Copper Nickle lines since they bend easily and wont rust. I didnt leave any loops/spring sections, I hope that wont bite me later on, but if so, I can just make a new line. http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...brakeline1.jpg http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...brakeline2.jpg http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...brakeline3.jpg http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...brakeline4.jpg http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...brakeline5.jpg ========================================== After seeing that I needed to rebuild one of them, I brushed some paint on the front Corvette calipers. The POR15 caliper paint goes on pretty decent, and shows no brush marks. I didn't want to bother with powder coating these, since I may upgrade them later depending on what wheels I end up with. http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...er%20paint.jpg ============================================ I also tossed the sending unit and fuel pump into the Tanks, Inc tank under the bed. The filler neck comes up at an angle, so I need to sort that out, and get some fuel lines done up and sent to the engine bay. http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...ncinstall3.jpg At some point, I took a break to plasma cut some flames for the kids BMX. He is pretty stoked on them. http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/lucky/bikeflames.jpg Questions for the group: 1. Are there any good wheel choices for C4 88-96 suspension besides Vette wheels/Torque Thrust/Wheels that look like Torque Thrust? I need to get something on the front that wont interfere with the big brakes, and something in back that wont require mini tubs... quandry! 2. Did Chevys come with factory optional courtesy lights or are they always add-ons by the owners? http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...rtesylight.jpg |
Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
Someone installed that light and no the trucks didn’t have courtesy lights only the overhead light and that was optional on fleet trucks .
Take a look at American Racing wheels they had a. 6 spoke that looked like a Torque Thrust I had them on my Avalanche, they may have a 5 spoke for the Vette . |
Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
Good to know! I'm going to figure out to keep those lights, I like them.
I'm looking for something BESIDES Torque Thrust, as that seems to be the main alternative...I'd love to try 17" smoothies. Well I wasn't satisfied with that amount of progress so I went out to the yard to get a remote reservoir for the Mustang hydroboost. Man, it's hot out there today...110 degrees. I also picked up a MAF for the 5.3, a replacement intake and valve cover since mine are damaged, a DBW pedal and module as a backup since I was there already. Now to figure out where to put the reservoir! |
Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
About under dash lights , think LED .
Take a ride down to O’ Rilly and take a look at LED light strips . You can mount them on the lower edge under the dash and get even light on the floor . Also look at the overhead lamp for LED replacement “ bulb” . The light will be brighter and the possibilities for placements all around the vehicle are endless. |
Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
BTW I did a google search for “corvette aftermarket wheels” gee there is a lot out there .
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Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
You were looking for shortbed steps I found them at Golden State parts for $ 95 ea
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Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
I started working on routing the fuel lines from the tank out back up to the front of the truck.
I discovered that Russells barbed Twist Lok fittings are quite difficult to install!! After wrestling with one for awhile, I came up with this: DIY Low/Zero-Dollar Twist Lok fitting installation tool: 1. I drilled a 1/2" hole through a 2x4 scrap. This probably should have been slightly larger, but it worked. I then sawed through the block, through the hole, to end up with two pieces I can clamp around the hose. I chose wood because it is soft, textured to grip, and plentiful. http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...ttingtool6.jpg 2. I clamped it around the hose, leaving an inch or so protruding. http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...ttingtool5.jpg http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...ttingtool4.jpg 3. I used another wood scrap to drill a 3/4" hole halfway through to accept the russell fitting. http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...ttingtool2.jpg 4.Using two pipe clamps, I aligned the pieces, sprayed WD40 on the fitting, and turned the clamps, alternating one revolution per side until the fitting was pressed in. http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...ttingtool1.jpg VOILA! Low-effort perfectly pressed on Twist Lok fitting and a tool made from scraps and clamps. Sure beats buying another tool specifically for this one purpose that will sit in a drawer, unused, for years. http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...ttingtool3.jpg |
Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
I also decided to make my own dual-hose clamp for Rubber fuel line out of two bits of steel tubing I had kicking around.
One piece was just a random steel bushing I had that had an ID of 5/8", and then I used the smallest steel tubing I had for the center piece. I welded them together as shown, then cut it in half to allow tubing to clamped in. http://dshillingphoto.com/photos/luc...hoseclamp2.jpg http://dshillingphoto.com/photos/luc...hoseclamp3.jpg Then I cut it off the long center tube (I left it attached for ease of handling) , flattened the cut surfaces on a disc sander, and filed down the welds to create a more pleasing transition. I primed and painted it and I can easily install this onto a frame, a crossmember, or mount it at the end of a bracket. This will hold the fuel and return lines coming from the tank to the Corvette-style Filter/regular mounted on the frame beneath the bed. http://dshillingphoto.com/photos/luc...lhoseclamp.jpg |
Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
I installed the Ididit 4.5" drop column mount and mocked up my trimmed-down C10 Motorhome steering column and wheel. I'm not certain if this is the final position, but it seems decent. Adding a tilt column shift definitely forces the steering wheel forward a bit so finding the right balance between steering wheel position, column shift arm position, etc was and still is a challenge.
http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...ingcolumn1.jpg The holes for the factory mount and the dash holes are both elongated, allowing for fast installation and adusting true back in '58. The Ididit posts are not adjustable, so the sloppy mount holes in the dash done by Chevy didnt work. I used a round file to elongate the left side hole until I could get the mount centered below the instrument cluster. http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...untididit2.jpg I used a piece of bicycle inner tube as a gasket between the two pieces, and this allows for a clean, tight fit that will also help resist vibration. Inner tube rubber is VERY handy in the shop, I find myself using it often! http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...untididit1.jpg http://dshillingphoto.net/photos/luc...untididit3.jpg |
Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
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nice to see your hydroboost setup, did you ever finish it? with two brackets i assume a rod between pedal linkage and hydroboost. i rarely make it to the builds section cuz too many builds that drag on, that from me whom took 8 years to build truk :lol:
unless your 5 feet tall that column drop will be tearing your knees up. truk column is butt up to the dash, actually had to grind the speedo bezel for final fit n finish. even then i knock my knees, granted i'm an 6'4" ogre :D |
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Re: 1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"
napa made all of my hoses. get the ends and some hose from them. cut hose to length on the truck and clock the ends and mark them. my napa was real good at working with me, even crimped my va ac hoses for free.
the seat back hits under the window, even eliminating all padding will only move you back a couple inches. if you need more leg room, i gained an inch or two by raising the seat. i get you on chrome, other than the grill and front bumper not much shiny on truk |
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How much slack did you leave in your lines? Add 6 inches to make install easier/cleaner, perhaps? |
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