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Old 07-12-2018, 02:17 AM   #1
hardwaa
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1961 Chevy Apache My Beater

1961 Chevy Truck. This is my favorite year of all Chevy trucks. This truck is ROUGH but I totally DIG it!! 6 Cylinder/3 speed trans. A autorepair/hotrodshop installed the dropped front spindles, added front disc brakes and got it running. They also pulled the front torsion Keys and the rear coil springs out to bag it. Customer lost interest/ran out of money. truck sat for 6 months. I Bought it Thursday Jan 5 2018.

My plan is to keep it simple and cheap.

Pic is how i found it. It was LUST at first sight.
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Old 07-12-2018, 02:26 AM   #2
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Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater

After getting it home I gave it a Good wash. Checked over all the fluids was able to get it to start! I even drove it up and down the street at about 5 mph (No suspension)
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Old 07-12-2018, 02:35 AM   #3
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Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater

The seller needed the wheels and tires back. I scrounged around found some stock 3 nub not 4 nub 15x5's for the front and 15x6's for the rear. Bought some tires and used hubcaps.
I also located some missing hardware for the torsion keys so i could install working suspension back in the truck. Added some lowered rear springs at the same time. The Beater was starting to take shape!

Side note I learned stock wheels came is 15x 5, 5.5,and 6"
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Old 07-12-2018, 02:44 AM   #4
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Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater

Spray painted the wheels Bermuda green metallic 1954 Chevy car color. Had a local guy buff side walls to expose entire whitewall.
Hubcaps are 1961-1962 chevy car.
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Old 07-12-2018, 02:52 AM   #5
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Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater

Next was make this truck reliable. replaced all the normal maintenance stuff. Fluids,Plugs, wires, cap, rotor, upgraded to a pertronix 1 and coil. Also replaced H2O pump, rad cap, t stat, hoses,added a H2O temp gauge, belt, fuel pump and hoses.
Brakes were new up front. I replaced rear brakes and hose.
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Old 07-12-2018, 02:59 AM   #6
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Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater

Next I got to do some FUN stuff to get this truck ready to work.
Tailgate chains removed.
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Old 07-12-2018, 03:03 AM   #7
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Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater

Bed floor repair. Filled in the big gaps with cheap fence pieces. Then added a 5/8" thick sheet of plywood over center of bed floor. sprayed Lynseed oil over wood to help protect it.
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Old 07-12-2018, 03:08 AM   #8
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Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater

Interior upgrades included a hurst shifter, reduced hole around shifter with license plates, scrounged a complete seat that seem to fit the lock of the truck and I added seat belts from left over projects.
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Old 07-12-2018, 03:16 AM   #9
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Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater

Installed new exterior mirrors, shocks and had the exhaust redone at a old time style exhaust shop.
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Old 07-12-2018, 03:31 AM   #10
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Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater

I cannot express how much FUN I have with this truck or how handy it is to throw crap in. Here is a bunch of random pics of The Beater working.
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Old 07-12-2018, 03:33 AM   #11
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Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater

More out and about and work pics.
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Old 07-12-2018, 03:37 AM   #12
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Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater

Most recently I needed to move and 350 engine ,350trans, and engine hoist from garage to side yard pad for my 71 chevy truck project. The Beater saved the day!!
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Old 07-12-2018, 07:59 AM   #13
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Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater

What did you do about the suspension?
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Old 07-14-2018, 11:57 PM   #14
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Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater

Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmythompson1964 View Post
What did you do about the suspension?
I reinstalled the torsion Keys up front. This is my first torsion bar truck. Rides Great.
In the rear I installed 4" lower CPP rear springs.
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Old 09-21-2018, 01:41 PM   #15
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Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater

Just found this thread. Such a cool truck.
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Old 09-27-2018, 07:25 AM   #16
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Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater

Missed this truck first time around, very cool. Nothing better than being able to use a truck like a truck.
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Old 12-04-2018, 02:39 AM   #17
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Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater

Was at Goodguys in Scottsdale in November. Had a BLAST. Also cleaned the truck up a little. Wash,scrub, and wax before Goodguys.
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Old 12-04-2018, 03:29 AM   #18
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Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater

I love what you have managed to do with thismtruck, and to keep it a working truck is just perfect.

I was looking for one of these hoods for a long time to fit to my 66 C10 which has a thread on here, but in the end decided it was not going to happen in England.

In the mean time I bought this http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=774451 and it has made me happy and returned my mojo.


I hope to see more of your truck being used.

Thanks for sharing.
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Old 12-04-2018, 07:53 AM   #19
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Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater

I really like the wheel, tire and cap combination you came up with. Classic.
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Old 12-04-2018, 08:44 AM   #20
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Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater

Awesome truck
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Old 12-04-2018, 04:44 PM   #21
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Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater

I've seen this truck periodically on ig and now on here. I haven't really seen it at the club meets though. you should totally take it out this weekend
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Old 12-09-2018, 01:44 PM   #22
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Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater

So-Cal Speed Shop Arizona has a Great little show every 2nd Sat of the month. Starts early 6AM. Pic from yesterday’s.
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Old 12-16-2018, 10:29 PM   #23
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Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater

Christmas tree day!
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Old 12-17-2018, 03:51 AM   #24
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Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater

I love the way you,also record your truck working (well, it really is play to us)


Every time I see an update, I have to look in.


Merry Christmas in the mean time.
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Old 12-19-2018, 02:44 PM   #25
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Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater

Way to keep it alive and using it for what it's meant for. Love it.
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