1961 Apache SB SBW build

[64tantruck]

I figure we would start a thread of our build.
My wife drove my 64 C-20 most of the summer, and fell in love with it. After a project last year (failed corvair). We cut our losses and purchased this 61 Apache.
My wife is pretty handy. Her father was a 30 year plus Chevy mechanic at our local Chevy dealership. As an only child growing up she worked alongside of her father on side jobs, pulling motors, brakes, chassis work etc.
Myself I grew up alongside of her family working in her uncles garage (also a chevy tech of 25-30 years) We both have strong mech. skills, we lack in in welding and body work skills



We bought this truck on eBay. Paid too much for it was. Seller wasn’t dishonest, just not fore coming with information. He was nice enough to deliver it from Maryland to Central Ny for a small fee.

Here are some pics of when we got it. Looks pretty good until, unloading off the trailer, the new brakes failed. Were we able to stop it without damaging it. (A chunk of 4x4 thrown under the tire, slows one of these down pretty quick. After digging into it, many areas covered in Bondo, patches welded to the ability that our 7 year old daughter could compete with.

So we made the decision that once the sheetrock in the new garage was finished we would start tearing it down.
Yesterday we started, the tearing down the truck. Amazed that we had all the sheet metal off the front in about two hours. We were amazed how much the hood weighs. About as much as my wife’s daily driver (Nissan Cube)


I’m sure your asking the plans:
Strip it down to the frame, rebuild the chassis, blast and paint the frame. She likes ClemDaddy’s (66?) so were going with red on the bottom, black top, and a gold stripe between the two. A mostly black interior. Factory bench, possibly covered door panels. Short bed, wood floor, stock tailgate. New chrome bumpers, 2010 suburban alloy wheels. Stock ride height, 73-87 front end conversion. Chevy 350 with powerglide. May upgrade to a TH350.
Hope to have it ready by the 2014 summer seasons. I know best made plans with every day life, two kids mortgage etc…

We will keep you posted. Thanks for following out build thread.

[1963c-10]

Great looking truck. Its also nice that you have help turning wrenches from experienced hands. Looks like a solid project truck...and I look forward to following the thread.

[Ta2Don]

on the new project... subscribed.

[1963c-10]

Just FYI....the passenger side wiper is on wrong. They normal face towards each other into the middle of the windshield.

[64tantruck]

Thanks 63C10. That was one of the pics from the
eBay listing when we bought it.

Hope to work more on it tomorrow night
Need to remove the cab and box.
Figure the box can be stood upright and set
The cab on some moving dollies.
Then we can work on the frame.

The Korecs
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[McMurphy]

and to the site !!
Looks like it may be a good start to a good rebuild you have there!

Please dont be shy with the photos, would like to see your 7 year olds welding skills... want to see if mine can stack up

[64tantruck]

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Tonight we removed the cab. Floor looks pretty good. Some minor
Work. Also plan to remove the box. Clean up the frame and
Replumb the brakes.
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[1963c-10]

Progress is moving along nicely

[64tantruck]

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Built a cart for the cab tonight.
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[64tantruck]

Not much work on the truck in the past few days. Since the garage is so new, we've been building shelves, and other storage solutions. A lot to store once this thins is torn down. Will post some pics of the shop in a bit.
Hope to remove the box next

The Korecs

[64tantruck]

Last pic is the security system

[64tantruck]

Not much to update. Truck is donw to the frame. My wife has been de-greasing and wire-wheeling the frame. Thinking of using POR-15, thoughts are appreciated.

The Korecs

[Grizz1963]

Love your combined skill set.

Truck looked great at delivery point.

Also love the assistant.

[64tantruck]

Thanks Grizz.

Truck looked good in pics, but as we know, ebay posts are not always 100% honest. A lot of bondo close to an inch thick in certain areas.
We will make the best of it, and have this looking just as good as the tan 64 or even better.

[CRGRS 66]

Looks like you are off to a great start!

[64tantruck]

No too much to update on. Weekend brought warm enough weather for her to power wash the frame. Now its in the garage dried, and wiped down ready for POR15, that should arrive tomorrow.

[64tantruck]

More progress
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[64tantruck]

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[Jmorales3181]

Looking good! That's awesome that your wife is into the build with you. My girlfriend likes nice cars but doesn't understand entirely how they get that way lol. She has come out in the garage on the occasion and wondered what I have been doing all this time and that big hunk of metal looks exactly like it did when i started lol. Hope the two of you enjoy every moment you spend working on your project.
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[rambler]

nice progress.. I like POR15, just make sure you wear old clothes and gloves.

[McMurphy]

That is very nice progress sir !!
I like that light blue you have going on your springs and pan hard bar, it looks pretty cool in all that black !

[64tantruck]

Started to remove the front end. Hoping to
Upgrade to disc brake conversion in a few
Weeks.
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[Jeff La]

Thanks for the pics. Are you doing anything other than taking the pics....... Just stirring.... Glad to see your wife interested in helping

[64tantruck]

Sound a little of both. She's right with me.
Fighting with these old bolts.

Glenn
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[64tantruck]

Tonight we were able to get the front end dropped out. The newer front end should be here before the weekend. Lots of reading on these forums about the swap out. Hope all goes well.