Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

dude, i got chills ready your first post. awesome build(s)

are you using ez chassis swap body mounts?

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

The frame and body mounts are stock, with a camaro clip grafted on from approximately the firewall forward.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

sorry just realized it said ready and not reading,....

anyway sorry for the confusion. i saw the part about the front clip and awesome job by the way but in the middle of your frame you have a nice black body mount that kind of sticks out. i was only asking because i have ez chassis swap body mounts.

Attachment 1591675

either way no big deal. im enjoying reading about and seeing your progress. looks great.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Thanks!!

I understand now.. I just painted the frame under the body mount and the body mount itself inside and outside before I bolted it back on. I used grade 8 hardware with a lock nuts and red loc-tite since I don't plan on taking it apart again.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

My slow project plods along..

I have this whiteboard hung up on my garage wall with a To Do list and the photoshop I did of what I want the finished product to look like. I've tried to plan out each step in logical order and cross it off as it is completed.

I crossed two more items off the list: "Box Frame/Camaro Clip" and "Replace Cab Crossmember". Nevermind that it is 2017 and that I haven't finished the 2016 list yet. Seeing all the items crossed off reminds me how far I've come..

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...psmc6yctpk.jpg

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Pic of the completed boxing plates and replacement crossmember. I plan on it sitting decently low so I notched the crossmember for driveshaft clearance.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...ps71rtme74.jpg

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

looks good. nice radii on the plates.
don't forget you will need a trans cross member. maybe incorporate that into the boxing plates somehow so it is something that bolts on and/or is adjustable fore to aft in case you need a powertrain swap in the future..

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

You bet dsraven, I'm going to be using one of the cpp universal transmission crossmembers. It should just duck under the booster/master cylinder. Then I'll mock the cab back up so I can drop the engine and transmission in and figure out where that crossmember needs to be.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

sounds good.
maybe a good idea to set the cab on so you know the engine will miss the firewall.I ended up fabbing a new firewall from 16ga, welding it in, then changing my mind on the build and cutting it out. going envoy frame now. the firewall is sitting in the shop awaiting a kijiji ad when I get time.
what engine/trans will you be using?

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

just went back in your build thread and found you have a 327 for power. nice. keep plugging away and you will be driving in no time. I have told myself that I will try to get in 1/2 hr a day at least so over time there is progress. I miss the odd day or week, but then some days I get to spend more time. recovering from shoulder surgery so not too much action. maybe a plan like that would work for you too.
my front wheels will be 16 to 16 1/2 inches ahead of the firewall. I used a framers square and level to check where the level ended up sitting on the tire. how far ahead did you end up? I am running a 235/55r17 tire which is 27.2" tall.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Your build is looking good. My time in the garage is usually Friday and Saturday nights after my kids go to bed until I am too tired to work any more. What made you switch from the stock frame with the rear 4 link to the Envoy frame?

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

thanks,
the switch was the result of getting a deal on an envoy xuv. it will probably ride better due to longer control arms and strut front suspension-coils on rear. besides, I wanted to do something different. I also know where there is a '59 sitting for several years and the owner may be willing to part with it, so the frame may be used after all. maybe sell the frame if no go on the 59. not that many frames for sale around here that i have seen.
been there with the kids and projects. I had a baja buggy (full bodies beetle) sitting in the wings waiting for time until the floors rustyed right out. the kids sure had fun "driving" though. I wished they would have closed the windows..... the wife works as well so more work for us both when the kids were little. now it is grandkids that suck up the time. I call them time vortexes. they are fun though. new mischief every time they visit.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Been a while since I have posted. I got the cab mounted back on the frame, mounted the master cylinder, then cut a hole in the floor to access the master cylinder. I first welded up a frame out of some 1/2" square tubing then plug welded it to the floor, then I cut the hole 1" smaller in the frame so I could fold the sheetmetal over the square tubing. I cut a simple cover out of some 14 gauge sheet metal. This way I should be able to easily access the master cylinder from inside the cab.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

nice, good t see you are back at it. keep posting, I need some incentive.....

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Thanks dsraven. Currently cutting down the inner fenders to fit around the A-arms. Should be posting more pics soon.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Nice truck and nice work

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Almost finished with the inner fenders. I spent way to much time taking them off, trimming and putting them back on but I'm happy with the result. I wanted the inner fenders to fit the clip as if it were stock.

I shaped the cut around the A-arms to match the wheel opening on the outside of the fender. I did the straight cuts with an angle grinder and the tight curves with my dremel.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Did some garage cleanup.. Put the truck on dollys and spun it around so I would have more room to work on building the core support and bumper mounts. Threw the seat in it to see how it looks and to make some more floor space in the garage.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

A long overdue update. I finished the mounts for the core support and the bumper brackets. For the core support I used the recommendation from Lux Blues "Camaro Clip in a Day" thread and repurposed the original camaro subframe mounts.

The Camaro subframe swoops out at the front, wider than the original frame. I found if I swapped my bumper brackets side to side I could keep the bumper brackets at the camaro width but fit the stock holes in the 59 bumper.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Got everything mocked up for the first time. Hung the front sheetmetal and bumper and eyeballed where I want the rear ride height. I still need to do the rear 4 link and figure out the mounts for the engine/trans but seeing it look somewhat like a truck is a major motivator.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

lookin good there '59. bumper right side up for you? me too.
wheel spacing looks good too

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Looks real nice.
Kim

Yup, I know a lot of guys flip them but I like it better the factory way. I did tuck it in closer to the body as much as I could though.
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Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

That sits really nice!

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Thanks Black_Sheep. The frame is just sitting directly on the rear end right now but it looks so good, I've decided that I am going to make that my ride height. I'm going to step notch it the height of the frame so I will have 4" or so of up travel. right now I have about 8" at the rear step and 6 1/2" at the front of the rocker. The subframe has all-thread in the shock holes to hold it close to ride height, but I'm curious if it will come down another inch in the front once I drop the engine and transmission in.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

I like the ride height there as well. just ensure you have ample room above the axle plus install some good bump stops. maybe look at the ones from newer trucks. I used S10 units in mine, they sit closer to the axle than you might think. check out a newer truck when you get time. the bump stops hit waaaay before the suspension would ever bottom. the S10 bumpers are beehive shaped and hollow so they are progressive and actually softer than you would expect as well. they look pretty close to what my avalanche has in the rear and those are only a little bit off the rubbing pad for the suspension bumpers, they obviously get used a lot by the shiny spot on the rub pad. you would never know when driving. engineered that way.
just a thought, nothing worse than a bone jarring suspension bottoming on a speed bump or parking lot entrance, and you can't not have those around Calgary roads

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

here is a pic of that suspension bumper. this one is from a 1/2 ton. should be easy to find one at pick n pull

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevy1500-S...gAAOSwCM5XP0iY

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Thanks for the heads up dsraven, I think those would work great. I could integrate them into the step notch.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

if you look around you can prolly find a large cupped washer from a front suspension strut that you could use for a receiver for the snubber, that way the urethane won't squish out as easily when the suspension gets fully depressed.
just a thought.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

It's been a while since I've posted some progress. Here's what I've been up to.

I planned to clean up the firewall to remove as many holes as possible. As part of this I decided to remove the bolts that go through the firewall for the heater. I welded up a bracket that mounts off of two of the old bolt holes for the battery box ( now moved under the floor ), and a hood hinge bolt. I cut the head off a couple of bolts and threaded them into the old battery box holes to create a couple of studs

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Here's what it looks like mounted under the dash.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

I ordered a bunch of the Welder Series hole plugs in various sizes, I then drilled all the holes to the nearest size using a step bit. Out of all of these holes, I am only keeping 3 of them.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

ah jeej, if I wouldda known you had the base heater I wouldda given you a smokin deal on the deluxe heater with the easier to find heater core and heater motor from my 57 gmc. it picked up outside air as well. I sold it to a nice guy from Bowness, who needed it I guess, so it went to a good home anyway.
nice job on the brackets and mounting.
I still have a regular 58 heater if you know anybody who needs one. it looks like yours there. I have a few other misc stock parts laying around if you need something send me a pm

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

All the holes welded up. The 3 remaining holes are for the heater and for the speedo cable to pass through the firewall.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Thanks for the offer dsraven. I had this one re-cored at a rad shop the first time I had it on the road. The fan motor still works good. I did pick up a deluxe control that I plan to make work with the standard heater since I like how it looks in the dash better.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

When I welded up all the holes in the firewall, I also made a mounting plate for my new fuse block that I mounted high on the drivers side under the dash. I plug welded it using some existing holes in the firewall.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

I'm using a 78 Chevy van column, it is column shift and fits in the stock column drop. I also like that it does not have a key so I can keep my key on the dash. I did find however that it was too long. I took 2 1/2 inches out of the shift colar and the outer housing then slid it up the steering shaft and welded it all back together. I will cut the shaft to length and file it to a DD shape when i order the u-joints.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

Next, I cut out a piece of 12 gauge sheet metal for a floor plate. I used a aftermarket chrome column floor mount.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

I dropped my engine and transmission in so I could start figuring out what I want to do for a transmission crossmember.

Re: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession
 

nice work.
some of the steering column u joints come with a tape pattern so it makes it easier to file or grind the steering shaft to fit the DD pattern. less guess work.
you plan to drive it next summer? looks like you're on a roll. keep up the good work.