Sentimental value > major repairs?! (59 apache fleetside)

[irongun324]

My great uncle bought a 59 apache fleetside new and passed it on to my dad. unfortunately the truck was stolen, clutch burned out, tires slashed, then dumped on the side of the road. since that incident many many years ago it's been sitting in my great uncles yard and is very rusted out, and he told me that the engine froze and busted i think it was and that the rear brakes were seized (sp?).

Obviously this truck would need complete major overhaul to get back to working condition. I feel it has sentimental value, but would it even be worth it since every single thing on it will need replacing? Can someone who has done this serious of a project tell me what kind of costs am I looking at here for such a rebuild?

Thanks,
Trey

EDIT: I dont want to slam the truck or anything outrageous. I'm interested in rebuilding it to externally look stock (paint, trim, seats, dash, etc) but have power steering, brakes and preferably use an engine/trans that was made for this model truck, i think it has a 350 v8 in there currently (he's told me before, something about it being a similar engine or the same one that was used in police cars back then... could be wrong though :/ ) and it's a 3 on the tree.

[Apache]

Depends on how far you want to go with rebuilding it. If you want to make a nice looking truck that runs good...then it wouldnt cost that much. If you want to put all new stuff in it and make it show quality then it will cost an arm and a leg. Main thing is patience...dont jump into buying something just because you will be needing one. If you need a part, wait a while and look around for a good deal instead of paying alot for the same part and maybe even same condition.

Not sure what these trucks run price wise in your area, but if its like here alot are high but you can find good deals on parts if you look hard enough and wait a while instead of buying the first thing you find.

My 58 was a mess when I first got it. No wiring, a worn out 305 that wasnt even hooked up to start (just sitting on a bar they had tack welded), transmission shot, windows busted out and junk in the bed almost level with the cab. I took a 235 I6 and 4 speed out of a 2 ton truck, and also the wiring harness. Rebuild the wheel cylinders and master cylinder. Done some body work, put in new glasses from parts trucks. Now I have a truck that runs like new, and only needs a few more dings fixed before paint...and im only about $500 into it. Sure its no where near show quality, but its not a bad looking truck.

[irongun324]

Well im not looking for a #1 show truck, we dont need all brand new parts, just working parts that aren't a complete wreck lol. sounds like you're doing real well with your apache though.

[john j]

Welcome to the site.If it has sentimental value, it's priceless. My 58 was my dad's and we got it in 62. So many memories of the two of us in it, it's priceless to me. A good place to start is to kind of figure out what you want to do. www.lmctruck.com is a good place to check out price's to restore. There are also people on here that have parts. johnj

[Apache]

If your wanting to go back to the original type engine and tranny a good place to look would be in a big truck. Most people dont value the big 2 ton trucks as much as pickups (although they are catching on, and personally I like them.) You would more then likely get the engine and tranny cheaper if you bought a 2 ton or "stump nose" truck....IF you can find one of those trucks.

Or buy the engine already out of a truck that needs rebuilt, and go through it. Just all depends...I was lucky enough to find a big truck that had its engine rebuilt about 10 years earlier and runs great (keep in mind the truck was only used on a farm....hardly any miles on it even for 10 years time)

LMC is a good place to look at the prices of things. However sometimes you find yourself better off buying a complete truck if you can find it at a good deal and has parts you can use. Stuff like body parts, gauges, drivetrain....things you wouldnt want to try and buy from a catalog, it can get expensive. For all new parts just the front end alone would be around $2,000 (both fenders, hood, weatherstriping, chrome grill and bumper) if you bought it new. Some places cheaper, but still expensive.

[Norselander]

Can you post some photos?

235s are a dime a dozen. And nearly -any- small block Chevrolet motor will bolt in to the stock mounts with minor mods. Trannys and rear ends are relatively easy to come by and replace. Look for people that are customizing their trucks and replacing the stock parts.

Most of your headaches will result from body repairs. If you believe that the body is worth rebuilding, seriously consider keeping it for a project.

That's my $.02.

[irongun324]

well i dont have any pictures of it whatsoever, im working on getting to where the truck is stored and taking some (im in another state, and dont have my own digital camera :/ ) once i do though they'll definately be up here.

but more than likely, the body is in sad shape, as well as everything else which means it will probably have to be majority donor parts, which is why i ask if i should jsut take the donor truck and fix it, rather than xfering parts to a worse truck.... so much to do..

EDIT: My dad already gets LMC stuff, he probably knows enough about it to tell me how much it would cost, but im out of the house at college right now and so i dont talk to him about the truck very often.

[Bagd74Jimmy]

I have a 59 Chevy Apache LWB Stepside. I have some extra parts, let me know what you need and I might be able to help you out.

[irongun324]

i do have one question, and i have a guess, but not entirely sure... what do LWB and SWB mean... long/short wheel base? if so is there a difference in value/rarity of either or just long truck and short truck?

[Norselander]

You got it. All things being equal (condition and options) short wheelbase trucks are more valuable (they are more desirable).

Rarity? Not really sure where the production numbers are. Although I see very few 3600 and 3800 trucks driving around (3200/32 shares the frame/sheet metal with the 3600/36). The LWB trucks worth having seem to be getting sacrificed for the SWB truck projects.

[MOTHERTRUCKERS]

I also have a lot of used 58-9 parts i would sell cheap, grills,header panels,inner fenders etc.

[irongun324]

are they on your website, or backyard, b/c i dont see much on your website in the way of apache's.... if you can PM me or email me:rameyd@email.uah.edu all of what you have/condition/pics and asking prices ill relay that info