SkinnyG's '61 Apache - Page 17 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**jkeating1** · 12-30-2020, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

Challenge accepted!

Turns out you did it on cruise control

SkinnyG · 12-30-2020, 05:17 PM

And the driver's side step is done. I had some measurement irregularities, so this one didn't weld up as tastily. I know you just buy reman ones of these, but they are $150CDN each - I save $300 cutting them down myself

SkinnyG · 12-30-2020, 10:27 PM

Also started figuring out the gas tank, and then started making a trailer hitch.

SkinnyG · 01-01-2021, 01:03 AM

Reused the original in-cab tank straps, but I'm not sold on that yet.

SkinnyG · 01-01-2021, 11:11 PM

I wasn't happy with the first version of the upper straps, so I made new ones out of 1-1/4" square tubing sliced to 3/8". The top straps had to be removable, because the back panel had to be removable, because the hitch had to be removable, and this arrangement made sense to me. Which, of course, required finishing the trailer hitch (yes, the chain loop thingies are not on yet). Truck is only rated to pull 6000lbs.

SkinnyG · 01-02-2021, 05:22 PM

And here is where I got by the end of Christmas break 2020:

And you can hardly tell the bed was raised 4":

WunTon · 01-02-2021, 07:05 PM

Wow!! That looks awesome!

**cwcarpenter98** · 01-02-2021, 07:42 PM

Dadgum, that looks great!

53Sparky · 01-02-2021, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwcarpenter98

Dadgum, that looks great!

x2!

Great progress!

**caseyjones** · 01-02-2021, 11:13 PM

Awesome work!

SCOTI · 01-02-2021, 11:31 PM

That's some fine work being done!

88Stanger · 01-03-2021, 11:51 AM

Damn SkinnyG, that is some awesome work!!!

aggie91 · 01-05-2021, 12:51 PM

Looking good there sir!

Ronzo · 01-05-2021, 04:10 PM

Great work bud

SkinnyG · 01-07-2021, 11:36 PM

Latest video:

Part 15: How to Shorten a Step Side Bed (and...

SkinnyG · 01-09-2021, 09:41 PM

I reinforced the Sheet Metal Brake I made last spring and was successful in folding 30" of 18ga.

Also used my Nutsert tool for the first time, installing 5/16-18 nutserts into the passenger door for a mirror. The skin is already braced from the underside, but no factory weld nuts to fasten. While these stick a little proud of the surface, it's going to be fine.

Also spent a LOT of time corresponding with Universal Air regarding bag choice on the '61, and after we talked about motion ratio, sprung weight, suspension frequency, ride height, and air pressure, I think I have finalized the way I want to go about this - this will be documented later. Universal Air gave me fantastic customer service over this (thank you!).

Duncan K · 01-10-2021, 12:54 PM

Great idea using the nut serts for the mirrors! I'm gonna copy that one when I get back to working on my doors

**pdxhall** · 01-10-2021, 02:03 PM

Great idea on the nutserts for your mirror. I just bought a nutset tool and I'm planning to use it for my roof lights. Seeing yours gives me the confidence that they are going to work. Thanks for the post.

SkinnyG · 01-10-2021, 11:18 PM

This will be roughly ride height. Needs a bit more rake - front could easily go down an inch, rear could go up some.

Not sure to start on the fender rust repair, so I'm starting with the nose. This is just behind the headlights. I'll need to drag this outside for sand blasting, then epoxy primer, before I weld it in.

SkinnyG · 01-12-2021, 11:45 PM

And another patch:

88Stanger · 01-13-2021, 11:01 AM

nice damn work sir....

SkinnyG · 01-13-2021, 09:32 PM

And another patch:

SkinnyG · 01-14-2021, 12:01 AM

And another patch. Ready for blasting and epoxy priming underneath Friday or Saturday.

SkinnyG · 01-15-2021, 10:21 PM

Repair area blasted and primed:

Unrelated - anyone ever widen the rear fenders to better match the front?

**cwcarpenter98** · 01-15-2021, 11:10 PM

Bringing up the wheel opening?

Member vin63 brought the wheel opening down some on the front fenders to better match the rears.

Also, your work with the sand blaster makes me want to get one before I start the rest of my rust repair

12-30-2020, 05:17 PM	#402
SkinnyG Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Beautiful BC, Canada, eh?! Posts: 2,172	Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache And the driver's side step is done. I had some measurement irregularities, so this one didn't weld up as tastily. I know you just buy reman ones of these, but they are $150CDN each - I save $300 cutting them down myself __________________ 1961 Apache: "Grabber Orange" Shortboxed, pancake, step-notch, air-ride, boosted-LS 1977 Silverado: Shortboxed & dropped, potato-potato V8 Pontiac Firefly (Chevy Sprint): The ultimate engine swap: 5.7L in a 1.0L bag Lotus Super 7 Replica: Scratch-built street-legal rollerskate

12-30-2020, 10:27 PM	#403
SkinnyG Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Beautiful BC, Canada, eh?! Posts: 2,172	Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache Also started figuring out the gas tank, and then started making a trailer hitch. __________________ 1961 Apache: "Grabber Orange" Shortboxed, pancake, step-notch, air-ride, boosted-LS 1977 Silverado: Shortboxed & dropped, potato-potato V8 Pontiac Firefly (Chevy Sprint): The ultimate engine swap: 5.7L in a 1.0L bag Lotus Super 7 Replica: Scratch-built street-legal rollerskate

01-01-2021, 01:03 AM	#404
SkinnyG Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Beautiful BC, Canada, eh?! Posts: 2,172	Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache Reused the original in-cab tank straps, but I'm not sold on that yet. __________________ 1961 Apache: "Grabber Orange" Shortboxed, pancake, step-notch, air-ride, boosted-LS 1977 Silverado: Shortboxed & dropped, potato-potato V8 Pontiac Firefly (Chevy Sprint): The ultimate engine swap: 5.7L in a 1.0L bag Lotus Super 7 Replica: Scratch-built street-legal rollerskate

01-01-2021, 11:11 PM	#405
SkinnyG Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Beautiful BC, Canada, eh?! Posts: 2,172	Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache I wasn't happy with the first version of the upper straps, so I made new ones out of 1-1/4" square tubing sliced to 3/8". The top straps had to be removable, because the back panel had to be removable, because the hitch had to be removable, and this arrangement made sense to me. Which, of course, required finishing the trailer hitch (yes, the chain loop thingies are not on yet). Truck is only rated to pull 6000lbs. __________________ 1961 Apache: "Grabber Orange" Shortboxed, pancake, step-notch, air-ride, boosted-LS 1977 Silverado: Shortboxed & dropped, potato-potato V8 Pontiac Firefly (Chevy Sprint): The ultimate engine swap: 5.7L in a 1.0L bag Lotus Super 7 Replica: Scratch-built street-legal rollerskate

01-02-2021, 05:22 PM	#406
SkinnyG Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Beautiful BC, Canada, eh?! Posts: 2,172	Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache And here is where I got by the end of Christmas break 2020: And you can hardly tell the bed was raised 4": __________________ 1961 Apache: "Grabber Orange" Shortboxed, pancake, step-notch, air-ride, boosted-LS 1977 Silverado: Shortboxed & dropped, potato-potato V8 Pontiac Firefly (Chevy Sprint): The ultimate engine swap: 5.7L in a 1.0L bag Lotus Super 7 Replica: Scratch-built street-legal rollerskate

01-02-2021, 07:05 PM	#407
WunTon Registered User Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Purcellville, VA Posts: 102	Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache Wow!! That looks awesome!

01-02-2021, 07:42 PM	#408
cwcarpenter98 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Hickory Flat, GA Posts: 4,421	Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache Dadgum, that looks great! __________________ Christian Carpenter 1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, 3 speed with overdrive Overdrive wiring here 1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit 1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport "I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson

01-02-2021, 11:13 PM	#410
caseyjones Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 511	Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache Awesome work! __________________ 1955 Long Distance Build 1964 GMC Palomino Tan Survivor 1964 C10 Survivor - Sold

01-02-2021, 11:31 PM	#411
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 21,907	Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache That's some fine work being done! __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

01-03-2021, 11:51 AM	#412
88Stanger Registered User Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,644	Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache Damn SkinnyG, that is some awesome work!!! __________________ John 3:16 - Saved me... God Bless

01-05-2021, 12:51 PM	#413
aggie91 I'm just glad to be here! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Longview, TX Posts: 4,788	Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache Looking good there sir! __________________ Karl 1965 Chevy Stepside(Grandpa's Old Blue) and (July 2015 Shop Build!)(2020, the Saga Continues) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=372424 The LST Challenge: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post7812257 Korbin's 1st Square: "Sunburn" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=418618 1985 GMC Sierra: "White Trash", Korbin's 2nd now... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=632305 Henry - 1984 Chevrolet, Owen's 1st Square

01-05-2021, 04:10 PM	#414
Ronzo Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Ft Whoopup, Ab Posts: 317	Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache Great work bud

01-09-2021, 09:41 PM	#416
SkinnyG Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Beautiful BC, Canada, eh?! Posts: 2,172	Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache I reinforced the Sheet Metal Brake I made last spring and was successful in folding 30" of 18ga. Also used my Nutsert tool for the first time, installing 5/16-18 nutserts into the passenger door for a mirror. The skin is already braced from the underside, but no factory weld nuts to fasten. While these stick a little proud of the surface, it's going to be fine. Also spent a LOT of time corresponding with Universal Air regarding bag choice on the '61, and after we talked about motion ratio, sprung weight, suspension frequency, ride height, and air pressure, I think I have finalized the way I want to go about this - this will be documented later. Universal Air gave me fantastic customer service over this (thank you!). __________________ 1961 Apache: "Grabber Orange" Shortboxed, pancake, step-notch, air-ride, boosted-LS 1977 Silverado: Shortboxed & dropped, potato-potato V8 Pontiac Firefly (Chevy Sprint): The ultimate engine swap: 5.7L in a 1.0L bag Lotus Super 7 Replica: Scratch-built street-legal rollerskate Last edited by SkinnyG; 01-09-2021 at 09:47 PM.

01-10-2021, 12:54 PM	#417
Duncan K Registered User Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 202	Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache Great idea using the nut serts for the mirrors! I'm gonna copy that one when I get back to working on my doors __________________ 66 GMC 910 My Build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=754257

01-10-2021, 02:03 PM	#418
pdxhall Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 2,057	Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache Great idea on the nutserts for your mirror. I just bought a nutset tool and I'm planning to use it for my roof lights. Seeing yours gives me the confidence that they are going to work. Thanks for the post. __________________ Sanity'66 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=515110 Long bed, Fleetside, Small back window I've Done So Much, With So Little, For So Long, That Now I Can Do Anything With Nothing.



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01-10-2021, 11:18 PM	#419
SkinnyG Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Beautiful BC, Canada, eh?! Posts: 2,172	Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache This will be roughly ride height. Needs a bit more rake - front could easily go down an inch, rear could go up some. Not sure to start on the fender rust repair, so I'm starting with the nose. This is just behind the headlights. I'll need to drag this outside for sand blasting, then epoxy primer, before I weld it in. __________________ 1961 Apache: "Grabber Orange" Shortboxed, pancake, step-notch, air-ride, boosted-LS 1977 Silverado: Shortboxed & dropped, potato-potato V8 Pontiac Firefly (Chevy Sprint): The ultimate engine swap: 5.7L in a 1.0L bag Lotus Super 7 Replica: Scratch-built street-legal rollerskate

01-12-2021, 11:45 PM	#420
SkinnyG Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Beautiful BC, Canada, eh?! Posts: 2,172	Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache And another patch: __________________ 1961 Apache: "Grabber Orange" Shortboxed, pancake, step-notch, air-ride, boosted-LS 1977 Silverado: Shortboxed & dropped, potato-potato V8 Pontiac Firefly (Chevy Sprint): The ultimate engine swap: 5.7L in a 1.0L bag Lotus Super 7 Replica: Scratch-built street-legal rollerskate

01-13-2021, 11:01 AM	#421
88Stanger Registered User Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,644	Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache nice damn work sir.... __________________ John 3:16 - Saved me... God Bless

01-13-2021, 09:32 PM	#422
SkinnyG Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Beautiful BC, Canada, eh?! Posts: 2,172	Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache And another patch: __________________ 1961 Apache: "Grabber Orange" Shortboxed, pancake, step-notch, air-ride, boosted-LS 1977 Silverado: Shortboxed & dropped, potato-potato V8 Pontiac Firefly (Chevy Sprint): The ultimate engine swap: 5.7L in a 1.0L bag Lotus Super 7 Replica: Scratch-built street-legal rollerskate

01-14-2021, 12:01 AM	#423
SkinnyG Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Beautiful BC, Canada, eh?! Posts: 2,172	Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache And another patch. Ready for blasting and epoxy priming underneath Friday or Saturday. __________________ 1961 Apache: "Grabber Orange" Shortboxed, pancake, step-notch, air-ride, boosted-LS 1977 Silverado: Shortboxed & dropped, potato-potato V8 Pontiac Firefly (Chevy Sprint): The ultimate engine swap: 5.7L in a 1.0L bag Lotus Super 7 Replica: Scratch-built street-legal rollerskate

01-15-2021, 10:21 PM	#424
SkinnyG Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Beautiful BC, Canada, eh?! Posts: 2,172	Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache Repair area blasted and primed: Unrelated - anyone ever widen the rear fenders to better match the front? __________________ 1961 Apache: "Grabber Orange" Shortboxed, pancake, step-notch, air-ride, boosted-LS 1977 Silverado: Shortboxed & dropped, potato-potato V8 Pontiac Firefly (Chevy Sprint): The ultimate engine swap: 5.7L in a 1.0L bag Lotus Super 7 Replica: Scratch-built street-legal rollerskate Last edited by SkinnyG; 01-15-2021 at 10:43 PM.

01-15-2021, 11:10 PM	#425
cwcarpenter98 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Hickory Flat, GA Posts: 4,421	Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache Bringing up the wheel opening? Member vin63 brought the wheel opening down some on the front fenders to better match the rears. Also, your work with the sand blaster makes me want to get one before I start the rest of my rust repair __________________ Christian Carpenter 1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, 3 speed with overdrive Overdrive wiring here 1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit 1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport "I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson

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