Project "6 shooter"

[Apache]

Well guys after looking at all the other project threads I figured id go ahead and make one too. My updates will be slow and not many cool things for the next few months till I get into it heavily. My work may also not be as nice as yall's ... but I will try to keep up

SOME of my mods planned are:

ø 2 "V" cluster dash (DONE)

° 56 Viking front clip
° 58-59 Hood fabricated to fit 55-57 front clip
° Make hinges and latch so hood will open from the side (sort of like on the 49 buicks and such)
° 5 window cab (if I can find one in driving distance), or big back glass cab which I already have
° SWB Fleetside bed
° "beefed" up 235 Inline 6
° Powerglide Transmission
° Suicide Doors
° S10 crossmember/a-arms/spindles
° 12 Bolt rear axle
° Bagged front and rear, with 4 link and notch
...alot more im sure of

Just started it a few weeks ago, dash is already done besides sanding and primering the rest (area I didnt weld in). Some of you already have seen it on the other post.




Well thats it for now guys, like I said it will be slow going for a while. Plus my sister somehow broke my digital camera so I will be having to borrow a camera when I do finish things. Thanks for checking my post out and good luck with your own projects.

[Jebb1978]

It's catchy isn't it! My 59 was sitting for a few years before I started looking at these guys make so much progress. Originally I was just going to throw it together but now I sold my nice truck to make it better at the same time. Good luck with it, you have some neat ideas.

Shawn

[dwcsr]

Well your off to a good start. That dash is really a nice piece of work. Ofcourse now that I've seen it I have to do something different with mine.

It just looks naked with out that other V on the passenger side almost as if it was supposed to be there and the previous owner took it out and left me with a dull and empty dash.

[CAL 58 GMC]

I will look forward to following your progress. I hop you can post picks from time to time.

[Igotachevyor2]

nice start mine is not as fast to finish either with the lack of funds and a shop it is a slow go but it is driveable now i go all over in it soon i hope to start doing some body work and thinkin a 700r4 swap might need to be done

[Apache]

Well its going to be a week or two before I can do anything to the truck. I cut my hand yesterday pretty bad. Got it wrapped up so I dont move my thumb to much and try to get the cut to heal up.

One more reason to not play redneck games.

[Apache]

After managing to hook up the trailor one handed and getting everything ready I went and picked this up today. I had thought of using a stock 55-59 frame and just welding a front clip on...but decided to put the body on a s10 frame.

The SWB S10 wheelbase is 5" shorter than a 55-59 SWB wheelbase. That will work out good though considering the front end im using. On a stock 55-59 the front tires leave a big gap at the back of the fender opening...with the shorter wheelbase I can make the front tires center up in the wheel well.

[Jebb1978]

It will be fun to watch someone do something different. Looks like a solid foundation!

[bcubed]

Using and S-10 frame will make getting parts to bag it so much easier ... ***************** should have tons of stuff for it .... like the dual dash and right hand drive will be wicked.

[Apache]

I got the cab pulled off the S10 chassis last night. Still have to pull the engine and trans off and start fabing up some body mounts.


Also decided to weld in the ash tray, and heater door to smooth the dash up some more. Still have some fine sanding left.

[Apache]

I pulled the truck out (one that im using the cab from to make body mounts) today. It only has a rear end housing, no wheels front or rear. Loaded down with hood springs and other junk, and had a cracked 283 upside down wedge in the frame (which I pulled the truck over top of..oops lol) Our tractor wouldnt budge it, only pick up in the front. I jacked it up, backed my 4x4 over it, hooked the chain tight, let the jack down and took off. Yanked it right out of the hole, in 2wd too.

[dwcsr]

that cab look pretty good for being in the woods so to speak.

[Apache]

Yea its in decent shape considering it was in the same spot for about 10 years.

[Igotachevyor2]

looks like fun

[Apache]

Rained most of the day, did manage to carry the front clip up. Looks like im goning to have to extend my control arms or run really fat tires on it.

[Jebb1978]

Wow that is a little on the skinny side. Have you mocked that front clip onto your cab? That Grille looks like it is out of a 1.5 ton or bigger. If that front clip is off the same truck as the grille your clip may be wider than the cab. If that is the case problem solved with the width but you will need to hunt down another front clip for your truck. Pic below shows a 57 2 ton with the same grille.

If you examine the two pics together I am willing to bet this is your problem. Look how large your wheel openings are. On a smaller truck they don't go back as close to the cab.
Keep up the progress pics! Looks like you are going at it full force!

[Apache]

Yeah Jebb the front clip is a 56 1.5 (or bigger) ton viking clip. It is about 4 inches wider than a stock front end. It will work on the stock cab tho, ive tried it before (see pic below). Plus the big trucks use the same cab. If you ever need a good cab and find one but its on a big truck...get it anyway, it will work.


This was when it was on my other 58, I still have the other truck together it now has the original 58 front clip back on it.

[Jebb1978]

[QUOTE=Apache]Yeah Jebb the front clip is a 56 1.5 (or bigger) ton viking clip. It is about 4 inches wider than a stock front end. It will work on the stock cab tho, ive tried it before (see pic below). Plus the big trucks use the same cab. If you ever need a good cab and find one but its on a big truck...get it anyway, it will work.

Hmm, how about that. You learn something new everyday.
Did you have a problem with the width of the tires on the 58 with a stock frame?

[Apache]

Sprayed the cab down for spiders and such before I dig in and start to pull the cab off. Alot of black widows around here, dont want to run across a bunch of those. Basically the only thing ive done today was bring up a hood and sat it on the front clip to see if I need to widen it or shorten it. (couldnt remember which hood was wider, 55-57 or 58-59).

Im still undecided as to weither I will cut the hood down the middle and add metal in the center to make it wider or just weld on some metal up front to fill in the gap. Waiting till I get the cab off and to the "barn" to bolt the front to it so I know the fenders are spread out right.

[Apache]

On the stock frame the tires sat in about 2" compared to a regular pick up front clip. It didnt look bad and was barely noticable...the s10 frame is alot narrower though lol. The problem with using that front clip on a stock frame apache is the wheels sit too far forward. Nearly rubbing the front of the wheel opening and leaving a big gap at the rear of the opening. Thats one good thing about the s10 frame. It being a shorter wheelbase will line the wheels up in the wheel well.

[Apache]

Does anybody know the diameter of the section of the Q45 headlight that I have circled below? I seen somebody take that section out and put it in a old school import truck (mazda I think???) Was just wondering how big it is. Thinking of maybe making one fit the 55-57 headlight bezel if its big enough.

[Apache]

Sorry for lack of updates recently. It rained for 3 days straight here, then the past 2 days ive been lazy and was hanging out with my cousin. I drank enough beer the past 2 days to last me for months. Just me and him went through 6 cases.

[Apache]

Didnt do anything to the truck today but on a side note I did run some new brake lines on the Nova and gave it a good bath afterwards. The day wasnt a total waste lol.

[Apache]

I may be repainting the Nova soon. In a way I hate to because I dont want to take time away from the truck and end up loosing interest in it. However the car could use another paint job and some very minor body work. The Nova is my baby to start with, everything else always gets pushed back. From a value or performance stand point it isnt worth anything really, but to me its worth alot.

Ive had it for a 6 years or more now and have put so much money, blood, sweat, and tears into it. (literally) I guess its one of those sentimental value things. Not having a paint booth means I have to do it now, or wait till next year (because time slips away and it will be too cold before you know it). Hopefully it wont take TOO long, even with my slow self lol.

I can post a few pics up from time to time if anybody cares. I know it has nothing to do with my truck project or the theme of this forum...but it would give you something to look at if you like. Just to know im not goofing off (not all the time atleast )

[Jebb1978]

They have an area set aside just for that! I posted my Dad's Chevelle in the "other" area when he got it painted! Go for it!