1959 Apache

[Batwood]

Anybody doing a '59 Chevy Apache build? I hope to start on mine this year and looking for ideas. I am on a very low budget and will try to get it started first. All stock, stock rust too, 6 cylinder 3 on tree original + extra 6 cylinder with powerglide + '55 or '56 rocket v8 with automatic, all came with truck. I would like to eventually change over to 5 lug, power steering, power brakes, maybe throw the rocket motor in there. First though want to use the 6 if I can get it running. Odd question, I am 6' 5" and there is not alot of legroom, I don't know if moving the tank will get me much. Can I move part of the fire wall forward? Just where the pedals are. Thank you for any ideas. Brian

 

[jammersspeed]

built on a few years back! it was big back window cab, on a '78 1/2 ton chevy pickup frame with a 350/pg.

 

[Dr Crankenstein]

I'm 6'3'', so I understand your dilemma. If you still have the stock seat in it, ditch it and try something else. The stockers are big fat overstuffed things, too high and too far forward for us tall fellas. If you can get yer butt down a couple inches and back a couple, you might find it tolerable without moving the pedals.

 

[BigIrish]

I hear ya, legroom is why I don't have a cool old truck! (6'5")

If you go to the automatic, you can ditch the long-travel clutch pedal, which will make it alot better. At least you will have 1 leg that is sorta comfortable.

 

[Old Iron]

Yea, I'm cursed with the same problem (5' 10") [ddev

 

[jammersspeed]

im 5' 10" also... my '58 had a seat from a '80 chev pickup, and still had no leg room, but in my '49 studebaker i have one from a '90 chev pick up and i have lots of leg room! had to make custom mounts for it ....the stock '90 mounts would not work. so i would maybe look for a seat out of a '88 and newer chev/gmc pickup. worked good in my studebaker and its a smaller cab!

 

[Batwood]

Hey thank you for the suggestions. I am ready to start my therapy.

 

[RoddingRon]

This is a 59 I built a few years ago. I forget what the seats are out of, but they did give me ever so little extra leg room over the stock seat. I'm 6'-0" and the 59 wasn't as bad as the 48 I built before that. If your good with metal working, I don't see any reason why you can't move the floor out a few inches. You may have to move the brake pedal set up....just look at it and measure, measure and measure before diving in

 

[Batwood]

Wow I really like how your truck looks and that you didn't go to chrome front pieces, I want to leave mine white also. Not googd with metal working yet but I will learn with this truck, I don't doubt myself, I just try that must harder cause I know I can do it. Thanks for the pics.

 

[old man dave]

Looks like a good truck. I really like the Olds engine idea. I found this panel today that is/was an Apache. Surprised to see a straight axle front end though.

 

[Batwood]

Are you going to build it? I think the straight axle went away in '60. Looks like somebody started on it with the gas door location. Good luck!

 

[the reverend muddy grimes]

Im 6'5, so i dont fit in much. The 53 IHC is the exception. Fits me like it was made for me.

 

[lowroder]

anyone need this? im in ohio if interested [email protected]
59 GMC 6 lug cab n chassis [dr