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1961 Chevrolet Apache 10 Shortbed Stepside Pick-up TruckCUSTOM BUILD DETAIL PHOTOS AND DESCRIPTIONS |
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1961 Chevrolet Apache 10 Shortbed Stepside Pick-up TruckCUSTOM BUILD DETAIL PHOTOS AND DESCRIPTIONS |
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I have a file folder full of receipts detailing the money spent on parts for this truck. The purchaser of this Apache will receive this folder along with the title. The brake system on this truck was completely redone — to the tune of $900.00 in parts ( in 2003 ). I considered retrofitting this truck with front disc brakes, however, that would have more than doubled the cost of re-doing the brake system. Since I was retaining the 6 cylinder engine, installing front disc brakes would have been, in a word, overkill, but if I could have had the budget to do so at the time, I would have done it, I like a little overkill every now and then. The bottom line is: the restoration of the complete factory stock brake system makes the truck safe to drive. |
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In conjunction with restoring the brake system, I also replaced the inner and outer tie rod ends and sleeves and performed a complete overhaul of the manual steering gearbox — the tune of this song: $375.00 in parts. Additionally, I purchased new front and rear shocks, another $100.00 in parts, |
) OVERHAULED AND INSTALLED MANUAL STEERING GEARBOX |
 Class III, 5,000 lb. GVWR ( 500 lbs. TW ) hitch installed by ECKHART |
The Apache has a Class III, 5,000 lb. GVWR ( 500 lbs. TW ) hitch installed on it by ECKHART. In July of 2006 I drove this truck from Los Angeles to Eureka, CA , ( via Interstate 5 and crossing over to the Pacific Coast via Route 299 ) while pulling a 5 foot wide by 10 foot long Wells Cargo trailer ( with a trailer and load combo of approximately 2800 pounds ). B.T.W. — great trailer, good price — that I bought from owner Jeff McGreevy at MADDAWG TRAILERS in Oxnard, CA The only problem I had on this 750 mile trip was that I had to stop and tighten the exhaust down-pipe nuts where it connects to the exhaust manifold. The truck did slow to about 40 MPH on the steep uphill grades with the trailer attached. On this trip with the loaded trailer, sustained highway speed was about 55 to 60 MPH tops.Without a trailer in tow, and this is due to the stock 3:90 rear end gearing in combination with the high gear on the 3 speed Muncie trans, the maximum sustained ( cruise / highway ) speed of the truck is 60 MPH and it can go to 70 to 75 MPH for passing. The point of all of this is that if you have a need to tow something, the Apache can do it, although I would not recommend exceeding a 3000 pound total load — remember, the truck is lowered 2 inches all around — and on my 750 mile trip with that 2800 pound load, the truck felt "right" and handling was not a problem. |
) Fabricated flywheel rock shield. |
It is nearly impossible to find an OEM rock shield for the bellhousing of the 1960 to 1962 Chevy pickup — but it has to have a rock shield — so what is one to do ? I got out my sheet metal brake and "bent-up" a two piece shield. This is not a very good angle to see the shield — the best view of it is from underneath but to take a proper photo I would have to have the truck on a lift as jack stands don't get the truck high enough for the camera angle I need. Too bad for that I think because the shield came out looking nice, albeit, in a functional sort of way. Regardless, the point here to be made ( to those interested in purchasing this truck ) : there is more than adequate protection provided by the fabricated shield. Attention to detail, I think, is a large part of the "fun" in this hobby because, when you turn the key and head on your way, your vehicle will take care of you if you have taken care of it. |
I thought I'd add this section to the website to have an historical account of how the Apache evolves over time. |
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| SEMI - ANNUAL WAX AND POLISH. THAT'S TR3 RESIN GLAZE IN THE BLUE AND SILVER CAN YOU SEE ON THE HOOD. IT WORKS FANTASTIC, HOWEVER, IT TAKES THREE DAYS TO DO THE TRUCK WITH THIS STUFF. THE END RESULT ? THE EFFORT IS WELL WORTH IT. |
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) 1961 Chevy Apache pickup truck semi-annual cosmetic detail August 2009. Click photo for enlargement. |
) Semi-annual cosmetic detail August 2009. Click photo for enlargement. |
) Tonneau cover removed. |
) Customized step plates. |
) Tonneau cover installed. |
) 1961 Chevy Apache pickup truck passenger side view. |
) 1961 Chevy Apache pickup truck driver side view. |
) Apache's 235 c.i. 6 cyl. distributor side view. |
) Center view. |
) Carburetor side view. |
) Engine running ; dash interior view. Features AutoMeter Pro Competition gauges : volts, water temperature and oil pressure. Each gauge has a harness connector so removal for bulb replacement for night illumination is an easy task. |
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