The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks 61 Apache questions

Hello I own a 61 Chevy Apache step side short bed pick up truck and have some things I would like to improve on the truck and would like your feedback on them. The truck is pretty much original, 235 CID 6 cyl , 3 spd moved to the floor, drum brakes all the way around and original suspension. I would like to eventually add disc front brakes, drop in an 8 cylinder and an automatic. Would it be easier and cheaper for me to just go with a different frame already with an 8cyl, front disc and automatic or try to work with the original truck? If you suggest a different frame, which one( what would fit best)? I am not looking to make this a race truck just a little more get up and go.
Thank you

Sometimes if you want a whole different truck, you should buy a different truck. Sometimes you can modify it without a lot of money. A V8 will drop in fine and so will an auto. You have a torsion bar suspension, some folks don't like those. 63 and up has coil. Disc brakes are $125 for the mounting brackets and bearings, you buy the rotors and calipers. $650 complete and then you will want power brakes to go with the disc and the saga begins. You do not need a different frame. It will stop, a safe driver, with drum brakes even with a V8. V8's may weigh less than some 6's and the speed is there for both.

Bartamos response makes a lot of sense

A question for you & everyone perusing this topic: an individual showed me his beautiful (Canadian assembled) '61 Apache 10 short box Fleetside recently and declared that the only option that was ordered new was a cigar lighter.

To the best of my recollection a cigar lighter was included even in the most basic cabs in 1961. Anyone?

I have a 61 apache 10 stepside. I didn't have ac, I did have a aftermarket heater (old one), and no cigarette lighter..
I don't really know if the truck had a cigar option, but I would love to see a photo of one!
Best of luck to you and thanks for keeping an old chevy on the road.

Follow up on cigar lighter:

- is there a hole in dash, or

- is there a hole w. a blank covering it (like a radio cover?), or

- is nothing there to indicate where a lighter wd otherwise be installed?

sandra

Cigar lighters were a option, normally dealer installed into the punched hole with the removable plug in it.

Thx Howie, much appreciated

HerrOtto
My suggestion to you is if you have an original truck (including original motor, trans, rear, body, frame, options if any then I would leave it alone. Original trucks are drying up and I believe they will huge upside $$ outside the southwest. I would buy a non original truck with the options you want or build a truck you want from a truck that is already NOT original. I looked a long time for an original 60/61 truck and I won't let it go.

My 61 has a original cigarette lighter.

When I was restoring my 61,I was bound and determined to keep the old girl as original as possible. 235 with a three on the tree as well as drum brakes all around. Now that it's been done a few years, I kind of wish I did some upgrades. The main thing I would like to do is add disk brakes up front. The old style manual just is not up to par with today traffic for my liking.
Keeping the three speed is a must, but my top speed is about 50-55 mph. So I'm thinking a three speed with overdrive.

In response to your request for feedback I'd suggest moving forward with the brake upgrade, but not the V-8 conversion.

The older I get the more I like stock trucks and the more I like the Chevy straight sixes and the GMC V-6's.

The brakes will help put you on a level playing field since the norm is now distracted drivers... so many numbskulls... but keeping the 6 cylinder keeps your trucks character intact. Nothing better looking than a dressed up stovebolt 6 cylinder.

John

My '60 is completely stock and the drum brakes stop just fine. Finding a stock '60 and '61 are getting harder and harder to find. Why modify a classic stock truck for modern conveniences? Buy a modern truck, or find a classic truck that has already been modified and make it what you want........