The Stovebolt Forums Forums The Shop Area Project Journals 1959 Apache 31 "Ernest"

So after a long hunt on the internet I found a vendor that actually had the CPP steering gear. H & H Classic Parts had both the steering gear and pitman arm in stock. H & H is located in Bentonville AR, I have ordered parts from them in the past and they are great to do bussiness with.

They shipped the parts last Friday and I received them today (Wednesday). I'll be working on assembly this weekend, I'll need to enlarge the hole for the pitman arm shaft for starters. We'll see how the rest goes.

PS... I just found out that my two post lift will delivered tomorrow

I installed the steering gear this afternoon. The hole for the pitman arm shaft had to enlarged to 1.5 inches that was the only modification that was needed to the frame. The mounting was straight forward just bolt it up and torque it to specs.
I made a quick jig from some scrap plywood, my thoughts were it would help center the hole saw. Everything work out good and I spot painted the area and bolted up the steering gear. It was that easy.
I'll need to assemble the drag link and fit the pitman arm. The rest of the steering column and all will wait until later in the build.

Looking good. Wish we were closer so i could help!

Happy Labor Day. I finally have all of the pieces for my two post lift installed it this Friday. Like all things it took a bit more time to figure things out, the layout changed due to the lift being so close to the outside wall. It really helped to a good number of other folks there to help, it really made it easier to handle. Standing the posts up was probably the most nerve wracking part and even that went okay. The old saying measure once and then measure again needs to say "and then measure a third time". The only real issue I found was that the instructions weren't that detailed, that and the mounting hardware is JUNK. Each post has 5, 3/4" X 5" anchors, these were the cheapest bolts I have ever used, out of 10 4 stripped before they could be torqued. The instructions recommend drilling through the concrete to allow the anchors to be driven through if the damaged or if the lift is ever moved. I will replace the stripped anchors prior to lifting anything.

As I mentioned the shop layout has change, the lift is now centered and it will basically be a 1 bay shop now. The good side of this is that I will have plenty of room around the parameter for equipment, the down side is that I will only be able to have one vehicle in the shop at a time. Time will tell if this was the right choice, but for now I will go ahead with the build out of the shop.

PS: The 59' looks right at home between the posts.

I have completed the install of the lift, I have the wiring run just temporary until the roof and walls are completed. So for the first use it had to be the 59'. I'm going to remove the cab and prep it for the patch panels to get welded in in. While I have the chassis in the air I'm going to finish the front sway bar, steering drag link and set the toe in.

I'm also going to finish the mounting for the rear fuel tank and run the fuel and brake lines. I has been a climb to get to this point but it is really been fun.

Your ‘59 looks right a home on your lift. Congrats!

I have been kind of distracted lately with "Project Death Trap" and not really focusing on my 59'. I have ordered a few more parts for the chassis, the rubber bump stops for the axels and the shocks for the rear. I have all intention of taking a few days and getting some small things done, I need to fab up some brackets for the front sway bar, get all the u-bolts fitted to the axels and run the brake lines.

My loving Bride has given me the go ahead to get some work done on the shop as well, things a looking up.

So...the way I see it, if you put the death tap aside you could get this done for the jamboree!

I was thinking at least a trailer queen for the Jamboree. I starting on my shop build too so time is against me.