Hi all! I have a 58 apache 3100 stepside that ive been working on the lower cab the past year. I was shopping for a frame that does not have any damage and i have run into a conflict. The frame rails on my truck measure approximately180.5”. The assembly manual says 178”. None of the 58 truck frames measured 180.5”.
I disassembled Stella down to cab on frame. Everything was stock.
are you saying none of the 58 truck frames you`ve looked at measure 180.5? Probably point of measure. If you look at one for sale, bring your tape measure.
~ BD. "You won't find me in an old folks home" Pioneer Florida Cracker 1958 Apache Stepside 1958 Apache 1/2 ton Panel 1959 Apache 1/2 ton Panel
Are you saying that none of the 58 frames you checked measured 180.5"?
According to the 1958 Chevy Truck Vehicle Information Kit (clip attached) the frame rail length on 3100's was 180.55". Yours seems to match that dimension. Don't know why others would be different.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
The measurements i referenced were out of the assembly manual for 55-59 chevy trucks. I guess the dimensions are for trucks other than 58. The dates on the drawing are 54 original date. 56 rev date.
I found a frame for a double headlight apache which should be a 58 or 59. The guy selling it measured the frame at 178”.
Is there a 58 specific manual?
Thankyou for the info. Glad I didn’t bite on that frame.
KevinS - The data in the 1955-59 FAM is a conglomeration of info put together that doesn't have all the individual year details correctly listed. The info klhansen provided comes from this 1958 Chevy Truck Data PDF which is specific to the '58 model year and more accurate than the FAM for sure! A further check of 1955.2-57 frame data in the GM Heritage site documents shows those where all listed as 178.05" overall length frames. So it appears there was a minir length change with the '58 model year.
If you are looking for a bit more detailed info in another source, pickup a copy of a 1958 Chevrolet Truck Shop Manual like this original printing one I found doing a quick web search. There are also a number of reproduction books being offered from lots of vendors, but many are wanting lots more money than this one. Good luck on finding the correct frame!
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
And make sure to take diagonal measurements and height measurements (if it's on wheels) to insure that it isn't warped, racked, or twisted.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
So it looks like you need to narrow your search to 1958 - 1959 trucks.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
Wow, thankyou for the great information. I bought the shop manual and downloaded the other 2. Ya all are terrific!
I wont get a good look at much of the frame until i remove the cab. The frame was damaged in a front end collision, so the two front rails are out of specification.The problem was exacerbated, when the bumper mount holes were enlarged with a plasma cutter. The rear rail also require work due to the “custom” hitch created piece by piece. It can be repaired. However, if i can find a clean frame, i can better control the costs.
