The Stovebolt Site Forums Swap Meet Truck Parts Wanted 1958 3100 (Apache) frame wanted

The existing frame for my 58 Apache is fairly rough due to damage from at least one accident in Stella’s lifetime. A good option to repair is to find a frame with no such damage.

A 59 3100 frame will also work.

I think Ive seen some from people swapping for a S10 frame of something.
FB market

If you don't need to keep it pure for the concourse, and what you have is shot anyway, then the S10 route can be a good one. Modern day steering, braking, handling and even some semblance of crash safety. Easier to add A/C, plus modern electrics and depending on how far you go inside, gauges etc. All the gubbins for modern day engine management are also present, if that appeals. I like the thought of adjusting my fuel with a tablet instead of springs, needles, jets, advance weights and vacuum diaphragms. Not that there isn't something to say for old simplicity, too. Just nice to have options, and the new chassis provides them.

Truck is the frame.

Not looking to do a frame swap. I found a beauty that had a mustang 2 front end on it, boxed, disc front brakes, trans crossmember modified for an automatic, new engine crossmember and already all cleaned up. Turned out to be a 3200 frame. I have time to keep watching. Will have mine repaired if necessary.

Here's one on FB in Marietta, NY for $300

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1092656742774288

Mike B

wisconsin www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1355505518848835/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A82394deb-3e19-4224-b44f-ed97b56e4412

Guitplayer, I shortened your link so it now works by just clicking on it rather than copy and paste.

www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1355505518848835

Mike B

Thanks so much Mike B!!!!! I tried cutting the HTTP thing. The keyboard wins again.
But the frame might be what he needs. I saw one with the 235 engine and transmission. $400
I`d just take detail measurements of what he had a double check.

Good find BD and thanks to Mike B for helping with the link!

I snagged a picture and attached below. It does look like a short bed frame, but agree with BD that measurements need to be done to confirm. It's a great price!

Thanks all. I missed the one in NY and its sold. I messaged about the WI frame as the passenger rail appears damaged and the tranny crossmember has been removed. Asked for a few pics and a total length on one of the two frame rails.

I`ve never seen a 58/59 1/2 ton short frame that had a transmission crossmember. Not to say there are not. The holes are there.

FWIW - Here's a screen grab of the NY frame that was sold. It shows all the crossmembers still in place. Looks like the WI one may be missing much more than just the transmission crossmember.

I have a decision to make after speaking with the seller in WI. The truck frame was sold and rebought several times by the original seller. The sellers father cut out the tranny crossmember and added two in for a turbo hydro 400 and a SB chevy in the 80’s. The last buyer hacked the forward most add-on crossmember, the below cab crossmember and the behind the cab crossmember as well as a rear spring mount and all the brake cable brackets. The frame is straight which mine is not. If i procure this, i will need to remove all of the riveted crossmembers from mine and bolt them onto the procured frame. A bit of work, but i can do it rather than hiring a shop to fix my frame. Its not the $250 that makes me hesitate, its a ten hour drive knowing i will still be looking for something better.

I`d wait. An add for what you need might work. I saw one with an engine and trany.

KevinS - Here's another potential one to check out located in Dodgeville area West of Madison, WI. Ad is older, but still listed. Looks like all the crossmembers are there too.

Since they list it as a "55-59", you'll need to have them confirm overall measurements to see if its actually a 1958-59 frame. 1/2 ton short bed 1955.2-57 frame overall length is 178.05" and 1958-59 is 180.55" per the data files in the GM Heritage Center Archives.

I have found a few other ads, but they are all a much greater distance than this one for you. Let me know if you'd like to see those ads too. Good Luck!

Thanks for the link gdads. I emailed the seller asking for a front to back measurement of the frame rail. I am aware of the difference. No such thing as an OEM 55-59 frame. I’d bet a dollar its a 55-57. They come up all the time. 58/59 are less common. Or at least it seems so.

Fingers crossed Kevin!!!

The seller responded to me about the supposed 55-59 frame. Advised his frame is 185-5/8”. That matches none of the chevy trucks from that era as far as i can tell. He also stated the wheelbase is 113.5” which is close to the 114” i am familiar with.

I dont need to drive 10 hours to verify a measurement, thats for sure. The seller also gave the better hurryup quote.

Do you want the more distant location ads I have come across???

Yes please, when you get a chance. I can always decide if its worth the drive.

Im in no hurry as im a year out from worrying bout it. If i can find a nice one, I’ll be on it like peanut butter on bread.

Thanks again!
K

Here you go (in no particular order):

59 Chevrolet Truck Frame - Memphis, TN (Actually a 1955-57 - so No Go )

1958 Chevy short bed frame - Dallas, TX

55-59 Chevy Truck Short Bed Frame - Westmoreland, KS

59 chevrolet apache frame - Bloomingdale, GA

1958 Chevy Apache frame - Enid, OK

1958 Apache Chevy truck frame disk brake & other mods - Lexington, KY (Long Bed - Not Short Bed )

1958-1959 Chevy apache frame - Lakeland, FL

1955-59 Chevy short bed frame - Copperas Cove, TX

Have at it sir!

I skimmed thru most of those. Curious, did any have transmission crossmembers?

That one from lexington is nice. I saw that one a week or so ago. Too bad its a longbed.
Thanks for the info, I’ll start reviewing them.

I emailed the seller in memphis. Never seen coil springs on a 58 rearend before.

BD - I think there may be some confusion on what is being called a "transmission crossmember". In the original discussion, an earlier frame found was missing the "engine rear support" crossmember, which also supports the transmission as it's actually the bell housing that's secured to that crossmember and not the engine or transmission directly. I believe that was being referred to as a "transmission crossmember".

Folks have been known to remove/replace that particular crossmember when installing later engine/transmission combinations with different forward mounts and an actual aftermarket transmission crossmember.

I think it just boils down to terminology. KevinS knows what he needs. We're just trying to help him find the needle in the haystack.

Kevin - I think those are somebodies home brewed helper add-on springs. At least that's my take after capturing and zooming in on the picture.

Thanks gdad. You are 100% correct about the number 2 crossmember. I have seen numerous revisions to allow more modern auto trannys to be installed. Since i have that #2 crossmember, i was not concerned about a replacement frame where its removed/reworked. I have not decided about a powerplant yet. I found i can add on several different aftermarket crossmembers if i wish. Or, i can relocate mine to the new frame if i go with the original 6 cyl and 3 on the tree. The memphis frame has the #2 crossmember (2nd from front), the lexington frame has been totally modified.

IDK somebody upset this guy. he revised his listing on Facebook.

HERE IS the new one.

GP. He updated it based on my inquiries.

Unfortunately the Memphis frame is for a 55-57, not a 59 as listed. I aleady had plans to go get it. 😢

10-4. I think someone has a frame somewhere. Of all the people I see frame swappin.
Place an add and see.

Kevin - Thanks for reporting back on the inaccurate ad info on the Memphis frame. I'm updating the link list according to your findings to keep anybody else from accidentally buying something that won't work for them too.

The Randolph, WI seller isn't likely to get many folks to show an interest IMHO. After seeing the cutout crossmembers, welded on top of frame front shock mounts and reading his grumpy description I think he may have set himself up for the No Sale aisle.

He was not grumpy with me. Still a nice frame minus most crossmembers. Only $250.

Out of the 5 i have looked at, his was the only frame for a 58/59. It seems most sellers dont really have a clue of what they are selling.

those 58/59 are slightly different in some aspects. Like my 1/2 ton 58/59`s panel trucks are just slightly longer than my short wheel base stepside and shorter
than a long wheel base step.
that one i saw w/ the 235 and SM 318 is gone.
I think that was $600. I`ve walked thru some junkyards around me. Some other models out there. Split window chevys.
I don`t think I saw any 58/59. Most of those small town yards know exactly what they have and
where it is.

I believe the only differences between the 55-57 and the 58/59 are the 58/59 have 2+ inch longer front frame horns to accommodate the longer front end and the #1 crossmember was changed to have the V8 engine mount holes pressed into the crossmember, this eliminated the need to rivet on a special bracket...all the frames in could then have a 6 or V8 without doing anything special on the assembly line. This included putting the radiator in so it worked for both 6 and V8's...they just made the shroud longer for the V8.

If you think about it everything from the firewall back is the same 55-59, so if you find a 55-57 frame just cut the frame horns off of your frame, weld them to the 55-57 donor frame and swap the #1 crossmembers.

Mike B

KevinS - Not sure if it may be more than you want to tackle to get a frame, but you might be interested in this ad for a 1959 Chevy Short Bed in Marengo, IL that a fellow Bolters posted in the Other Online Sources forum.

Just tossing out possibilities.

KevinS - Just a little follow up that it looks like that truck in the above post has been sold. Did you snag it???

Edit: That post in OOS has been deleted.

I totally missed it. I need to figure out how to get pinged when someone posts my thread.
Darn!

This might do it, but not sure. You may get inundated with e-mails.
This is under PREFERENCES when you click on your username at the upper right.