Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,026 Posts1,055,403 Members48,422 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 22 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: May 2005 Posts: 22 | I am looking for some advice and guidance on a 1961 Chevrolet Apache C-10 Stepside.
Overall the truck is very clean and runs great. What I am looking for is info on changing out the drum brakes to disc brakes, installing a power steering system, relocating the gas tank, switching out the bench seat to a split type and a few more things I would like to do to this truck. If anyone has first hand experience or knowledge on doing any of these changes, PLEASE contact me and help me out.
John | | | | | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 158 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 158 | John,
The switch from disk to drum is easily accomplished with many kits available on the market. They're not cheap, however.
Power steering isn't hard to get a kit for as well.
Gas tank relocation shouldn't be hard if you can get a tank. I assume you'd want to fit it between the frame rails, so you'd be looking for a Suburban/Panel Delivery type tank.
The seat is trivial, especially if you're handy with a welder - I've seen just about anything swapped in from '70s passenger cars to modern Avalanche/Trailblazer.
Brian | | | | | Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,552 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,552 | Oilfield Trash:
Welcome to the Stovebolt. You will find everything you wanted and more on this site. There are many very knowledgable Stovebolters on this site.
With regards to disk to drum conversion, can't help, since I haven't done one. However, I have done the power steering conversion. Both were on factory V-8's, so the power steering pump brackets were readily available. They are different on the straight sixes. There are many power steering adaptor kits available. Start with Classic Performance Products, Classic Industries, Chevy Duty or REZ Engineering. They are virtually the same components and price range. I have also seen them on eBay from time to time.
With regards to a seat conversion. There are no hard, fast rules with replacing the seat. They key is overall length, overall depth, overall height. Finding a seat that is close in dimensions to your factory bench is a matter of finding something you like that will fit. I put a set of black leather electric seats from a late 80's Cadillac in a '65, C-10. There are many options available. It really depends on your taste.
In any event, good luck with your '61 Apache and welcome to the Stovebolt. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2000 Posts: 800 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2000 Posts: 800 | The 88-98 Chevy bench seat is the same width as the stock seat and has flat brackets as well. A little elongation of the bolt holes, and your in business. Why do you need disc brakes? Have you repair/corrected/adjusted the stock brakes? Have you put in better shoes, bled the system, What's wrtong with them? I honestly think we read too many magazines and get caught up in the hype. I really do. Once you start down the "rework" path, you won't be able to stop because this part means you have to change "that", and you can't the use stock "this" and so on and so on. Run the truck. Enjoy it. Just make it safe and have fun with it. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 613 Member | | Member Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 613 | you can get dropped spindles for less than 300 dollars that will bolt to your truck and let you use disc brakes.if you decide to keep the drum brakes you should update the roller bearings. | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 22 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: May 2005 Posts: 22 | Thanks everyone on the info,
as far as the brakes go, they need to be worked on so I figured I would look into the disc brakes.
I just picked this truck up in a trade and it is really sweet. From what the previous owner has told me, it has a 350 w/400 cubic block, posi-track rear end w/350 transmission (automatic), rachet shifter on the floor, Edelbrock intake manifold, Edlebrock 4 bbl carb, headers, K&N filter, electric fuel pump, it also has the 350 chrome accessories under the hood w/braided hoses. The bed has new boards and rails, only has 3 rust spots on it with high dollar speckled paint job, alumimum rims w/60's, and I am sure more that I will find out as I start digging around. This truck has been sitting up for 2 years and I am trying to bring it back to its former glory and add a few more touches that the previous owner could not do. So I need to know any and all tricks. Is it true that the Mustang II front in will bolt up to this truck? if so, which master cylinder would I need, what about power steering, does the Mustang II also fit or do I need to look at the Camero's for it? I want to do this myself (with my son) and don't want to send out to a customizing shop.
JS | | | | | Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 96 Member | | Member Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 96 | Zensih what company makes the drop spindles with the disc brake bolt up. The only ones i can find are for the 63-66. That is one thing i really want to put my truck plus it to be lowered. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 613 Member | | Member Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 613 | | | |
|
|
