BUSY BOLTERS Are you one?  The Shop Area
continues to pull in the most views on the Stovebolt. In August alone there were over 22,000 views in those 13 forums.
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11 members (Gib70, TooMany2count, niobrarafun, RBs36, 2-Ton, Charles in CA, Wally / Montana, TUTS 59, Shaffer's1950, JW51, 46 Texaco),
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Mod | | | Forums66 Topics126,776 Posts1,039,277 Members48,100 | | Most Online2,175
Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 434 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 434 | Well guys, I'm new to this forum, but I took the plunge yesterday. http://community.webshots.com/user/RBophoto It is a 59. Looks good from across the street, but is definitely a project. Has an unfinished 6-cyl 3spd to V-8/powerglide conversion. Has some rust through at the bottom door hinges/floor board, and the bed stays. I am still figuring out what to do with it. I'm not sure I have time for a full body-off resto. On the other hand, it would be a good learning experience for me and what the truck deserves. It was cool pulling into the driveway with it on the trailer. Several neighbors came running over to see it. Everyone who has seen it or photos have general said "Oh what a cool truck!!"  So, I will have many questions to follow. Brakes are probably the first priority (brake line was cut to put in the crossmember for the V8) just to roll it off the trailer, then get it running just so I can move it in and out of the garage. Thanks in advance. R-Bo
R-Bo
1959 Apache 1/2 ton Big Window, Short bed Fleetside (under reconstruction)
1966 GMC 305V6 in the family
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 125 Member | | Member Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 125 | Very nice looking truck. Big window with fleetside box..I'm envious. We should shoot the moron who mounted the mirror on the dash. My '58 has 2 holes just like that. Now I know why !!
Carl
'58 3600 350/4-sp/stepside/big window cab
'59 3100 235/4-sp/stepside
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 | R-Bo; Welcome to the 'bolt and to the fraternity of died-in-the-wool Chevy/GMC truck lovers. Looks like you've got a great project to work on. I like the '58/59 body style, especially with the fleetside bed. Take your time, think about what you want to wind up with, make a list of projects, parts, etc. get your checkbook out and have fun!! There's a ton of knowledge hanging around the shop in here, feel free to ask any questions that come up. Good luck. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | R-Bo: welcome to THE premiere truck site. Nice looking truck and loads of fun ahead for you. This is the place to Learn, Teach or just plain sit back and enjoy the senery. Pics are always welcome. You may want to got to the GALLERY to see other pics of your model to get ideas of what you want to end up with. Take your time, do it once....and do it right. YOu will become soul mates with your ride that will last a lifetime. Do not be afraid to ask questions....even if you think they are stupid. Heck, we probably already ask them 10 or 15 times!! | | | | | Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 394 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 394 | just make it go down the road for now. you can always work on the body latter. enjoy the ride | | | | | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 707 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 707 |
1951 3800 Be the change you want to see. -hotshoe
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 18 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 18 | Welcome to the bolt. Take lots of pictures@noteswhen taking it apart this will help alot! | | | | | Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,317 Former Workshop Owner | | Former Workshop Owner Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,317 | | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 443 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 443 | Welcome. It looks like you have a good truck there. This is the place to be when restoring it. Lots of good advise & help here.I got my 57 in January and already have found friends here to help me with advice and even found parts for it here. Good luck with your new truck.
1957 Chevrolet 1/2-ton Stepside LB in the Gallery My Photobucket shots The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." - John Stuart Mill (1806 - 1873) | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 237 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2006 Posts: 237 | Welcome!
That looks like a 36, but it's only got 6 lug rims. I thought all 3/4 and 1 tons had 8 lug rims. Are the front and rear axle from a doner or am I wrong on the 8 lug rule? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 434 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 434 | Jhaa:
Good observation. The truck is badged incorrectly. The PO had two sets of front fender badges, one set was "36", the originals were "31". The "36"'s are in a bit better shape so he put them on the truck. It is a 1/2 ton.
R-Bo
R-Bo
1959 Apache 1/2 ton Big Window, Short bed Fleetside (under reconstruction)
1966 GMC 305V6 in the family
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 866 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 866 | Welcome to the site. Looks like a good start to a fine truck! | | | | | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 114 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 114 | Welcome to the StoveBolt !! | | | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 688 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 688 | Welcome to the "Bolt"
.. and as one 59er to another, that is one cool Apache.
Cliff59 | | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 159 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 159 | Welcome aboard...I will have to agree with the others. That is a very nice truck and a great start for whatever you want for it. Have a blast and keep posting up the progress. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 843 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 843 | | | | | | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,374 Moderator - The Electrical Bay | | Moderator - The Electrical Bay Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,374 | Welcome to the 'bolt, you have nicer looking project than most.
Another quality post.
Real Trucks Rattle
HELP! The Paranoids are after me!
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 507 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 507 | Welcome to the group,you are now hooked and there is no cure. I know someone will want to be your sponsor, You now have only 11 steps left in our 12 step program. Just think only 11 more trucks to go. Enjoy the ride.
"If it ain't Steel it ain't Real" "Earth the insane aslyum for the rest of the Universe" 41 1/2-ton, a work in progress 68 Shortbed stepside 327/325hp/700R4
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 180 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 180 | welcome. That is a real nice truck. Definately do what is going to make it your truck. If you think it is an ok driver, then drive the wheels off it, if you think that you wanna restore it, then by all means restore it. All the best in parts and help on this webpage. Hopefully you have someone to share the experience with!
Enjoy that ride!
1950 Chevy 3100 5 window "in progress"
1967 Chevelle 300
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 234 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 234 | Welcome, I'll join the others in saying that I think the 58/59 body style is the best looking.
58 Fleetside, 235, "The Old Buckin' Bronco"
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 382 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 382 | Welcome aboard, R-Bo! Good lookin truck! Fleetside boxes make those trucks look great too. The others are right, get her to burnin gas & enjoy the heck out of it! | | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 434 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 434 | Thanks for the warm welcome, guys. You all are great.
I am going to have a million questions, I bet.
So far I have ordered all the manuals (owner's, shop (both of them), assembly, and wiring). I also ordered bumper bolts and I am going to pull both bumpers, try to straighten them out a bit, sand them and paint them white, they look out of place.
I looked under it a bit more and discovered the V8 conversion does not have any welds, motor mounts are bolted in with 4 grade 8 bolts, powerglide is on a crossmember also bolted in. That's nice as I don't have to worry about questionable welding.
Definitely going to get it running first then go from there. Brakes, motor wiring and plumbing, driver door won't shut, got to fix that, then see what happens.
R-Bo
R-Bo
1959 Apache 1/2 ton Big Window, Short bed Fleetside (under reconstruction)
1966 GMC 305V6 in the family
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 482 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 482 | Ohhhh yeahh!!! That is one nice project!
You can do a search of any subject here and probably come up with many posts on any given topic. I'm amazed with this forum every day. And the good news for you is that there are tons of aftermarket parts for half tons. Things like disc brake kits and rear end gears to really make your bolt an enjoyable driving experience. Wish it was mine!!! Have a great time!!!! | | | | | Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 122 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 122 | R-Bo,
That is one fine truck you done got yourself there! You are in for hours and hours of fun. As far as the 'Bolt goes, this is THE place on the net to learn about old Chevy and GMC trucks. Enjoy your new family friend!
Jim Karras Orange, CA '59 Chevy Apache 32 Stepside Pickup E-mail: Jim@59apache.com Internet: www.59apache.com | | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 434 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 434 | Jim,
I started reading your restoration chronicles the other day, I found it Googling for "Dawn Blue", my truck's original color. Absolutely great site with lots and lots of great information.
No way I'm going to have the kind of truck you have got. Mine is going to have to suffer through my own "learning curve" and "money curve"!!
I did get my owner's, shop, wiring, and assembly manuals today. Now I have some reference material to memorize!! Also go my first parts--bumper bolts. I am afraid I may take the old ones off with my plasma cutter, not a wrench (but I've been spraying them with Kroil and WD-40 for the last 5 days hoping they will turn off). And my first stop on this restore might be for a pre-emptive tetanus shot!!!
R-Bo
R-Bo
1959 Apache 1/2 ton Big Window, Short bed Fleetside (under reconstruction)
1966 GMC 305V6 in the family
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 311 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 311 | Welcome! That is one great looking truck you have to start with! Don't bother with the tetanus shot, you will bleed so much it will flush all the germs out
Always get a 2nd opinion, especially if I am the source of the 1st opinion.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 549 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 549 | | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,554 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,554 | Nice lookin truck.Looks like your HOOKED.Welcome. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 285 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 285 | R-Bo, Welcome to the bolt from your neighbor to the near North. A fine looking bolt you have there for sure. I had the same excitement about 4 years ago when I brought my '56 home. I had LOTS of questions, and lucky to have found this site to get many of those questions answered by those that had "been there-done that". You started off right by getting the publications that pertained to your truck--I did the same thing and the books have helped considerably. I took the time to stand back, look at the truck, and decide WHAT I wanted to do. I opted for "near original" with safety upgrades (seat belts, electric wiper motor, etc.). To make a long story short, I am very happy with the results, and am sure you will be too. Above all, have FUN with your project, and keep the pictures coming! | | |
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