The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 58 apache-novice with questions?

hello all:
i am new to the hobby and have just purchased my first truck, a 58 apache,original condition, short fleet, runs but needs some work to be a reliable toy. i purchased the truck because it had few rust issues and i thought it would be a good solid place to start. my goal for now is to have a reliable toy. for starters here are some of my questions?

1)my true preference would be a short step bed, where do you suggest i should look for one?

2)it has an original automatic transmission which runs rather rough. i am told that this is a rare option but if it needs work i was considering swapping it with a original manual floor shift or possibly a newer 350 transmission. any ideas?

3)as i am a novice where could i find step by step instructions to do a tune-up, and where is the best place to buy parts for a tuneup? are these parts still available through a regular auto parts store?

4)what are typical problem areas with this truck, or what should i be particularly aware of?

5)what is your opinion of putting the gas tank under the bed?

any information that will help me learn would be appreciated?
thank you

1 - check the swap section here, and put the fleet bed up for sale there, you'll get more than enough for it .... to pay for the step bed and the tuneup

2 - the auto is rare - if you want to put the standard 3spd in, it wouldn't be hard, the TH350 might be more work, especially if you've got the straight 6

3 - all the ignition stuff can be had at any auto parts store for either the 235 6cyl or the 283 V8, the necessary instructions are in the shop manual

4 - rust is the typical problem, sounds like you've dodged that bullet, also make sure the wiring is sound and hasn't been hashed by previous problems

5 - no need for it except personal preference, the stock tank works fine and is at least as safe

for lots of helpful info get a shop manual, and the assembly manual is a good tool too ... and remember we like pictures !

Bill

Welcome to the 'Bolt!
This is without doubt the best place to get questions answered and advice from people who know. I've got a '59 longbed fleet Frankentruck and love it. I'll be starting on the body soon. If your truck has the trim on the bed you could probably pay for a new stepside AND a tranny with the proceeds so if you have it don't mess it up! Old motors and even not so old motors are not that hard to do tune up on even for a novice, we all start somewhere so don't be shy about asking questions, I've never heard anyone laughing at me here!!! You should get the manuals as Red58 said, the originals are probably avail online here , look around I saw 'em yesterday and although I hate to say this some of the ones carried by your FLAPS that cover many years have pretty good "tune up" sections - Haynes and Chiltons are the names that come to mind - they are more for the DIY guy but be sure to get the originals if poss. although they are more for the dealer mech. or veterans they have the info for your year without having to look through a bunch of stuff that don't apply. As for the tank relocation a lot of people don't like the look of the filler by the door (I think it's handy), but in my opinion the tank is safer inside.
Good Luck
Jeff

Welcome, welcome. I am a "newbie" too, but the guys here all seem to be just "good people".

Congrats on your truck, I bought mine in February, really haven't had time to dither with it at all.

Just keep the questions coming and these "Bolters" will help you out. These things are not too complicated--I always say I bought mine because there is no computer involved.

Take some pics so we can see what you got. Nothing is embarressing, I rather wish mine had the "patina" from aging rather than a new (and not so good) paint job.

R-Bo

thanks for taking the time to reply guys.

the bed i have is in pretty good condition,great condition rust wise. what is a reasonable price to ask for a short fleet with trim? i saw one on e-bay that went for about $800.

i live in the new york/metro area. do any of you guys know of capable mechanic/stovebolter nearby that has experience doing more involved work on these trucks? (putting in a new trans. for example)

thanks

1)Couldn't tell you any specifics, but I would look on this board or at one of the parts suppliers that sells body parts. I also have a 58 Fleetside, and I've been told the beds are hard to come by and rather expensive.

2)If you like tinkering, get the shop manual for the truck and you could even try rebuilding the transmission yourself. If you want an original style truck, I would go for a three speed manual transmission with a column shift-3 on the tree-if you can.

3)Parts for a tune-up are available at the local auto parts store. The shop manual gives very good step by step directions on what to do. you may also want to consider a Pertronix Ignition system. They fit inside the original distributor, so you maintain the stock look, while eliminating the points and the need to adjust them. I installed one in mine and it works great.

4)For me the only problem this truck has ever had is the electrical. I am rewiring it right now. These old trucks didn't have the fused electrical systems that modern cars have. I believe there are only two fuses, both on the light switch. That being said, the electrical systems are much simpler and easier to work on than any other car I've had.

5) I'd leave the gas tank where it is. Yes it's inside the cab, but it is still sitting inside the rails and the truck is up high enough that it is unlikely another vehicle will strike it from the side above the rails, rupturing the tank. Even if that did happen, chances are, you'ld already be dead from the impact.

That's my 2 cents, and then some.

Stovebolt409, The trim on the fleetside box is what is worth the most money. If it is in good shape, you can get $800 just for that.