The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre young bolter, older bolt *

Hello, all stovebolters! Been reading through the site for some time before actually getting an older truck. It's a '59 Chevy Stepside Apache 31, unless you are looking from the passenger side where someone slapped on a 38 symbol. It's pretty solid, after spending 20 years in Minnesota, it has bondo, but that's more or less expected, I believe. All the drivetrain is currently apart, and everything inside/outside looks good, save for the back cab corners being dented in in what looks like a bed accident. You can find pics/current log here: '59 Apache Truck Log . I've got a year and a half before I'm sixteen, so plenty of time to weld up new metal, get the engine and drivetrain together, and get it all running. I've been told a few things about it, and would like to know: Is it really true that these trucks will sometimes drop the rear suspension? I really am in doubt, but better safe than sorry.

welcome to the shop youg'un

can't imagine where the "dropping" suspensions idea comes from, the only thing likely to drop fom these ol trucks is the rusty bits .... it's always a good idea to insure the integrity of all the critical fasteners, and the U-bolts that attach the axle to the springs can be subject to corrosion in bad climates .... OTOH, it's more likely someone was talking about the "rear end" rather than the suspension, and if it's been abused it could well wind up blowing the gears

you'll find that getting a shop manual, and maybe an assembly manual, would be your best bet for determining what's been messed with and how to put it right, for instance the 55-59 did NOT have the pedal operated e-brake, but the handle you describe to the left of the column

good luck with the project, keep looking around the shops here lots, and don't hesitate to fire out the questions

Bill

Welcome to the best old chevy site on the web. It's nice to see a younger fellow getting the old truck bug . I'm sure you will enjoy and learn from the people on the site . Have fun exploring . ED H

Welcome "59", make yourself at home!

Thanks, Red58, for the info, and the answer! I didn't realize that these trucks had column e-brakes ... and thanks to the rest of you, I'm sure that I can definitely enjoy this site. Looking over the gallery pages alone have taught me much (but my E-brake knowledge is apparently just beginning 8) ). I doubt that it was abused that much, by the looks of it, the owner before the last just used it as a highway driver. Thanks!

59 rolling iron, congrats on your find and welcome to the bolt. We have several young guys, and gals, around that amaze me. You have a nice project and it will be rewarding, although frustrating at times. That's when the stovebolt will come to the rescue. I've seen a lot of trucks in much worse shape and come out looking like a baby doll.
Good luck and keep us posted. We're just a click away.

Welcome to the bolt 59 rolling iron. Do you know what part of Minnesota the truck was from, and what part of Wisconsin you took delivery of truck?

Achipmunk -- thanks for the inspiration, I'm excited to delve into this. It's only to be basic driver, maybe a coat of paint on it later or two. hayhauler71 -- I have no clue on where it used to reside, the only place I got heard of was somewhere in South Carolina. I picked it up from Mukwonago, Wisconsin.

Welcome to the Stovebolt, 59 rolling iron.

Welcome to the 'bolt, 59 rolling iron

Your truck looks good and your time-frame seems reasonable for getting it rolling.

All the info you need to get your truck going is here in the forums or to be had just by asking so make yourself at home

Hey 59,welcome to the site.Cool lookin truck.Nice to see your mom being interested in your hobby(obsession?).Any how,if mom starts doubting what your doin with the truck,just bring her to this site and show her the gallery and the potential of where it can lead to.Enjoy.

Roy

I'm thireteen and just bought a 1970 GMC 1500 Custom Camper Special with a 350 and a 350 automatic transmission. I really love these trucks, although mine is a little newer! Fortunately mine was driveable and dad and I didn't have to haul it home. I wasn't sure if anyone else was crazy enough to buy one of these things. Glad that I'm not the only one.

It might be a "newer" truck but it's 3 times as old as you are. Good for you to get into the hobby at such an early age. Just hang in there and hang around here too, you are more than welcome here.

Definitely not crazy, I'm glad to see another younger truck owner! I believe that these are very nice trucks, each has a story, a personality, and is not preprogrammed to die in some seven-odd years after the warranty expires 8) ...

Welcome to the Bolt, my son and I started our 53 when he was 16, a great project for the both of us!!

That's a good point, these things were built to last forever.