The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 58 Apache Question

I have been looking at 2 58 Apaches. One the owner says has the 283 V8 and a "4 speed truck transmission". I have seen that the V8 was an option for the trucks for that year, but I haven't seen that a 4 speed was offered.
Was a 4 speed offered for 1958 trucks?

Thanks,

Dan

It's the truck 4 speed SM420. It has a real low 1st gear commonly called a Granny gear. It is very rugged but the ratio's are far apart. The shifter is on the floor & built into the trans. so you don't have linkage problems. Many 1/2 ton truck have it & practically all 3/4 & 1 ton use it.

I believe the SM420 was actually the 'base' trans then, the 3 speed was the option

Bill

Wow, thanks for the quick replies!

So, is the 4 speed a sought after transmission, or is the 3 speed better? Or does it really matter?

don't know that either are more "sought after", if you plan on climbing any walls at 3mph the granny gear is great - the gearing otherwise is about the same, if you're not in the pasture much, the 3 speed is fine - and there was an overdrive 3 speed that's an easier swap if you already have the 3 speed and plan on lots of highway travel [and you can find one]

Bill

I have a '58 and there were many options that year including an oil filter.So it sounds right about the tranny. Mine was born with 3 on the tree and the 283.But now has a 235 engine with a Camero 5 speed and it works great.

Thanks again. I might decide on a restoration rather than customization so wanted to know if this was an original option.

Hope to have it soon.

The 4 speed was only standard on 1 ton and larger, 1/2 and 3/4 tons used the 3 speed as the standard trans, with a Warner sourced HD 3 speed and the SM420 4 speed as options. There was a delete option for the HD 3 speed on 1 tons.

Here are some pictures of the 58 with the V8 and 4 speed. The guy wants $800 for it and doesn't seem to want to negotiate(at least over the phone). This truck is about three hours from my house and I want to know from the forum whether it is worth me going to look at?

I am perfectly ok with traveling that far and saying no.

Thanks for the help.

http://picasaweb.google.com/djjenti...v1sRgCPH9qJ6er4_wowE&feat=directlink

Those pictures are 5 years old. There are no valve covers or intake manifold on the engine. I dont know how much project you're willing to take on. It has possibilities.

The owner says that the time stamp is wrong. He has had it for only a year. I think I saw the valve covers in the cab. My main concern is the truck being solid and most everything there. Does this look like a big project to tackle? I don't have a timeline. I am expecting a long project, but not wanting one too tough to handle either.

if you don't have some good bodywork skills, pass on it, that big bump over the back of the pass door and the damage at the front of the drivers door, which could involve the pillar, will both be trouble and the grill will take some skill to straighten .... sitting in that long grass for any length of time will have started rot in the steps and fender bottoms ... I'd say the motor is trashed, will at minimum require a proper complete rebuild and might not be recoverable .... for the price you should be able to find something less iffy, and probably a short bed with a big back window to boot

Bill

That's what I was afraid of. I'll give it more thought.

Thanks

Here is another one I am deciding if I should go look at or not. It's listed as a parts vehicle, but it looks to be pretty solid. Plus it is a fleetside, which I like. I am thinking of this one as a parts vehicle and/or the basis for my project.
What would be a reasonable offer?

(craiglist link removed)
Thanks again

Dan

worth more than the first one [but don't tell the seller that!], less body work and has the deluxe heater and factory turn signals with a factory steering wheel ... ask him what's his bottom line, if he can't state a price, offer 500 and go from there the thing that should keep the price down is no title, but maybe you could get both if the price is reasonable and have leftovers to sell

Bill

Thanks for that. I was thinking it would be worth a little more also. Looks like there is no motor, but I am looking at one where a guy has a 350 chevy motor in it with no transmission. So maybe those two?? I think I will go look at this one. Maybe tuck it away for a rainy day, but it was looking pretty good.

Thanks

Dan

Before you drive 3 hours, have him send you a pic of the area above the windshield from inside the cab. If it is rusted out, I don't think it is worth $800.

I am looking at one in my area first. Then I'll decide about the others. After re-looking at the pictures of the first one, that's three hours away, I am begining to see the possible rust horror that might await me. I think I'll pass on that one, but keep the Fleetside in mind.

If you think about that $800 price, just think of what the parts on the truck are worth.
Used Windshield - $80-90, New $200-400.
V8 hood chrome - $30-75
Front fender chrome - $30-80
Engine block - $0-350
Heads - $0-250
T3 headlights - $25-150 for a set
Hood - $50-250

Just those parts are worth between $215-1245.
$800 isn't out of line. There are always trucks out there for less though.

If it was a little closer, or I had my own trailer, I was actually considering it for that reason also. That's why I am still thinking about the Fleetside. The parts alone would be worth it I think.
If I only had the space! I think I would have a yard full of classics.