The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre Do It Yourself (DITY) Gallery 1959 Apache - Watts Oklahoma

Hey from Watts, Oklahoma.

I have been driving my new 1959 Apache for a couple of months now. I bought one a few years back and started working on it and then the bad economy caught up with me and work on the truck ceased.

In January, a guy in a Lexus SUV ran into me as I was driving my Ford ranger. I rolled the Ranger 2 or 3 times and ended up hanging out of the window with my toes holding the steering wheel when the truck came to a stop.

My dog Dorthy and I were pretty sore for a while and Dorthy don't like to ride with me any more.

When I got my insurance money for the truck, I paid off some bills and bought my Apache. The guy that I got it from was going to put me a truck together from several that he owned and make me a good daily driver.

He lied. I had to stop and buy a set of tires on the way home to make it home. I took my wife for a ride that evening and the fuel line clogged up and we had to pull it to a friend's house.

Once my new gas tank arrived from LMC, I was on the road again.

Next major problem was the transmission. I found one about 20 miles away for 75 bucks and bungied it to the back of my motorcycle and brought it home.

While we were changing the transmission, we noticed that the radiator had sprung a leak. Luckily, I had one that I had rodded out for my earlier project.

The next problem was the rocker assembly. There was no oil getting to it and the tube that feeds the oil to the rockers was not even in place -- if oil had been getting that far (it wasn't). The rocker assembly swarmed on me in Westville OK. I got lucky and found a new rocker assembly where I bought the transmission for 20 bucks.

Some friends helped me get it going a few days later. I then discovered that the differential was not leaking because it was dry. I guess I will rob the rear end out of my earlier project and put it under my new truck as soon as I get time.

I think that I am about to get the bugs all worked out and I am sure learning the inner workings of my new truck. I do really like the truck and plan on keeping it a long time. But if I ever want to buy another one, I will get it somewhere else. I will try to get some photos soon.

Man, that's quite the story. Anybody who straps a truck tranny to the back of a mortorcycle is cool in my book. Nice to meet you

Mike

Gene, those are memories you'll talk about years from now....and laugh about them.
I understand your frustration as well. My dad, who died when I was 15, use to tell us "boys, if you want it done, and done right, then do it yourself".
Another saying I liked was "in a lifetime you can count your REAL friends on ONE hand". I think he was onto something.

Good luck and let us know if we can help. Lots of great guys and plenty of knowledge around here.

Welcome Gene, hopefully it's good to go soon. I've had my share of setbacks too, but eventually you'll get there. Good luck and Happy Birthday.

Leo

Thanks a lot y'all. I appreciate it!

Ah, The old truck vs man dance! If I remember it right, it goes one step forward, three steps backwards! You are doing it correct! Congrads! After awhile it becomes natural - You won't even think about it! WELCOME to the insanity of old trucks! Been there, done that, still doin it! Good luck, smile and enjoy!