The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre Apache 1957 as a daily driver?

New to the forum and have a couple of questions. I’m considering buying a 1957 Apache: one owner truck, three speed on the column, no modifications made to the truck whatsoever. It has about a 100,000 miles on the engine, a straight six (I assume it is a 235). This is a terrific looking truck that appears to have been well cared for over the past 55 years or so.

Now for the questions… are these trucks capable of freeway speeds (e.g., 65 mph) and what kind of gas mileage could be expected (I’ve read on other forums people getting 10mpg and others getting 16mpg). If these trucks cannot obtain freeway speeds without mods, then what sort of modifications would I be looking at? Admittedly this is not the most practical way to approach buying a truck, a similarly priced beat up old Toyota would be much more practical…. but not nearly as much fun. Thanks for your feedback.

No, they are not capable, in a stock configuration, of running continuously at 65. You would quickly kill the engine.

You have two options if you want to run at highway speeds. Change the rear end gears and retain the stock drivetrain, or change to an open drivetrain.

If you really want to remain stock (there's nothing wrong with that) but want to travel at highway speeds, Patricks has the parts you need to convert your 4.11 rears to 3:55.

welcome to the garage pfft - for starters a '57 is not an "Apache", that marketing term wasn't used until '58 to designate the light trucks [all 1/2T to 1T] ... if you're concerned with keeping ahead of California freeway traffic you'll need to make a rear end gear change [1/2T stock = 3.90, 3.38's are available] or find an overdrive trans, holding 65 is possible stock but a worn engine likely wouldn't last long with that abuse .... otherwise, the Task Force series [55-59] make fine daily drivers, I've been using them exclusively for decades

Bill

Welcome pft, always good to find a one owner truck of that vintage. There are several options, as mentioned. I went for the 3.55 setup that Paul referred to. If I go much faster, I'll have other issues, tires, brakes...

Be sure to browse around the site, this question comes up a lot and you can see what others have done. Good luck.

Leo

Paul and Leo - the 3.55 gears are for the AD series closed drive, a 57 has an open drive which won't accept that gearset, the conversion for 57 is 3.38

Bill

Thanks fellas, that helps. Pretty much thought that would be the case... Changing to a different set of gears, expensive to have this done by a professional?

BTW, if the 1950 series of Chevy trucks is just not likely to work out in this regard, what year truck would start to keep pace on a modern freeway without a lot of expensive modification? Would some of the mid 60s C10s with either a 261 or 292 engine be able to maintain 65mph? Or will I still be looking at changing the rear end on these trucks as well? Thanks.

Welcome to the Stovebolt pft. As you already are aware there is tons of information/knowledge her as well as some good folks that are willing to share.

The guys are correct. I had a 50 chev. with the 216 that I DID drive to work and back on I-85. It lasted almost a year before the engine gave up. If you want to go with the AD style then look at changing to Patricks 3.55 as mentioned above, for the rearend. Another option is change the rearend to an open drive shaft and go with a T-5 (5 speed) S-10 Tranny.

I worked at the Chevy dealership in 65 and yes, those truck will run 65 on the highway.

Good luck on what ever you decide. The Stovebolt Page will help you with either choice.

Hi pft and welcome!

I had the rear end of my 1956 chevy 1/2 ton changed from 3.9 to 3.38. Having it done professionally (drop off in the morning, pick up in the afternoon) cost me $1200, including new seals. I think $500-700 if you do it yourself with new parts. You will want to upgrade your brakes and switch to tapered roller bearings for front axle, particularly for a DD. Lots of info on the forums for each of these changes.

It keeps up with freeway traffic pretty easily now but has noticeably less torque climbing hills. If I had to do it over, I would have spent the money on an overdrive transmission. T-5 is very popular upgrade, especially behind a 235. Check the Tech Tips for information.

That gives me something to think about. Seems like there is no getting around changing the rear end if I'm going to keep up with freeway traffic. I also see a 1962 C10, 3 on the column with a 235 engine. Had Chevy changed the rear end in the C10s by that time... wondering if it might keep up with traffic. Don't really care for the look quite as much as the 57, but as a daily driver it pays to be a little practical.

the T5 would be as good as the rear gear change, and cheaper - a 62 will be just the same as the 57 really, no better on the highway, definitely no more "practical"

Bill

I would recommend that you find the body style that "speaks to you" and then look for the nicest one you can afford. With any of these stock older pickups, you will want to do upgrades. That's what makes it yours. I believe the 3.38 rear was an option by 1962 but more likely that it would have been paired with a V8 than a 235.

Thanks for all the info guys. Sounds like any old Chevy truck of this vintage is likely to need a change in gears or transmission to get to highway speeds. I'll just figure that into the equation when pricing the truck... would have paid to take that automotive class back in high school!

One problem with that is at some point in time you may wish to sell it. Upgrading a real good factory stock truck is not a smart way to go. If you must have one upgraded look for a junker that has had that done already. Put the good one in a garage and sell it someday for the big bucks at an auction. Or yeah go ahead and mess it up with a mod then it won't be worth much. A simple gear change is okay its when you have to start cutting it up or drilling away the stockness that ruins it. Just makes tons of work for the restoration person if it ever comes to that. Sorry, its very discouraging when trying to find a truck in good shape .

Don't let fear of what you may someday sell your truck for down the line affect upgrades or changes that seem right to you. In the end it's you who owns it. If you can save long hours of driving downtime and work starting with a clean truck buy the nicest one you can afford stock or not. My suggestion if I may is drive it as you buy it ( provided its road worthy) for a bit and keep a notebook in the cab. As you find things you think you want to improve or change jog down a quick note about what your thinking. That way you can keep track of whatever is in need of repair or improvement as you learn what you do and don't like. And I can vouch for Patricks kit in my 59 with factory 235 and four on the floor. I drive 100 miles trips on the freeway at 75 weekly and have done so for many many miles issue free.