i have bought a 1961 apache 30. it is a one ton truck. it has a longer wheelbase than a 10 or 20. it has a LONG stepside bed which i'm not real fond of. was wondering if i could shorten the wheel base and bolt on a short wide bed from an apache 10. it has leaf springs in the back. looks to me like i could re-locate the leaf spring mounting holes in the frame, shorten the drive shaft and rear brake lines, and cut off the back end of the frame. has anyone ever done this? this truck also has 17 1/2 x( wheels. the two piece style. i am also wondering if it will accept new- er 8 lug chevy wheels. one other thing: has anyone out there EVER, EVER seen a cool pack chevy under dash a/c for this truck? mat,
RE: 61 apache 30 (wheelbase alterat Welcome to the forum! I have never seen anything done to alter the wheelbase on such a heavy truck but in the October '03 issue of Classic Trucks they shortened a 1/2 ton truck by cutting length out of the frame behind the cab and welding the two halves back together. I imagine that this would take some considerable skill, but it sure isn't impossible.
RE: 61 apache 30 (wheelbase alterat well i'm hoping i can just move the leaf spring mounting holes forward and cut off the back end of the frame. the apache 20 has a longer wheel base than the 10 and the apache 30 has an even longer wheelbase. it is a step side and kinda un-gainly looking to me. i though a short wide would look a lot tougher. mat,}>
RE: 61 apache 30 (wheelbase alterat Yeah, I can't disagree with that. I think they cut the frame where they did because it was flat-straight there before it kicked up in the back, with an even longer wheel base your plan should work alright.
