Hi, everyone, I bought a '58 Chevy Apache 31 tow truck yesterday. The body is in good condition, all gauges work except the speedometer.

It is a tow truck with a transmission geared very much like my 1949 Chevy 4400. Low gear is granny and there are 4 forward speeds. It has duals on the back. It has a straight 6 engine. Probably a 235.

There is a metal plate on the body inside the driver-side door, but it is not readable any more.

Is this a half-ton, one-ton or one-and-a-half ton truck? Everything I can find about the Apache 31 tells me that is should be a half-ton pickup, but it has a very heavy rear towing bed and duals.

Any info will be appreciated!

Thanks,

Lee Prairie

A 3100 would be a half ton. Perhaps it is not the original front clip.
The 1/2 ton will have 6 wheel studs and teh 3/4 and up will have eight studs. The 3/4ton and up has a heaiver frame and suspension and larger brakes than a 1/2 ton.

Thanks, ChevGene. It has 8 lug bolts and rear duals (doo-lolly's they're called here).

It has overload springs as well - don't know if that helps or not. Of course, the wrecker part of the truck is heavy. And it should be able to pick up the front end of a car ... at least 1,000 pounds.

Many thanks,

Lee Prairie

Hey Lee! Do you have any further updates regarding the cool Apache tow truck that you just purchased? How about a photo?