So far can’t turn the engine. But the trans is locked up solid, I am pulling the transmission to see if the engine is free
Goddam. Glad I didn't come across that thing somewhere. I swore off big trucks years ago, but I don't know.........
Are you sure you want to replace that two speed rear end? Those bring back so many memories driving trucks. And the engine is major awesome. Great find you have there.
Most truck two speed rear ends severely limit your top speed. The gearing works out to slow and crawl...
Yeah it’s going, I need something that isn’t limited to 40 mph. Plus this thing has air brakes which are unnecessary for what I’m doing with it. I’ll probably keep the compressor to have onboard air.
Look for a 2 speed rear from a school bus. The one I rode in moved down the highway just fine (that was about 55 yrs ago, though). Gary
I think you will find that school buses have not had 2 speed axles for a very long time, at least none that I've seen. I have no need for the 2 speed axle, think one ton truck, that's all I need it to be.
I put my 51 Ford COE on a 1 ton econline chassis. My original 2 speed rear with 6.67 gears was not going to cut it for me. I like your project!
I’ll keep the original frame, I have Ford F-550 leaf springs for the rear. Just need a rear differential
I live about 30 miles from Dana Corp ., axle****embly shop. I have seen a few nice front and rear axles exit the place that were used training . The last one I saw was a front 4x4 axle that made my Dana60s look like go kart axles . Sterling axles seem to be a bit cheaper to purchase in my area . Great looking purchase , you could not have picked any tougher engine for your swap . I just had about 3500 lbs on my Power Wagon and the****mins acted as if it were empty . My late model OT****mins has 3.73 gearing and it will move the house as fast as you choose to drive it .
That is a most impressive rig indeed! @57 Fargo . As a former owner of a 1941 GMC K-18 COE Army 4 door panel truck, I can certainly appreciate all of the potential that this new purchase embodies! Just in case if you were curious about what a K-18 rig looks like, I bought it when I was 17 and drove it in high school, it terrified the hell out of the little Honda cars back in the late 60's. You have spent your money very well! Bravo from Dennis!
Can't wait to see this one get worked on!!! I tossed the 1941 chassis that was under my COE and replaced it with a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 unit. It got me 4 wheel disks, rack and pinion and a fully boxed frame. The latter helped since I relocated the motor from up front to under the sleeper. Given your specs of keeping the cab uncut(ish) and the motor up front, I think you're definitely on the right track keeping the frame and upgrading axles, steering, etc on the original.
Unless you kept up with new owners, I'm going to****ume you still have****le, @41 GMC K-18 . That's a cool rig!
I took a picture of the original****le, it now lives in Bakersfield California at the golden age aviation museum and its awaiting its turn to be fully restored!
Parts sourcing is pretty much complete, I have the 12 valve and I also have a late 80’s Ford L8000 for the axles and the 8 speed. Should be fun
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