COE '51 Ford car hauler build....phase 2

I thought I would start a phase 2 thread of my build.......the first part was mostly about the cab mods and got kinda long winded, so here we are.
Link to part 1....

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?do=discuss&group=&discussionid=26334

this part will deal with steering, frame and power train issues.....

I have actually been working on the old girl a bit....kinda tough when it sits outside.
Steering....it took me a while to get my head around this, but now finally it's coming together. I picked up a late 70's Chevy van steering box to replace the truck one. This raises the input shaft up about 6" making shaft angles less severe. I will still need a couple u joints though.



The van box mounts differently, so some fab work was required......I angled a notch into the frame. It would be great to mount the box inside the frame, but it would interfere with the rad support and radiator.



Pic of the box mocked up....I still need to do some frame boxing and cleanup/paint.

 

Looks good, Any progress is good, even if it is cold outside. Was 70 here today, but snow is coming on Friday- reminds me of all the yard things that should have been done weeks ago! keep chipping away at it!
Cheers
Josh

 

Minor update.......

Winter has kinda shut down work on the COE since it is still outside. Still thinking and dreaming though.

Plan is to install a 300 six engine and 4 speed trans. Awhile back I picked up a Clifford intake and dual exhaust. Should perk up the old six a little...



Also been thinking about using a different dash, so I picked up one from a 49-50 Ford car. Will update the gauges and graft it into the cab. That is the plan anyway.......
Stay tuned.

 

Moving forward even if its collecting parts and planning, good on you scott. will see you sometime next year. Merry Christmas

 

Time for an UPDATE!
I haven't touched this truck for almost a year......time to get back to work on it.

After much thought, I have given up on the car hauler idea. Just too much work and I don't need a car hauler anyway, I have a trailer.
I still want a flatbed on it though, so I will shorten up the wheel base add add a simple flatbed.

So I finally got it into the shop and will peck away at it over the winter. First i need to finish the front cab mount, and install the dash, pedals and steering column.
Oh, and shorten the frame.

 

I love that dash style.

 

Lookin' good, nice to see it back in the shop

 

First time seeing your build, looking good.

 

Been working on the dash.....had to narrow it about 10" to fit in the truck cab, I cut most out of the center removing the ash tray and radio hole. Slice and dice.



I cut most of the old dash out and mocked up the new one.....now more welding! Will need to make some filler pieces for the ends and top. Gonna look pretty good I think. Different anyways.

 

Dang..that looks awesome.

 

Nice choice and work on the dash.

 

Good to see your are back on this... the dash looks really good.

 

Love the dash Scott, vast improvement from stock!

 

Another update.....i got the dash finished and painted white. It turned out pretty good.







I also picked up a Buick tilt column...no shifter, no key. I think this will work.



Also getting the engine ready for mock up, new gaskets and a rear sump pan. Lotta people think it odd that I chose this engine......but anybody can put a SBC in a COE. I gotta be different!

 

I got the engine and trans set in for the initial mock up. The motor and trans mounts are a cinch, only requiring some spacers, but the dual exhaust head pipes might be interesting to make....








The motor actually fits in the floor opening pretty well....shifter is in about the right place too.

 

Wow, dunno why those pics are so big, sorry bout that...

 

Big pics are good for us old guys. Lookin' good. Did I tell you already how cool that shiney white dash looks?

 

Looking good scott. what size 4bbl are you going to run?

 

So what are you going to do when you want to pull out in the hammer lane and p*** some one? LOL
Dare to be different!

 

I ran the donor truck around with a 600 edelbroke on it......had no problem frying the tire(s).....as for p***ing, I'm just gonna shove em outta the way!!!!

 

Great progress, Looks real good!

 

Looks good. You and "Snubby" (Jerry in KC) can get together and jaw about 6 cylinder engines.

 

Like I said before, most people don't get the six thing.......that's OK, I'm gonna build it the way I want it.
Thanks for all of the positive comments.

 

Wow Scott, I just notice the new dash. I really like 1949 Fords as you can probably tell when you look at my 1953 Chevy truck. I actually have an early '49 Ford dash. I thought about using it in the Chevy truck, but decided not to. Now after seeing the dash in your Ford Coe, I'm loving it even more.

If you don't mind, I might steal your dash design and use it on my Ford Coe.

 

Go for it! The biggest challenge is narrowing it enough in the right places and not losing the character of the dash. My gauge cluster is not going to be centered over the column perfectly, but I couldn't see a way to do it any different.

 

Hey, I'm not opposed to straight sixes. That's what's going in my project... but it'll turn dead dinos into large clouds of soot and tire smoke!

 

I guess I shouldn't question 6s either, mine is a V6, and like Daddio, it'll turn dead dinos into large clouds of soot and tire smoke!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7368eCCwr6A This one is a non-turbo so it has a little more snarl to it.

 

Been working on the exhaust head pipes....not much extra room around the starter, etc. Using the stubs i had and piecing together some mandrel bends, i think it will work.
Next I think I will tackle the front and rear suspensions....get my ride height where I want it.

 

Great work as usual.
Now I regret selling my 302 gmc.
It woulda cost as much as the sbc.
Oh well.