COE 1952 Chevy COE meets 1994 Ford F600

Build what you want to build. You've shown that you have skills and drive to get the job done. There were Chevy COE's that had wider front fenders from the factory. They looked just like ours, but were more heavy duty. The fenders weren't 8 inches wider, more like a couple of inches. Used the same grill. They might have been referred to as 450's? Others may have more info but by doing an internet search you might be able to find some images of one. I know of one that was being restored and the step rubber was wider due to the wider fender. Happy building.

 

Many years ago I started a Bricklin with the door open while sitting upright in the seat. The door fell and hit my head and nearly shoved my *** through the bottom of the seat. I "really" agree with Steve's counterbalance idea. The gullwing doors could be both functional and cool.

 

Talk to spankster about the heavier trucks with wider fenders, he's the man that would know.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/member.php?u=25778

 

Gullwing or maybe those Lambo conversion hinges wouldn't be too bad to do albeit a bit "fast and Furious".

 

What about coming through the rear like an RV? Would there be enough room to crawl over the doghouse?
Just thinking out loud.

I am afraid that all the time saved by keeping the existing axle will be ate up trying to get the doors so you can actually get in and out of it. I rebuilt the suicide doors on a friends car, it was no picnic that is for sure. They were poorly done the first time and failed so I redid it all and it was a big job.

I understand the need to get it done asap, but wrapping your head around the door issue now will save you time so you can just work through it with minimal difficulties. They may clear enough for you to get in and out of it, but based on the experience with my DT in stock form the doors get into the fenders now from the slight wear on the hinges and the travel stops. Maybe the shape of the chevy cab and fenders will allow you to get it done. Worst case make some clearance pockets in the fenders to get it on the road?

 

Having the front doors sealed shut may be a safety issue that the police would take issue with. Especially if there's an oven in the back.

 

I would go with the pocket in the fender idea like mcgyver brought up. It will get you up and running quicker. I personally would make them suicide. I did it on the rear doors of my crew cab so I could open the front doors when the rear were open. I did not want a hinge sticking out the side of the truck between the two doors.

 

Daddio- I was thinking if it was good enough for the Duke boys...
I like the pocket idea.
What about extending the metal down on the cab were the fender bolts up? I was thinking this would probably need some reinforcing to hold the bigger, heavier fenders anyways. That's also why I left a little extra subframe sticking out. if I need to tie anything into it, I can, if not, sawzall and weld on a plate. The doors don't need to open all the way either.
I will cut the back of the cab out later, following the stock window width, I was pretty much sold on the design after looking at VetAirs RV. Thanks for sharing and advice. Ill install a sleeper cab gasket so the cab and kitchen body will be separate. I have no idea is ch***is flex will be an issue but this is just a tiny bit of insurance that I don't rip it in half, and next year, I can "finish" the cab if I want.
Thank you guys for the ideas, keep em coming.

 

How about cutting the fenders and making the lower section open with the door?

 

Interested to see how this one develops! any layouts for your kitchen yet? we're at the designing stage with ours but it'd be nice to physically stand in the back of it and get a feel for it.
Good luck with your build,
Mack

 

I'm all for food trucks, but when are we going to see a free beer truck? (ya'll know, since beer is more traditional)

 

Mack- I currently own/operate a food truck that's technically a trailer, its 8x17 inside. I have a pretty good plan for the cook line but still thinking about sinks and stuff. Im going to run a 36" flat top, (2) 2 basket fryers and a deli top fridge in a line across the rear axle. All that gear measures 7'10.5" leaving me 1.5" to split between both sides. Im not sure where I want the sink area because I don't want customers looking at all the prep dishes during the rush and I hate the "open kitchen" style windows in my current rig. Big windows let dust in, I waste about 5 feet of usable counter space to window space and I don't like an audience when I cook. Im shrinking my vehicle length from 24ft for just the trailer including tongue to 19.5 feet with a 12x8 kitchen space and ill have room for all my current equipment plus a few more drawer fridges. The idea is to build something that can park in most parking spaces. Right now I have to parallel park 50+ft of truck and trailer.
kscarguy- one of the breweries in town has a refrigerated trailer with 6 taps poking out the side and they can hold about a dozen kegs inside.

 

Too bad you couldn't find a set of fenders from a 450, or 470 series GMC COE. They are about 3"in. wider.

 

Cannon ball !!!
Nickname for what Spank and others are referring to
Bigger gm coe