COE Torhino's '48 F6 COE Build Thread

Might be changing directions on the ch***is and engine. I just picked this up cheap. It is a 1975 one ton cutaway ch***is with a 460/C6 combo with a 3.73 rear. Anyone using one of these"

 

Looks like it has potential.
There is a COE build over on FTE where the guy is using something similar with a 7.3 powerstroke....

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1360611-51-coe-powerstroke-build.html

 

Contemplate the front suspension/steering carefully, I've heard the newer ones don't handle the best. (no personal experience)

 

I had an 84 Ford van and it road and handled decent. Well over 200k miles on it before I blew the engine due to an oil leak. 18mpg with a 351 Windsor. Is that motor home twin I-Beam?

 

Using the Ford ch***is for us COE'ers isn't too bad since the bodies hang so low that they "look" lowered. Modifying those trucks to get them low is a whole 'nuther story though. Dropped beams are notorious for failing after a few thousand miles. Camber issues are corrected only by putting the beam in a press and bending it, which, of course voids any warranty. This is why most slammed/bagged Ford duallies run Chevy front clips... yes, really.

Now, since we COE guys don't really "need" to get our trucks significantly lower than it'll sit on a stock frame I'm ALL for using a F350 ch***is. They're a great design and ride reasonably well. Just be sure you can live with the ride height before you pull the trigger.

 

There is someone somewhere that builds lowered I beams for Fords, not sure if they would fit vans though. I have seen ones for older Rangers and F-150s that were welded steel so I think they would be safe

 

Nostalgia Sid's [sid@droppedaxles.com] Can do 3" drop on most axles. In fact, I just wrote them last week to see if they can do a stock 41 Ford COE axle.

 

If we're talking 80's and up F350/E350 then it's the "Twin I Beam" system. Bell Tech used to make them, I don't think they do anymore. DJM Suspension is the only one I know still offering them.

Sorry if I went too far off course, was hoping it may help someone today or in the future.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I already pulled the trigger. It is running and driving with 144k on it. This way I have all the operating systems to modify instead of starting from scratch because the Chevy ch***is I have was stripped before I got it. It is not optimum but I want to get this thing on the road. My Dad said he would go on a cross country road trip with me when he could go in this truck. He has had some medical scares and I don't want to regret that we never got do it.
I want to still move the motor behind the cab so I do not have a huge dog house. I can run the motor in my "OT" year Galaxie 500 while I am building the COE
Can you bag the front of these?

 

Sure you can bag it, but don't expect more than about 3" of drop from stock unless you do major frame modifications. You'll need to build upper and lower cups/plates for the bags, and there's not much room to do so. Also, plan on replacing front tires on a regular basis because the camber change will be huge. The camber arc on these is way less forgiving than say a Chevy where you can dial it in pretty well for a drop and/or bags.

Get the cab mounted on the ch***is as low as you can first. Get your engine and trans placed second, then figure out what options you have for front suspension. As I said before, these trucks can sit on a stock late model (70's and up) half to 1 ton ch***is and still look real low.

 

I agree with daddio! If I was going to bag it I would use a leveling valve from an airride semi truck. That way you could dump the bags to park low, but the leveling valve would always return the truck to a correct ride height so the camber problem won't exist. Is it worth the trouble for a 3" drop when parked?