So I just did a quick search of this here private social forum and found no collective thread of crew cab conversion pics or conversation? Maybe I overlooked it, I first searched "crew" and didn't see what I thought I remembered, then I just searched ***les for "crew" and came back empty. So! What say? Pics? Links? Rants? Raves? Sage advice? One I just found again. Crazy build. 1939 Ford COE enlarged to fit late model F650 ch***is/rolling stock, but - wait for it - Electric Drivetrain! That’s done elsewhere but this link shows a ton of pics of the coachwork: http://www.realsteel.com/projects/591/?album=14&gallery=62#gallery Streetrod style slant cab 53-55 Ford https://lowdownhotrods.smugmug.com/What-weve-done/Current-Projects/COE-Project/ 1956 Ford w/ suicide rear doors & link to build pics https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/my-56-ford-c-o-e.915973/#post-10366474 JML
There have been a couple crew projects started here but then vanished. Best one completed was the guy with the 55-57 Chevy LCF.....sorry, I don't recall his username. Was 4-5 years ago. I like the crew cab idea, and they look good IF done right.....takes a lot of planning and work to do them right, IMO. Not just the cab, but the whole trucks proportions. Some I've seen were not good...... I'd like to do another one and make it a crew cab.
You’re thinking of Buggy5872, right? https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/media/albums/1957-lcf.29896/ I remember following his build but can’t find it at the moment. If so. Agreed. Great build. Great truck. Great proportions.
Personally, I really dislike when the rear doors are done like this with the window slant to the front(or rear). Or having a large blank area between the doors. JMO
^^^^Perfect! Love your truck.....proportions, stance, wheel/tire size, even the color! Did you build it? If so, well done!
Thanks my ideas. Had someone execute my vision as I was busy working at another project and thought it would get done faster so I could enjoy it with my family. Turned out taking longer than expected. Awesome truck to drive
^^^^^Dammmm that is a good lookin Canuck Truck. What's pushing it down the road? Ch***is? Interior shots?
Thanks. 1995 dodge dually ch***is with ***mins. I dont have any interior shots on my phone but it’s seats out of the dodge pickup with stock console in back seat and 2 more dodge seats up front with narrowed console.
I have some COE crew cab questions........ What are the engine placement options on these? Seems like behind the cab would make for a really long truck? Also thinking diesel engine.... Looking for some general design ideas, truck body style has not been decided, but will be a car hauler. Not mine, customer... Would love to see someones build pics of ch***is, engine, etc. Thanks!
Used 1995 regular cab dodge dually pick up. Ended up moving engine back 7 “ and down 3”. The downsides is access to engine requires removing accces panels and noise. Although it it’s not too noisy. You know your sitting over a Diesel engine. If doing a ramp truck I would contemplate a wedge shaped deck with engine behind cab.
Thanks for the reply! This is what I need, feedback from actual owners/builders. My COE has the engine up front(gas), it can be a PIA to work on. In most cases I like the looks of COE's with the engine up front......proportions are better. But on a long hauler it likely wouldn't matter. Another idea being kicked around is the FWD Eldorado/Toronado setup. Anybody here have any experience with that?
several have used Tornado, or Cadillac front wheel drive. A guy in this area took a 3/4 or 1 ton four wheel drive Late model Chevy truck, Took out frame and rear running gear, from back of cab rearward attached it to a car trailer, and put air bags on each axles, He LAYS IT DOWN ON THE GROUND, and it needs NO RAMPS... I don't know that I explained it well, but its really neat.
I gave pause on this one found on my local marketplace. Says it's front wheel drive. I think I need one of these E-550's for the optimized GVWR / front track width but I'm not at all charged about the FWD. Plus, I'm thinking an inline ***mins is going to be much easier on cab encroachment. No doubt the PSD could be sold, but that bus body is going to be a chore! I'm still searching for *my* ch***is. description as listed: "2003 Ford E 450 Elf Transit Bus 7.3 Power Stroke Diesel Automatic Transmission Front wheel drive The interior has been stripped, and the frame reinforced, for towing"
I came across a front wheel drive econoline bus years ago, the PSD sat off center behind the drivers seat with a normal 4WD auto trans and transfer case behind it. A long driveshaft to a normal 4WD solid front axle completed the drivetrain. Not sure it would hold up over the long haul, those transfer cases were designed to transfer half the power to the front, not all of it, all the time.
Yeah, I'd be worried about using a transfer case to pull around a heavy truck with a car loaded on back. Same worries with the Caddy FWD setup..... I found a smaller flat nosed transit bus that looks promising, but is 454 gas powered(front engine). Dunno if I can sell him on that, he wants a diesel....
What about putting the engine in backwards with the output shaft pointing at a 4WD front axle? My original plan was to do this, but I chickened out over whether or not I would have steering vibration from the U-joints in the front axle. Maybe an independent front axle with CV joints would get around that problem. BTW Saw some new COEs at Back to the Fifties over the weekend, I'll get pictures up when I get a few minutes. (life has gotten crazy here lately)
All this backwards talk reminded me of this thread..... https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/weird-idea-for-a-fwd-coe.1053754/ Steve, looking forward to your pics.
Best I can do for a crew cab conversion at Back to the Fifties. The MSRA has set a length limit of 25 feet on vehicles, so that pretty much outlaws car hauler type trucks. This one was for sale for $25 grand, if anyone is interested I have some info.
Well, plans have changed.......my customer has nixed the COE and bought a '54 Ford F600 truck for the crew cab project. More room under hood and in the cab. Thanks for all of the input though!
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