In the late 80's and early 90's, I helped my buddy Ron with the design and build of these 2 haulers. Ron used them when he moved to the west coast and eventually sold them out there. The 34 Dodge we called "Big Red". It started out as a kingcab pickup project I began building from a bullet riddled 34 Dodge Humpback body. We mounted my cab design on a 1ton ch***is and added the larger Dodge truck frontend sheet metal. Ron fabricated the ramp truck style backend and storage areas making it a great car hauler. The 41 Ford COE started out as a late model rental box truck. We removed the box and cab, then carefully trimmed the COE cab to fit over the modern ch***is. The bottom of the grille shell was totally gone so I custom made the missing piece as close as I could imagine the original might have been. The ch***is was extended to accommodate hauling a vehicle and side pockets added so he could have a removable rail system for hauling other items.
I know this Is an old thread,wondering if you went to the trouble of sandblasting the mat for painting? I'm debating spending the money to sandblast over the slight rust..
No,rust were flaking or lumpy ,has been hit each time with hammer ,tell it fall off each time just before I paint it. Have always brush painted it with Rust-Oleum Gloss Black+ takes 2 QT + for all the top side. Never have done it,up-side down> but likely be good to do. I'm sure it would be better to sandblast/ I don't own a sandblaster. I own a lot of hammer LOL.
The Jalopy Journal
