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1947 coe cab on chevy van frame?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Niklas sweden, May 29, 2012.

  1. Niklas sweden
    Joined: Nov 8, 2008
    Posts: 128

    Niklas sweden
    Member

    I have located a -47 Ford coe cab and want to now if a chevy van frame fit with the cab, the chevy van is a coe (almost) and are very low buck?
    Are there some build threads of a coe on a chevy van here?
     
  2. kscarguy
    Joined: Aug 22, 2007
    Posts: 1,612

    kscarguy
    Member

    Yes and No. The wheel width (track) should work fine. The frame width is wider than stock and that will get tricky up front by the grill. The running board brackets will have to be modified as the stock ones will not work. The middle cab mounts will not line up with the frame. The steering box is pointed up, but will be located quite a bit off to the side. It's been done before, but a straight truck frame might be better. It all depends on your bed intent. That's my 2 cents worth...
     
  3. samurai mike
    Joined: Feb 24, 2009
    Posts: 560

    samurai mike
    Member

    i don't believe chevy vans have a frame.
     
  4. ems customer service
    Joined: Nov 15, 2006
    Posts: 2,654

    ems customer service
    Member

    depends on which year chevy van. the current van will be to wide, and the new engines seem to take up alot of space, and the current trans is large,

    but it also depends on what is the goal of a coe truck? cool ride or also a hauler??
     
  5. pug man
    Joined: Apr 9, 2007
    Posts: 1,010

    pug man
    Member
    from louisiana

    Nope, it won't work. It is too wide and it will not look right. Just measure how wide the front wheels are, outside to outside and find you a truck frame that will be close to that.
     
  6. lockwoodkustoms
    Joined: Dec 22, 2005
    Posts: 3,910

    lockwoodkustoms
    Member

    I am doing a 46 GMC COE on a 94 GMC 3500 dually ch***is. It seems to be working out great. Good luck with your build.
     
  7. yes they have a frame ....... control arms , spindels ect are the same as truck
     
  8. 38Chevy454
    Joined: Oct 19, 2001
    Posts: 6,793

    38Chevy454
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I think the newer vans have a front subframe and are not full frame. Older vans may be full frame. Besides the pickup ch***is, the P30 (aka stepvan, bread truck, etc) and motorhome ch***is have been used also.
     
  9. Join the COE social group here.
    There are all kinds of build threads that may help you
    get the answers you are looking for.
    Like to see some pictures.
     
  10. XL-FE
    Joined: Feb 22, 2010
    Posts: 37

    XL-FE
    Member

    What year van are you talking about ? -96 and newer have frame but earlier, like those late eighties G20 that where so popular here in Sweden are unibody. Also, what size of the van 1500, 2500..?
     
  11. Niklas sweden
    Joined: Nov 8, 2008
    Posts: 128

    Niklas sweden
    Member

    I just have the cab and front fenders, no frame.
    that i wondering is wath the best ch***ie that i can find here in sweden to build on.
    I Want to build it to a light pickup.
    i can modifi the floor/firewall and fenders to make it fit, then build the rest from schratch.
     
  12. oldolds
    Joined: Oct 18, 2010
    Posts: 3,651

    oldolds
    Member

    Just a thought here. Astro vans have a sub frame that unbolts. Never did anything with COE trucks, so I have no practical knowledge, just thinking out loud.
     
  13. Roger Walling
    Joined: Sep 26, 2010
    Posts: 1,149

    Roger Walling
    Member

    Yes It Can be done! :)

    41 Ford COE (same as 47), 84 Chevan 1/2ton 6 cyl.

    No problem. total length looked a little long so I added an extra axel for looks.

    The bed is all hand made, the boom is about 1930's

    Steering a little tight, I offset the wheel about 4' no other modifications.

    I cut the lower 3' off of the cab in the back to keep it a little lower.

    PM me for detail build photos. (my pic's are too large to post here.)

    Roger
     

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  14. kscarguy
    Joined: Aug 22, 2007
    Posts: 1,612

    kscarguy
    Member

    That proves it. For COE guys, nothing is impossible. The wheel track of the van must be wider than a chevy truck. My 41 Ford COE front tires are inside my fenders by 1-1/2". I run an 1987 1 ton GM front axle.

    Niklas - If you have access to an early dodge dakota, that would be a good fit.
     
  15. Niklas sweden
    Joined: Nov 8, 2008
    Posts: 128

    Niklas sweden
    Member

  16. that's why the Good Lord gave us the "sawzall", the oxy-acetylene torch, the arc welder, the ruler, beer, and friends to help......yes, you can make anything fit anything !!!
     
  17. Rusty O'Toole
    Joined: Sep 17, 2006
    Posts: 9,756

    Rusty O'Toole
    Member

    For anybody looking for a van ch***is... don't overlook the old motorhomes. They often get very little use, and are s****ped when the body gets shabby and the appliances stop working, usually with 50,000 miles or less. I have an early 80s C30 Chev based motorhome with 30,000 miles on it, got it from a junk dealer for 2 or 3 s**** cars.
     
  18. dan 41
    Joined: Mar 10, 2013
    Posts: 5

    dan 41
    Member
    from ontario

    I'm placing a 42 ford coe on a 2001 gmc cut a way cab dually 2500ch***is. It was a small school bus. I have not decided on engine location. The gmc engine looks to be pretty much in the correct place but I see a lot of guys move the engine to the back, under the seat or behind the cab. Is this to get more room in the cab? When finished I hope to have a eight ft box
     
  19. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 24,529

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    You're thinking of Dodge.
     
  20. dan 41
    Joined: Mar 10, 2013
    Posts: 5

    dan 41
    Member
    from ontario

    No a GMC full frame, I took the body off last week, its a 5.7 L 2001. Was about a 18 p***enger bus. Wheel track is similar to my Ford COE Base would need to be shortened.
     

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