what frames are you running under your coe cab? pickup? van? original I don't have one but just curious. I do have a suburban and a 95 van and I'm in wheat truck country so maybe I should keep one of them around.
I used a 74 GM 1-ton frame. The GM is popular for COE swaps. You can use almost anything, step vans and motorhomes have been used a lot. Steering is the biggest PITA, some go with a van style box that is pointing more upward. Just look around and see what you find cheap. The engine and trans you want to run may also help lead to your ch***is choice. Here is my COE, 49 Ford on the GM 1-ton ch***is, you can see the fuel tanks on the side, dead giveaway that it is GM: Engine behind the cab is better for working on then engine under. I have mine under the cab and it is not fun. Behind also allows more legroom inside cab instead of the large engine cover like full size vans have.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?do=discuss&group=&discussionid=1633 The suspension on my COE is a '73 heavy half rear section grafted to the COE frame. And the '73 front suspension crossmember unbolted from the '73 frame and bolted/welded to the COE frame. Used a '79 Chevy van steering box and '67 Chrysler tilt/tel column. This kept all the cab mount super structure in place. Got the idea from a '40 COE done exactly the same in a Street Rodder magazine back then. Today I would seriously consider making a low car hauler with the same ch***is the Decoliner used... http://www.randygrubb.com/the-decoliner/
Has anyone used an E-350 Ford van as a doner? Add a dual rear and I would think you would have a nice setup. Bob
Any more in-depth info on this. I've been kicking around the idea of building one of these for my shop, and have my eye on a late 50's GMC currently.
The Jalopy Journal
