COE Salvaging a 38 Ford COE

Ended life as a Bell Company pole truck. The back window was cut out and enlarged with some kind of rubber boot/seal going to the back. The roof over the driver was cut open and a weird periscope was bolted on. The p***enger side roof rusted through from all the sediments from the bore dripping on it.

Not much to start with.



The donor ch***is, a 1987 R20 Suburban





Modified the R20 ch***is with a G20 steering setup and shortened to 101" WB





Mounted cab to ch***is. Rear mounts were a direct bolt-on.



Mid mounts are almost identical to stock.



The front mounts and front crossmember/core support mount are custom.



Next comes the steering. I shortened a 1967 C10 column and used the stock 1992 G20 van steering linkage.





And the very simple steering linkage.



To be continued...

 

I think you mean it BEGAN life as a phone co truck

 

the hole in the roof was a mirror so the driver could look back as he moved the truck and let out the cable and pull the lasher.......

 

Yes, began and ended life as a phone truck. It will be resurrected as a 1930s tow truck, but without the boom in the bed/box.

 

Great information, much appreciated. Any clue why the back gl*** was removed and the opening enlarged?

 

Very cool truck. I like the simple van steering setup.

 

Love seeing new projects, Keep up the good work,I like it!

 

Nice '38, lookin' forward to the builds progress. Subscribed.

 

Completed the steering setup. All savaged parts except for a billet column saver kit. The telescoping steering linkage would make for an easy tilt cab design.




Next, I wanted a better rear end. Went looking for the narrowest rear axle to pull the dual wheels in as tight as possible. I found this 1982 GMC with a 4.10 geared 14-bolt rear. The rear isn't much wider than the front.



It is 4" narrower than my current setup.



And what I currently have.



Next is to think about a brake pedal that works with a true cab over engine configuration.

 

really liking where this is going. Surely gonna be watching this build

 

Kool, your off to a great start.

 

This is really interesting build thread,subscribed!

 

I like it! Do you have the fenders, doors and grille?

 

Thanks for all the inventory detail. Will help to put one together, if I ever get that far.

 

Very cool project!!Nice to see something a bit different.


Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

Did the AD project get put on the back burner?

 

Subscribe! Loven it.

 

Arrrggg, can't stop myself from subscribing to all the COE builds. I think I'm up to 5 of them. Carry on!

 

Love COE`s! Looks like you got a good start!

 

I'm liking what i'm seeing here.
My poor COE got back burnered for now.

 

The '53 Chevy 3100 is on hold until I get back from the International Metal Meet.

Been working on the rear suspension setup. Pulled out the 3.73 geared 14-bolt and broke down the spring packs.



The 3/4 ton rear axle out



And the new 4.10 geared 1-ton rear axle. This rear is 4" narrower and the springs are inward 2 1/2" more.



Cutting off the spring pockets from the frame.



Then I trimmed the pockets down 1 1/4" to bring the springs inward.



Then I re***embled the spring packs as 1/2-ton springs. Basically removed 3 leaves.



Installed the new narrow 1-ton axle on a 3/4-ton frame with 1/2-ton springs. Phew....







Next I need to make some vintage style seat. I need the seats mounted to get a better feel for the pedals and steering wheel.

To be continued.

 

a new daily dose of excitement will now await me as i log in to check if there is any progress on this build. subscribed.

 

love coe;s

 

Add on crew cab. They looked similar to a sleeper and had a bench seat, and a door on the right side only.

 

Tony, Looks like you have a pretty good grasp of the changes you need to mazke to convert the Chevy frame to a COE frame. Keep up the good work and keep us up to date in how you are doing.

I had a '56 Ford COE - still miss it ever so often. I had a short dump truck frame. Some one got rid of the dump bed and strecthed the frame and added a flat bed. Came in handy when I moved my new wife and kids from Rantoul Ill to SoCal !

Have fun !

Dave

 

Good stuff there. I don't know why more guys don't run those G-van columns - they have two U-joints and that telescoping section, all stock.

 

,,,nice job, lookin forward to all to come.

 

fun project

 

Very cool build! I love how this is
going and coming together using
a lot of stock, boneyard available
parts! "Thumbs up"!

Mart3406
===========================

 

The last picture of the finished steering column shows a panel that has a large rot hole in it.

Do not repair this panel, instead cut it at the top and make a new one that goes straight down to the floor for more foot room.