COE 1941 Ford COE build

That would work, 'cept in this case there was no battery in it when I got it.

 

Old FORDS are +++++ ground

 

Yes, 'hotwire'. On the back of the toggle switch (ignition switch) there are 2 wires. One is 'Batt', the other is 'coil', or 'ign'. Jumper wire one to the other, the resistor is on the coil (or under the dash on drivers side) so don't worry about frying the coil.
Just make sure you 'hotwire' it here, at the switch. (not direct 6 volts to the Ford coil, or you will boil the oil and let the smoke out of it!)

 

Hi there,
I have a 1984 GMC 1 ton 3500 dually ch***is. Was going to save it for a cabover project but plans changed. I have it up for sale now on here. Was asking 1200 for it but if interested let me know, lets make a deal...
Thanks

 

Thanks! I just need to jumper the toggle switch located on the column support and not the key that's on the side of the same support? What's the key do?

 

Thanks for the offer... The current plan is a later model donor that's complete, running and lowerish mileage, but things can always change. Is there a drivetrain in your 3500 or just a rolling ch***is?

Rick

 

Would the key be the ignition switch, and the toggle be the starter switch? Some old cars had that, turn on the key, than push a starter ****on, Had a 56 buick that you truned the key than there was a big ****om by the gas pedal that you pushed with your foot to start it. just a thought..

 

The starter push ****on is located on the dash. We managed to figure that one out.

There is a key in the column right beside the column support bracket and there is also a toggle switch located on top of the same column support bracket. We don't know what those do.

 

I found a parts listing that shows an Ignition Switch Plate that looks like it surrounds my toggle switch and also Ignition Cylinder lock that appears it might be just a column lock and maybe a lock for the toggle.

I'll take a closer look at both. 1 of them should have 3 terminals (Batt, coil and Gauges?).

 

Yes

 

If I remember right, the key does two things. When turned to the ON position, it:

1. Unlocks the column.
2. Allows the ignition (toggle) switch to be turned on.

 

I've been driving one for 16 years, and they are fun. First, the 41 is the only year with the shiny grille, which is good. Parts interchange on them up to 47 for most things-the dash in the 38-39's were different and the door dovetails were narrower on the pre-war trucks. The cab is 7" wider than a regular truck cab, so if the engine goes behind the cab, you have lots of room up front. There are some repo parts available, but not much. Bob Drake and Wescott have both built them for their own use, so they offer some parts. Mine is on a 1 ton GMC ch***is, but the stepvans work better if you are looking for a ch***is change-check the width and steering box angle. They are really prone to rust inside the door posts and other structural areas up front, so be sure what you have-these weren't made to last forever. Have fun-you really can do about anything with them.

 

LOVE THOSE COEs
I picked up an engine and ****** from a 52 Ford COE last year. It had the emergency brake lever attached to the ****** and I used the lever in our roadster project. Got the engine apart and it checks out for a future build project. I picked up the stuff and there was the cab in his garage - looked like the start of a swell project...

 

No Joy... Doesn't want to crank on 6 volts even though I'm pretty sure that's what its set up for. A taillight bulb that appeared to still be wired was a 6 volt model.

Definately positive ground. The grounded batt cable clamp was far larger than the one going to the starter solenoid and matched the POS batt term. Engine rotation verified by fan direction.

The motor will spin pretty good on 12 volts, but of course, I don't dare send that to the ignition circuit. I found the 3 terminals on the steering column toggle switch and tried to send 6 volts to that, but again no spark. I think you are correct Saxman on the function of the key in the column.

It's not crucial as it's getting swapped anyway, but would have been fun to hear the old boy fire up. And I had visions of taking him to a local antique car show on the trailer then driving him into the show and scaring all the women and children.

Thanks for all that great info Rain!

Pay no attention to that non stock engine crank or that goober standing beside my truck!

 

Holy ****! Talk about patina.

 

Yeah, "patina"... So that's what the young kids are calling it now...

I've been looking at 4 door "crew cab" COE conversions and while works of art for the most part, they strike me as making the exterior dimensions of the cab bigger than I would like for a daily driver. I thought about a sleeper also, again, really bigger than I would like... Problem is that I want 4 full size seats in the thing so even with an "extended cab" instead of a 4 door that will be a tight fit.... Ideas?

thanks,

Rick

 

I've been looking at Google Images of early Ford COEs (which included my '57 Willys cuz of the way Google's search engine works ) and it seems like I might be able to come up with a 4 door design that's not larger than I'd like. The key items seem to be: 1) As low as I can get the rig 2) Make the rear doors noticeably smaller then the fronts. I'm thinking 1/2 to 3/4 width standard pickup doors. I found a 1947 standard cab pickup that may fit the bill. Was the body style still the same as a 1941 COE?

Also, tried again to find the serial number. I think I can make out a 8 on the left frame rail about 6 feet back from the front, but that's it. I found a "data plate" under the hood on the cab, but it looks like it's just a long list of patent numbers and no serial number. Any ideas?

 

Hi ,
The only serial number I could find on my 1947 COE is on the inside of the glove box door. Did you get a ***le with your ride?
Ron.......

 

Hi Ron,

Nope, no ***le, just a bill of sale. I'll check the glove box door, but since it's wood I won't hold my breath. Were they wood from Ford or would that be a field "upgrade"?

BTW: The steering box from my 41 will be available, but it's gonna be a while. What's your timetable?

thanks,

Rick

 

That would be a field "upgrade"

 

Ha, my Dad calls his Ford work truck Buford too.

Looking forward to the crew cab conversion.

 

This one is a later year than yours, built by Gene Milella of Rochester, NY. He used a Chevy truck ch***is and BBC power.

Frank C.


(SMR Photo)

 

that's sweet!! Wow... I got a long way to go!

Does the stamped serial number include the "prefix"? I saw the listing for 1941 Ford serial numbers as 18-5,nnn,nnn thru 18-6,nnn,nnn. Is the entire thing stamped including the 18-? I'd further guess the commas are not stamped ie: 18-5123456. Right?

 

I according to the Early Ford V8 of America Expanded Legend I have, the 1941 prefix starts with a "11A" and a flatbed (COE Platform/Stake) is a "93B"
And the glove box door tag should look like this..........
If I can get the pictures to load that is....

 

Here is a close up view of the "vin" on my truck glove box tag...

 

NICE... try this again... It looks like this.... ta da....!

 

call me,,

Bob

 

Oh, that is NICE! thank you, Ron... I wish I had a metal glove box door... I tried the crossmember locations near the radiator that were also rumored to have the serial number, but again no luck...

 

use a 74 and up econoline ch***is keep it ford!!
if you use a 100 /150 ch***is you should be as low as you want to be
lots of them around
302/351/460 engines aod trans 9 inch rears
pics are of one I saw at the ***** raid had a V10 under it on a motorhome ch***is i think

 

Thanks for the ideas and pics, DerbyDad. Unfortunately, mine needs to be a 4WD to handle steep boat ramps which knocks out pretty much all the van and motor home options. I toyed with the dually idea and maybe having enough traction on slick, steep boat ramps, but have decided the benefit of 2wd just won't be worth it the first time I get stuck on a boat ramp.

BTW: Anyone else notice what Barry Weiss of the TV show Storage Wars was driving to take a keyboard to one of his buddy's places? YUP! A 38/39 Ford COE! I search around the web a bit and found nothing about the COE, but did find a video of his '46 Caddy.

Rick