SO, I've done the intro thing and thought i would do the same here… i have a 49 Ford COE i bought out of Modesto CA and imported to Australia, and after some years of indecision I'm now about to make a start. I have bought a Isuzu ch***is for the basis of my project, and hope to have the body sitting on it soon. In the meantime i have been doing minor repairs to the body and welding up lots of extra holes. The body is virtually rust free and clean, so it will retain its California suntan, or patina as some people like to call it….. I will post some pics as soon as i figure out how. looking forward to being part of the COE fun.
Looking forward to pictures. Will you run the 5 spoke Isuzu wheels? I always like them, they remind me of the stock Ford rims.
hmmm, engine choice I'm kind of leaning towards a inline six like perhaps a BA Falcon, maybe even a XR6 turbo if i can find one for the right price. They are Australian engines in case some of you guys are wondering what the heck I'm talking about….not strictly HAMB friendly i guess i want to use this for my daily driver and shop truck. so practical and fuel efficient are priorities along with driver comfort, but hey, it will be a hot rod after all so some compromises will creep in I'm sure. wheels I'm not sure about yet, the Isuzu wheels are 16s so maybe some whitewalls and some sort of caps, but that may change.
Lexcoe, welcome to the group! lots of great COE info here. I'm looking forward to seeing your build, especially the straight six part!
does anyone know if the 1/4 window rubbers for a 49/50 pickup will fit the COE doors, they sure look the same to me. Whats the easiest way to post some pics for a semi computer literate guy like me? I have been doing some minor repairs to my left front fender and thought i might post some pics.
Welcome to our group, looking forward to your pictures. I have given up on the good gas mileage idea. My 454 just wants gas, lot's of it !
All gl***/rubber is the same for 48-50 Ford COE's and regular trucks. Door weatherstrips are different. To post pics here they have to be on the internet somewhere first, then copy and paste the link or URL.
Well its almost a year since i first posted here, and its taken this long for me to get back on this forum since the format change. i tries a couple times with no luck, oh well. So I've managed to get quite a bit done on my COE, body mounted to the Isuzu frame, engine and trans all mounted, new front floors and engine cover to suit, dash almost done to right hand drive and column mounted and lots of other stuff. I will try to get some pictures up.
Sweet successes on the truck, (re)locating this place, and posting the pics! Like that 56 Effie dash!
thanks guys. i knew a 56 guy would pick up on the dash centre, tabbing the rest to hopefully end up with a deco..esque look. forgot to mention the engine is a quad cam Lexus v8, going twin turbo charged for some extra oomph lol.
I noticed you username and thought you would be running a 1UZ. A bit short on torque for a heavy vehicle (I have one in a 1900kg Range Rover) but get the gearing right and sweet engine.
Sadly, no small block….i wanted to join the fun but ended up with a four cam, six bolt main, alloy Japanese v8 instead….LOL
Zuffen, yes i agree about the torque but with a couple turbos and moderate boost, and the correct gearing as you say i think it will be fine. They are a great engine if your willing to learn about the electronics, I've already learnt a lot but have have a long way to go in that department. Planning to go COP so more research there to….. Im hoping to have all the dash and internal mods to the cab done soonish, then paint inside, then i guess ill have to start thinking more seriously about wiring. Let the fun? begin
"four cam, six bolt main, alloy Japanese v8" I can tell you are really sad about this. LOL Looks to take up quite a bit of width in the cab though. What does COP mean?
You are right, it does take up a bit of room, but still not to the point of being a problem. I kept the engine as low as possible which helped. COP, coil over plug. the Lexus basically has two distributors, COP will dispense with all that and plug leads etc. But will require a ECU that can handle them of course. All part of the fun LOL
Lexcoe, Where in our wide brown land is kickatinalong? I'm guessing somewhere near didyabringatinnie. If you go to lextreme.com you'll find plenty of help on the wiring. I see the engine is a Soarer (SC400 for US friends) and running aftermarket is the way to go as the original ECU's are failing now. Look into Spitronics.
Its really close to howzyamutherschooks….and Byron Shire LOL i do look on Lextreme from time to time. Ive heard pretty good things about the Spitronics, also looking into Megasquirt.
Looking for a little advice and or suggestions about brakes, heres my dilemma… i want to retain my large Isuzu front drum brakes on my COE and run with drums on the rear also, probably something like a ford 9" has. So the original Isuzu master cylinder is 1 5/8" bore diameter, so lots of fluid volume for the big wheel cylinders in front. So I'm thinking to run twin master cylinders with a bias bar setup with say 1" bore for the front, do you guys think that will be enough for the front wheel cylinders, two per side. Maybe a 7/8" bore for the rear brakes. Im running twin turbochargers, so little to no vacuum so no power booster. A 7 to 1 pedal ratio will be sufficient i think. Your thoughts guys?
Why not run the original master cylinder? I don't see how a 1" cylinder will take the place of an 1 5/8" cylinder without some extreme stroke. If you are sure you want a double 1" master, Chev pick-ups had one in 1961, (I believe on 3/4 ton) they used it as one side for brakes, one side for clutch. Both sides are the same except the brake side has a residual pressure valve built in. I don't know if the pedal set on the left is factory, or something else.
I'd stay with the standard Isuzu front master diameter and use whatever the rear cylinders would have used in a stock situation. For vacuum look at an electric unit, such as Summit sell, use a vacuum tank for safety and it should all work fine. Fiddling with pedal and bore ratio's is a recipe for lots of trial and error to make it work and p*** Engineering.
Thanks for the replies guys, and my apologies for my slow response, my mother p***ed very recently from dementia at 94 so not much truck time. Im going to follow your advice about the M/C volume, but change to a different one, maybe Mitsubishi, as the Isuzu M/C has quite an awkward mounting system. Bore diameter is the same so no issues there, just easier to mount and plumb. Zuffen its already p***ed its initial inspection so now i can just keep working towards those highly prized rego plates.
Very sorry to hear about your Mom. That's a terrible disease. I lost my 92 year old dad to it a little over a year ago and my 93 year old mom is in the early stages. I know how tough things most likely are for you right now. Time truly does make it easier, but you'll never quick missing her. The only advice I can offer is to keep thinking about the good times before the dementia. That and to get back to work on your truck!
thanks for the kind words C.G, yes it truly is a terrible disease. But she is now at peace and time will heal the pain. I will be back on my truck soon, its a great healer as well.
I'd really like some more details and pictures of this project. It sounds like you are building exactly what i want to try to find. Thanks for sharing.
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