COE '51 Ford car hauler build....phase 2

Donn, I steal an hour here and there........try to work on it a little on weekends. Not as much time lately though.
I keep telling myself the only way it's leaving the shop is under it's own power....
We'll see....

 

I decided to go with the vacuum booster setup.....much cheaper and easier. It sticks out a bit farther, but clears the hood just barely.


Also got my parking brake lever mounted, made some brackets to bolt it to the top of the trans.


I couldn't find the correct dipstick tube at the junkyard, so I made a new tube and got it mounted.

Currently working on radiator mounting...

 

Looking good. I'm finally getting back out to the shop. This has been a long cold winter.

 

Radiator is in and hooked up.....and the front fenders are bolted on.
I rebuilt the front park lamps and added a couple extra teeth to the grille. Currently working on the driveshaft and saving my pennies for wiring....

 

Looking good. You'll be cruising before you know it. There was a 51 Ford cab over close to my area that had a 300 six swapped into it. He was hauling cows with it. You may be pleasantly suprised with your swap.

 

Lowriders...are you gonna make it to the GF swapmeet this year? Would like to meet up with you.

 

Finally coming together,nice work mate!
Gaz!

 

Been tinkering a little on this.......got my driveshaft installed, wiper motor mounted, and been cleaning up and painting interior panels.

 

hey, the pics actually worked! First time trying....

 

Thought I should update this a bit......

gl*** and gas tank installed, wiring mostly all done and working. need a carb and linkage to fire this thing up! Still a long ways to go, but getting there...

 

Looking good Scott!

 

Dude, that's lookin' KILLER!!!!!

 

looking good Scott! I have got to get over to your place and check it out.

 

Engine cover almost done....I made it from a couple of F3 fenders. Seats installed, but the rest of the upholstery will have to wait for a while. I fired up the engine, runs good. Need to finish the brakes and get my running boards on.

 

All lookin good! The doghouse is tremendous!

I've been thinking about running boards lately. I think 1954/5-ish Ford units have a wide area along the bed side and a skinnier area under the cab. I'm wondering if those might be near the right dimension mounted on opposite sides for my build. The skinny portion could go under the sleeper which will be wider than the cab and the wider portion under the COE cab.

Anyone got a set of this vintage running board that might be willing to take some measurements?

 

Could work but probably not long enough. F100 wheelbase was 114" I think. Are you planning a one piece running board, or front/back halves?
Sorry, I don't remember what type of bed you are using,....was thinking PU type box?

 

One piece, but just under the sleeper and the cab. The running board would stop at the sleeper. (think flatbed, with no real rear fender to bolt a running board to...) The skinnier portion would be under the sleeper which is 36" front to back and the wider portion would be under the COE door with is probably 16-18" front to back.
For example, in your pic above the portion of the running board under your driver's door would be under my p***enger's side sleeper and the part that bolts to your left rear fender would bolt to my right *FRONT* fender.
So the theory is that your door might be 36" or more and the distance from your cab corner to your rear fender is 16-18" or more.

 

Hey that might just work! I do know my F-1 doors are 36"......not sure about the later F100's.
Somebody here should have one of those running boards to measure.

I am using the shorty running boards from an F6 two ton truck.

 

I have some of those running boards on a truck out at my dad's place. I don't get that way often though. I do have some cut up donor pieces that I've been brainstorming with for rebuilding the steps on my '56. I can measure the width of the wide part and maybe the narrowed part. I don't remember exactly where these were cut.
Decent examples of these boards aren't easy to come by around here. But mid-50 has several repops ranging from new original die stampings, custom wrinkle-free with and without tread ribs, Chinese versions, fibergl***, and even limited runs of long bed boards. Their catalog can be downloaded as a PDF. They don't give any dimensions for the running boards...

 

If, by chance, you could take some measurements that would be great. thanks!

 

Turns out I have less of a piece than I thought.

This is only the wide step portion of the p***enger side. The shredded edge is where it should connect to the rear fender and the right side would be right at the rear cab corner.
Its 12-3/4" deep

 

That is helpful. Thanks... I'll take a few measurements..

 

Been working on the running boards, side skirts, etc......

 

Nice work , keep it up . I'll be watching .

 

wow Scott,it's looking real good!!
You made a lot of progress,I do specially love you doghouse..that looks supper cl***y..
I got a question,where did you get the cables/linkage for the parking break?
I love everything about this build.
Can't hardly wait for the flatbed your going to build!
Seth.

 

Thanks Seth, good to see you back!
Parking brake is a mixture of parts.......rear cables are stock 1 ton Chevy, handle is from an old 30's Ford truck, all of the brackets I made.
How's your COE coming along?

 

Hey man!
I took a lil' Vacation in Beautiful Mexico for a few months.
Feels good to be back.
I was looking at your cables,looks like you had some new ones made.
The coe is still out there collecting dust and water,I didnt cover it when i left and water found its way into the newly welded floor patches..
its gonna be a while before i touch it with a stick.

 

Welcome back Seth . Drink any cheep JD Down in Mexico? LOL Every hour of makes you 1 hour closer .
Happy New Year

 

Getting closer....could take it for a test drive, but snow and ice ****.
Will work on the interior for a while til the weather gets better...

 

Damn! That's lookin' killer man!!!