Projects 47 ford coe (car hauler project)

I like how you have the ramps located. Now you have me thinking about my setup. I'd love to see more pics of them (so I can "borrow" your ideas...ha!)

 

i will get you more pic's soon but i still need to build the frame where they will slide in

 

ok a small update here
got the engine wiring done



and had some goodies in last week a shorty column and u joints etc.
now waiting for the dash to arrive and start from the to determine the
location of the column

 

oh - looks like the steering column is going to be a fugly cluster ?

 

That's a real steep angle on them u-joints, the rest of the build has been awesome so far. Can't wait to see how you solve this steering column thing.

 

Is the engine 100% drive by wire? GM has been introducing drive-by-wire since the 90's, I think your Vortec would have it. That would be ideal with your engine so far behind you. Along with the automatic of course. I don't know how the old bus drivers did it, double clutching with 40' long throttle, clutch and shifter linkages. I have an o/t COE truck (Freightliner) and you sure have to get used to shifting and double clutching even with 8' long linkages.

Found some DBW info here http://www.lt1swap.com/identify_vortec_engine.htm

 

The old fire trucks manual shift were surprisingly trouble free shifting ,with several universals and several block bearings,

 

yes it has drive by wire and works great for this setup
i know of the lt1swap site it has lots of info on the wiring, and to let it run stand alone.

i have send my Pcm to him for reprogramming
Brendan was very helpfull on some Q's i had

 

Very cool build keep the updates coming.

 

did some work on the ramp, making the side framing




next week i should get the rear fender in so i can see how they will fit/look

 

That is a sweet truck.

 

progress of tonight
made a roller to make a radius in the square tube for the wheel opening






my cardboard fender

 

Looking better every time I check out your build thread. Just awesome!

 

thanks well its getting shape soon i should have the american oak for the bed. and a little more bracing to do and then i can start covering the side's up with stainless steel sheet metal

 

Man, you must come from a noble family, that stuff is _so_ expensive in the netherlands. Everything is 2-3x what you would pay here in the USA. And from what I've read the netherlands is even one of the more lenient countries in western europe.

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Pretty cool build. It's going to be nice when it's done.

 

not on the old stuff maybe up to 20% more expensive than in the Us

the new cars are crazy. taxes on taxes etc..... for example a new camaro base model starts around 70k euro over here
or a new corvette 130k and a zr1 200k

 

Why use oak.?There is a lot of upkeep with that. Deck plate is used on all American Car haulers. Also wood will prolly be x2 the weight.

 

My first car trailer had diamond plating. The second (after the first one was stolen ) I decided to use regular soft wood, douglas fir I think. Works well, though not as fancy as oak. Biggest downside is that it expands and shrinks a LOT with moisture. Biggest upside is that it's not so slippery, and it doesn't dent.
For as much as you're putting into this thing it would be worth it to get the fancier wood though...

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I suppose suppliers like Rockauto and even ebay make it easier now to just mail order the stuff. Back in the 80s/90s when I lived there you had to get parts from the dealers which were outrageous. I had a friend with a caprice classic. God I love those cars. Decided to grab the bull by the horns and just move to the us


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Like said oak looks better, i dont like the daimond plate it looks to modern

 

Time will tell

 

Agree.
I installed my wood after it had been sitting in the rain. I installed it tightly up against each other, and now when it's dried up I have like 1/2" space between the planks. Seems like it's better to install it super dried. Also it seems to work well to make some steel bracketry around it instead of bolts through the wood.

Not sure what the best coating is. I didn't coat mine at all and it seems fine. I was thinking of just putting like engine oil on it. I spilled some on it and it seems to wick in there nicely.

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the truck will be stored inside when its done
so i am not to afraid of the elements hurting the wood.

well got a little more done tonight made about 60 cuts (agian...... )
to make another radius for the lower corners






and its getting shape

 

Beautiful work!

 

Good Luck on the wood btw

 

Ahh, unless you're going to climate control your garage, moisture is everywhere in the lowlands

How did you make the round corners? I think I saw a plasma cutter, but those didn't look like the kind of cuts a plasma cutter makes. Must be a grinder. Then you bend it and weld it together again? Must be very laborious to get such a consistent bend. Each time you weld it will want to twist and straighten out again.
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made the cuts with a cold saw and then used a strap to hold it in place
and weld it

and it didnt twist during welding

 

ahh see there's that noble blood again! thanks for reminding me I've always wanted a cold saw..

 

Cool Project Sander.
Have fun Building.