Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

That's awesome Rob.....gotta feel really cool to have your truck publicized like that. How is the air ride coming?

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

I've been playing with paint and went back to the 30 foot COE idea, just think of the storage. I also added my camper. Will be back on the bags Saturday.
Rob
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...d%20airdam.png

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Well I received a few parts in and did a little work on some upgrades today.
For my air tank I'm using an old 5 gallon portable air can I refitted with an air line to supply the manual air control valve.
Interesting enough is the face dimensions of the Little Larry's air control valve matches the opening size of the radio delete plate on the dash.
Pictured is the Altman latch being installed, the refitted air can and the pressure gauges (2 dual for the bag pressures and 1 single for the tank.) and the manual control valve for the air ride. Even though the plan was to do the final install of the front air bags today it was decided with the passenger door popping open while turning a corned the other day the latch install became a priority.
Rob
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI0096.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI0099.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI0100.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI0098.jpg

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Nice parts, like the valve. How much hacking did ya have to do for those claw latches? What brand, where did you get them and how much? Thanks

Oh, and that 30 ft. Coe looks pretty rad, lol. Watch the rr tracks, haha....

Chance

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

The latches are from Classic Parts, they are the Altman set that are commonly used. $350. You do have to remove a piece about 1 1/2" X 3" but it comes with a good template.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Making a little more progress on the air ride system. I decided to put the gauges and controls behind the speaker grill. I will need to hinge the bottom and make some kind of latch system, but others have done it so maybe I can figure something out. I had to build a box to recess the controls. I will also relocate my switches for the cruise control, check engine light, shifter switch, compressor control switch and gear position lights in the same space so I can get those things off the dash to clean things up a bit. My bends are a little on the crude side but I don't have a brake so all that stuff was done with a hammer and cut off wheels. The last picture is something else I may try this winter.
Rob
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI0105.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI0107.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI0110.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI0112.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI0109.jpg

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Looks good Rob. That is where they were in my 48 truck.

Hey, the visor will be a nice addition.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Hey AD, do you have pictures of how you did the hinge of the speaker grill? How did you control your bag system and how did you like it? This is my first truck on air so I still have a lot to learn.
Thanks,
Rob

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Thanks for the idea Rob. I may do something similar but not use the grill.

The visor is a must have.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Rob,

We used piano hinge for the bottom of the grill push magnets to secure the grill at the top. Overall it worked pretty well. The system was a three channel with switches for left and right front (the top switches) and a single for the rear. And two gauges with four needles. LF, RF, Rear and tank pressure.

Since it was all manual I had to remember to open the speaker grill to monitor the gauges on a periodic basis.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Looks good for hand tools

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Nice work! I agree, looks great even if using hand tools! I like your air control valve too!

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

OK, so I was picking up some stuff on the plant site today and while leaving I stopped on the scales. So... what do you think? I'll give some hints: the donor was 6400#, weights front to rear are with in 100# of each other (it's a sports car baby), 10 gallons of gas.
Rob

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

4600#

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

6500lbs?

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

5000lbs

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

5150 ----- ? ;)

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

I'll take 6100Lb no gas please bob parker!!

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

WOW, PTC you should go buy a lottery ticket. Total weight without driver 5120#, 2600# on the front axle and 2520# on the rear. Let's see here: put some large sway bars on it, some sticky tires, a posi. rear end, section the body about 10 inches, chop the top 6 inches= autocross rocket....or not. OK, I'll stop LOL
Rob

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Got the lay out for the control panel completed. With this panel I will be able to remove everything from below the dash except the factory stuff.
Rob
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI0116.jpg

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Panel looks great!!! Easy access is always good. 5000lbs not bad at all. I was hoping mine would be around 5000lbs but seeing yours is I'm thinking I'll be over that.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Made a little more progress on the air system. You know, until you go about building this hot rod stuff it's hard to imagine how much time all the little tasks associated with these projects take. OK, so I fabbed up 2 mounting tubes and welded to the main cab support tube. For the tank I have removed the handle and stand and welded mount stands to it (not shown), also painted the control center.
Rob
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI0117.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI0119.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI0121.jpg

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Lookin purty

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Glad I'm not the only one that feels the same way on the little things taking much longer than you think. Well said. can't wait to see it laid out.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

It's the 80 / 20 rule in building.

Panel looks good Rob. Did you decide what to do with the speaker grill?