Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

That was an early start! Truck looks good sitting like that.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

The 47 is coming together real nice, glad also on the camera thing..

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

OK, so I'm a little off track here but I stopped by a salvage yard Monday and picked a 60/40 bench seat from a '90 Chevy truck. I did a test fit and I think it will work fine if I set it up as a 40/60 meaning the long side on the driver side. I will also try and make it tilt at the front for engine access.
Rob
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI0974.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI0975.jpg

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Gotta love chevy for that interchange aspect throughout all the years. I always go with late model benches for the fact of folding them down and utilizing behind the seat.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

They do look right at home there.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

I've been playing with the tranny mount. I think the idea will work but the plates that will be welded to the cross member are an odd shape and are talking a bit of time to figure out. To give that a little time to simmer I've also been building a tilting frame for the seat. When the 2 frames are complete the lower 1 will be welded to the original seat riser. Also you can see the supports are unevenly spaced. They are lined up the the modified slider system on the seats. When all the supports and side panels (under the seat) are welded in a large section of the floor will be removed for front engine access.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI0980.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI0978.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI0979.jpg

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

A little more progress on the seat mount. Both modified seat tracks are welded to a sub-frame, that frame is attached to a lower frame via a piano hinge so it tilts at the front giving access at the engine. Both seats fully adjust fore and aft. I also put the '03 bed back on (needed the shop space) it gives you an idea just how much difference there is in a COE cab and an extended cab. How I will have a Silverado chassis with the looooong bed option
Rob
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI0982.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI0983.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI0987.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI0988.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI0995.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI0994.jpg

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

diggin the seat. thats a nice bed, wish I had it! Love the back shot of the whole truck, really paints the picture on what you can do with it.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

The seat came out real nice.
Kim

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Looks good. Will the steering column and wheel cause interference with the seat tilt?

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Not sure about the steering issue yet AD. I will try and modify the tilt function on the 60 seat to make it like the 40 which folds flat. 99 if you really need a late model bed, I really need enough steel to build a 12 foot flatbed. I also have the complete extended cab body in great shape.
Rob

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Just about done with the seat frame. After adding some boxing plates I removed the center section for front engine access, I also modified the drivers seat (60% side) so it now folds flat. I started on the gas pedal mod. The donor has drive by wire and I really don't care for the looks of the pedal assembly so I'm building a box that houses the modified donor pedal on the outside of the fire wall. Now the stock pedal pushes the push rod which in turn pushes the DBW pedal.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI0997.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI0999.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1000.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1002.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1003.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1005.jpg

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

very nice

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

90% finished with the pedal project. I test mounted a steering column a friend gave me, I think it may be from a early Ford truck or Bronco. It has a 14" wheel and works well for seat clearance issues. I used the stock column location on the floor but moved it about 1" closer to the dash, still seems to work well for feel when seated. I also did a test fit of the master cylinder and booster, it's tight as far as the prop rod and hood support are concerned. I will need to build some kind of a lever system to operate the brakes. You can see I will need to shorten the column a few inches and rotate the rack mounts to allow for steering hook up. Like always, more challenges.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1024.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1015.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1018.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1012.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1011.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1023.jpg

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

One big challenge in general but your doing a great job.:clap:

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

nice progress, what is the reason the booster isn't straight on the FW or under the cab, seems like the off frame distance would allow room for it. always challenges. Something fights me hard just about every time I work on my stuff.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Thanks mud, good question 99. Straight on the fire wall doesn't work for 2 reasons: support rod in the way (easy fix) assembly to long by about 2 inches. Under the floor? I've had master cylinders under the floor before and I don't like not seeing the fluid level at a glance and maintenance is a pain. Not sure if I will still have room under the floor after the radiator is in.
Rob

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

I had a '74 Dodge van that had the master cylinder mounted that way. Looked and worked good.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Yea, I've seen the Dodges done that way. I've been looking for one but have had no luck. I would like some measurements from the pivot area if anyone has one.
Rob

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

yeah Im not a fan of under cab MC's either, I'v seen the 90* ones under dashes which looks like a cluster.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Made some good progress on the brake system today. fabbed up the booster and MC mount, mounted the pedal, and got a good start on the linkage.
Rob
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1032.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1031.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1027.jpg

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

nice progress

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

A little more progress. Stopped for a local shop, great guy. Asked if he had any old ADs for parts. As a matter of fact he did, like 9 or 10 of them. Picked up a column with a descent wheel and a stainless inner window piece for $50. Yea, I'll be seeing him again. Anyway, I got the brake fab work sorted out for the MC and booster, also cut down the column and added a bearing. Need to start working on rotating the rack and pinion unit and then steering hook up.
Rob
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1038.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1041.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1040.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1039.jpg

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

So awesome, you've got to be proud of this project! Great ingenuity.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

ur making quick work of that. great score on the column, those horn buttons are 45 repop and the inner window trim for the door is 85 for non stainless so you scored big time.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Looking good, Rob.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Good progress Rob, thank you for sharing.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Got a good start on rotating the rack. To start with I welded a position reference to the frame. In my case I used some angle iron with one end butted on a step on the rack tube and a couple of hose clamps. By doing it this way I could turn the rack but still maintain the correct position for alignment issues. Next I removed the mounting bolts, loosened the hose clamps and rotated the rack. I ran into 2 minor issues: The cap bolt on the rack would hit the frame cross member and the hose would hit the cross member. Used a hole saw to solve #1 and a hot wrench and a big hammer to solve #2. After I had enough rotation, I just started building up a new mount for the rack (3/16 plate). If you do this type of work I recommend a profile gauge. It really helps when making templates. I first make cardboard templates. I have also found that Natural Lite 12 packs make the best template materiel. Sometimes I have friends over and we work on building up template stock. From there I go from cardboard to steel and weld it all up.
Rob
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1043.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1047.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1056.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1057.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1058.jpg

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

keep chipping away, looks good

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Boy, you have to stay busy to keep anywhere near the top of this forum. Did a little more work on the steering, I still need to build the right side rack (ran out of steel) but I did hook up a U joint and all looks good. I also added a high tech turn signal switch. I'm trying to keep the interior simple with not a lot of bells and whistles showing.
Rob
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1060.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1062.jpg

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

You're doing a nice job on it.
Kim

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Thanks Kim. I did a little work on the rear of the cab. I bent and welded in place a brace for across the rear, I also cut the opening above the engine a little higher for clearance. Later I test fit the the radiator and modified the PS/Alt. mounting bracket to remove the Alt. mount.
Rob
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1063.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1064.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1066.jpg

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

So many different things to address compared to a normal truck, nice work, coming along very nice.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

You are correct about that Mud, seems like just about everything needs addressed in one way or the other.
Made a little more progress rear of the cab: boxed in the sides and built a cover for the rear section. Now for the bad news: I think my welder is taking a dump. It tripped a few times today, the weld is fine but it just won't run for any amount of time and takes longer and longer to reset. I guess I really can't complain, I gotten 10+ years and 4 complete builds out of it.
Rob

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Well I bit the the bullet and bought a new welder. It turns out I bought my Lincoln 135 MIG back in '98 so I would say I got my use out of it. I bought a Hobart Handler 190 Amp. The reviews where good and I wanted some more power so this unit should do the trick.
Photobucket started working again also here are some picks.
Rob
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1071.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1068.jpg

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

nice progress. You'll love the hobart.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Great work, it's looking awesome!

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Looking really good Rob!
Enjoy the new welder.