'47 Loadmaster COE (rebuild pictures)

[47 Fasttoys]

4-2-2015
Actually the sink drain does have about a 1/4 gap below the cap for drainage. As far as the duel rear wheels go, I would like to do that later. Oh and yes the bed is removable, 12 1/2 bolts, 2 quick disconnect wire connectors and 1 hose clamp, even the tool boxes come off with the bed. Oh, and has anybody seen a engine cover laying on the side of, or in the middle of the road? I think I may have failed to tighten the retaining bolt down and mine decided to find it's own way in life on my way to work.
Rob

[47 Fasttoys]

4-3-2015
OK, so shes packed, fluids checked, tires checked etc... the bed is done for a while. I even mounted a outside mirror. I'll send a few shots from the road.
Rob

[47 Fasttoys]

4-6-2015
Truck is running great....but, the windshield leaks bad, the wipers came loose and the carpet is a sponge. But hey, where having a great time. Fixed the wipers while at a friends house. Pulled and dried the carpet. Going deep sea fishing today so I guess I'll be on biggest catch by tomorrow
Rolling on,
Rob

[47 Fasttoys]

4-7-2015
Fishing was fun, we landed 47 fish (18 keepers) in 3 hours. Added a power converter to the fire wall and an additional power outlet to the dash for things like computer, work light etc... Will be rolling up the pan handle today to who knows where. For the wind shield leaks, it's leaking in 3 or 4 places so no repairs for that are planned while on the road. From this point on we have no time constraints so if we get stuck in heavy rain we'll just pull off for a while.
Rob

[47 Fasttoys]

4-7-2015
'47 Chevy mobile home in Perry Florida. Now you know why I have a 12 foot flat bed, no snakes!

[47 Fasttoys]

4-10-2015
Rolling on, "The Armadilla Killa", In Florida they have the retirees version of the Cadillac ranch in Texas, the Airstream ranch. Where old 2 ton Chevys go to die. In Louisiana now headed for headed for Marshall TX. and then the turn for up north. I did do a little work on the truck adding some lift spacers to the front coils for clearance, only got about 1/2" lift and need about another 1/2" but will wait on that, I also picked up an engine cover at a Pick a Part while in Mississippi for $13.
Rob

[47 Fasttoys]

4-11-2015
Been in Marshall TX for a couple of days now, why Marshall? why not! Picture 1 is what happens when your wiper linkage loosens up again. This is twice now this has happened and I hope it is the last. We went to a cruise-in in Marshall and saw a few neat rides. Tomorrow its off to Little Rock AK. for dinner with friends, then West Memphis to deposit some cash at the dog track.
Rob

[47 Fasttoys]

4-16-2015
Well, my road trip has come to an end. It was a great trip with only minor issues: the leaky wind shield, multiple problems with the wipers and tire rubbing on tight turns. The first 2 still need to be fixed but the tire rubbing issues was fixed in Searcy Arkansas thanks to the guys from Audio Envy, it's a small shop that had a couple of lowered truck projects out front, I stopped in and they where more then helpful by loaning me a spring compressor and even went to get me some used stock springs from a local junk yard all for $70, heck they made me some garage wall art while I worked on the truck. Great cars guys for sure.
We drove around 3400 miles and averaged 17.64 MPG, of this mileage only about 200 where Interstate. The rest of it was in real America. Hundreds of pictures where taken of the truck and I'm sure it's popping up on the web on various sites. Talked to a lot people during our travels and have a lot of stories of things that happened on the road.
So what's next? I picked up steel today for more work on the bed and have been playing with ideas for a slide on camper.
Of course "To be Continued"
Rob

[47 Fasttoys]

5-19-2015
OK, so I kinda fell off the map for a bit. I did get the wheels fit and painted. I had to counter-sink the holes deeper due to the 14mm studs the late model truck uses. It also turns out you can not get this style of wheel in a 5" back spacing so a flare needed to be added to the bed, one side is complete. Other then that the truck is running great and I've topped over 8K miles now. Oh yea, I also took it to a car show Sunday and picked up a Top 15 out of about 60 cars so I was happy with that, I also ran it at the 1/8 drag strip a few times with a best of 10.390 seconds, not to bad for a big truck.
Rob

[47 Fasttoys]

8-15-2015
Been away from working on the COE for a bit. Put a new engine in the '46 and helping a friend with his 59. Also working on a '50 Olds Rocket 88 for another friend. Driving the COE every day so the miles are racking up, almost 15K now.
I did do a test on the COE. My plans are air bags and a hydraulic tilt bed. The good news is the Cobra does fit.
Rob

[47 Fasttoys]

8-16-2015
Thanks all, how did I load the Cobra? I cheated, lift Cobra on lift, back truck under, lower Cobra, BINGO. Later I will install a hydraulic tilt, air bags and some long ramps. The plans are to run it through the summer and tear it back apart this winter for some frame reinforcements and a lot of detail work.

By the way, the TOM contest for this month is heavy haulers, I will enter my truck and could use all the support you guys can offer.
Thanks,
Rob
8-24-2015
Thank's all for your support. It looks like it's gonna be close. I'm not out of it yet, but I need a push for sure. If you have looked over my build and followed my road trips you know my truck is a home built daily driver, not much more I can do at this point. Just the same, all the trucks in the running are worth your consideration. Oh, and by the way, I did top it out the other morning (in Mexico of course) looks like 112 is all shes got. Nothing like trying to push a barn down the highway.
Rob

[47 Fasttoys]

11-24-2015
So I haven't been posting a lot lately but I have been driving the snot out of the COE. I checked it today and I'm just over 22K miles. Having some minor issues but nothing major at all. After watching all you guys having all the fun I decided it was time for me to get started on some winter projects. I have a list of upgrades I want to get done before next summers trip so now is a good to get started. First up: Air ride.
I'm making my own system as much as I can, some parts I will to buy, some I will acquire and some I will build.
The only things I'm am set on is this whole process must be reversible and I would like to keep the truck down time to a minimum. I started by making my own cups and relocating the shocks. At this point I've completed the muck up of one side just to put it back to stock until some control parts get ordered and arrive (4 play valve system)
Rob

[47 Fasttoys]

12-2-2015
Marc, you sir are correct! not at the store yet. Just the same, thank for the props guys. I never built this rig with any serious show plans or out for any kind "look at what I own" kind of deal, but I must admit, getting it in print and winning the TOTM for this site are really big deals for me. You guys have all given knowledge and ideas to this group of ours which has helped many a builder, like myself, keep these old jewels alive.
Rob

[youngrodder]

I like the idea that you are bagging your COE...It will look great.

Marc

[47 Fasttoys]

I have been asked to post up my wiring for my shifter. It is included in the attached picture. This is the drawing I made for my speaker panel, which folds down. The 2 wires which leave the switch labeled shifter go to a 12 volt linear actuator, 3.5 inch stroke, 250 foot pounds of force. Bought off E bay. Basically I use the switch ( DPDT ) to switch polarity to the actuator for push/pull of the shirter arm on the transmission. The lights give me an indication of what gear I'm in. This has worked well for over 135K miles, so it has been tested.
Hope it helps.
Rob

[rickairbound1]

Hey! I'm told you're the guy to ask about COE grills. I'm building a 49 Chevy COE and need a grill or at least grill bars. I've been too many different stories about bar grills from a 49 Chevy truck. Do you know if the bars are the same size or do I need to find donor bars from a COE.
Thanks, Rick

[6DoF]

so much win in this thread!

[47 Fasttoys]

Bars are the same, rear bar splash part is not the same. Bar mounting brackets are not the same and are also different from large truck due to cut for steering box on COE. This info is from me measuring my 47 COE and a 50 1/2 Suburban I used to own. The difference in smaller and larger trucks is the vertical spacing.

[G&R's57GMC]

Been awhile ... how did the air suspension work out ? Also what about the tilt bed ?
Curious minds want to know

[47 Fasttoys]

Interesting you should ask, tilt bed never happened. Air ride worked good but later removed front bags and went back to stock springs. The issue was it could not hold correct alignment and I could not get more then 30K miles out of a set of front tires. Rear bags are still in place and I use them when the camper is on the back. As for the overall truck, its doing great, closing on 200K miles on the build. Up to 43 states including Alaska. Still my daily driver. As expected I have had a few issues over the years: Radiator cracked side tank, 2 transmissions, 1 U joint, 3 sets of brake pads, 2 water pumps, a few sets of tires. Basic maintenance issues so no real surprises. I have finally come up with the most comfortable bucket seats (2011 VW Golf). And now I found out today my AC condenser is leaking at its core.
Rob