Loadmaster '47 COE

[99 to Life]

now thats a true first start there, unlike most guys that fire it up, tune it a bit and claim its a first start!!!!! Man I'v been pumped to do an LS for a few years now, have one sitting, almost not looking forward to all the variables involved, but I'm sure its well worth it. 20 plus MPG and plenty of torque, can't beat that.

[66farmer]

Congratulations on your first start up. Watching your video made me think of another question to ask. How tall is the truck and how do you fit in it. I'm 6'5" and I'm thinking it might be a little tight.
Thanks

[Advanced Design]

Rob, your first start video was awesome! Fuel leak, someone standing by with fire extinguisher, mouse nest out of exhaust, and a running engine..best thing I've seen all day!

[47 Fasttoys]

Thanks all, it's a good feeling for sure. Of course I have some bugs to work out but that goes with any build. Farmer, I am using a '90 Silverado seat which helps give a little more space. I'm 6'2" and I fit fine. I'll shoot a picture next time I have the seat in for a reference. For total height right now I'm at 6'11 1/2" that's with a 7' garage door. Yes, it's gonna be close. I do have a smaller set of tires for the front which should give me 1/4 to 1/2" That's also with suspension at stock ride height. If I really wanted, I could drop it to the bumper using drop spindles and bags. I may go the bag route later but more for load then the slammed look.
Rob

[ghettoluxury]

The LS engines take a few times of running to learn there idle. When I bought my 2000 Z71 it had set for 2 years with a blown engine and no battery. After putting in a new engine it took about a week of driving before it fully picked up is idle.

[47 Fasttoys]

Yea, I was kinda thinking that. I ran a scan on it and I've got no codes so that's a good thing. I'm kinda in a holding pattern on a whole lot of run time. I'm waiting on my gauges so I can install the temperature sender in the head and then I'll put some water in it and run it up to temp. Trust me, I've got plenty of other things that still need addressed before my first road test. I'm looking at later this month for that with a short road trip (say 500 miles) next month. In April it gets a real test with over 3000 miles planned so I better get it right.
Rob

[99 to Life]

My guess is the temp sending unit isn't even reading if there isn't water in it. That might be setting the idle off. I'd def run it up to temp and its good to know sometimes they take a min to gather their memory.

[47 Fasttoys]

Parts are coming in now. My gauges arrived (on time) with a free T shirt. My tool box also arrived. I will end up cutting it in half for a 36" box for each side. Got my new heater blower motor installed and mounted the unit in the cab. A little elongating of the mounting holes was required with the 12V replacement motor. I have started to notice a trend here, the heater is on my wife's side, she has the painted door, she has glass in her door, an armrest etc...
Rob

[401ton]

Originally Posted by 47 Fasttoys

Wheelbase is 143.5 (extended cab). Yes, I would use the same donor. Why? Drive by wire, correct track, easy steering hook up, strong aftermarket support (LS based engine) most donor parts are reusable with little of minor mods. on the down side: good donors are not cheep, 5K in my case. Only the 1/2 tons use the rack and pinion steering. Not a lot of examples to build from on the net so you need to figure out most of the mods on your own.

I've been watching your build thread and wondered if a guy wanted to have a shorter pickup bed type truck, would a standard/non-extra cab workout OK or is there something else I would run into?
I was thinking 8' ish bed.

[lower50's]

cool

[47 Fasttoys]

I would think a shorter bed would work, the issue may be drive shaft length. For mine the drive shaft is 37". I have seen much shorter (my FFR Cobra is 8") but on a truck I would want a minimum of 12". Now if you where to mount the engine more under the cab then yes an 8' bed would work.
Rob

[lower50's]

Just finished reading your whole build, your doing an amazing job. It's very rewarding in the end to build something that there is no manual for. Good luck on making your goal. I have very similar travel plans with my '52 but not for 2 years. Always liked the COE's. I'd go with the rendition of 8.2!!

[47 Fasttoys]

Not a lot of great pictures but progress just the same. I now have a working headlight switch, blower fan motor for the heater with 3 speed control, working 2 speed wipers and 1 side working park and turn lights, and on a good note the engine is running silky smooth. I put anti-freeze in it and ran it up to temperature a few times and things cleared right up, no more up and down on the idle or hesitation when I press the go pedal. Still some leaks to correct for the brake lines but the the brakes do function. If I can keep up the pace (25 hours a week now) I should be ready for a test drive in less then 2 weeks.
Rob

[Advanced Design]

Great progress Rob! All those details take a lot of time.

[47 Fasttoys]

You got that right AD, it seems like every part needs to be rebuilt or modified in some way when doing a modern chassis swap. Heck, even going from 6 volt with cloth covered wiring to 12 volt takes a bit of work.
Rob

[lower50's]

Good job with the motor. Can't wait to see this.

[47 Fasttoys]

Well, I got all the exterior lights and turn indicators working, also hooked up control cables for the heater, works great. I installed the electric shifter for the first time. I decided to pass on the auto position function for now and just use a DPDT toggle switch for control. I tested the function and it seems to work good but may be a little under sized, on flat ground I think it will be fine but I think on a hill it will not have the power to come out of park. I will order a larger and slower actuator and give that a try. Right now one bump may overshoot the gear indent and I have to go back to get a good set.
And on another note: The wife informed me that before we go on the first road trip next month I need to remove the donor bed and build some type of a flat bed. Just what I needed, one more thing to add on the to do list.
Rob

[Advanced Design]

The actuator is a cool idea. Nice design work on that Rob...that schematic was pretty impressive.

[99 to Life]

congrats on the next hurdle there. wiring can be fun. I always like turning the key and hitting the head lights. just makes it really feel alive to me.

[47 Fasttoys]

Test fit the gauges, also more wiring on the dash. Still waiting on some bushings I will weld to the dash to fill the gap. The gauges light up blue at nightThat's the advantage of doing a rattle can paint job on the interior make some mods and just sand it back and respray. Who knows I may start a new trend, the card board dash. I also rebuilt and the column (new bearings and horn contact bushing.
Rob

[mud.man.rj]

It just gets better and better, do you sleep at all or live in the garage.

[47 Fasttoys]

Lately I think I live in the garage, I really want to have this thing on the road in the next 3 weeks so I'm pushing pretty hard right now. About 25-30 hours a week, and yes, I have a normal job also. My wife is very understanding and supportive and that makes all the difference.
Rob

[iowaboynca]

If your wife is like my wife, she wants it on the road too, wanting to take it for a spin!

[Dieselwrencher]

Great work and progress! It is looking awesome, and that is awesome on firing it right up! Do have to back over seas anytime soon for work, or are you back state side for a while?

[47 Fasttoys]

Nope, I'm done with the overseas work (as far as I know). I did start a new position a couple of weeks ago with a good crew on a new production line so it's all good.