Loadmaster '47 COE

[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

[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.

[Dieselwrencher]

I bet you're excited about that!

[47 Fasttoys]

Yes, I am and it's great to home. Tonight I wired the new actuator for the shifter, tested it, finished most of the gauge wiring. I have also, in the last few nights, installed and wired a horn, welded the spacers for the gauges, fit the gauges and installed the rebuilt column. About the only thing left on the wiring is to wire the fuel sender, the cruise control, final wiring for the fans and final wiring of the tail lights. I haven't added it up lately but I'm sure I have over 150 hours in wiring this beast. It's one of those jobs I always seem to under-estimate. I need to get some batteries for the camera and shoot a video of the shifter and some updated pictures.
Rob

[reaper71]

I'm with you on the wiring Rob!!!
I did my first wiring job on a 49 dodge truck with an Ls 5.3 and spent WAY more time than I expected!!
Mark..

[47 Fasttoys]

Hey look new batteries, busy day, I finished the tail light wiring, the cruise control wiring, MIL light. I mounted a switch panel to the right of the column which has the MIL light, power to CC switch and a switch for set/accell and coast/decell. The switch to the left operates the actuator for the shifter. Although it's not extremely fast it has loads of extra power. You can also see the spacers for the gauges. All these things will be redone after April's road trip which will give a good chance to work out the bugs.
Rob

[Advanced Design]

Very nice. It would be cool to see a video of the shift actuator in action.

[99 to Life]

the actuator is really cool, hope you make your planned trip without a hitch.

[mud.man.rj]

Gauges look good, nice shift actuator.

[lower50's]

Having an understanding wife makes all the difference. It's coming together really well, its so cool when you get to the point where you can flip a switch and something happens.