Loadmaster '47 COE

[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.

[Dieselwrencher]

The wiring is looking great! The spacers fit well, keep up the great work!

[47 Fasttoys]

Another mild stone: I drove the COE out of the shop for the first time today. Mind you, I have spacers in place of the front springs right now so it rides like a wagon. I also mounted the new front tires and it sets a little lower then I thought it would. Other items, I built a temporary mount for the battery, mounted the front bumper, finished the front clip mounting, mounted the hood latches, finished the fan wiring and did a little more work on the brakes (small leak). So what do you think, is the first picture a little low for ride height? I also learned light tubes do not hold up under the power of a cab roof and a 9K lift. In the later pictures that is the target ride height. I also utilized the COE only option of the temporary door latch. The last small picture is a crappy video.
Rob

[99 to Life]

so sick man, I luuuuuv the stance. sounding good too. that thing looks awesome, can't wait to see the bed on there. BTW I really really want a COE almost more than a burb, so your a lucky man!

[lower50's]

That looks so cool!! Sounds good too. You must be so happy.

[Advanced Design]

Congratulations on the first drive out! Nice door latch option too.
From the angle the truck looks good from the front.

[Billys68SS]

Real nice! I LOVE IT! Happy for you!

[reaper71]

It's got to feel good!!
Most non car people just won't get it but it's a pretty awesome feeling driving something for the first time that you built with your blood,sweat and tears!!
Congrats...

Mark..

[Clarance J]

Hey Rob, hook up some jumper cables to your door lock and make them electric door locks. Great job. Its come along way from that truck you found in Colorado. Still enjoying the build. That road trip sure sounds like a lot of fun. Good luck.

Earl

[47 Fasttoys]

Thanks all, after I get the rest of the cab put together I will put the donor springs back in to give it a real test drive and see if I will need some new lighter load springs. Air bags may be in the future but for now I just need to get this thing sorted out.
Rob

[47 Fasttoys]

Well I cut the springs (1 coil) put them back in, spent about 6 hours rebuilding the drivers door, a lot of that time was just trying to get it to latch good. After all that I took it for it's first official test drive, 25 miles. No real issues and everything seems to work good except the head lights need some adjustments. Heck even the cruise worked great. I'm stoked. I'll be starting on the bed this week end.
Rob

[Kim57]

Looks pretty slick.
Kim

[Advanced Design]

Congratulations Rob! Looks good!

[99 to Life]

so good to hear. can't wait to see it with the bed. yeah the stock latches can be a pain, thats why I'm just going with bear claws on my current build.

[mud.man.rj]

Congrads, bet it was nice to take it for a rip, looks even better with the 1" drop, can't wait to see more. Good work....No..great work.

[lower50's]

Great job!! Good to hear your first drive went well, makes finishing the build easy.

[47 Fasttoys]

Been making some more progress. Finished both floor covers with seals, finished passenger side seat belt mount. Still on target for a Virginia road next week end. I plan on driving it to work all next week to get a feel for it and see what bugs need to be worked out during the week.
Rob

[99 to Life]

nice work and good luck this coming week. hope you make your trip.