Loadmaster '47 COE

[99 to Life]

rob, no doubt man. That GMC looks like a driver. I can't get over how nice it looks and that grille is off the hook. Endless possibilities with these. what are you plans with your donor truck? you using frame and driveline or do you have another frame in mind? Sorry if I missed it.

[47 Fasttoys]

Yep, plans are to use the chassis complete, but move the engine and tranny back a couple of feet to make it a mid-engine. I will try to use as much of the donor parts as I can and sell off the body, interior, bumpers etc. It has the dirve by wire throttle and cable shifted tranny so those things will help for going to mid-engine. It also has R&P steering which should make steering hook up a little easier. Right now it's just planning and stocking up on parts as I'm working in China until late next year.
Rob

[99 to Life]

dang, I couldn't handle being away that long. Especially with fam and awesome projects waiting. The drive by wire is a good feature and score no doubt. Have you found some other guys using these frames? Couple feet back, sounds rather large of move. dunno though, don't have one in front of me to measure off of.

[68GMCCustom]

subscribed.....been thinking about one of these for a couple of years now.

[47 Fasttoys]

Yes, a move to China is not something to be taken lightly, luckily my wife was able to join me and has found a job teaching at an international school. I have been here 2 1/2 years now and have about 1 year left. I do get 1 or 2 home trips per year so it's doable. On the plus side the money is great.
Now back to the important stuff, no I haven't found details on anyone using this chassis but the track is right and a few other details of the donor seem to fit well into the final goal of the truck. As far as the engine setback, the goal is the front of the engine under the rear of the cab with the intake flipped 180 degrees so the TB will be at tranny side. This should allow the front of the intake to sit behind the seat. I will fab up a low mount alternator set up so everything forward of the valve covers will be under the seat. This should leave me with a drive shaft around 20 to 24 inches. That sounds short until you see my FFR Cobra drive shaft, it's 8 inches center to center of of the "U" joints. Anyway, I've got lots of details worked out on paper and have used a tape measure once or twice. I've also done a few EFI swaps and some chassis stuff in the past. If there a major roadblock to this project I haven't found it yet.
Rob

[buggy5872]

Rob,
Have you tried towing anything with the 03? I believe the 4.8 was only good for about 4500 lbs towing. You would probably be ok with the car trailer and cobra but I am not sure about a 5th wheel. If you stay away from hills you might be ok.
Shane

[47 Fasttoys]

Ha , have I towed with?.... I haven't even seen it in person yet. I found it on E-bay, it was close to my house, so I called and had my brother -in law (also a car guy) check it out. The pictures on the web were crap and no one bid on it. I called the guy after the inspection, made a low ball offer and left it at that. Auction closes and 3 days later he calls and we do the deal. All the paperwork is in good order and it runs out good. I've got a lot of pictures from different views.
Shane, as far as towing a 5th wheel goes, I would agree with you in it is a bit much to ask of a 4.8L. After I get it on the road and work out the bugs for a couple of years then I will look at upgrading to a 6.2L or better. Because the LS series engines use the same basic block a swap should be a non issue. Of course the tranny and rear will also need to be addressed, but that stuff is still a coulpe of years away.
Rob

[fondo]

hi rob nice job you are doing to the coe I have a 48 coe I got from Idaho ship to perth western Australia I a need some parts that are not on standard pickup [ hood hingers, hood latch , hood molding under chrome chev molding , radiator cover that is bolted to grill ] do you know of any one that can help me thanks tony

[47 Fasttoys]

Morning Tony, sorry I have no connections for extra COE parts yet. You may try Mothertrucker on the H.A.M.B. web sight Although I'm not sure if he has COE parts he does have a good reputation and may know who has the parts.
Good luck, Rob

[LOW A D]

Love the cabover trucks! I have one underway as well. Must be tough to be so far away from your truck.

[47 Fasttoys]

Well you have to these things in perspective. The truck and other toys are just that....toys. The hard part is being away from the kids and grand kids. At some point in life we all have to make sacrifices, in my case it was a good career move and it has been a once in a life time adventurer, I've got to see thing that most won't have the opportunity to see, my wife have become closer and I've come to realize just how lucky are to be American citizens. I've been to 4 other countries sense starting on this assignment. OK, enough of this mumbo jumbo, yes, I miss the truck. I look at parts, web sights and think up new ideas for it daily. When I do get in the states I go full blast with all the free time I can get. The work you see is only 19 days worth. When I'm done with this deal , at the end of next year, I wont have to be rushed but will still hold a steady pace.
Nuff said.
Rob

[47 Fasttoys]

OK, so I'm playing with some ideas on paint. Please pick 2 and give reasons.
Thanks,
Rob

[ghettoluxury]

While #7 is cool I am going with 1 or 4.

#1 Gives that cool custom Big Rig pickup style that really looks good on the COEs.

#4 Is more of a period correct Big Wrecker look and suits this truck very well.

[47 Fasttoys]

OK, just a few more.
Rob

[_Ogre]

you should rename this thread ''fun with photochop''
8.2, make it a 10 foot bed

[LOW A D]

My first vote is #7 because my dream/retirement project is to build a COE based RV/ motorcycle hauler along these lines. My second choice is #6 as it would make a great puller for a 5th wheel toy hauler which is the other option I am considering. Planning projects is almost as much fun as building them! And much cheaper!!

[99 to Life]

I like quite a few of them, I def like 8 and 8.2 with fold down sides. I'm planning on doing one as a flat bed and maybe one with a long bed, both on air ride. but gotta one one first!! My friend just found one ruff but local to us and just found an amazing one out west, he might be shipping over east. it has drop dead patina. Like all your options there. I like the extended cab ideas, but I can't stand seeing another truck cut up for that. They def are rare to see, but maybe if I found a back half or an extremely beat up front, would I ever consider that.

[skymangs]

Love these Stubs! I'd pick #4... Just looks correct to me. Wrecker sides with flared running boards always appealed to me. Awesome build, subscribed!

[cwolfe]

Choose WTF for sure!

[Bubba54]

very nice build, Im goinig with 8.1 .

Shawn

[47 Fasttoys]

Well that is a shorty for sure. Is that the same truck that used to red with with flames? I remember seeing one a few years ago and it stuck in my head. I think it was re-purchased by the original builder and he's redoing it. A little short for my taste but solid craftsmanship for sure. I think I have decided on 8.2 with the fold down sides. I was able to shoot home for a quick week for Christmas and take a good look at my donor. I think I did really good on picking it up for 5K and even though my wife says it's way to nice to tear apart, it was bought for a donor and that is what it will be used for. I'm thinking I will get home for 2 weeks in April, and live in the shop for at least a week of that time, so a good deal of work will get done then.

Rob

[mud.man.rj]

Had a good look at the 47 COE and you have a really nice build there, I too like the standard cab with fold down sides, very useful. Cool build.

[99 to Life]

your donor would be my best daily driver!!! hope you get back at it. I'm sure your itching.

[47 Fasttoys]

Yeah, it's nicer then anything I've ever had for a DD also, the '46 in the background is my daily, has been for 10 years now, so I am a firm believer that these things can be built as everyday transportation. I've also got a FFR Cobra for track days and nice weather days. The COE will fit into the mix and double as a tow vehicle for a yet to be had camper. My wife has the Mini Cooper but really likes the old stuff so I get a lot of leeway when playing with the car hobby.
Rob

[99 to Life]

well you should be able to fetch a decent penny off of selling the body off. Thats cool your wife is into older stuff. Def makes life alot easier. I def need an older daily, I'm sick of 2x4 s10 with no balls. I wanna do up my 63 truck for a daily and keep all my AD trucks for cruisers.