Loadmaster '47 COE

[Dieselwrencher]

Very nice work and thanks for the pics of the hoist hook up on the post. It just makes me think the hoist would be trying to tip over while picking it up that far out in front of the hoist. That's my kind of luck.

[47 Fasttoys]

OK, with the engine cart complete it was time bring the cab into play. On my last trip I built a cab cart, with this cart I have the final ride height and angle set. I rolled the cab and engine in line to see how things lined up.


As expected some trimming is required.


With the rear of the cab trimmed things are looking good without to much interference into the rear area.

[47 Fasttoys]

With a hole in the cab it was time to set the cab on the chassis.


After setting the center using plum lines I set the front to rear by where the tire looked in the fender, I chose a little forward of center.

This also gave me the first look at how the steering would work out.


Yeah I know the welds look like crap at this point, I will redo them later.
You can also see I have removed the springs and installed tubes to set the ride height.


Rob

[Dieselwrencher]

Good work setting the cab on the frame. Not trying to nit pick, but did you clean or grind any of the grime away before you tried welding your bracing to the frame?

[47 Fasttoys]

Yes I did, that is the worst of the bunch. I will be pulling the cab back off a few times to redo the welds, add some gussets and do a general clean up the chassis. Nit pick away, I'm always open to advice, I looked for a build manual for this truck but couldn't fine one.
Rob

[Dieselwrencher]

Build manual, , that's funny.

[faribran]

I think we are in the middle of one NOW !

[47 Fasttoys]

With the cab now in place it was time set the engine/trans in the final location. I took the original motor mount stands, cut them up, mounted them back to the engine and tacked 2"X2" stands under them, after having stands in place I mounted the stands to a 2"X2" cross member.





After having a cross member complete I built 2 mount plates for the outside of the frame. With the engine in it's final location and at proper angle I welding the cross member inside these plates. I did end up setting the engine/trans 1 inch to the passenger side, on the original '03 it was also offset and by doing this I will be able to center the trans mount in the raise of the old carrier support cross member. I was also able to raise the engine another inch under the cabl giving me a total of 8 inches of clearance from pan to pavement.


This of course created one more issue: clearance for the water neck. Remove, cut, weld.


Rob

[ghettoluxury]

Progress looks good.

[47 Fasttoys]

Well that's about as far as I got on the last home trip. Later this year I will be done with the China deal and be able to get back on the build. I did bring the wiring harness back with me so I have a little work on.

[47 Fasttoys]

Also of interesting note I did a little sanding on the hood while I was home to reveal " BAR-J'S RANCH" I am not sure what Bar-Js was, I do know it would have been in Southern Colorado and it would have been on the original darker blue paint. Any guess as to what this truck would have been used for?

Rob

[99 to Life]

nice progress, can't wait to do a COE someday (maybe when I get a lift). When will you be back in the states?

[mud.man.rj]

Coming together nice, the cab is just so cool looking, tall, old skool but stubby front, can't wait to see it roadworthy.

[Advanced Design]

Really like this build....the build process of course and especially like the long distance planning followed by enthuastic progress once you return home.

A google search of Bar J ranch came up with a Bar J chuckwagon that originated at a Bar J ranch in Jackson Wyoming. http://www.barjchuckwagon.com/

Subscribed!

[Purcell69]

Great build! As far as the Bar J use, my guess would be to haul hay or other feed. A flat bed on the back would have been handy for a stack of hay bales.

Keep up the good work.

-Joe

[47 Fasttoys]

Hey 99, looks like I'll be done here around September to Decemberof this year. For me, next week would be fine. Once I get back I can get on a regular working pace for the truck. It shoud be on the road sometime in mid 2015. Thanks for the comments guys, I am happy with the way it is progressing.
Rob

[47 Fasttoys]

So now I'm nee deep in tearing the wiring harness apart and got to thinking: where am I going to mount all the electronics? There are my options 1. Inside the cab behind the seat, passenger side. 2. Build or buy an enclosure and mount them inside it on the right side on the chassis. 3. ???
What I'm looking at is this; ECM 4" X 10" X 8", TAC Module 6" X 5" X 1", 1 or 2 other modules as needed, a custom fuse panel (10 to 12 circuit, size unknown) 3 to 5 relays and a lot of wires (100 plus).
Ideas??
Rob

[ghettoluxury]

I like option #1, everything will be nice, dry and cleanly tucked of the way.

[Advanced Design]

I too like inside the cab though we mounted the PCM and relays under the hood on one of my projects to avoid having a large pass through in the body. Easy enough to build around though.

[99 to Life]

I think behind the seat would be a good location too.

[47 Fasttoys]

Well, I got the wiring harness completed as far as I can at this point. I stripped all the unneeded circuits and separated all the remaining circuits and those back to the ECM. Because most of the circuits will need to be adjusted for length with the rotating of the intake and a new location for the electronics there was no reason to maintain the original layout. pulled all the wires. It's good to get this done but now I have no more parts to work on while I wait to return.

I did see a new micro car today. .3L, 10HP and 4 small Chinese. 0-60MPH...nope can't get there. Top speed around 40MPH.


Rob

[Kim57]

Nice clean job on the wires.
That looks like a sardine can with wheels.
Kim

[99 to Life]

very nice looking, one big thing off the list.

[918733]

Can you get me a job working with you so I can have some time off every now and then to work on my truck

[47 Fasttoys]

Time off to work on the truck? Lets see here, I bought the truck on vacation in 2012, I have worked on the truck a total of 31 days in the last 2 years, other then that it's planning and work on the wiring harness. I wish I had time even in the same country. 4 to 6 more months and then I'll have some real time on the truck. On the other hand, the Job has been rewarding.
Rob