48 Chevy COE custom diesel build

[99 to Life]

dang you got a plasma too, you're killing it. looks better and worth that extra redo, been there done that. as for the frame holes, some holes aren't bad, frames should flex slightly IMO.

[Chance48]

Thanks, I torched it apart this time. It was worth it. My first redo so far, hopefully the last. I'm filling the holes for cosmetic reasons. The bed is gonna tilt up for engine access. Want it to look nice and smooth. I wouldn't fill them if I wasn't doing a tilt bed.

[47 Fasttoys]

Be careful...those holes are the only thing that hold a Dodge together. LOL
Rob

[Chance48]

I'm tryin to trick it into being a Chevy mannnn...shhhhh!

[joedoh]

lookin good!

[Chance48]

Thanks Joe. I'm welding all the frame holes in now. I wished my plasma hole templates where here already, haha.

[Chance48]

Listen, I ordered a chain for a Honda 300 quad, two drive sprockets(one 15tand one14t), 10 3/4" ball bearings, and some 3/4" 36 spline shaft....what am I building??

The winner gets.............nothing, haha.

[47 Fasttoys]

Well, I got a good idea. Not sure where all 10 bearings go but I can account for about 6 of them. Are all the bearing flange style? I'm gonna guess you need about 2 1/2 feet of chain? Maybe some flat stock also?
Rob

[Chance48]

Lol, I do believe your onto something. I do not need all 10 bearings(was cheapest to buy 10), and imma use 8 of them, they are not flange style but prolly should have been, haha. And yes, I need flat bar. And damn, you are close on that chain length. I haven't nailed that down but my guess is close to yours. It's gonna solve a lot of my troubles for a very low cost and fairly easily.

I your opinion, which sprocket should be the driving sprocket if that makes sense, haha?

[47 Fasttoys]

They are so close I don't think it will make a real difference. Now if I had to choose I would go with the 15T considering the original wheel size was based on manual steering. Are you going to use the original column and wheel and do a column mod?
Rob

[Chance48]

I was gonna do the column mod, but I desperately want the blinker switch built in and would like to have auto shifter on the column. I hate to spend the coin on the column I want but it's one of those, never be happy till I do, kinda things, know what I mean...I'm thinking 15 as driving sprocket myself. I like responsive steering, setting on top of the wheels coupled with some responsive steering should be a good feel. Not that I'm road racing the old new gal or anything like that, haha....that would be weird, but in Europe they road race cab overs....still weird.

[Chance48]

Filled all the holes in the frame...I believe there was about 150, haha. Chrysler had some kinda grand plan with all these holes? Now gotta grind it all off then tiger paw it smooth. Worth the effort all day.





Weather is wet as hell right now. I need to blast the bottom of the cab next so I can reinstall it and build rear cab mounts. I gotta fab some sheet metal towers so I need the bottom clean for welding and mating new metal to. Will see what happens with this weather.

[Chance48]

Ah guys, I've had enough of grinding and sanding on this frame. It is finally done except a little bit in the old engine bay area....I'll prolly smear a lil layer of body filler on it when I finish it, just so the small waviness of the weld and bracket removal from the disc will be filled in. Yes, a bit anal I suppose...I shot a film of some ole rattle can black paint on it to prevent some surface rust and also to see how the blemishes would show up. If I went flat black on frame I prolly would see a thing, but I wanna do gloss.





It got cold and it's windy as hell out so I'm knocking off early today.

[48ChevBagged]

Love this build. I have a COE being shipped my way. I pretty much have the same plan for mine as well. Love what your doing with this thing. Keep up the good work.

[47 Fasttoys]

Looks great Chance, that's something I fell a little short on was the frame detailing. I was pushing real hard for a road trip date and had to skip that point. Glad to see you have not.
Rob

[Chance48]

Thanks fellas, looking forward to seein another Coe build thread 48Chev.

Rob, I remember that when I read your entire thread. You can always tear her down in a few years and do what you want to it. I likely wouldn't have been this wild on the frame if I wasn't making the bed tilt.

Chance

[lower50's]

Cool. Are you using single link chain or double?

[Chance48]

Well, I swapped gears. I'm not sure if I accidentally dropped it in a lower one or barked the tires.!








I decided to pull the dash. I'm gonna do a lot of mods to it, also it's pretty nasty on the inside so I wanted to blast it and under side behind it really well and paint. Removed firewall, figured that's easiest and fastest way to smooth it. The entire belt line on rear of cab, the steel that mates top and bottom of cab together, the inside panels around that line all needs replacing. I'm gonna make some calls. I need a new panel that includes the belt line to make my life easier. I think I can replicate the belt on the straight part, but it's those curves on each side that got me worried. I'd love some cab corners and kick panel or whatever panel action as apposed to this. Good way to get broke in real good on my first build though. Gotta get a positive note in there.

Chance

[99 to Life]

dang your doing some surgery. Ripping the dash out is a PIA but is def worth doing because they do get nasty back there. One word of advice would be put some more bracing in there, esp if you move that cab at all. Better safe than sorry.

as for the beltline, are you referring to the one that goes from door all way around back of cab on outside? they sometimes get pitted and rusted. look up Shannon panel on here, he can make you the patches as he has dies to make those areas.

[Chance48]

Thanks 99, I will do that! And yes, that is the area I'm talking about. It's rotted out pretty much all the way around.

Lowers, it's gonna be a single chain.

[Chance48]

99, there is no Shannon panels in the members list. Where else would I look? Thanks

[Chance48]

Well duh....I checked brothers, an advertiser on here. They have inner and outer rear window cab panels...in three window style!!! I always wanted a three window anyways so halalouya! That's gonna hurt my budget but it will allow me to do a quality job much faster. I might even get the new top cab panel. It will allow me to blast the inner front cab panel above windshield and really see how deep the rust is there aswell.

Give me an opinion, do you guys think I should patch weld and seam seal the lower rear cab panel to the new top panel? I think so but maybe experience could chime in with some insight. Thanks.

[99 to Life]

chance, his user name is xpickup, his name is Shannon, use to be on here all the time but he's been real busy lately.

[Chance48]

I actually finally found him. I left him a pm this morning. If I don't hear from him soon, I'll go ahead and use brothers. Thanks again 99.

Chance

[99 to Life]

cool, I'll text him and tell him to get on it.