Loadmaster '47 COE

[99 to Life]

I think you got it pretty on point, maybe get seat moched up bf you do your pedals and steering, thats about all I'd suggest.

[Advanced Design]

With 99's suggestion I believe that covers the major items in a good sequence. Then all the other items..bumper, fuel tank, lines...Is the battery mount in the electrical center?
Hopefully your three weeks will go by quickly!

[47 Fasttoys]

At this point I'm not sure where I will put the battery. You make a good point on the seat , I will do that before the pedals and column. If I have an option on radiator placement, would you guys recommend behind the grill with an electric fan or under the cab using the original mechanical clutch fan?
Rob

[Advanced Design]

Where would the radiator have the best airflow?

[99 to Life]

yeah good point on the radiator. if worse comes to it, you could make air ducts to help get flow to the rad if its in a awkward position. The fan situation will be dependent on space. I think the Efan is the way to go for not only tight fit but why not gain a little extra performance by not running the mech fan. I don't think cooling will be any issue.

as for battery, I like having easy access to it. I put mine behind my seat, run a kill switch in the cab.

[ghettoluxury]

I would leave the radiator up front and use electric puller. That way you can still pop the hood and have your coolant tank at easy access. As far as the battery I think I would also mount it under the hood.

[47 Fasttoys]

OK, all good points. If I can fit the donor radiator behind the grill I will put it up front with electric fans. Because the sheet metal and grill mounting will be custom anyway due to the frame I can incorporate a mount system for the wider radiator. For the battery I'm thinking in a box mounted to the frame. With a flat bed I should have a lot of space to work with behind the cab.
Rob

[Billys68SS]

Battery closer to engine and all electronics= less wiring and potential for resistance build in battery cables. :-) My .02 worth. I like the idea of the larger radiator up front with an electric fan system so it can at least get some air while cruising and less demand on the fan.

[99 to Life]

I see what billy is saying and do agree, but if done right I don't foresee any problems. heck alot of drag cars have battery in back with the killswitch sticking out. Just need to run proper gauge wire. I think your build is a bit different than most of us whom aren't so fortunate to have a COE yet! You have alot more options or maybe less in some cases on where you can put stuff. I hope these next few weeks fly by. you home for good or just a break? may have missed that.

[47 Fasttoys]

Home for good, 3 years, 4 months, 15 days. It's a long time to be away with only short home visits. Its been a good adventure but I'm ready for it to end. Now it's time to enjoy some of the fruits of my labor. I've got a good start on the C.O.E. and now will have the time and a little cash to build it right. I expect to have it road worthy with a modern drive train,modern suspension, restored interior and basically a dependable daily driver/work truck in around six to eight months for around 20K. That puts me in the middle of next summer for a 2 to 3 week road trip across America. I've done this in a '31 Oakland 3 window street rod, a '69 Mercury Cougar and my '46 1/2 ton hauling a pop-up. By far some of the greatest times that can be had in this great country of ours.
Rob

[47 Fasttoys]

While we're on the subject of E-fans. I understand the later Silverados used E-fans. Does anyone know if the radiator is the some size on the 2003 verses the 2007 or newer Silverados? or on what year they switched?
Thanks,
Rob

[47 Fasttoys]

OK, so I quit being lazy, it looks like the radiator is the same from '99 to 2012 and the E-fans started in 2005 so a trip the to the junk yard should solve the E-fan issue when the time comes.
Rob

[Advanced Design]

Love the road trip plans for the truck! Was thinking about your build and wondering if there would be any coolant flow issues? Probably not...many vehicles have been built with radiator away from the engine.

[99 to Life]

glad to see you back on it. jet lag sux. can't wait to see some more progress.

[Advanced Design]

Awesome, welcome back! Gotta be a great feeling. Looking forward to frequent and fast updates.

[47 Fasttoys]

OK, so today I rebuilt the front body mounts. I ended up raising the front 1 1/2 inches to give some more tire clearance. It's fine for the inside now but I will need to change tires for the fender clearance. I tacked things in place and then removed the body to install plates on the rear and final welding. Boy, I really need to figure out how to set this camera up.
Rob

[99 to Life]

glad to see some progress, looks good. are you using a camera or a cell phone?

[47 Fasttoys]

So, for this morning I shortened the brake line, it was originally mounted to the frame piece I removed. I also remounted the cab and just for kicks pulled the tube which was used to set ride height and dropped it down to see how low it could go. This view is against the bump stop with a tall tire. For sure I could drop it to the bumper with some minor mods. I also installed the drive shaft (just the rear). It looks like it will work good. This is what happens when you wake up at 3:00 due to big time changes. Oh, and I think I got the camera thing figured out, date is still off.
Rob

[401ton]

Thanks for posting pics, but especially thanks for fixing the camera thing!

[Advanced Design]

That was an early start! Truck looks good sitting like that.

[mud.man.rj]

The 47 is coming together real nice, glad also on the camera thing..

[47 Fasttoys]

OK, so I'm a little off track here but I stopped by a salvage yard Monday and picked a 60/40 bench seat from a '90 Chevy truck. I did a test fit and I think it will work fine if I set it up as a 40/60 meaning the long side on the driver side. I will also try and make it tilt at the front for engine access.
Rob

[99 to Life]

Gotta love chevy for that interchange aspect throughout all the years. I always go with late model benches for the fact of folding them down and utilizing behind the seat.

[Advanced Design]

They do look right at home there.

[47 Fasttoys]

I've been playing with the tranny mount. I think the idea will work but the plates that will be welded to the cross member are an odd shape and are talking a bit of time to figure out. To give that a little time to simmer I've also been building a tilting frame for the seat. When the 2 frames are complete the lower 1 will be welded to the original seat riser. Also you can see the supports are unevenly spaced. They are lined up the the modified slider system on the seats. When all the supports and side panels (under the seat) are welded in a large section of the floor will be removed for front engine access.