Loadmaster '47 COE

[47 Fasttoys]

A little more progress on the seat mount. Both modified seat tracks are welded to a sub-frame, that frame is attached to a lower frame via a piano hinge so it tilts at the front giving access at the engine. Both seats fully adjust fore and aft. I also put the '03 bed back on (needed the shop space) it gives you an idea just how much difference there is in a COE cab and an extended cab. How I will have a Silverado chassis with the looooong bed option
Rob

[99 to Life]

diggin the seat. thats a nice bed, wish I had it! Love the back shot of the whole truck, really paints the picture on what you can do with it.

[Kim57]

The seat came out real nice.
Kim

[Advanced Design]

Looks good. Will the steering column and wheel cause interference with the seat tilt?

[47 Fasttoys]

Not sure about the steering issue yet AD. I will try and modify the tilt function on the 60 seat to make it like the 40 which folds flat. 99 if you really need a late model bed, I really need enough steel to build a 12 foot flatbed. I also have the complete extended cab body in great shape.
Rob

[47 Fasttoys]

Just about done with the seat frame. After adding some boxing plates I removed the center section for front engine access, I also modified the drivers seat (60% side) so it now folds flat. I started on the gas pedal mod. The donor has drive by wire and I really don't care for the looks of the pedal assembly so I'm building a box that houses the modified donor pedal on the outside of the fire wall. Now the stock pedal pushes the push rod which in turn pushes the DBW pedal.

[izzy_Britton]

Originally Posted by 47 Fasttoys

[snip]I started on the gas pedal mod. The donor has drive by wire and I really don't care for the looks of the pedal assembly so I'm building a box that houses the modified donor pedal on the outside of the fire wall. Now the stock pedal pushes the push rod which in turn pushes the DBW pedal.

[/snip]

I know i am coming late to this party. I am on page 6(ish) of this thread. I just had to comment on this...

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT! beautiful way to think outside the box.

I been wanting to build a COE for ages. i think SWMBO is onboard after showing her some of the trucks here and elsewhere.

[99 to Life]

very nice

[47 Fasttoys]

90% finished with the pedal project. I test mounted a steering column a friend gave me, I think it may be from a early Ford truck or Bronco. It has a 14" wheel and works well for seat clearance issues. I used the stock column location on the floor but moved it about 1" closer to the dash, still seems to work well for feel when seated. I also did a test fit of the master cylinder and booster, it's tight as far as the prop rod and hood support are concerned. I will need to build some kind of a lever system to operate the brakes. You can see I will need to shorten the column a few inches and rotate the rack mounts to allow for steering hook up. Like always, more challenges.

[mud.man.rj]

One big challenge in general but your doing a great job.

[99 to Life]

nice progress, what is the reason the booster isn't straight on the FW or under the cab, seems like the off frame distance would allow room for it. always challenges. Something fights me hard just about every time I work on my stuff.

[47 Fasttoys]

Thanks mud, good question 99. Straight on the fire wall doesn't work for 2 reasons: support rod in the way (easy fix) assembly to long by about 2 inches. Under the floor? I've had master cylinders under the floor before and I don't like not seeing the fluid level at a glance and maintenance is a pain. Not sure if I will still have room under the floor after the radiator is in.
Rob

[T Hilde]

I had a '74 Dodge van that had the master cylinder mounted that way. Looked and worked good.

[47 Fasttoys]

Yea, I've seen the Dodges done that way. I've been looking for one but have had no luck. I would like some measurements from the pivot area if anyone has one.
Rob

[99 to Life]

yeah Im not a fan of under cab MC's either, I'v seen the 90* ones under dashes which looks like a cluster.

[47 Fasttoys]

Made some good progress on the brake system today. fabbed up the booster and MC mount, mounted the pedal, and got a good start on the linkage.
Rob

[99 to Life]

nice progress

[47 Fasttoys]

A little more progress. Stopped for a local shop, great guy. Asked if he had any old ADs for parts. As a matter of fact he did, like 9 or 10 of them. Picked up a column with a descent wheel and a stainless inner window piece for $50. Yea, I'll be seeing him again. Anyway, I got the brake fab work sorted out for the MC and booster, also cut down the column and added a bearing. Need to start working on rotating the rack and pinion unit and then steering hook up.
Rob

[chev3600]

So awesome, you've got to be proud of this project! Great ingenuity.

[99 to Life]

ur making quick work of that. great score on the column, those horn buttons are 45 repop and the inner window trim for the door is 85 for non stainless so you scored big time.

[ghettoluxury]

Looking good, Rob.

[Advanced Design]

Good progress Rob, thank you for sharing.

[47 Fasttoys]

Got a good start on rotating the rack. To start with I welded a position reference to the frame. In my case I used some angle iron with one end butted on a step on the rack tube and a couple of hose clamps. By doing it this way I could turn the rack but still maintain the correct position for alignment issues. Next I removed the mounting bolts, loosened the hose clamps and rotated the rack. I ran into 2 minor issues: The cap bolt on the rack would hit the frame cross member and the hose would hit the cross member. Used a hole saw to solve #1 and a hot wrench and a big hammer to solve #2. After I had enough rotation, I just started building up a new mount for the rack (3/16 plate). If you do this type of work I recommend a profile gauge. It really helps when making templates. I first make cardboard templates. I have also found that Natural Lite 12 packs make the best template materiel. Sometimes I have friends over and we work on building up template stock. From there I go from cardboard to steel and weld it all up.
Rob

[99 to Life]

keep chipping away, looks good

[reaper71]

looks good!!! One more off the list?