New Old Truck - '47 Coe Sorta

[whateg0]

I'm going to go pick up a '47 Ford pickup that my brother started as a project truck a few years back. It's sat stagnant for the past 3 or 4 years, and wasn't really that far along before that. So, it will by my project truck now. Except that I really think that series of trucks was about as ugly as anything FoMoCo ever built! It's currently sitting on a '72 1/2T Chev PU frame with a 10-bolt, 305, TH350.

So, here's the plan.

Convert it to a COE. I don't want to do it exactly like Ford did back then, though. So much of the truck will be fabricated. I'm debating a few things still and much will not be decided until I get the truck home and take some measurements, but here's what is currently in the air:

Mid-engine vs. front engine-
The original COE had a doghouse that took up a lot of space and that was for a little flathead. I'll be putting in at least a SBC, so it might be kind of tight. Also, there isn't much access this way, and I don't want to have to be a contortionist to work on the thing. Mid-engine puts the motor where it can be worked on, but the frame will have to be fabbed with that in mind. If I go front-engine, I can just lengthen the frame it's on now (in theory at least).

Chop or not/Stretch or not/Extended-cab or crew-cab or not-
I am considering stretching the cab 6" or so to gain some legroom. I thought about chopping the roof, but I think it starts to look disproportionate, so I may not do that. If I do stretch the cab, should I go ahead and put a backseat in? And if I do that, should I just make it a full length crew cab? I kinda like the look of the original COE, but a crew cab would be much more functional. I know if I do that, I'll definitely need to up the motor a bit. For the time being, I'd like to use the existing motor so I don't have to ante up and buy/build one.

That's what's on my mind right now.

I'm open to any and all suggestions or questions. I have more time than money, so there won't be anything really trick unless I can do it myself. My goal is to have it drivable by next September for the Ol' Marais River Run in Ottawa, KS. I'll be assisted by anybody who wants to beat on some metal. I also want to metalfinish it - so no Bondo!

I'll post pics as soon as I have some. Let me know what you think!

Dave

[wireburner]

sounds cool ! got any pictures? if it was mine i wouldn`t chop it maybe strecth it though

[Chuck U&R]

I agree with wireburner - Don't chop it !
Have you been here ? -
http://www.classiccoe.com/oldcoetrucks/Custom.htm

[whateg0]

Thanks Chuck! I had not seen that page before. The crew cab there is the first GM I've seen done that looked right. And the red and silver extended cab near the bottom is part of the reason that I'm not liking the idea of an extended cab. It just never looks 'right'.

Dave

[Brasco]

A chop and channel never hurt nobody. Shorten the box also. And add way to much power.

[RBryant]

This isn't a COE, but it sure is pretty cool: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1159...53774336axsbri

And this: http://img451.imageshack.us/img451/2664/im0012268mu.jpg

And for COE content: http://72.228.53.69/Web%20images/1954-crew-cab.jpg

[whateg0]

A chop and channel never hurt nobody. Shorten the box also. And add way to much power.

I think the chop looks a little funny on the COE. Regular cab might be okay, but not the COE. Channel might be okay to get the height where I want it, but I'll already be fighting cab space. Power is outside my current budget.

Dave

[whateg0]

This isn't a COE, but it sure is pretty cool: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1159...53774336axsbri

And this: http://img451.imageshack.us/img451/2664/im0012268mu.jpg

And for COE content: http://72.228.53.69/Web%20images/1954-crew-cab.jpg

Thanks for the links. What company mod'd the cabs for that last pic? I'm sure GM didn't do it. It looks good though. Better than the newer IH cabs with the front door scabbed on behind the real front door.

Every time I see one I like the look of all the crew cab conversions better than the extended cabs more. If I was going to be putting a bigger motor in right now, I think I would do the crew cab thing.

Dave

[whateg0]

Well, I made some progress last night. I pulled the motor, with the help of my wife. So, now I can move the cab around and see where it looks best.





Dave

[whateg0]

Well I've been playing around with the look of this beast and here's what I like the look of. I need to thin the fenders out some so that there's some room behind the fender for a short running board.



I am going to go look at a '93 T-bird tonight. I am hoping to use the IRS from it and if I get the whole car, I may build a new frame and incorporate the front suspension and steering as well. The engine has some problems apparently, but I already have 1 candidate engine and trans, so that's not a big deal. I need to find a coupler to connect a TH350 to a Ford 8.8.

Dave

[BDKS]

Looks like a good project. Please keep adding photos. I recently had to pass up two project vehicles due to non-approval from the CFO....

Bobby

[whateg0]

... I recently had to pass up two project vehicles due to non-approval from the CFO....

Bobby

It was kinda strange. My CFO actually suggested I get it. My brother gave it to me free. Maybe she didn't realize what project vehicle means... Oh, well.

Dave

[Chuck U&R]

Here's a couple more COE links I found on the HAMB -

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=219018

http://www.webshots.com/search?query...e=chromeheader

Hope you're making progress on yours !

[partagas]

This is what I would love to get my hands on.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jomatt/90195787/

[Chuck U&R]

I remember catching a glimpse of one on Jackson - Barrett.
$4 million Wheeeeew !!!!!!!