1954 Chevy COE Hauler Build

Well guys, I finally got my 54 COE home and now the ideas are flying. :LOL: First some history on what's here. The truck was purchased by a farmer in Pella Iowa and used to haul livestock to the sale barn in Pella from 1954-1979. At this point the clutch was weak and began slipping. They replaced it with a new truck and sold this one to the local salvage yard. The new owner used it from 1979-1981 to haul cars and trucks until the clutch finally went out. Then he parked it out in the back 40 and it sat there until a few years ago until a friend of mine purchased it. Steve and his buddies had to cut out a 2.5' diameter tree from in between the frame rails to get the truck out of where it had been sitting. They then removed the cab from the chassis and left all that. Then Steve put the cab on a mid 80's P-30 chassis. He built the cab mounts, modified the van tilt and hooked up the steering, and also installed the newer brake pedal assembly and mounted the hydraboost from the camper. Steve had a 454/TH400 mounted behind the cab. I let him keep that as I have plans for 2 less cylinders. :LOL: Here are some pics.

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...712_191928.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...712_191948.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...712_192007.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...717_125139.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...717_125144.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...717_125154.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...717_125224.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...717_125459.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...717_125505.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...717_125208.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...717_125352.jpg

I'm really trying to only plan and locate parts for this until just winter. The plan is to have it running and maybe driving next spring. My brothers are wanting to help work on it so maybe we can make it possible. Here are my plans so far. I have a 5.9 Cummins 24v and an Allison 1000 series transmission I plan on mounting behind the cab. I'm hoping the radiator and intercooler will fit under the hood or I will put in front of the engine. I'm going to have to mount the engine and tranny, lengthen the frame, so I can scale it to determine where to put the rear axle. I may even have to add a tag axle so this unit isn't over weight on any axle. It currently has a 14 bolt full floater cab and chassis rear axle in it. My plan was to put in a meritor 2.5 ton rear axle. Those plans changed because that rear end is set up with 19.5 tires and wheels. My goal is to be able to set this truck up on air ride. I want to be able to dump the suspension, have the truck on the ground, and drive a car or truck on the bed. I plan on putting a wedge bed on the back of it. I'm also planning on boxing the frame or sleeving it yet. I can't decide what to do there yet. On semi's we always sleeved the frames after we lengthened them on hevy haulers to make them stronger. I was kind of concerned that boxing the frame will make it to rigid. But, my thoughts are after I make and weld all the bracing to the frame for the wedge bed, this will pretty much act as a roll cage per say and do the same as boxing a frame. So boxing the frame probably can't hurt.

I plan to leave the front suspension and ditch the coil springs and add air springs. 16" tires with maybe aluminum wheels. Cost will limit the shiny stuff. Rear suspension will be a 4 link or a set up similar to a heavy/medium duty truck. I'd like the bed to be about 23-25' long so I can haul an old tractor, a hot rod, or a crew cab long bed pick up.

The body.... The hood is excellent, the front fenders need work. I plan to cut the fenders and obtain some other front fenders and stretch them 2" or so to get the wheels away from the fenders when you dump the suspension. The grill has really grown on me and will be staying. It has some dents and rust, but i'll fix it. The windshield I really am thinking about changing to a split windshield using my donor cab. This is still up in the air at this point. The cab has rust in the lower cowl and needs work. The roof is dented pretty bad, and the back is rusted out below the rear window and along the belt line of the seem for the 2 panels. It is also rusted out at the bottom of the cab. We've already purchased a pick up cab to use the roof and back from. I really thought about making a crew length cab but decided to keep it simple stupid or the truck would never get done. :LOL:

Do any of you guys have a neat site or calculator to figure axle weight per placement? I found one guide and I'll use it to model the set up after I have it weighed. This should be a cool ride when done.

Man I am sooo frigggggen jelious . Sounds like your going to have some fun this winter, but the parts search is always good fun. Keep us posted .

Your in for a mountain of fun right there... Loved mine until I needed some coin and sold it to a buddy. Figured I could get another some day and do it a bit different if I want. I bought a Dodge 3500 diesel and to be honest in my mind its earmarked for the next COE project. LOL

But I digress... Very cool project and well worth the effort in my mind. The body on that thing looks complete and in great shape... IMHO about 5" out of that roof, a visor, and a set of big flat black stacks towering over the cab is in order? :D The frame rails look really straight. That leaf pack on the back could move a house and if that isn't enough throw some bag for more muscle, all kinds of possibilities right there.



Hey on a greedy personal note: I'm always getting requests to build original style seats for different rides. If you ever remove those seat frames could I get some good pics and maybe a few measurements? Id be more than happy to pay you for your efforts? Thanks Bob

Very cool project. Will be neat to watch this one come back to life. I like the idea of the bed with the built in ramp, and a lowering suspension to drive aboard. Lots of character in that cab face! :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cffisher

Man I am sooo frigggggen jelious . Sounds like your going to have some fun this winter, but the parts search is always good fun. Keep us posted .

---

Parts for COE's are pretty rare. I didn't realize how bad it was until I started looking. :LOL:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by M.T.

Your in for a mountain of fun right there... Loved mine until I needed some coin and sold it to a buddy. Figured I could get another some day and do it a bit different if I want. I bought a Dodge 3500 diesel and to be honest in my mind its earmarked for the next COE project. LOL

But I digrojeess... Very cool project and well worth the effort in my mind. The body on that thing looks complete and in great shape... IMHO about 5" out of that roof, a visor, and a set of big flat black stacks towering over the cab is in order? :D The frame rails look really straight. That leaf pack on the back could move a house and if that isn't enough throw some bag for more muscle, all kinds of possibilities right there.



Hey on a greedy personal note: I'm always getting requests to build original style seats for different rides. If you ever remove those seat frames could I get some good pics and maybe a few measurements? Id be more than happy to pay you for your efforts? Thanks Bob

---

Bob, thanks. I'm not sure on the chop just yet. I need to sit in it to see how much room there will be. Black stacks will be in order. We haven't decided on a color scheme for the truck yet. It might be hot rod flatz or something similar. On the seat, sure I can get some measurements and pics for you. How soon do you need them?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by stovens

Very cool project. Will be neat to watch this one come back to life. I like the idea of the bed with the built in ramp, and a lowering suspension to drive aboard. Lots of character in that cab face! :)

---

I agree with all. :LOL:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 40FordDeluxe

. On the seat, sure I can get some measurements and pics for you. How soon do you need them?

---

Next year or so... LOL

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by M.T.

Next year or so... LOL

---

I should be able to handle that! :LOL:

There's a couple of guys over on Stovebolt that have these big trucks & have done diesel swaps.
Ya might want to look over there for some helpful tips :D ..joe

.

If you havent seen this thread yet spend a little time flipping through all 178 pages of COE's. Good for a lot of ideas.

Features - can we start a COE picture thread? | The H.A.M.B.

For some reason junkyards in Pueblo, Colorado have lots of old cab overs. Used to be a steel town so perhaps that is the driver. Anyway good place to look for sheet metal parts or cabs if you need some. Shop by phone first.

Nice project!

Should be a fun one to build and a really kewl toter when you're done with it, Ryan!!!

Inspiration.......................
http://farm9.static.flickr.com/8152/...38e8bb0f3c.jpg
http://image.customclassictrucks.com...vrolet-coe.jpg

Thanks for the pics and tips guys! I have been following the COE thread on the HAMB for a while. Definitely some cool stuff on there! I saw these 2 black ones on google too. Everytime I see a stretched cab I think I want one. :LOL: I keep telling myself to leave it alone so I can work on other stuff this winter too. Haha

I decided to list the truck on the local CL to appease my other half. I had a guy come look at it but it's more of a project that he wanted to tackle. My wife brought my youngest to the shop and he kept trying to climb the driver's side running board so I opened the door and threw him on the make shift seat. I couldn't get him out of it. That isn't good. :LOL:

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...914_181103.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...914_181112.jpg

I have a donor truck coming for this now. It is a 1992 Dodge 2wd 1 ton dually with a cummins and auto trans. I will be able to use all of the powertrain in this truck. I have been thinking of making a dump box for it as I already have a car trailer, actually 2. But I do not have a tilting anything. It sure would be handier with a dump bed and 2 axles in the rear to haul some weight. :LOL:

A dare devil in the making

A friend of mine has a similar COE Chevy, and he was headed down the road to adapt the body to a 2005 Dually chassis but stopped short anddropped the power train into the original frame. I haven't seen it yet, but he tells me it's nearly drivable now.

Great picture, BTW. Mama says, "...and so it starts..."

Now that is how to raise them Ryan, what age is that young fella, 2 or 3 ? And he knows what real toys are about already. :LOL: Good on you Sir for starting him on the right track. Glad you have decided to keep the truck and continue the build as parts and the funds allow as we all can relate to the family coming first and then the toys and you seem to have such a cute little guy and a lovely wife to take care of so we will patiently follow along with your builds. On condition that you post photo's of that little man up every now and then for us blokes who never had children and now realizes that I have missed out on so much joy that children can bring.

Looked at the pictures again, and about the only thing missing is an old license plate cobbled into the driver's floor. :) (You are going to have fun)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rspears

A friend of mine has a similar COE Chevy, and he was headed down the road to adapt the body to a 2005 Dually chassis but stopped short anddropped the power train into the original frame. I haven't seen it yet, but he tells me it's nearly drivable now.

Great picture, BTW. Mama says, "...and so it starts..."

---

Roger, That sounds like an awesome project. If you see it please snap some pics of it for me.

Mama told me I stole another one from her now. :LOL:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Whiplash23T

Now that is how to raise them Ryan, what age is that young fella, 2 or 3 ? And he knows what real toys are about already. :LOL: Good on you Sir for starting him on the right track. Glad you have decided to keep the truck and continue the build as parts and the funds allow as we all can relate to the family coming first and then the toys and you seem to have such a cute little guy and a lovely wife to take care of so we will patiently follow along with your builds. On condition that you post photo's of that little man up every now and then for us blokes who never had children and now realizes that I have missed out on so much joy that children can bring.

---

Mark, he is 15 months old. He is almost as big as his 29 month old brother. :LOL: My wife wasn't real fond of the kids riding on an old tractor but is good with it now. When the kids would come to the shop I'd let them set in my 72 so now they always want in it. They sure are great fun. I'll post pictures along the way for sure.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Scooting

Looked at the pictures again, and about the only thing missing is an old license plate cobbled into the driver's floor. :) (You are going to have fun)

---

Yes sir, you're right. I did squire another cab for patches and I have a plan I'm going g to try to execute. I want to cut the roof skin in the middle and above the drip rail and follow it down about as far behind the doors as I can before the sheet metal rolls to go around the cab. On the other cab I want to cut it right at the door opening. Doing this I'm hoping to gain a few inches of extra cab room but keep it looking like an original cab. Plus it will fix half the problems with the cab. In theory. :LOL:

Really cool project.

Okay guys, I want to ask your guys's opinion on this real quick. I want to paint the hood for my cab over to see if I like the look. What's the best way to remove the rust without warping the snot out of it and removing too much material? I'm thinking sand blasting will kill it warp wise. I feel sanding it with a DA and 80 grit won't really work either. Would using CLR and then sanding it be the preferred way?

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...712_191928.jpg

media blast or walnut shells? something not as hard as sand

anything with a moh of 2.5 or higher will warp. basically if it leaves an anchor pattern it will peen the outside of the metal and stretch it. if blasted at a 45 degree angle it will not peen as bad. another option is soapstone . it is a phosphoric acid that works well. used by dairies it is mixed 5:1 with water. i use it straight to dissolve rust. after clean reapply and rinse well before it dries. you can get it at tractor supply .

If ya hit it very soft with sand at an angle with the thickness of that metal you should be OK. Just move around and just enough pressure to take the crude off. I use muriatic acid on the rusty stuff but don't tell anyone I do that because all the knowitalls come out of the wood work and tell ya how it doesn't work, blah,blah,blah, Eco this, Eco that, Gotta get it outa the cracks crap. Been using it for 40 years without issue but you know the INTERNET knows all the rules, and the ones that are forbidden. Personally I think your missing it by putting color on it... nothing in my eye quite as beautiful as the natural beauty of patina. Id send the body back into the earth one rust droplet at a time. :LOL: Just my two cents... paint can wait ya know while you pray about this decision! :D Man I'm turning into a grumpy earthy old fart :cool:

hydrogen embrittlement . phosphoric acid yes. muratic acid never.
also sand has caustic salts in it and is not recommended for use on sheet metal unless you clean it extremely well .

the old wire brush and naval jelly? 3m sanding disk on a drill. Por-15 and a ton of sanding. Mar-hyde rust converter on the smooth stuff after wire brushing. Lots of choices, most require time and elbow grease.

Thanks for the help guys. Once I get a corner of the shop cleaned out, I'm going to try to clean it up good. I might take it to a guy my buddy recommends that sand blasts. He did his Model A without warping it.

Here's another twist in my plans................. I am going to pick up a 22'x8' wide and 7' tall straight truck box next weekend. Originally I was going to use it for storage next to my shop. Then I had the idea to just put it on the COE. I have always wanted an enclosed trailer and this would be the cheapest way. We'll see what happens.

It looks like I may not be doing anything to this truck now. I listed it on CL just because, and it is supposed to be sold to a guy in Ca. We'll see if he follows through. I have some other stuff I'll be thinning out as well. Trying to stay on track and finish what I have. Oh, and the wife and I are thinking of having another kiddo. So that means we need another family hauler to fit enough kiddos in case her Excursion has issues. I happen to have a 72 Burb that needs done and that'll have to fit that bill.

72 suburban 3dr. those are cool