Hey all, thought I would start a build thread for my COE project......

So I bought this old '51 coe cab thinking I could build a car hauler.....maybe even a crew cab with a roll back bed! Sounds great, right? Problem is, I have very little extra money or time.....so this is going to be extremely lowbuck.

I picked up an '89 chevy 1 ton truck (no motor or trans) at an auction for $200 and then sold all of the body parts for $200. So I'm into the chassis for dirt cheap.
I already have the 16' steel flatbed laying around, so.....

Original idea was to put the engine behind the cab, but I'm now looking at putting it up front if I can make it fit. Also the crew cab has morphed into an extended cab because I don't want to stretch the frame.

I have set the cab on the frame for mock-up.....I can't get this behemoth into the shop yet, and it's getting a little chilly to work outside. Oh well, I can daydream....here's a few pics. Feel free to comment......

 

Nice cab! Ok tinman...a little lower in the front....ok...a little bit more....lower...lower!
I really like these cabover jobs! I can't deny that I really like the tastefully lowered rides! I watch "Storage Wars" alot! and this guy, Barry Wiess has this '40 Ford COE 1940 Ford COE - Classic Trucks
Pretty cool!

 

I would love to take on a COE project but they are really pricey to restore .

 

Looks good on there! so far. what engine are you going to squeeze in up front there?

the 51 F5 COE I sold to the guy that built both of these. they are both incredible rides.

this gmc COE Rollback looked awesome hauling the F5 COE home!





I will be watching, now that I don't have the 51 or 52 COE anymore someday will work on the 38 though.


Hope you don't mind some other truck pictures I had saved of trucks and ideas I liked.

 

If it can be done, you can do it, If it can be done on a budjet, you can do that. But if you want to stay warm, ya better move it into the shop. Best of luck, it will be fun for you to do , and fun for us to follow your build. May the bolts come off with ease, and the shop keep you warm during a freeze.

 

Heck its a COE, subscribed. John

 

Jeff, the front will come down 3-4 inches with engine/ trans etc installed. I don't want it too low though, it will be used as a truck. No fancy paint or chrome.....OK, maybe a little chrome.

Josh, those trucks are beautiful......wish I had the time and $$$ to go that far.

Hopefully I can get the cab into the shop and start cutting.....
I would love to run a big block engine like an FE or 429-460.....but space may dictate otherwise.

 

I'm shocked how little room there is for the engine! The firewall really restricts you, it seems? An LSx truck engine seems like the natural choice for your frame and the low profile would help with clearance.

 

I LOVE budget builds! I grew up poor, and the "budget" mentality kinda stuck with me over the years. These builds are not only full of ingenuity, patience and creativeness, but lots of blood sweat and tears.

Hats off to you man, and I cant wait to see updates, even though im not a COE fan

 

The center portion of those firewalls is just screwed on and removable but there really isn't much of a hump in the cab on these models, Maybe if the engine has to sit farther back to clear your front suspension you can build up or make a custom hump/doghouse in the cab ? if need be? Not sure how low you can set an engine in those frame rails??



Jeff, How's this for LOW?

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...rod-truck.html

 

Well, I moved one of my old parts cabs in for some de-construction....I will use the door skins and the rear window opening....maybe part of the roof for the coe. All usable parts were removed, and the rest is scrap. This old cab was really rough.....




Some must die so others may live..........

 

I really like that red coe pick up

 

thats going to look cool TINMAN !!!!!

 

Yeah Josh! that what I'm talkin' 'bout!
That is cool looking, i wonder how that is to drive? I have seen it before on here, but forgot about it!

 

I like that motorhome. Brother in law has an old Avion, wonder if he will miss it....

Paul