Some of you remember the 2002 E350 van we stripped for the chassis. Engine is back in and we are moving forward. We made a frame for the 1953 IH COE and dropped the cab on tonight for a trial fit.

 

Definetely a sweet project. Looking forward to following along.

 

Hum!!! Interesting

 

That is VERY COOL!!!! Those COEs are so cool at the car shows!! and I think one built with a 7.3 will be the coolest one out there!!
Keep up the good work!!

 

I can't wait to see how this turns out. Thanks for sharing the pics.

 

looks awesome!

 

Very cool project can't wait to see some more updates!

 

Nice project, cant wait to see the finished product.

 

Looking good my friend! Keep up the great work and load us up with progress pictures.

 

One problem we are dealing with is the placement of the steering box. Current configuration means the steering column will come up in between the drivers legs similar to a T-bucket. We are looking for ideas on how to move the steering box forward. The doghouse will be a bit of a challenge also as we try to figure the best way to make one. Fiberglas? Steel? Aluminum?
The truck was not comfortable to drive for any length of time. My knees were up in the dashboard. We removed the stock floorboard and it looks like we have room behind it to gain a couple inches of legroom by moving the floorboard forward. A welcome relief.

 

How about using some sort of gearing to have a couple of shafts running pretty much parallel. I sort of have it in my head that you could leave the existing gear box and put a gear on the input that would go to a gear on a second shaft that has a gear on the opposite end that would mate up with a gear from the original shaft of the steering wheel. Some how this makes sense to me, just haven't thought it out as to how to mount it all. I am certain you will come up with something though. I was just thinking something like what I described might work.

 

You know I was thinking along that same line. I know I have seen setups like that with a chain driving the gears but I don't know if it was a custom setup or if it is available aftermarket.

 

thats gonna be a sweet ride, heck it already is. keep us posted.