This is basically the present status....I have testdriven the chassis and now all the controls work like they should and no major modifications need to be done....next is the rest of the bodywork and then the bed and then........wil be continued. Happy New Year to you all......Sami
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...2394ef1256.jpg

Don't know how i missed this build before. It looks great and congratulations on getting it moving.

Thanks for the update, Sami! You've done some outstanding work there. The gas tank storage tray behind the seat is genius. I love it. The level of detail you've gone to is very impressive. Keep up the good work, and keep sharing those photos. :-X22

You're doing excellent work! Keep after it


That's pretty neat that the sandblasting revealed part of the trucks history.


Bobby

Awesome work your doing over there. I would store
the new white wall tires to save them until your done.
Grease, oil or even scuffing will ruin them before ya even
get her on the road. Seal them from the elements with like
clear tape as the tire company's do. Than keep them in a
cool dark place away from the sun. Maybe build a wood box
that will seal out the air. Like an old chest freezer that is
unplugged. That's a lot of work just to have some tire kicker
come by and scuff them all to hell. Just sayin. If I remember
right the ones for the GM Futurliner's where custom made.
prolly like you all did. $$$$$

Great to see an update on this one! I can relate to all the fabrication on these projects....but your cab is much rustier than mine. I now consider myself very fortunate rust wise.

Tires look awesome too!

Great work you have inspired me to keep my F6 chassis and do the modifications to the suspension. In Australia COE's are gaining a large following.

You are moving at a great pace. Amazing to see the shop and all equipment you need for a Coe project like this. You will be finished in no time at all. You are showing great skill and good judgment. Good luck.

Great to know that I can be an inspiration to someone.....wish I could keep my own inspiration :)

COE in on hold for this winter. I got -81 El Camino for my 40 birthday and it turned out to be a bit more than a light restoration to get it back on the road!!! Lot of rust issues. But they are all done now and the Camino is suppose to be ready this summer, so next winter is again the time for the truck.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...0d708d8ffe.jpg

This is the car when I got last spring, now its going to a paintjob in a few weeks and I can start putting the frame and stuff together.

Are you doing the body work and paint on the Coe yourself or hiring it out?

I am defenately hiring someone....I dont want it to be a rat rod :) bodywork and painting aint my thing (either)

Hello again.

The El Camino is now done and its time to get back to do something with the F5.

When its been just sitting there I had the "greatest" idea to make it a bit shorter and make it a fifth wheel truck. I have found an old gooseneck from the Northern USA and it is suppose to get here in a few months.

I have some books and manuals concerning these trucks but there is no info how to attach the coupling for the trailer. The weights are in the manual but I would need some advice how to do it right, the attacment to frame I mean.

The trailer is using a 2 5/16 standard gooseneck hitch and there are many versions how to attach the ball to the bed.

I want to use the bed as a normal flat surface when not puling the trailer. Are the turning hideaway balls okay or are they only for light duty trailers?

And if someone has any document about how the ball/ frame is suppose to come together, I would appreciate it a lot, cause in Finland these things have to be right ( and documented) when you get the vehicle inspected...

Nice COE excellent work.
Keep up the good work and keep the pictures coming

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...03fec46da1.jpg


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...9e2438ea90.jpg

So the trailer is waiting to be shipped to Finland. The problem is the size again! I have to get it in a container, or the freight will be about 1100usd/3feet shipped on deck!!! A friend of mine is going to cut off the axles and fenders and tryes to squeeze it in the container with two cars plus other stuff!!!! hope he can make it happen.

On Christmas holidays I had the time to dismantle everything I had already once got together!!! I shortened the wheelbase first from 158" to 134"...didnt look good...so straight to 110" and it started to look like a tractor, short and funny!
Now everything is again drilled to new places and of course when making it short, the room for everything is not there anymore!!! the tank doesnt fit anymore and I dont want put it on the short bed....so I ordered a new RCI aluminum 70litre tank to the side of the frame. This was using two piece driveshaft, and now I can go with one....unfortunately they were 500usd a piece, custom made for the longer wb!!! Now I got to wait for the gooseneck hitch to arriwe, before I can start to plan for the bed....hope It comes soon.

Happy new year to you all

Sami

Awesome build! Before I got my '55 F100 for my 40th bday. I wanted to get an F600, shorten the frame and wheelbase and slap a 1/2 ton bed on it.