Finally back to work in the shop My C.O.E.

[don long]

Ok Simon
Thanks for the pictures they will help out
Yes I went to SEMA this week so nothing done on the coe
The sleeper came off a 60's pete. It is called a coffin sleeper
It has a crawl hole in the side but not thru the cab.
I will be opening up the entire back of the cab into the sleeper
My plan is to get seating in the rear like a crew cab but will only decide after the hole is opened up and and the floor established.

Kevin
Thanks for your input. Understand that the coe is going to be a car hauler not a pick up there will be a slide bed from my wrecker attached and I will dress up the sides with a stepside pick up bed streached along the slider to hide it.
The bed will be right at the legal limit so I think the sleeper will stay wider than the cab

MP&C Robert
I love your work I am studying what you do with great intrest
Thanks for the gmc photos.
Like I mentioned to Kevin I don't think shortening the sleeper is going to happen I do want to incorperate the sleeper onto the cab like one unit
so that is what I am working on tonite
Thanks for your input

Stooge
Thanks for the input and I think we agree

fordsbyjay
Thanks for checking in
I agree with you I was very happy to find the old truck.

69Fastback
Thanks man I know that after the clean up we did last week the place seems really sweet to work in and it makes me want to keep it this clean (won't happen)
My old avatar was my 69 Mach 1 love it

e-tek

That lift is quite old and is built for 12,000lbs
Don't know the make
I like the ford engine much better too
Thanks

Duke55
The sleeper looks to be a couple inches wider at best and yes the truck is going to be a slide back car hauler and I need all the width I can get
And yes stacks will use up some of the extra space
Thanks Oh and my kids are all in SLC around Lehi.

JonBoehman
Thanks
I am really enjoying this one

jlckmj
Yes Jim You are right at the end of the day I have to live with my decisions
So I don't mind others input
Thanks

-Brent-
Thanks for stopping in
And yes the mounts will be reinforced and boxed in to make them very sturdy
Thanks for the concern

 

[Lippyp]

Nice work, reminds me a lot of thread on a UK website I'm a member of where a guy is creating a car hauler from a 1956 Bedford Green Goddess fire engine.

http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/84662/1956-green-goddess-back-room#page=1

 

[bazzateer]

With the fenders on I thin kthe proprotions from the head-on view are absolutely fine. Would like to see the front 3/4 view as well though.

 

[bazzateer]

Nice work, reminds me a lot of htread on a UK website I'm a member of wher a guy is crerating a car hauler from a 1956 Bedford Green Goddess fiore engine.

http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/84662/1956-green-goddess-back-room#page=1

You been on the sauce already Phil?

 

[Kevin54]

Don.....I told you earlier that I would find the company that had all different types of seals and trim. I found it. It's called TRIM-LOK and it's out of Buena Park, California. Here is their website. http://www.trimlok.com/

 

[HOTFR8]

Don, Peterbilt sleepers had seat belts in the back as factory. My F4 is legally registered as a four seater. The back seats are side on and used when you remove the centre part of the bed base.

 

[HOTFR8]

With the fenders on at this view I think the sleeper looks pretty good. Is the sleeper any wider than the front fenders? I personally think HOTFR8 and the factory sleeper MP&C posted are too narrow for what I would do with them. I think they would be right for no stacks but I can see a 12V Cummins, 6" stacks and a full width car hauler bed.

I can agree with that. Although if the sleeper is wider that the running board then it may also be wider than the rear wheels and that may make it look odd.
All a matter of proportions. Having fitted a 6BT in my F4 I would not go back to a petrol engine for a vehicle like this. I still need to get some idea of what Don is going to do with the back tray or bed area of the truck.

I spotted this on the HAMB recently >

I would have done something like this except I already have a car trailer.

 

[Kevin54]

Now that is a sharp looking outfit for sure!!!

 

[HOTFR8]

Now that is a sharp looking outfit for sure!!!

I can just see Don's COE towing something like that. Should have added the truck was photographed at an event in Pomona so I know nothing more about it.

 

[don long]

Nice work, reminds me a lot of thread on a UK website I'm a member of where a guy is creating a car hauler from a 1956 Bedford Green Goddess fire engine.

http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/84662/1956-green-goddess-back-room#page=1

thanks LIPPYP
I just spent the evening reading the Green Goddess thread
Your friend is a great builder and he gave me several pointers for my build

bazzateer
i will take a 3/4 shot when I go out to the shop in the morning
I did hold up the running board and the sleeper is only 1 1/2" wider

Thanks Kevin
I know where the rubber co. is (only 30 min from here)

HOTFR8
I haven't gotten into the sleeper yet but I will look for seat belt nuts when I do
The coe will be a car hauler not a tow truck. The truck you pictured I have seen (It's a beauty) Thanks
That truck is owned by a buddys friend that owns a heavy machine / equipment moving company. He owns a slug of old cars and trucks

 

[HOTFR8]

HOTFR8
I haven't gotten into the sleeper yet but I will look for seat belt nuts when I do
The coe will be a car hauler not a tow truck. The truck you pictured I have seen (It's a beauty) Thanks
That truck is owned by a buddys friend that owns a heavy machine / equipment moving company. He owns a slug of old cars and trucks

They may not have seat belt nuts as if like my sleeper they could just be angle brackets. All I had to do was bolt up lap belts in my sleeper to make it legal.

By car hauler I take it you mean able to carry something on the back. I was thinking it would look great towing as a 5th wheeler with cars (note I added the 's' so I mean more than one ) on the trailer.

Do you know anything more about the truck I posted as I would love to find out more about it. PM me anything if you can so we keep your topic on topic.

 

[69Fastback]

With the fenders on I thin kthe proprotions from the head-on view are absolutely fine. Would like to see the front 3/4 view as well though.

Don, I was initially with Simon and Robert, but having seen it with the fenders on, the proportions look okay, and given what a pita it will be to shorten the sleeper, I like your plan to run with it.

I would love to have a car carrier like this beast. Loving your work.

 

[HOTFR8]

With the fenders on I thin kthe proprotions from the head-on view are absolutely fine. Would like to see the front 3/4 view as well though.

Don, I was initially with Simon and Robert, but having seen it with the fenders on, the proportions look okay, and given what a pita it will be to shorten the sleeper, I like your plan to run with it.

I would love to have a car carrier like this beast. Loving your work.

I agree but still need to see a 3/4 view. I would not shorten but narrow the sleeper but only if it is wider than the running boards front guards / fenders and the rear wheels.

 

[56rpm]

Don, you have so much really cool stuff, so this coe is only appropriate. Another fan of a Ford in a Ford, but you had me worried for a bit. You know it wouldn't take much to stroke it to 557ci

Bob

 

[don long]

Yes Simon
A car hauler sort of like this one only with a fancier side section



69Fastback
Here is the only side shot I have today
I think you will agree the sleeper stays intact



56rpm
Thanks for those kind words.
This COE will fit the fleet very well I do believe

 

[don long]

Ok guys
Today I went to a friends shop.
He builds one off cars from scratch.
He has built several cars for Boyd Coddington just off drawings.
He builds a steel skeleton and covers it with aluminum and he shared this secret with me.
As long as the raw steel and aluminum do not touch each other there is no problem
if both materials are covered with primer there can be no electrolysis between the two metals.
So he fits the two panels together rivets the panels together with flush rivets ,grinds the area smooth and its done

So tomorrow I will start the heart stopping operation of cutting the cab and sleeper and start the blending process

Pictures tomorrow night

 

[HOTFR8]

Looks like the width is ok, Once you cut into it all will be ok.

That black stripe is growing on me.

 

[80WTI_55_CHEV]

Ok guys
Today I went to a friends shop.
He builds one off cars from scratch.
He has built several cars for Boyd Coddington just off drawings.
He builds a steel skeleton and covers it with aluminum and he shared this secret with me.
As long as the raw steel and aluminum do not touch each other there is no problem
if both materials are covered with primer there can be no electrolysis between the two metals.
So he fits the two panels together rivets the panels together with flush rivets ,grinds the area smooth and its done

So tomorrow I will start the heart stopping operation of cutting the cab and sleeper and start the blending process

Pictures tomorrow night

Hi Don,

The person you are talking about wouldn't happen to be Marcel and his Marc and Luke by chance, if so i went to there shop last October and the place was gone. I spoke to the gentleman across the road (Barry white) who's shop i went threw for a tour and he said that Marcel had retired and the boys were doing work from home but he had no contact info. i really wanted to watch those guys in action. If that's not your guy then sorry for dribbling on. keep up the good work Don. Lee

 

[don long]

That black stripe is growing on me.

Thanks Simon
The stripe is looking more permanent every day

Hi Don,

The person you are talking about wouldn't happen to be Marcel and his Marc and Luke by chance, if so i went to there shop last October and the place was gone. I spoke to the gentleman across the road who's shop i went threw for a tour and he said that Marcel had retired and the boys were doing work from home but he had no contact info. i really wanted to watch those guys in action. If that's not your guy then sorry for dribbling on. keep up the good work Don. Lee

Yes Lee
That is my friend. Luke and marcel are just amazing, Too bad we didn't know each other then, You were close enough to come by my place

 

[don long]

Todays progess

I measured out where the sleeper will fit up and took a deep breath, closed my eyes fired up the sawsall and went to it










The cut went fast and bingo there is the hole for the sleeper

Would have gotten more done but last night the fork lift died
so this morning after recuperating from holding my breath while running the sawzall I went forklift shopping

Also picked up the steering column and swivels and link So we are ready to get that all hooked up tomorrow while I work on the sleeper hole.

(Fork lift was delivered this afternoon)

 

[HOTFR8]

Don, You took out much more than I expected. You will have to add strength and support to the back of that cab. My sleeper access was not as big as that. Keep in mind what seats you use so they can fold forward for access.

 

[don long]

I will build an archway betweem the two
An access door will be added to each side of the sleeper
so no one will need to climb thru the cab

 

[HOTFR8]

I will build an archway betweem the two
An access door will be added to each side of the sleeper
so no one will need to climb thru the cab

Did you look at the Peterbilt Sleepers as if you find a wrecked one you could get all that and do as I did.

 

[don long]

Did you look at the Peterbilt Sleepers as if you find a wrecked one you could get all that and do as I did.

No Simon
I knew what I wanted and just ran across this one sitting in a yard on one of my road trips. The same trip that I found the 1918 studebaker that is my avatar right now. The black stripe indacates that it came off a truck owned by one of my old friends. Bulk transportation out of Walnut Ca.
I found the sleeper in Beaver Dam Arizona Just outside las vegas.

That was the same trip when I found the planet hollywood sign

 

[LXCam]

Don, obviously you have issues with finding too much cool stuff. How bout passing some of that rotten luck this way. .

 

[HOTFR8]

No Simon
I knew what I wanted and just ran across this one sitting in a yard on one of my road trips. The same trip that I found the 1918 studebaker that is my avatar right now. The black stripe indacates that it came off a truck owned by one of my old friends. Bulk transportation out of Walnut Ca.
I found the sleeper in Beaver Dam Arizona Just outside las vegas.

That was the same trip when I found the planet hollywood sign

Don, Do you know what the sleeper came off ? You sort of need both the parts from a cab and the sleeper to join them together as I did with mine.

I wish I had as much luck finding things as you do when you travel.

 

[don long]

Don, obviously you have issues with finding too much cool stuff. How bout passing some of that rotten luck this way. .

Thanks Cam
When you come over I'll share what little that I have

Don, Do you know what the sleeper came off ? You sort of need both the parts from a cab and the sleeper to join them together as I did with mine.



I wish I had as much luck finding things as you do when you travel.

Simon
The truck was parked about 30' away from the sleeper. you have a cab and walk in sleeper on HOTFR8. I will have a large extended cab with a back door on mine so that pass thru that you are thinking of is not going to be used on my truck you'll see
My tip for you is let your wife drive so you can look around

 

[HOTFR8]

OK, I'll have to just wait and see how you do this now.

As for the other well. I do not have one. Mind you I often take the back road and vintage tin hunt.

 

[don long]

Made a bit of progress today
The steering column and knuckles were installed

 

[HOTFR8]

About the door. I get it now you have one that you enter from the rear of the sleeper like this one.

What do you think of the slide out sides on this one to gain more room ?

 

[Kevin54]

Simon.....If I get what Don is saying, he is building what amounts to a four door truck and is not going to use the sleeper as a sleeper per say. Rear passengers will gain access through two side doors on the sleeper. That way. no one has to crawl into the cab then go between seats. The only difference between Dons and a four door truck, is......well it's going to be an unconventional 4 door truck, I think.

 

[188slo50]

This is one of my favorite builds mainly because I want to do one my self but a ramp truck and air bagged . I'll be watching this closely and taking notes as well. I'm not sure if you posted it or I missed it but what frame did you use for this, will you have to be lengthen the frame for the bed?

 

[HOTFR8]

Simon.....If I get what Don is saying, he is building what amounts to a four door truck and is not going to use the sleeper as a sleeper per say. Rear passengers will gain access through two side doors on the sleeper. That way. no one has to crawl into the cab then go between seats. The only difference between Dons and a four door truck, is......well it's going to be an unconventional 4 door truck, I think.

So a door in each side of the sleeper ! That will be different. Will have to wait until Don posts again.

 

[383]

So a door in each side of the sleeper ! That will be different. Will have to wait until Don posts again.

I will build an archway betweem the two
An access door will be added to each side of the sleeper
so no one will need to climb thru the cab

Why do you need to wait until he posts again? Sounds like Don know what he is doing, we just need to wait and see. Really enjoying watching your progress, thanks for posting!

 

[HOTFR8]

Why do you need to wait until he posts again? Sounds like Don know what he is doing, we just need to wait and see. Really enjoying watching your progress, thanks for posting!

Well I am waiting to see how he does it.

 

[don long]

HOTFR8
That's a lot bigger truck than what I am building
Mine is on a 2 ton chassis but will look like a 1 ton truck

Kevin
I think you get it.
You are 100% spot on.

188slo50
The chassis I found in a truck wrecking yard
It is a Heavy duty chev truck chassis
About like a 550 (2 ton)
Yes I will be stretching the frame 7 feet to fit a 17' slide bed

Thanks 383
and welcome aboard. I'm enjoying this build very much
Partly because of the G.J. and sharing it with you guys
as it all comes together. I have owned this truck since 1998
and the frame was picked up about 6 mo's later then the truck was
half heartidly started and stopped almost as soon as it started.
So i'm happy to the project well under way.

Simon
I'm wondering the same thing

 

[don long]

Today not much progress. I have been storing the doors and a pair of 1964 impala bucket seats for the COE in the barn next door. Today I went down to home depot recruited two guys and came home to empty out the barn and recover the doors and seats. It didn't take long and now the barn is organised again.
The rest of the day was spent planting flowers around the yard and trimming bushes and cleaning up the party garage getting ready for the big day

Mav T.V. is shooting the garage for their ultimate garage series.

 

[HOTFR8]

HOTFR8
That's a lot bigger truck than what I am building
Mine is on a 2 ton chassis but will look like a 1 ton truck [/B]


Simon
I'm wondering the same thing

Yes I am well aware it is much bigger. If you are wondering then I am lost .

 

[Sureshot]

Very nice project. I have been on a finishing binge and preparing to move next year so my "next" project may have to be a COE. The more I see these old ones the more I like them and just happen to know where a couple sit.

 

[HOTFR8]

Any updates Don ?