55 IH Cabover build

[hoitink]

Well I've decided to start my cab over seeing as I've collected a few parts to get the ball rolling. So lets get the ball rolling.

This is how everything started the wife and I where coming back from the Road Rocket Rumble this year, and spotted this gem around Detroit lakes.

Fast forward a little and I found 1978 Cadillac Eldorado FWD and striped er down which didn't put up to much of a fight.

Next was the IH and again went apart quite nicely.

Next was sliding the Caddy under it's new home.

Fit was pretty good so fare I have since moved the cab a little more forward and squared er up in the fenders better.

Little scaffolding for the rear mounts

 

[hoitink]

Up on the slate will be to move the pass body mount over to clear the alternator and make the valve cover accessible in case I have to do some work to the motor on that side.

Pass side is fine with lots of room

Front Rad cradle has lots of room with the stock rad and A/C condenser.

That's it for now have to make up a brake pedal assembly and do up the steering column yet.

The plan for the truck will be to add a sleeper and put a flatbed on the back and make a hauler our of it. That's why I chose the FWD so I can have a pretty low deck on the truck.

 

[Dirtyrat]

Definitely thinking outside of the box with the FWD setup!
Nice work, love the cab overs...

 

[BruceKoukalaka]

Definitely going to be a one off![dr I would love to see that up close[cl

 

[skull]

cool

subscribed,


l want to something like that someday.

theres a 1941 chevy 2 1/2 ton here in town that did kind of the same thing, a tornado frame he cut right behind the cab and cut a car trailer frame off where it come out at the front of the bed and grafted the two together, it sits low, has the tandem rear tires and looks great.

here's a couple l found like that:

http://whatareyouworkinon.com/category/tags/car-hauler


http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1067049-cool-looking-monkey-face-coe-car-hauler.html

Later

 

[hoitink]

Yeah seen those and what I'm basing mine on also have a line on a trailer that I'll prob use for the back half easier and cheaper than making. But never know yet.

subscribed,


l want to something like that someday.

theres a 1941 chevy 2 1/2 ton here in town that did kind of the same thing, a tornado frame he cut right behind the cab and cut a car trailer frame off where it come out at the front of the bed and grafted the two together, it sits low, has the tandem rear tires and looks great.

here's a couple l found like that:

http://whatareyouworkinon.com/category/tags/car-hauler


http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1067049-cool-looking-monkey-face-coe-car-hauler.html

Later

 

[Snake Farm]

That's going to be refreshingly different! [cl[cl

[P[P

 

[the reverend muddy grimes]

Love it!!!!

 

[oneeye]

SICK!!!![cl[cl

 

[sgtpontiac]

It's a natural.....!!!

Used to have a lot of motorhomes with the old toro front drive.....GMC's...big bulbus things that had dual rear axles.....worked really well on those....looks pretty darn good under that COE...nice job...[cl

 

[hoitink]

Got some work done this weekend while I wait for some steering parts to come in.

Got my brake booster mounted and hooked up, still will have to make a brace inside yet.

Also got my fuel tank mounted still have to hook up the plumbing.

Also started on the floor till I ran outta tin, and got my steering column mounted.

I also found a stock style steel wheel and mounted the tire looks much better than the fwd ones.

 

[Snake Farm]

Nice progress! Good lookin' fix for the FWD wheels too. [cl

[P[P[P

 

[Who Dat]

Man i think this is going to be sweetttttttttt

 

[hoitink]

So got some more done on the IH.

Got a shifter linkage working may still need a little adjustment but seems to work.

Also made some seat brackets for the seats.

Got my floor going. "I really have to find my camera as this cell phone junk really sucks"

Yesterday got my steering joints and got started on it last night. Their from a Isuzu Rodeo they reverse the steering so by using 2 of them I'll correct my steering.

Mocked up

Made it to bolt up in case I ever have to remove the fan shroud.

Hopefully I can get the other half of the steering done tonight.

 

[hoitink]

Well got the rear part of the steering going and drove it around the shop a little the system works great.Would have pictures but the cell phone took such crappy pictures. On a side note I did find my camera lol

So I started smoothing out the dash.

Next was getting the heater box in I have an old van outside and the heater box looked usable on it for this project.

Everything ready to cut

First of a bunch of cuts and a test fit

Fitting the front blower unit.

The inside.

With dash.

Also started setting up the battery box.

 

[Neverdone]

Not sure how I missed the start of this build but glad I found it now!!! I love this!! What are your plans for finishing off the back? Making a hauler? Very well done so far!

Subscribed! [P

 

[hoitink]

Well got lots done this past week.

Made a cover for the hole in the floor where my air cleaner is from an old road sign. Think the one I chose is fitting for the motor and overall of the vehicle and all lol

Mark up to cut the outside ring off.

After a little work on the E-wheel

Kinda don't want to cover it up now when I get to doing the flooring haha

Next up was I needed a fuel filler and had to fix some rust at the same time.

Lower patch

All finished up for now

Next was glass which I broke as usual lol. My dilemma here as I can't order new glass for the IH, at least all my attempts have failed.
So as a work around I walked around the yard and kept laying the glass down on windshields till something lined up. Turns out a 78 Rancharo has the same curve.

 

[hoitink]

So after a little tracing this is what I hope to have.

After some cutting.

Just mocked up in the truck. Gonna just glue this on in for now even with the break. and hunt around for a original one. The one I cut is still better than the one I had with all the holes in it haha

Next up was some major surgery.

Prepping the frame for the cut.

The donor be sacrificed for the cause.

First cut

Lining things up

After some beefing up to rid the truck of some bounce.

 

[hoitink]

Tada

 

[hoitink]

Well got lots done this past week.

Made a cover for the hole in the floor where my air cleaner is from an old road sign. Think the one I chose is fitting for the motor and overall of the vehicle and all lol

Mark up to cut the outside ring off.

After a little work on the E-wheel

Kinda don't want to cover it up now when I get to doing the flooring haha

Next up was I needed a fuel filler and had to fix some rust at the same time.

Lower patch

All finished up for now

Next was glass which I broke as usual lol. My dilemma here as I can't order new glass for the IH, at least all my attempts have failed.
So as a work around I walked around the yard and kept laying the glass down on windshields till something lined up. Turns out a 78 Rancharo has the same curve.