Steve,
I had the same observations and ideas. But I am not building a suburban COE. I actually worked on #2 COE today for the first time in three months. Felt good to make some head way on the low rider COE. I am starting to fabricate the engine and tranny mounts behind the cab. I bought a universal engine mount that said it was 48 inches but it was only 39 inches and it looked like bent exhaust pipe so I am using 3x4 1/8inch tube steel to hold it in there between the rails on the dually frame.
I shorten the drive shaft to 14 inches to keep the front of the engine valve covers from hitting the back of the cab. The
engine will sit just below the raised bed. I am thinking of building a pickup bed with a raised bed inside and lower the sides instead of lowering the frame. I can easily lower the cab without the engine under it now. I will chop the steps to keep them off the ground by a few inches.
Felt good to be welding and cutting today.
Dallas
