The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1948 coe frame swap

i have a 2 ton coe. can i swap the frame out for a 1948 1 ton dually.any tricks involved?

I'm not sure about this swap, if even possible, but I'd look at how the steering box mounts, and the relative location of the front crossmember and radiator support between the two frames.
Also decide if you can use your COE cab riser on the 1 ton frame?

Grigg

I have a bare 1-ton frame in my shop right now. I can measure something for you if it will help. The front suspension is gone, but I marked the location.

Grigg is certainly correct to suggest the steering will be an issue. On the 1-ton the steering box mounts well back of the axle, while on a COE it is forward of the axle. Mounting the steering box and dealing with the drag link and steering arms will be one of the challenges you'd face.

Why are you considering this approach? Do you want to use the 1-ton axles and suspension? Understanding what you want to achive always helps.

just trying to make it a smaller version of itself and also to fit in my garage.i like the way it looks but in its present state it is too big.

What measures of the garage are a problem? Height? Length?

A '48 1-ton is about 220 inches long so it will fit in a 20 foot deep garage, but not an 18 footer.

Stock a COE is about eight feet tall. And its hard to imagine a COE on any frame being less than six feet tall. How tall is your garage door, or is there something else that limits the usable height?

The top of the frame for a COE and a 1-ton is about the same within a few inches. Lowering the truck significantly means either modifying the cab support frame and the relationship of the motor to the frame and/or cab, and/or lowering the frame on the suspension.

How are you going to use this truck? Stock suspension and running gear?

old sub, can you shoot me a phone # at [email protected] i would like to pick your brain for info.

TR I have trouble hearing on the phone so I rarely do phone and when I do I keep it short.

I'm happy to dialog right here so everyone can benefit and so others can contribute. My posts are always right and complete :D, but sometimes someone else will have a different opinion and its always good to hear what others have to say.

I am new on this forum and I have a 1954 coe iam planning on using a ram 3500 two wheel drive diesel on it. has any one done one or known who has. What about parts for these truck. like the rubbers , window felt ECT. Thanks for the help.