The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts COE Question

Will a COE body and all of the unique-to-COE parts swap over to a conventional frame? I have a 55.1 5700 COE that I would like to put on a very good 54 6500 chassis. The 54 somebody did some mudding over the rust in the body and then painted it. Now it's ready to fall off the frame but every single thing works on this truck. I sure would hate to just part it out. Anybody know if the bare frames are the same before I tear up two trucks?
Scott

Scott,

Spanky would most likely know the answer to your question.

As you probably already know and you can see from these frame diagrams, the COE cab sits up on a "platform-frame" above the lower frame rails.

If you do not have a 54/55 Truck Data Book, I could post a few more drawings but I do not know how much they would help to answer your question. Just ask, if you want them posted.

From the diagrams at the link above, you can see that the COE cab would have to attach well above the 6500 frame and the COE inner fenders (attached to the cab) would also then have to attach-to (line-up properly with) the radiator housing, which would be attached to the lower frame-chassis.

Tim

I'm just wondering if the bare frame from the 6500 would work if I swapped ALL of the COE stuff over, including the cab support. I know they're just drawings, but they look the same. I know the steering, brake master, intake/exhaust, etc. are all different, just not sure about the front section of the frame. I'm sure they're close enough to be made to work.
Thanks for the post,
Scott

The frame forward of the COE is shorter then the conventional, plus the steering box and column are mounted differently and may not be easy to swap and still maintain the correct geometry for steering. Thats about all I know...

I agree. If that cab can be swapped successfully to a multitude of other frames certainly a guy like you can make it work on a very similar frame.

But might it be as good to swap good parts off the 6500 onto the 5000 series frame?

I looked in the Hollander and they list a frame all by itself for cabovers. Although anything is possible, I'm not so sure its feasible. Hollander usually lists substitutions that a note that wrecking yards have supplied information. I guess the bottom line is How much work do you want to do?

The COE frame WILL have a different part number because it will have all of the body mounts riveted on from the factory making it unique.

Mike B