Thread: Shop truck build

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Somehow I missed this when you first posted - looks like a great project as well as fun - and am really just subscribing to watch the rest of the build.

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Glad to see a new post on the truck! Looking forward to seeing the hauler bed details as it goes together.

I did get some more accomplished on the shop truck this evening. The bracket for the passenger side was drilled for the compressed bolt pattern and then the old holes welded in. I learned from the last time, welds are tougher to drill, so weld afterward. Looks like I forgot pics of the final welded up version.....








Then, back to the crossmember that bolts between these brackets, the original frame rails on the donor school bus was 11" high, where the factory rails are about 6.. This requires a slight mod to the crossmember, and explains the compressed bolt pattern..








Modifying the final end...here's the cut line....











Welded in........








All ready for install.





Next on the list will be to measure out the location for drilling the passenger frame rail..

Awesome project... I've read the whole thread 3 times.. can't wait for the next installment.
do you already have the bed?

Very nice work.

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Great work! Someday I want to build an old semi too! I used to work in a heavy truck frame shop and we built a lot of old trucks with new suspension setups. It was hard to not go buy an old truck and start one of my own.

Nice work on the rear cross member. Are you going to be lucky enough for it to be the correct width to fit inside the new frame? Or will you have to cut it down? We used to have to cut them all the time when we sleeved frames. We'd cut them in the center remove what was needed, bolt it in place, then clamp the center together and weld. Again, keep up the great work! I'm also interested in the bed work. We have a 47 Dodge 1.5 ton truck that is my Dad's that will be getting an eaton 2.5 ton rear axle with air ride, a 12v cummins and a 1000 series allison trans. He's still waiting to get the title for the truck before we start on it.

Originally Posted by 34_40

Awesome project... I've read the whole thread 3 times.. can't wait for the next installment.
do you already have the bed?

No, I'm leaning towards a Hodges Ramp Bed, as I think the side skirts of that bed look more period correct than a roll back. I'll get the drivetrain and body squared away before I get the bed for it...

Originally Posted by 40FordDeluxe

Great work! Someday I want to build an old semi too! I used to work in a heavy truck frame shop and we built a lot of old trucks with new suspension setups. It was hard to not go buy an old truck and start one of my own.

Nice work on the rear cross member. Are you going to be lucky enough for it to be the correct width to fit inside the new frame? Or will you have to cut it down? We used to have to cut them all the time when we sleeved frames. We'd cut them in the center remove what was needed, bolt it in place, then clamp the center together and weld. Again, keep up the great work! I'm also interested in the bed work. We have a 47 Dodge 1.5 ton truck that is my Dad's that will be getting an eaton 2.5 ton rear axle with air ride, a 12v cummins and a 1000 series allison trans. He's still waiting to get the title for the truck before we start on it.

The 52 F7 and the 2007 Freightliner both had 34" wide rails, or within a 1/4" anyhow. Sounds like you'll have a nice project to get started on as well...


Tonight I went to my BIL's and borrowed his plasma cutter to put the new holes in the mounting flanges of the crossmember. After all that welding, drill bits do not play nicely. Holes added....





Used a washer with a 1-1/4 hole, which worked just about right as a template for the plasma torch to provide a 3/4 clearance hole....





And now some progress you can actually see, the crossmember installed. Still need to lay out and drill the other passenger side.











And now, just to show some eye candy, here's a truck that a high school buddy is restoring, it was his father's as we were coming up, and he inherited the truck a few years back when his father passed. He and his brothers have been working the past couple years to get it back together, and this weekend marked the start of its shake-down season...

Great work on the cross member! Their truck turned out sweet! It's great they were able to keep it in their family too!

I really like seeing the detail work, and things like using a bigger washer as a cutting template. Working at that scale is a whole different world!! And pass on kudo's to your buddy on the "family" truck! It looks great, and that front air dam is killer! What's his power train?

Really nice work, Robert!!! Is this going to be a toter or just a fun truck to have around???

Roger, I believe he has a 5.8 EFI out of a Lincoln.

Dave, planning on a Hodges ramp bed or of that style. Will get the body and drivetrain squared away and then get the bed situated...

I really want to build a diamond plate steel wedge back bed for my dad's truck. But, that will cost a lot, so who knows. He's wanting to find another cab and build a crew cab, but that may be tough to do.

Got tired of looking at the shop truck in pieces, so I finally got the other frame rail drilled....














Next on the list, to install the air tanks and run the lines...

As always, thanks for making time for us to follow along - and of course sharing pics!!!

I've been (trying) patiently waiting for a new installment and can now face the new week coming!

Glad I could help! The day job has me travelling a bit which really puts a clamp on time in the shop...