Project EconoTow

I thought I would start a thread in which all updates on this project would be posted. I have pretty much finalized the design, but you know how things can change as it goes along.

The biggest change has already happened before I even got started. No tandem axles . The guy down it Florida that built the Ford 9” tandems is no longer making them, and the cost and time for me to build my own is way too high and long. So, I’m going to probably use a Dynatrac Pro 80 that has been shortened up with Dually wheels. As for power, that is still up in the air. The 6.8 liter V-10 is at the top of the list, but I haven’t ruled out a 460 yet, and a diesel is also still in the mix if I could find a suitable one that isn’t so heavy.

I just ordered some material to make the jig points for the chassis table to build the frame on, so we are off and running on Project EconoTow. Here’s a screen shot from my CAD program without all of the hidden lines to give a clearer picture of what it’s going to look like.


Updated with new drawing, wheelbase is now 126 inches.

Maybe make the wheelbase longer so you can make the cab longer (to add more seats and/or more storage space).

Hey Doug,Is this for you or a customer? Either way that'll be a sweet little rig. ---RED

What about a 4bt cummins since you are working with limited space?

Amazing

project "cameltoe" ........

not dis'in, it just popped into my head for some reason

DILLIGASDAVE wrote:Maybe make the wheelbase longer so you can make the cab longer (to add more seats and/or more storage space).

We talked about stretching the cab, but boy that is a lot of work. Wheelbase is 112" in my drawing.

61coon wrote:Hey Doug,Is this for you or a customer? Either way that'll be a sweet little rig. ---RED

It's for me. Thank you

lghting94 wrote:What about a 4bt cummins since you are working with limited space?

Space is not really a problem. I have about 34" between the frame rails, and the engine will be setback almost 2ft from stock location and a lot lower.

Lem Evans wrote:Amazing

Thank you very much.

richter69 wrote:project "cameltoe" ........

not dis'in, it just popped into my head for some reason

Believe me when I came up with the name EconoTow, cameltoe popped into my head too .

I'd think some more wheelbase would be good even if you do not extend the cab. The new s.w.b. F-150's are at 126" now. At least 118" i.m.o.

Uber Cool Doug...

That thing rocks. I did a tandem dually deal under the back end of my E-350 motor home chassis a few years ago. Just used the brakes, hubs and wheels from a dually rear and built a set of trailing arms with air bags. worked great. gave me better brakes and more tires on the road as well.

Love the Econo cab.

dkp

might be easier to get a superduty chassis and swap cabs, they come of real easy............

I'm gonna agree with the Fabio, the Superduty chassis would be a great platform to start with. Gonna be a nice rig when you are done with it.

Lem Evans wrote:I'd think some more wheelbase would be good even if you do not extend the cab. The new s.w.b. F-150's are at 126" now. At least 118" i.m.o.

Longer wheelbase would make it more stable, I bumped it up to 120 inches

richter69 wrote:might be easier to get a superduty chassis and swap cabs, they come of real easy............

"schmitty"]I'm gonna agree with the Fabio, the Superduty chassis would be a great platform to start with. Gonna be a nice rig when you are done with it.

I thought about that too, but the front track width would be way to wide for the Econo cab. It would look goofy with the front tires sticking that far out the front fender wells.

Maybe Kenny Newman from Arizona will chime in. He currently is doing a late 40's or 56 Ford cabover on a Super-duty chassis. He hasnt been here for quite awhile though. Maybe Joe knows more about it.

It really looks great. Go with a 460, set it up with some cubes, and be all done at 2,500 RPM. Sure cheaper than a Diesel !!

Regards.
Al

Nice build Doug. I was at a Big swapmeet this past weekend and there was a 56 Ford Ford Tow vehicle there. It was a very cool piece and was a lot on the same line as yours. It was all chromed out w/Cummins power. Very cool.
Can't wait to see the finished product Doug.

Doug Rahn wrote:I'm gonna agree with the Fabio, the Superduty chassis would be a great platform to start with. Gonna be a nice rig when you are done with it.
I thought about that too, but the front track width would be way to wide for the Econo cab. It would look goofy with the front tires sticking that far out the front fender wells.

Widen the Cab? Winshield shouldnt be a big deal...... and make it a split window in the rear.

lghting94 wrote:What about a 4bt cummins since you are working with limited space?

These are very easy to find, lot of bread trucks and that sort of thing, I think it would work great in this application.
Great build Doug, gonna love watching this progress along.

Here's one that they put a Dam cheby in it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuaR634a9uQ

Doug, this is a site for early 60s Econoline piuckups & Vans, it was hacked and been down for 8 months but back up.
Go to pic's-pickups page #2 and bottom center is an extended cab with tandoms.
http://www.ford-econoline.com/

or
http://www.ford-econoline.com/pickups/images/pickup101.jpg

This site dosen't help you but can help anybody thats leaving theirs stock or close to it.

Update..... Some of the steel I ordered came in, so I started on making the chassis jig points to work with the table I built last year. Started at 8:00 this morning a finished the first of three at 1:00. It took a long time to make this first one, setting up the crosscut saw to make sure cuts are square and exactly the same length. You know the saying, "Measure twice and cut once". Then clamping up on my welding table and welding vise to keep everything square when I started welding. Even though it's rock solid, I'm still going to add a couple of diagonals on the inside. On one of them I'll have some diagonal supports that will extend forward or aft to keep it square and steady from front to back.

The chassis itself will be made of 3x6 and 2x6 rectangular tubing which will clamp to the angle upright in the second photo. Can't wait to get the rest of the steel. And I have also finally decided on my engine choice. Big block Ford, still haven't made up my mine on the transmission yet.

i love your attention to detail Doug ...... will be watching progress

I can't wait to see the progress.

jasonf wrote:I can't wait to see the progress.

Me 3, This will be

You could do something like this..of course without the BBC and not backasswards.

I spent a little time this weekend doing a preliminary setup on the fixture. Finished the frame rail jig points and ordered some more "C" clamps. I also got a sample piece of 3x6x3/16 tubing to see how it would clamp up. Wednesday is my last day of work this year, 18 days off (yeh hah), so I should be able to get some work done on it, plus I have some work to do for Mikey on the Ranchero.

Well I'm off and running! I went to my local steel supplier and picked up the rectangular tubing this morning. They where nice enough to rough cut it to length to make it a lot easier to handle, no way I could have unloaded a 40 ft stick . I squared up the ends and clamped up the two main rails. I was totally surprised how straight the tubing is. With it sitting on the fixtures at the front and rear it only had a .030 crown in the middle. The sides where perfectly straight, all three clamp angles made contact without forcing it . I cut and squared up the first cross member, got it squared up and level to the main rails and tacked it in place. Back out to the shop tomorrow morning, right now I'm .