1946 5-Ton Chevrolet COE Dump Truck

	Brian Mueller "Repguy" Bolter # 5183 San Clemente, California

From Brian :

       Hi all! I would like to submit my new project truck to the Gallery. I found it on eBay. It is a 1946 Chevrolet COE 5-ton I believe. It has 18,000 pounds GVW painted on the side. It is a dump truck for now. It has been hard at work since 1947 delivering coal in the Idaho area for the Tiller Coal Company. The body is a special Hi-Lift Coal & Coke unit built by Gar Wood Industries, Inc. in Detroit, Michigan. This type of body would lift the complete bed up in the air through the use of a hydraulically operated scissor lift mechanism in order to dump the coal.

       The truck is completely original, complete with little to no rust. I plan to have the body removed next month and replace it with a 9-foot heavy duty pickup truck bed. I also plan on restoring it (mechanically) with the original 216 Loadmaster engine.

       I want to change springs and axles to 1941-46 Chevy 3/4-ton units in order to lighten up the overall weight of the truck. This change should also allow me to reach 55 MPH freeway speeds. Although I may still have a few people passing me!

       I am going to leave the original paint and lettering on the truck as you see in the photo. The Tiller Coal company is still in business in Nampa, Idaho as Tiller Fuel & Hardware.

       This C.O.E is a 109" wheelbase unit and was primarily intended as a tractor unit for in-city use with a 27 foot trailer. These COE's were available in 109", 132 1/2" & 158" wheelbases. They utilize many of the same parts as the standard trucks but have a unique updraft carb and "Snub" nose.

       If any other Stovebolters have good sources or info on the cabover models, it would be appreciated.

       I also have a restored 1942 Chevrolet 3/4-ton truck in the Stovebolt Gallery.

Thanks,

Brian Mueller

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