Jim Merritt's

1946 1/2-Ton Chevy


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03 December 2004 Update

John and Peggy,

             Mini Saga! I got the bug for these early '40's trucks at a very young age. My uncle had a great '46 panel that he used in his electrical business. This was his daily driver most times, I was the kid sitting in the middle. I remember the under-dash radio that was right there in front of my eyes, which caused me to be in trouble for constantly fiddling with it.

             In later years, another uncle used the panel when his car was on the fritz. By this time, I had graduated to sitting in back on top of boxes of wiring along with my other cousins. The truck's condition had deteriorated to the point that us kids decided the ride was not cool. So on the way to church, we would pester Uncle Stan to please let us out a block before we reached the church.

             I continued with this hidden malady for many years. Even after owning several old Chevies, I still lusted for a '41 - '46 truck. My dream came true one day spying this '46 for sale in a local paper. The price was right, so she was mine. I drove it stock and unrestored for many years and it was great as long as stayed on the back roads.

             First mod was to swap in a '54 passenger rear end and now she would fly, well compared to the 4:11s. Later, it all came apart for much-needed body work and paint, a 261 ci motor, T-5 trans, dual Holley-Weber carbs etc. And, it's still not finished. Hopefully in '05 she gets air conditioning and disc brakes. I think the Uncles would approve.

            
             I've attached a couple more recent pix of my '46 pickup, thought you could replace the one in the gallery that is very old. More recently, I've added the T-5 trans and per the picture dual Holley-Webber carb on Edelbrock intake on top of Vette exhaust.

             Here's a pic of my re-creation of the Uncle's truck.

           I've also included some pics of my 1947 coupe. Here's the scoop on the coupe: I've owned this car for well over 30 years. A school friend's Mother bought it new. It's pretty stock except for lowering the car front and back, disc brakes, 3:55 gears, tube shocks, 12 volt electrics. Oh it does have a truck motor, 235 High Torque with a pressure crank and full flow oiling. Running three BXOV-2 carbs, mild cam, Pertronics ign, Nicson valve cover and TALL Nicson side cover.

Happy Turkey,

Jim

             Jim also has a 1953 Chevy 3/4- ton, Factory Stakebed in the Gallery ~~ Editor

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15 February 2002

From: Jim,

             I picked up my '46 half ton almost 20 years ago. It was barely driveable at the time. That was fine because I was just using it to haul firewood and gravel and other similar loads.
             After a couple of years, I couldn't take it any longer and I stripped the truck down to the frame and restored it. With the help and encouragement from fellow members of Inliners International Engine Club, I went for the big 6 of the Chevy line, the 261. Cam is a Howard 3/4 grind from Patrick's in Casa Grande, Arizona. Head is a 235 with big intakes. I'm running 2 single throat BXOV-2 Stromberg carbs on an Edelbrock intake. Exhaust is '54 Corvette, factory split in Detroit. Aluminum rocker cover and side plate are "Inliners" script done years ago by Charlie Baker. Air cleaners are original Chevy truck items. Suspension is stock, except for 2 1/2-inch dropped axle, stock front lever shocks with sway bar from a panel truck (bolt in). Currently running 3.08 gears for our long, flat Calif. highways. 15" artillery wheels are from same year 3/4-ton, stock hub caps. Front brakes are bolt on from '57 pickup. Transmission is a Saginaw 4-speed out of a Monza, drive shaft is stock Vega unit, fit perfectly without cutting.


             I belong to VCCA and Inliners Clubs and am currently head of the Central California chapter of Inliners.

             Thanks for putting together this great truck website. Can't get enough -- I'm a truckaholic.

Regards,

Jim Merritt


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