The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1946 Chevy 2-ton Flat Bed Chasis

I have a neighbor who purchased a '46 2-ton with flat bed. His plans are to use it for his business and would like to have it road worthy (interstate/highway) to include disc brakes, replace the 216 with a V8, newer rear axle and automatic transmission. The frame and body of this particular truck is in outstanding condition so he just wants to update it mechanically. What would be the best option for these updates? Entire new frame? Or new axles to replace original?

Everyone here has assisted me immensely with my 48 restoration and am hoping for some more valuable assistance on this '46.
Thanks and have a great weekend.
Jeff

Jeff, Lots of options here. The sticky thread by Grigg at the top of the big bolts section would be good to read through if you haven't already. I do a fair amount of chassis swaps at my shop and although they have benefits, it can certainly be a lot of problem solving.

I too use a 46 2-ton for my business. It has the stock running gear. The only thing I did was to add the front disc brakes and dual circuit vacuum boosted master so that it would stop. My employee's drive ti probably more than I do, so it had to stop and do it well. I have had well over 10,000 pounds on the bed of my truck and it routinely gets 5-7000 pounds on it. I do run it on the interstate, but it does't do very well over 50mph.

Tell your neighbor good luck and I can say first hand that a 46 2-ton is a great marketing tool.

Randy

Thanks for all the information. I think you've got us heading in
the right direction to begin our research. They'll no doubt replace the 216 and perhaps I can convince them a 235 or 261 will work just fine, esp with an upgraded rear end.

I totally agree with you about a chassis swap, lots of problem solving/modifications to get everything aligned and installed.

I'll research Grigg's excellent thread up at the top too.
Updated to disc up front with a dual master will be a great
investment to make.

He'll not be hauling as much weight as you, but would possibly be pulling a small dual axle trailer.

BTW, I looked at your truck in the gallery, what a beauty. I just love the grill and style.

Thanks
Jeff

Jeff, I have been thinking about putting one of the LL8 inline 6's into one of my old trucks. I haven't found a direct manual transmission to mate behind it, but I would imagine finding an Chevy Trailblazer 2WD would be a good donor and would give you the 4L60E trans already matted to the engine.... You could probably swap out to the 4L80E trans and a dually rear end out of a 1 ton chevy inexpensively...

Just something to think about. The LL8's are close to 300hp and I think would be cool to stick with an inline 6! It would also probably turn enough RPM to not have to swap out the rear end and get you 65-70MPH.

Randy

Now that would make this '46 "Hum", but it might be a bit of over
kill for what they will be using it for. We'll do some research on the dually rear end out of an older chevy

Thanks again
Jeff

And regarding brakes...the custom disk kit that Randy makes for two-tons is a beautiful set up. Absolutely professional in every way. I mounted the same kit onto my 1-1/2 ton by simply reversing the rotors to the front of the wheels and they were a perfect fit with massive stopping power. Just what these old workhorses need if you plan on actually using them on the road.

1946 2 tons have the 235.

Yes, originally that was typical. But engine's do get swapped out.