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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Sep 2015 Posts: 89 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2015 Posts: 89 | My truck was missing the heater when i bought it, only thing included was some poorly drilled holes in the firewall and a blocked off heater hose from the gooseneck.
Did these trucks come from the factory with heaters? Although i'm trying to stay close to original I'm not going to break the bank trying!
Any info on aftermarket heaters that work well with this truck? Ive seen a few kits that just look like a square box, just looking for opinions on what will work well from someone who has done this before- thanks!
1946 Chevrolet 2-ton
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | A heater was an accessory (non-factory installed).
GM and others sold accessory heaters (some looked like a square box).
Some heaters were heater/defroster, some were just heaters; some were just defrosters; and some were bolt-together component - heater and/or defroster. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2015 Posts: 89 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2015 Posts: 89 | That would explain why I've seen different styles in pictures- I think I'd want a heater and defroster unit- looking forward to suggestions on types / brands
1946 Chevrolet 2-ton
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,596 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,596 | The correct GM heater for your truck looks like these two as I believe the square version was released some time during the war years. It was a carryover into the AD years until the stock ran out. The version shown in the 1941 filmstrip is the same as shown in the 1946 Salesman Data Book. https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/15674350367/in/album-72157631868452754/https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/23308088454/in/dateposted-public/https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/9201965046/stats/This shows the heater with the Special Deluxe version defroster unit, the square later unit has a similar set-up attached to the side (picture is from 1947/48 Salesman Data Book). Here is the standard unit as advertised in a 1941 filmstrip. https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/23875945145/in/album-72157662039967980/Here is how the unit looks NOS and how the dealer or customer would have received it. https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8129307001/in/album-72157631868452754/Here is the NOS defroster unit (car version) that would be needed. https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/13978113599/in/album-72157631868452754/Here is the GMC unit (early) love this one. https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/23853563311/in/album-72157631868452754/Now for aftermarket there were a lot of heaters manufactured for trucks and cars. Sears, Montgomery-Ward, Firestone, BF Goodrich, Ha Dees, Arvin, etc., here is a BF Goodrich example. https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8377831744/in/album-72157631868452754/Here is one from Ha Dees https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/16210861552/in/album-72157631868452754/Finally here is one from Arvin (many different models available). https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/15795508923/in/album-72157631868452754/Expect to pay $150-200 for the OEM type, widely available as they were made over several years and for both cars and trucks. The aftermarket are $200-300 for good NOS with all the parts as shown, if you buy one I would try to get the most parts you can, switches and ducts can be expensive all on their own. I recently saw a Delco-Remy NOS switch like this one go for $150 on eBay, average can be $50-$90. Keep in mind the early two part heater/defroster units use two switches. https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8129301295/in/album-72157631868452754/ | | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,384 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,384 | What hasn't been mentioned was the very popular Stewart-Warner Southwind gas heater. Small, nice looking A/D styling and very efficient.
As the ads of the time said "heat in 90 seconds"
On a 0 degree morning you could get the cab warm and windshield clear enough to drive before the engine temp gauge was halfway up.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 1,611 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 1,611 | JLM,
I am assuming you have not driven your 1946 2 ton correct? I have found that heat from the engine in my 41 provides ample heat when it is near freezing or above. In fact I make good use of the cowl vent to cool off when it is 60F or above. Perhaps in Texas you may not need a heater?
Paul | | | | | Joined: Sep 2015 Posts: 89 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2015 Posts: 89 | No I haven't driven it yet, just set the cab back on the chassis a couple days ago- I was cleaning and painting the firewall and all the holes got me thinking about lining up a heater for the truck.
I figured in addition to the comfort of a heater I would need a defroster just as much to keep the windshield clear.
1946 Chevrolet 2-ton
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2015 Posts: 89 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2015 Posts: 89 | Brad Allen, Thanks for all the info and links I appreciate it.
1946 Chevrolet 2-ton
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