The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre Do It Yourself (DITY) Gallery 1946 Chevy 3/4 Ton Flatbed - Tearing her down

Greetings all,
I've been looking for an old Chevy truck for some time. I gave up a year or so ago, not able to either pay the price for one in decent shape to start a restoration, or only finding ones in very bad shape that their owners thought were treasures.

I did find a 3/4-ton stakebed in a Craig's list ad, went to see it and then the owner just disappeared of the face of the Earth. The truck is still sitting in the commercial lot but I can't find the guy.

Anyway, I saw another ad on CL and ran down there that day. This one seems all there and in decent shape. I bought it on the spot and now just have to get it home. The wheels are frozen so it's time for some Kroil and a hammer.

So that's the truck as it was purchased. Now I just have to get it into the garage and start the tear down.


Joe

JoeR, your truck actually looks to be in pretty good shape! Certainly better than a lot of us have started with at times. It will definitely make a good truck and make even make you a dollar or two hauling stuff for the family next door!
Good luck with it let us help when you need. That's what we're here for.

Wow -- it has the original side corners, too!

Yeah, it really is pretty complete. The only thing I think is missing is the air cleaner, but I see them on Craig's list all the time. I'm not sure if that little piece on the front bumper is original or some after market thing that was welded on. The owner threw in a set of regular 8 lug wheels and tires but the split rims are with it. I'll post some interior shots once I get it home. There's no heater but I think I've found one that will work.


Joe

Just waiting for the tow truck to load up the '46. Going through the "Chevys of the 40's" catalog and drooling. :-)

Really nice truck! Is it 125" or 134" wheelbase?

125".

I'm not sure if this will post the whole album from google but here goes:

The Truck as I got it

So I'm starting to go over the truck to see what things I may have missed when first looked at it and realized there are no keys. Would I be better off just getting a new ignition switch, glove box lock and door lock or go to a locksmith? I'm thinking all 3 keys are the same. Of course there's also a locking gas cap but I'm thinking I'm going to have to take off the filler neck and get it popped out from inside. The trans doesn't want to go into any gear but I'm going to pull it out anyway and rebuild it. The front wheels are frozen but liberal amounts of Kroil should break them free. All the other parts that are supposed to open and close or go forward and backward seem to work. I was going to just do a daily driver but I'm thinking about a complete restoration now that I've seen how complete it is. Just have to stay off the freeways if I don't change the rear end I guess :-)

After you get a chance to check the rear end ratio, you can start looking for 4.11 gears if you need them, in your spare time.

Ed

Man that is a nice complete truck, and solid too. You will have a lot of fun working on it and driving it too. There are not a lot of original beds around like that with the steel and all.

ok, got the wheels unstuck and rolling. Sure makes life better to be able to roll the truck from point A to point B. Tranny is out, cleaned, and back together and going into all the gears. Live is good with Kroil :-)