The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre 1946 Chev 1/2 ton pickup

I just joined Stovebolt, mostly to get some answers to several questions below. Thinking with all the knowledge out there from the experience "old timers" as well as the young bucks who are working on their older trucks, I can learn a ton to use in my journey with my old pickup.

I have a 1946 Chev 1/2 ton pickup in northern MN that my grandfather and father had and am in the midst of reconditioning it. It has been repainted about 40 years ago in an all black color vs the green and black fenders that it originally came with. The interior has newer black vinyl fabric from 40 years ago as well as repainting the interior a Corvette light tan. Nothing else really done on the interior or anything since then. The speedometer and gas gauge don't work so looking at also working on that. Hoping those are both simple fixes.

I just had the transmission replaced last year as 2nd gear stuck. The mechanic swapped it out for another tranny I got from CA and overhauled it. However the transmission on this pickup slips when in 3rd gear. He is willing to take it back when I go back up north to northern MN next year but wanted to find out the possible issues. In looking at other posts here, it appears that it is an alignment issue that shims may correct. Is there any other fix?

The question I have is whether it is worthwhile to redo the paint in the original color or am I OK to keep the black color. I wanted to keep everything original vs. upgrading to larger engine, tranny, drivetrain, suspension, etc. as well as no radio, A/C, etc. Is this the best way to approach this or should I look at improving things to more modern conveniences? Just wondering the value vs. cost of doing this.

My son will be getting the pickup next year and wants to maybe do the major work like engine and tranny upgrades as well as keep the all black color. My concern is whether the value declines with these improvements or goes up enough to pay for the extras. I just turned 60 and really don't have the energy, money or desire to do a major project....yet! So he is willing to tow the pickup to his garage to work on it. He has a budget of $2,000 next year to work on it and plans on focusing on replacing the tires (they are very old) and working on the box as the wood and rails are worn out (assume originals). Should he get the wide whitewall tires or stay with the original tires? Also what are other major items he should focus on. The engine is solid, overhauled 40 years ago and not driven a lot, just garaged and taken for a spin each summer.

Lastly what kind of insurance should my son put on this vehicle? Currently I don't have any, I know I should put on comprehensive and do add liability when I drive it but not sure if it is really worth it. I think the value of this pickup is around $10k or so, it runs great and I really should insure it. But it really doesn't have a VIN so what is the process to insure it? I use American Family for insurance and was going to call them but wanted to know if it really can be done.

Thanks everyone for their assistance and input, looking forward to this forum and learning from all your experiences!

Gary Quam

Welcome to the Stovebolt madness. There is no cure!

FYI, this particular Forum is not the proper place to ask questions. Why you ask? Because no one comes here other than to see what’s being done. Break your questions down and find the proper garage forum to post your questions in. You will get quicker and more answers by doing that.

Welcome to the 'bolt.. we are looking forward to some pictures of your family heirloom

Hello Gary, welcome to the Stovebolt.

My vote would be that you and your son just get it on the road and start enjoying it. Fix what's broke and just drive it for awhile. Changes can always be made later.

I hope that you share some pictures with us.

John

Welcome to Stovebolt and good luck on your project. There are guys and gals here who are happy to help you on your journey. Sounds like a really good project. See you around the garage.

....there are other members here from your state so be sure to watch for them.

Welcome!
As others have said, I would concentrate on getting it drivable and just run it for a while. As you get used to it you'll decide what steps to take next.
There are really no hard and fast rules. It's your truck--do as you wish with it.
Since it's been in the family, I assume you have a title for it? That should give you the vin # and whatever info you need to insure it. You'll need insurance to put it on the road in this state--or even to get plates for it. Your insurance agent should be able to advise you on what type of insurance to get based on your intended use.
Good luck, and keep us posted!

My advice is similar to above. I would get it to a safe drivable condition. Only then can you or your son make a decision whether you like driving it.
As for paint and such it is a rabbit hole. If you put nice shinny paint you will need good chrome, a good interior and such. If you spend dollars to make it look cosmetically great it should be mechanically sound. You wont get all of that done for $2000.

As for value, the truck is not original now. Value only comes in to play if you want to sell it. My truck belonged to my father and recently he gave it to me. It needs a lot of work. It may be worth $50 or $50 000, to someone else. But that is irrelevant as it is currently not for sale or likely to be for the next twenty or thirty years. What my kids get for it after I leave it to them will not affect me at all. How much I want to spend on it is based on how many smiles per dollar I think I can get.

Steve

Welcome To the “Bolt”! I also strongly encourage you to get it safe and reliable then drive it a while before you even think about any body work, paint or improvements. You next steps will be evident.

As far as insurance, I have my truck registered as Historic and that enables me to get special collector’s car insurance. I have collision and comp and its less that $200 a year. It does have restrictions. I can only drive it to events, parades and the occasional pleasure ride.

You can do the same when your working on it to get it reliable then switch over to regular plates if you want it as a daily driver. That strategy will save you a bit of money!

Mind you, it may take a year or more to get your truck to that point. Most anything you touch on these old trucks is a can of worms. The more you look, the more you find. Allot of the time I have spent is is waiting on parts.

We’re here to help you along your journey and all you have to do is ask! Good Luck!

Thanks for the info., I already have a collector plate on it so assume I am eligible for the special insurance. Will check with my insurance company. Will post pictures, etc. as we work on this but it runs fine and feel safe in it, even without the seat belts and other safety features of newer cars. Happy Driving!! GQ

The pickup is drivable and I feel safe in it so we do take it out for a spin when I am back "up north". Thanks for all the info, I will try to get pictures and post as well as keep everyone updated on my journey. So fun to read about others and their projects and tips on what to fix, replace, and update! Best of luck to everyone with their pickups and love the photos...hoping to also get some pics from my cousin who is storing the pickup and post this weekend! GQ

...........just be sure to check SEVERAL insurance companies before you decide on which one. Some have different requirements. I went with my State Farm for a long time....then found I can get good coverage for HALF the price with an antique insurance company as long as it is not my DAILY drive to and from WORK. Check around.

Here are some pics of the project, as you can see just some dust on the fenders otherwise solid vehicle. How do I add photos to this post? Seems like I have a lot to learn still. GQ

Checked with American Family and can just have comp and liability and no appraisal needed. If want collision I need an appraisal. See what their price is later this week and will let you know.

Pics attached - lovely old truck just needs a bit more TLC to get it cleaned up. Very driveable and solid so that helps, no major issues on engine or body. Now to get new tires and a new bed and rails and slowly update it. GQ

Another question I have is whether it is worthwhile to redo the paint in the original color or am I OK to keep the black color. I wanted to keep everything original vs. upgrading to larger engine, tranny, drivetrain, suspension, etc. as well as no radio, A/C, etc. Is this the best way to approach this or should I look at improving things to more modern conveniences? Just wondering the value vs. cost of doing this. Thanks everyone for the input, appreciate all the knowledge shared! GQ

Hagerty Insurance is another option to check out. They offer “agreed upon value” which means you submit photos of the vehicle and an estimate of what you think it’s worth and they either agree or counter offer and let you know the annual premium cost. Along with the insurance coverage they provide free towing, coverage for spare parts and a other services depending on level of membership subscription. I’ve used them for years and had two towing events both with excellent results.

As for paint. I recently completed a top to bottom restoration of a ‘46. Paint and body work was by far the most labor intensive and expensive part of the adventure. Depending on your goal and abilities to do at least some part of the work, the final cost could end up being from the upper four figures to the low five figures. Judging from some of your photos, my guess is a reputable body shop would likely insist on taking the fenders and cab off the chassis and removing all paint to bare metal. Finding a good body shop, in itself is a challenge. There are many threads here in the Stovebolt that discuss this subject at length. It would be advisable to spend some time reading through some of those.

Good luck and as someone suggested previously, it’s best to post specific technical questions in the related forum. So doing will likely result in more views and responses from guys that specialize in the topic.

If it was mine I wouldn't do anything with that paint except wash it up. From the pics it looks to be really decent and has a good shine to it yet. I'd get it running and drivable and just run it the way it is. Especially since it's a family heirloom you can say, "It's just the way Dad/Grandpa had it."
But, as mentioned above, it's your truck, not mine.

Very nice Gary. It looks rock solid and mostly original. Lot's can be done without totally dismantling it. As it is you can drive it and improve it little by little.

John

Question on the transmission. I had it overhauled last year and took care of the 2nd gear sticking. However when I took it out to test it and park it for the winter, 3rd gear would slip out when I increase speed. I had to hold the floor stick shift to keep it in gear. In looking at other posts, this appears to be caused the tranny not being aligned correctly and needing a shim to fix. Has anyone else had this issue and is the fix correct? The shop said they would take it back in to fix it but would like to let them know how to do this. Thanks everyone again for sharing your knowledge, experiences, and any potential repairs. GQ

The speedometer and gas gauge don't work, what is the best place to purchase replacement parts? Thinking Jim Carter Truck Parts or Chevs of the 40s but not sure which one is best. Any input is appreciated. GQ

Also should I get original replacement tires or the wide whitewall tires? Thinking the originals as trying to keep everything original and the wide whitewalls are more for show pickups. Is this correct? Any insight is appreciated! GQ

White sidewalks were not an option.

People might have them on an old truck "for show - for glamor"?

Do what you like - it is your truck.

Gary, this is NOT the proper place for questions. This forum is only for you to introduce yourself to the group. Please post your questions in the proper garage forum. Why, you might ask? Only about 1% of our membership even visit the Welcome Center after their intro, so that’s why the garage forums were created.

do what you and your son agree on,but....my personal opinion of your question is, if it is complete and with original integrity, its a crime to not restore it at least to a usable condition. There are plenty of poor condition trucks out there to cut and weld on to make into a hot rod.