The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Inheritated a 1946 chevy 1/2

Hello. I'm new to this site. Was looking to get some advise in what to do with a truck i inheritated from my grandfather who passed away. The truck has been in my family for a little over 30yrs. So it has much emotional value to me. The truck is all original. Right down to the original hubcaps. It's been in my mothers garage for the last 7ys. And now it's in my garage. Would love to restore to a condition that would allow me to drive it in comfort. My son is now 9 and i think it would be cool to build it up for him. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Treasure it!

My grandfather had a '41 one-ton that started my love for old trucks. Unfortunately he sold it 20 some years ago. I've love to have it today!

Inventory what you have, and what condition it is in. Decide how faithful a restoration you want, and how complete it needs to be before you start driving it.

Then choose a place to start and ask questions here if you want help.

Yes, Howdy and welcome to the Stovebolt Page!

Be sure to check out the rest of this web site, especially the Tech Tips and the FAQs -- there's one in there about starting a restoration. Oldsub is right on the money, though. Before you pick up a wrench, document everything you can about your truck's current condition. Start at the front bumper bolts and work your way to the back bumper bolts. Take lots of pictures.

And do lots of reading. Search this forum -- Woogeroo is compiling an comprehensive list of books needed for restoration work, but at a minimum, you should go to Amazon and order Tom Brownell's "How to Restore Your Chevrolet Pickup." It's the bible of this hobby.

And ask lots of questions here -- there's a wealth of knowledge to be tapped among the guys here. That's exactly what we're here for!

Welcome again, and be sure to send us pictures of your truck, and it's story for the Gallery.

Regards,
John

Just chiming in on what the others have already said.

Buy a digital camera first. Buy a book or two, including the GM shop manual for your truck next. The shop manual is cheap.

Search this site for questions you have. Since this site is almost 10 years old, a lot has been hashed out on over just the 1 year I have been hanging out here.

Check out the links on this page and see where they take you. Look at the parts section. You will be amazed at the number of places that sell parts.

If it was running when it was parked, I'm betting it would not take much to get it started....but that does not mean it is ready to hit the road....quite yet anyway....

My advice is to not go ahead and pull it all apart. So many survivor vehicles are disassembled with the best intentions of doing a full restoration. The % of any of these projects ever seeing the road again is pretty small. If it is in that good a condition just do a running restoration. Make it run, make it stop, make it look nice one little project at a time. Never giving in to the temptation of pulling it apart further than you can put it back together and drive it in a few weekends time.

Post pics. I agree with what has been said. Drive it every chance you get. Make it safe. Add seatbelts. Teach your boy how it works. Just enjoy the truck in running condition. Thats my favorite style of truck. I have a 46 also. Enjoy.

Opinions? Suggestions? You came to the right place! Without knowing much about your situation I very much agree with going easy. You can go from doing very little to mortgaging the house. As you cruise around this site you will get a feel of what it takes to do strictly stock, stock looking but drivetrain updates, comfort updates, blah, blah, blah. Welcome.
Dennis

Listen to what Tony M says!

Or look at my website.

Someday it may drive again!

Ditto's
Like Tony said. Start with a good debugging and derodenting and a super detail / cleanup. Get it running. Most of all drive it and enjoy the memories. Any photo's would be appreciated.

I got my truck under similar circumstances. My uncle gave it to me after storing it for many, many years. My uncle originally bought it from my dad. I had the same debate when I first got it. Get it running and drive it a bit taking my time restoring it while being able to enjoy it or just tear it down and do a full restoration. I tore it down....three years ago. I'm just now in the process of beginning to reassemble everything and at the pace I'm going I have another three years to go. In the end I won't regret it because I will not let this truck "die". If you choose this route make sure you and your son can dedicate enough time to really make it happen otherwise, get it running and drive it on Sundays. You'll get just as many "thumbs up" driving an unrestored truck as a restored one.

p.s.; I got the truck for free yet I've spent over $6,000 so far and have not even began to put it together or complete the major body work. These trucks are relatively simple but the skill and talent it takes to truly restore one of these is not simple. The guys around here help though.

Welcome to the "Bolt" There are lots of differing opinions on what to do, rod, restore,drive it as it is etc. The first thing you should do is draw up a plan, include your son too. There have been many successful Father/Son projects, planning is just part of it. Do a safety check on the truck, brakes, radiator, tires, exhaust (carbon monoxide can come into the cab through holes in the floor) before you put what you treasure the most into it. Take pictures lots of pictures. Read some of the books that have been recommeded on the stovebolt pages too. You will have fun and it is addicting, many of the "Bolters" have multiple trucks...I do! Enjoy!