The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Looking for Encouragement!

I have a chance to purchase a 1946 2 ton, with no bed. The truck runs fine and there is little to no rust. I would have to construct some form of bed, but I see from this site there are many examples.

My question is, does anyone here use a similar truck as a daily driver? It seems this baby is a little large for normal in town driving. I can't imagine how tough it would be to park without power steering (comparing it to similar sized modern trucks).

I love the look and the price is fair ($2000) but its the size that is giving me second thoughts. Any words of encouragemnet?

A 2 ton truck as a daily driver? I know things here in Texas are supposed to be bigger but that seems a bit extreme. If you can't imagine how tough it will be to park then how can you imagine it as a daily driver. The price also seems high to me. That probably is not what you wanted to hear.

Here is some encouragement.
How may people can say that they drive a 2 ton truck. Gee Ivan what a big truck you have.

Trips to the Local home improvement store are now very satifying. Yes I'll take the pallet of paving stones home today along with the new washer and dryer.

Imagine all the new friends. Ivan can I use your truck to tow my 50' boat to the coast this weekend.

Now the down side:

A 2 ton daily drive without power steering sure would build up the arm muscle.

Gas mileage, I'm getting how may gallons to the mile?

I say go for it, if it is what your heart is tell you to do. Just remember that you wallet will have final say in how fast your dream becomes a reality.

encouragement is in the dictionary after

"encounter group" (The Stovebolt Page) and before "Encroach" (What happens after you get addicted to 'bolts, ie.. your 'bolts start to encroach on your wifes side of the garage)

WE won't give no stinkin encouragement, (providing you give us the address of the owner.)

ivan, i have a 1950 6400 that i drove to work-10 mile round trip- on a regular basis. you just park further out and you never lose your truck in the parking lot. when you come back out of the store there is always a crowd around it. with all the red lights in town now, the slower speed realy does,nt matter. put a flat bed on it and get ready for parades-hay rides and hauling.
my vote go far it.

I say , go for it. $2000's, not bad for a running, drivable '46 2 ton. You can't buy them for that in my area. I used to drive my '52 GMC COE, to my part-time job daily. Enjoyed the looks I got.

Do it. I wouldn't want something everybody else has anyway. Enjoy the fun and all the friends you make doing it will be there for a lifetime.

Size matters...Go for it!

They ride like a tank, or atleast mine does. Its about the slowest thing in our area, people will go around you. I made my bed you can do it to, you will get lots of yells. People loving it and people wanting you to get the hell out the way - your friends well think your nuts. Around here the homeless folks love my truck - dont know if thats good or not :-)
It always get comments almost all good. mine steers easy too. Only one I have ever had, but it steers real easy, been pretty darn dependable too. I use it usually a couple times a week, just runs to the store and such. Then on the weekends antique fun, for daily driving, if you do any real distance at all - gas is going to hurt when it comes time to pull in to the station. Also the amount of traffic will make a real difference in how enjoyable it is - good luck, I say go for it, their fun and I think you could get your money back out of it. Mine is the newest none motorcycle I own. One other thing always gets me a little nervous, I often worry how much it might cost me if I have to be towed somewhere? Hope I dont find out.

I like my big trucks. But, even my '59 (with a 292) is not a good choice to drive in big city rush hour traffic.
Without seeing it, $2000 seems a little high without a bed. But beds are not hard to find, how are the tires? Tires on a 2 ton (usually 20 inch) could set you back some big bucks, but should last forever.
My '42 1 1/2 ton steers a lot easier than my '59. If you are in no hurry, and can tolerate driving something big and slow, I say go for it.

Although, if you don't have off street parking at home and at work, you may want to reconsider. They need their space.

Good luck

John

If it trips your trigger.....go for it. Your the one you need to satisfy.

I have a bed if you want it...see my gallery pics...

The fuel mileage will get old pretty quickly if you use it as a daily driver, and if parking space might become an issue, I'd pass. Tires and brakes, if they aren't right, are a place for a lot of money. Assume you'll cruise at 30 - 35 mph, and your top useable speed will be 40 - 45. You CAN fix the gearing for road speed and fuel economy, but it won't be cheap.

If you can get past those downsides, though, you can make an acceptable bed out of just used timber if you want, and then re-use the decking for a steel-framed bed when you get to it.

And, there's nothing like pointing out your truck from across a busy lot.

2000$ seems pretty steep for a big truck. If it was in that good of shape Id think maybe half that. And I like the big trucks, but that just seems like way to much. Take it for a spin around the block and see what you think.

And expect it to need at least another 500$ just to keep it safe on the road, brakes, tires, tuneup, etc... Ive never bought a vehicle that I immediately didnt have to put money back into. But then again I see people drive stuff that should have been condemned...

i drove my 49 3600 40 miles round trip to work, it was fine, but a 2 ton it a lot bigger, but if thats what you want go for it.

Do you have any pictures of it, we can see.Antique big trucks, around my area still fetch a pretty penny, regardless of age, especially if they are drivable. 2 to 3K, is the norm, around here. Pickups, are out of sight around here also.