The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop 1946 2 ton hotrod?

Hi new guy here just bought a 1946 2 ton stakebed. Not sure what to do with it. I want it to transport my sandrail/streetrail. This is the truck. Now I dont know if I should fix it up as it is, ie restore it and do it black and red to go with rail, or if I should hot rod it. If i choose to hot rod it, do you think it is possible to get it to fit on top of something a little more modern. Something like a chevy 3500 dually. I dont know but you guys must. Anyway any advice would be cool. Thanks Mattd

I'm not the big Bolt guru but I do want to welcome you to the best resource a man can find for stovebolts!
Depending on how far, and fast you want to haul the rail can make a difference in what you do. I know there are some guys here putting some big blocks in theirs. You may want to post this, or put another post in the Big Bolts Forum.

Good luck whatever you decide and keep us posted. And thanks for the pics.....folks around here love pictures!

Hi Matt, Welcome from a fellow "Brit"!
Is that a Rover lump hiding in the back of your rail. I'll bet she goes well!
Back to the main subject....It's your truck,do it the way YOU want. To fit all the bodywork on a later chassis is do-able but a lot of work.
The other option is to upgrade what you've got i.e Brakes/steering etc. There are plenty of vendors in the links section who could point you in the right direction.
It's all down to how much £££££'s you want to spend.
Nice truck anyway!
Jock

Matt,
Like Jock said build it the way you want, but I can offer my experience.
I refurbished a '53 2 ton dump for my roofing business.
It looks & works great, but doesn't compare to a modern vehicle for ease of use, consequently, I find I don't use it as much as expected.
It only goes about 45 mph, is slow on the takeoff even from 2nd, & is hot in the summer without a/c (granted I live in Florida).
If I have alot of errands, & distance to cover I'll use my '99 pickup instead.

SO, I would modify the truck with a modern driveline & suspension. & add a/c.
The only possible exception being the straight front axle. it could be done later if desired.

Since this will be used to haul your racer, dependability is tops on the list. I would think comfort & ease of use would be too.
All you want is a cool looking hauler for it, your attention will be focused on the rail, so you want a reliable turn key operation to get it from point A to point B, right ?
Rick.

my truck;
http://www.stovebolt.com/gallery/schultz_rick_1953.html

Hello jock, yes its a 3.5 rover v8 running efi. Not really sure what to do at mo. No rush as im trying to put a workshop up in the yard. But I really like Pachhorse32's ride. Thats the sort of thing I wanna do. I think as my truck is a 2 ton the front wings are bigger. Will have to see if I can get some large wheels to fit under those arches. Like 24's or something larger.? Thanks for the advice topcat, I totally understand what u mean. Thats why im torn as to what to do. Its a shame you dont use it much, nice looking truck.

Have you seen Shawn Maher's 46' http://www.stovebolt.com/gallery/maher_shawn_1946.html

I have upgraded my 51' to a 78' c30 frame with a 454 big block. There are lots of pictures in gallery that can give you lots of ideas. Hope you find what you are looking for. I have spent hours just looking at all the cool rides in the gallery and the search option in the forums has helped out alot. Enjoy the site.