The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1946 1/2 ton - Which way to head

I'm trying to figure out which way to head with the 46 1/2 ton that I recently acquired. I don't have a lot in it, so it feels like I have some head room.

Of course, a lot depends on what I want to do with it. It's got to be a driver - but more of a week-end driver. I live downtown and so there is no easy way to get anywhere without getting on the freeway. It needs to not be an obstruction to traffic. Having said that, I would prefer it to have more or less of an original look,

How much restoration work can I realistically do? That's a good question. Speaking solely in terms of capability, (as opposed to knowledge and skill), my shop is large enough and well enough equipped to dismantle the truck, but welding and finish painting would not be realistic. Small part media blasting is possible, painting primer and small part finish, most assembly work, except that which would require special machinery, are all possible.

What would it be worth IF the work turned out really well? Well, here are some shots of (more or less original) 1946 1/2 tons that sold at auction over the last year or so. A couple had the 216 switched to a 235, and the one that sold for 32m had a fully modified drive train with a Vega gearbox and later model rear end.

My preliminary cost estimate is somewhere between 25 to 35 thousand for a full restoration, depending on how picky I am and how much of the grunt work gets done here.

What I'm lacking is the perspective and wisdom of experience. Money is not the determining factor, I know, but it is something to consider.

What would you do with it?

Wow...thats a pretty open ended question ! Assuming your truck isn't a basket case that needs a ton of bodywork,a budget of 25 - 35k will get you a pretty nice truck ( either stock or modified ). It would be difficult to recover that amount of $$ on a stock truck. On a modified truck ( rodded ), I've seen a lot of nice trucks selling in the $ 25,000 - $ 35,000 range. Prices have definitely come down over the last year. If you opt to modify it, you can go from mild to wild. Keep the stock look with new running gear, or go full on custom with mega engine, chopped roof, exotic interior, etc. etc. Everyone has their own idea of whats right / looks good. Unless you are " into the build", and have the time to work on the truck, I usually tell people to buy a finished vehicle - your costs are set and you can enjoy it now. My final comment is if you have a lot of freeway driving, the stock setup will not be great. A more moderm engine, trans, and rear-end will be much more comfortable.
Just my 2 cents worth.....

Thanks for the reply britcon. This is what I was hoping to hear.

Yeah it may be too wide of a question. But, you know, there are so many ways to go. Everything from just get it running, patch the rust spots let it have the karma it has acquired over the years to making it like it was when it rolled out of the factory. Or even better than it was. I'm just wondering what other folks have done and why.

Plans like these are rarely precisely executed - but its a kind of direction to deviate from. Re-build the 235 that's in it? Get (a) rebuilt 216s? Seems like kind of a high price on their re-build. Where to put the wrench.

It's all in the owner....
You can build these guys just like they came off the floor not an unreasonable amount of cash... but you wont like it as a driver hands down. They are loud, underpowered, crappy steering and tough on todays breaking conditions...

If you want to really drive it, and enjoy it... consider a new suspension and drivetrain, it's common and affordable. That gives you the power, stopping and ride quality that you're use to. The rest is a shell and can be left stock... A decent paint job and you're into it for $12-20k pending on what you can do on you're own in the shop.

chevy 350ci(TBI or carbed)/turbo350 (or whatever) combo
12bolt or ford 9" rear
MKII front springs and power steering, updated rear springs or a link system
Decent exhaust
12v conversion
heater/AC
power windows
decent paint or touch up the patina and keep it org looking! Not so exotic that you'll be crushed if it gets scratched or bumped...

Make it a * DD

At least that's my plan! But with a little more horsepower!

If you are going to change all that you may as well just get a replica, (although I don't know if they are doing 46 yet) Because it will only be original once, I have a 216 in my truck it does just fine, It isn't quite stock, but it is at least era correct. I'll be a bit happier with the 3.55 gears if I ever get a chance to install them. The only items I have changed were safety items, I installed seat belts, electric wipers (I live in seattle) I have a fresh air heater to install once I get it all cleaned up. I am contemplating disc brakes up front, although the stopping power is just fine as I can lock up the tires, not much point in going any further than that. I can do 70 mph as it is and in one of these is fast enough, not to mention that is the speed limit.Although I keep it at about 60 for now. The question is do you want a 1946 truck or something that just looks like one? OH YEAH it cost a lot of money to rebuild one of these engines, I don't know how much I have in mine, and I don't really want to know....

You could probably take 15 grand out into the market right now and get a KILLER 41-46 GM truck that has a lot of work done. And then you would have something driveable and and be able to adjust to what you want to have. You would be way ahead money-wise and time-wise. Bring an experienced builder with you to evaluate any truck that you find and rely on an experts opinion. but choose that person wisely.
Then maybe get a repaint on that truck and you've got what you want. Then take the truck that you bought and do a fun-get it running-type of deal but don't spend a lot of dough.
Personally, a 216 is about the last engine I'd consider spending real money on. Find a 261 Chevy or 270/302 GMC and you'll have a nice powerful inline.

Yes, I think it is in the owner. That may be the simple answer here. The crux of it is the degree one is comfortable in making changes to the original machine. Almost all of these old trucks have had some changes as they have gone through past owners - in my case, the original owner welded an axel hub on to the bed side to mount a spare tire, Now, it's my turn.


What is a surprise to me is that the "market" does not appear to distinguish between a well built modified truck and one that has been closely restored to original. Both appear to be selling in the 25-35 thousand dollar range. My information may be faulty, but that's what I'm finding. For example, in the last year or so, this modified truck , sold for 27.5 thousand, yet, this close to original truck sold for 30 thousand. Too close to matter. Both beautiful trucks and took a good deal of skill and knowledge to accomplish.

In my mind, primitive as it may be, I can't seem to separate the idea of the truck itself from what it does. Trucks do stuff. Haul things. Get you someplace. Having something "decorative" that you can haul around and win shows with, may be good for some folks, but mine's gotta be scratchable. Need to be able to go to Home Depot and throw a sheet of plywood in the back.

I have no intention of copying somebody else's build, but I keep thinking about this truck which was described as:

- Body-off restoration, taken down to every last nut and bolt
- Rebuilt 235 CI engine, transmission and rear end
- All syncro 4-speed transmission out of a '76 Vega
- Engine is from a 1958 Chevy
- Rear end is from a 1955 Chevy pickup
- Clutch assembly is out of a '53 GMC pickup
- All brakes, brake lines, fuel lines and wiring replaced
- Every part of this truck has been inspected, cleaned and/or replaced
- Oak bed with walnut stain

Interesting.

What one does with their truck is up to them, but as previously said, it's only original once. That being said, I'm keeping my 54 1/2 ton all stock - I've driven it a lot that way and it suits me fine. I am doing a frame up on it with the thought that once done, it will last another 50+ years of use. My intent is to drive it and use it as a truck, as I have every since I bought it years ago.
Samantha

To each his own...but. I've always been of the opinion that if you have a comeplete truck, it's a sin to street rod it. If you want a modern truck that looks like an old truck, then there are plenty of shells in the sea. It hurts my heart to see a good truck chopped up. The thing that made me fall in love with my truck, was that it not only looked like 1949, it felt, sounded, and smelled like 1949. You just can't get the same feeling from a modern truck.

if you decide to go the gut the truck route, the HIPO shop (I call it the butcher shop) on this website would be the place to be asking questions, many of us on here find it nearly criminal to carve these trucks up. You will get more grief than advice here. Nothing rude or offensive, just strong feelings. I mean a hot rod truck is cool and all, but it makes me sad...particularly when I want your 1946 truck....

Ive got a 46 1/2ton with the original 216 and the only thing Ive done to mine was to change to open drive, I have an 89 T-5 from an s-10 and a 88 s-10 rear in mine and I even kept the foot starter and some fabrication even still have the original emergency brake handle, I did however change my front end to 5 lug suspension, I used the hubs and drums from a 51 chevy belair and now I have all new bendix brakes,I cruise on the interstate without strain on the motor