The Stovebolt Site Forums Thread Like Summary - 1940 Chev 1/2 ton “Franken/Restomod”

Hello all;

I haven't posted here much, but I have used the site a few times in the past year since joining. In February I bought a 1946 Chev 1/2 ton truck with the intent of modifying it. Modern suspension, 350 V8 - all the usual fun stuff! Even though I bought the truck not running, I figured I would get it running and drive it for the summer while I finalized plans and sourced parts for the build. Well, funny enough I fell in love with putzing around town in it. So much so that I began to feel guilty about planning to tear apart a running/driving all original 6 volt 1/2 ton truck. How many are left now, can I really tear it apart??
I began hunting for another truck, missing out on 1 great deal on a basket case being dumped for 1/2 it's value. I then got a hold of a 1939 1.5 ton truck at an auction. I can now have the best of both worlds, leaving the survivor whole and modify the rough truck.
I consider myself very fortunate as my wife works in the retail store that is an offshoot of a restoration shop. The owner very generously allows the employees to work on personal projects. That means I have access to a complete restoration shop where I can not only work, but get advice on what step to take next.
I started in on the '39 build by stripping down a 1946 1/2 chassis that I bought from a body-person at the shop. She had swapped the body to a S-10 chassis and was not going to use it, so for 200.00 it was mine. I stripped it down to the rails and rear suspension and sandblasted it. I left the rear suspension on it so that it was somewhat portable. While I do have access to the shop I need to move it in and out of a bay when I am working on it so as to not plug the bay up continuously.
Once word spread around the shop that I had started my build and was looking for a 350SBC for it, I lucked into 1980's Diplomat motorhome engine and transmission. The motorhome was rough due to water damage, but only had 70,000 original KMs on it. That converts to 43,500 miles for you Southern neighbors. I pulled the engine and confirmed it was a 4-bolt main and also found zero sludge in the oil pan and the oil gallery up top. I looked at the cylinder walls and there is still some faint cross-hatch visible! The engine is currently on a stand while I clean and paint it and ready it for install- Coming soon!
I decided on the rims/tires combo, which is a set of steel 10x16 (rear) and 8x16 (front) rims and will have them powder coated tractor Red. I bought some Michelin P265/75-R16(rear) P235/75-R16 (front) tires which I initially thought would fit. Turns out, the sizes mentioned on the website are not the mounted dimensions so I need to install some tubs in the box to make room for the rear tires. I could choose a smaller tire, but these are going ot look so cool that I am willing to spend the time to modify the box so they can fit.
In September I removed the body from the 1.5 ton and it dropped right onto the factory mounts of the '46. A few weeks later we installed a new Mustang II front suspension. I was really excited as the build was progressing nice with regular milestones to keep the momentum going. Since then, things have slowed a little. I have gotten bogged down a bit on the truck box. To start I had no box to speak of as the 1.5 ton had a flat deck and the 1/2 ton was the chassis only. I scrounged up some box sides and rails and then purchased new 47-54 fenders and front/rear panels. I spent a few days modifying the fender mounting positions as the box sides were originally from a long box. Long story short, I finally realized the hours I had spent and the hours I would need to spend were a huge waste of time. I purchased new box sides and started to move forward again. I left for work with the box 90% done so I can get on to the rear suspension when I return.
I purchased a Ford 9inch differential from the same lady that I got the '46 chassis from. The next task will be to narrow it and install the 4 link rear suspension. the pictures look a little goofy as the truck has way too much of a rake as it is still sitting on the original rear end. I am very excited to see it sitting on the new suspension and I want a look at the tires in the fender wells!

See the attachment for pictures.

More to come soon!

Hello all again;
It is my sincere hope that everyone is healthy and staying safe through these unprecedented times. There is so much BS and false news, so use a reliable source to get informed and avoid the panic. I would also suggest setting a limit when watching the news as I noticed my wife became more and more stressed and upset watching the constant coverage. While you need to stay informed you can only take so much before it starts to get to you.
Here ( Alberta, Canada ) the response has been unprecedented. Pretty much everything is closed, schools, sports and public gatherings and the streets are almost empty even during our small town "rush hour".For part of my commute to work I have to fly, using the Edmonton International airport and it was eerie as I have never seen it so quiet.
Due to the request to isolate, I spent more time than usual working on the truck. My total for the week was 35 hours. The shop was still open, though it was closed to the public so I felt it was isolated enough to count.
I picked up where I left off trying to get the hood and fender gaps sorted out. You know how it goes, once you drop down the rabbit hole you are never quite sure where you will end up. I removed the front fenders and sand blasted them. I found less damage than I was expecting, so that was positive. There is some hammer/dolly work to be done and may wind up replacing the wheel opening lip, as it is quite rough and there is evidence of previous repairs. Looking at the opening, the leading edge could use some re-shaping to follow the tire contours better. I have included an older picture to show the wheel opening.
I removed the hood sides from the top sections and sand blasted the top sections. Again, they are not too bad. The passenger side has some lead from an older repair, and there are some stress cracks, but overall it looks good. I will cut out the lead repairs and also I think I will fabricate some reinforcing strips to beef up the 90 deg bend in the center where the hinge bolts on. The stress cracks are all centered out of that area so the reinforcing will certainly help.
The rabbit hole I speak of goes something like this; to get the gap between the fender and the hood I need to lower the fender, cutting out another ¼”. To lower the fenders I needed to adjust the fender supports. To get the gaps around the remaining hood openings I need to tilt the grill shroud forward. To tilt the grill shroud I had to add some length to the support rod and so on, and so on…
Back to the fender supports, they turned out pretty good so far. The original ones were in tough shape. The passenger side was welded to the frame when I started so it got cut loose and is missing the foot. The other side has a bunch of welds and stress cracks as well as the holes don’t line up so they are garbage. I liked the look of them though and wanted to replicate it, using a press and some round bar I think I came pretty close. I was concerned about the press handling a thicker material so I used 18ga steel and then laminated them together. I still need to fabricate the feet and upper mounts, but I will get the fenders completed and in place before cutting them to length and finish welding them.

Well, I think I have rambled on long enough so that is all for now.
Keep safe and healthy,
Steve