46 Chevy 2-ton barn find/build

[puppy]

I have a build thread over on killbillet.com, but wanted to share with you guys. I'll get you caught up.

Thought I would share my first project of this nature with everyone. I have known about this truck for several years and spent the last year trying to get it bought. The deal just went thru and I will be dragging it home in a couple days. Nobody knows how long it has been sitting, but it is a solid piece.









I have a 76 C20 Chevy with a 454/400 that I am about to part out for this project. I guess I could use that chassis, but I am heavily considering keeping the original chassis and big wheels on it. I think keeping the whole front cap is in order too since I have it and it is in excellent shape.

Thinking...thinking...thinking

[puppy]

I will not be cutting on any sheetmetal, in any form or fashion. It's too good to chop.

Although I know this is a good canidate for a restoration, what fun is a fullsize 2 ton with a 6 cylinder?

Having said that I don't think the engine is salvageable. Some of the plugs are missing as is the carburetor, and have been for an undeterminable amount of time.

[puppy]

I figured now was the time to make her photogenic in the barn that has preserved her all these years. Enjoy!

[puppy]

Update:

Meeting with the sheriff today to file for title and registration.

Tires have been aired up and are holding air for over a month now.

Finished parting the '79 this week. 454/400 is going in the '46.

[puppy]

My plan is to give it a good cleaning and leave the sheetmetal as-is.

The wood bed is coming off the allow access to the chassis.

Not sure if the front fenders will stay on or not.

[puppy]

I pulled the truck over to the outdoor work area last night and torched all the old bed mounting brackets off, grounded off the welds, removed the trailer hitch, scraped, beat, and blew alot of crud off the chassis, and got the frame cleared of all foreign objects. I also got the door panels off and removed all the goodies the critters have left in there over time. So far I have gotten a 30 gallon trash bag full of crud out of it. Did all this in the mist of rain, but gotta keep the shop clean.

The plan is to remove the gas tank tonight and finish the initial cleaning in the cab.

The entire truck is getting high pressure steam cleaned on Friday.

Pics will follow.

[puppy]

Pics as requested:






The gas tank, floor panels, and the seat came out last night. The inside is cleaned out. I am letting it air out today. Whew it stinks in there!

That is a tiny little transmission for such a large truck.

[puppy]

Whew....I am exhausted!

Thursday: Motor and tranny pulled.
Saturday: 5 hours of cleaning.
Sunday: Truck is in the garage (clean).

[puppy]

Update:
Front clip was removed
Front suspension is rebuilt
Front spring under is mostly complete
Front bumper is pulled in 3 inches
Front clip is back on

Rear axle removed
Rear spring mods in progress
Rear chassis mods are about to begin (shortening, Z-ing, etc.)

I'm have a bit of a delima as to how much wheelbase I want. It is 161" right now. I can remove between 0" and 49.5".

I got ahead of the camera unfortunately, I gonna do better from now on.

[puppy]

After a few days of internal battle with myself over whether or not to make this a car hauler/wedge bed/roll back style truck, I came to the conclusion that it really would not be very practical. I would only use a car hauler to move inoperable vehicles or travel long distances, neither of which this would be ideal for.

I had this custom made car hauler built last year. No need for another one.


The truck is going to be a heavy duty hot rod. Time to go to work.




Now I have to figure out what wheelbase I need. I'm gonna lean toward the longer side due to the size of the truck, but less than the original 161".

[puppy]

The frame work is all done. I got it cut down, z'd, and welded back in one piece. I will be machining the rear leaf spring bushings when the material comes in and then I can order the rear u-bolts. She should be back on her feet by the first of the year. Pics coming soon.

This is now an option.

[puppy]

Frame pictures are coming. I got the leaf spring bushings and new pins machined over the holidays. It is COLD in the shop.

I picked this up for the truck. I don't think the blower would ever see it's true potential on this project.

[puppy]

Frame pics as promised.

[puppy]

She is back on all 4 wheels and I think it looks pretty darn good!!! Time get some u-bolts ordered.

I cut 25" out of the frame, making it around 130" WB.

I picked up the final piece of the puzzle this weekend.
Looks like I am going to have a rat rod wrecker.
I hope to get started on it again when the weather cools down.

[puppy]

Work has resumed.

After removing 18 stubborn 65 year old rivets the transmission crossmember, battery box, and the hydroboost unit were removed to make way for the mock-up block and transmission. I will begin fabricating the motor mounts soon.





Here are some poser shots of it on the jack stands.

[puppy]

Motor mounts are done exept for the final trimming on the length.

I believe I can over do anything!

[puppy]

The engine is ready for it's new home under the hood.

The York compressor will make a nice on-board air compressor.

[puppy]

Motor and transmission are in!

[puppy]

Driveshaft is done and going in tonight!

Well dang, over the weekend I found out I will have a 6.10 rear axle ratio (8.10 optional) and the newer 19.5" wheels that I salvaged will not fit the rear axle.

Not all is lost however. The 19.5's have much smaller tires, 32" in comparison to the 36" tires on the original wheels, and it looks like crap with the smaller tires. Not to mention I need the taller tires to offset the gearing. I also learned the original wheels are "locking ring/2-piece" or "3-piece wheels", not the dangerous 2-piece "split rim" that I originally thought. Hopefully I can get some tires put on the original wheels and be on my way.

[puppy]

I have acquired a complete set of (6) matching 9.00-20 tires for the rat rod. The old tires are broken down and the new tires are being mounted on the original wheels. They look dang good too!

Let me tell you it wasn't easy tho. I have about 2 hours invested in each tire and wheel. Tools for this included the following: trackhoe, tractor, forklift, air chisel, torch, sledge hammer, tire tool, penetrating oil, and several back aches!

[puppy]

Tires are on the truck and the wrecker bed is in the shop to go on this week.

The truck was officially moved into the "work bay" last night. On it's short journey outside into the daylight, it looked pretty dang cool.

The wrecker bed is on. Gotta get the kickers replaced and bolt it down.

[puppy]

Tires are on. Sorry for the crappy cell phone pic.

This is how she is sitting today. I haven't touched it in a couple months, hopefully work will resume soon. I'll keep the thread updated.

[Todd68Chevy]

Looks good. You are making better progress than I am. I want a wrecker but I decided to go with a tanker bed and make it look like an old gas/ oil truck.

[nicke]

Wow, awesome! What a find!

I also really like that 47' ish fleetline sitting next to it!!!
-Nick

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Cool project. Thanks for sharing.
I saw that you Z-ed the rear, but did I miss the info on how you got the front stance?