Need 41-46 Chevy Truck Purchasing Advice

[lts70]

I have had a 1970 SWB Chevy truck my whole life. Took my wife to prom in it and still drive it almost every day. I recently moved back to the farm I grew up on with my family and have room for projects again.

Which leads me to my current question. My wife has been getting after me to find her a 1941-1946 Chevy SWB truck. She saw one in one of my Classic Truck magazines about 6 months ago and has been asking me to find one ever since.

Hoping you guys can give me some advice as to what to look for in finding a good one. kind of a broad question but I am just starting to do my research so any thing you care to discuss about this model year would be appreciated.

[dennislbrooks]

The old trucks had wood blocks for cab mounting, leaf springs all way round, drum brakes, no power anything, vacuum wipers, and probably were only driven 50 mph.

Will your wife be the driver and if you want it modernized I suggest finding one on a newer frame/suspension/brakes like an s10. I have heard some may be on Nissan frames or maybe just a modernized front suspension like a mustang.

As far as I know the 41-46 chevy half tons all had the short bed -- about 79".

My 42 sets on an s10 blazer 2wd frame so the bed is actually about 72". It brakes and drives like an 90 s10 with a 350 sbc and 700r4. I avoid rain if possible in all my classic vehicles.

Are you building a truck or after a finished truck?

[CSHADES]

I agree with Dennis on most of what he wrote. The 41-46 truck in stock form is not the best driving vehicle. I am not really a fan of the chassis swap. By the time you mess around with the body mounts and other assorted things that IMHO do not look right when done you can get a mustII front and aftermarket rear spring kit installed and be way ahead. I do think there are some 3/4 tons which would be a long bed, they are not real common but they are out there. I bought a 1940 lwb by accident on ebay. The one thing to really look at is the condition of the body. These are really bad for rusting around the windshield, the rear window and the beltline around the rear of the cab. The belt line can be difficult to fix and I would look at that area very closely, especially on a repainted truck that may have been poorly fixed in that area. I love these trucks. I bought my first one (1939) when I was 11. Right now I have 1939, 1940(2)1 done and the other is the ebay purchase, 1941 coe, 1946 and a 1946coe. the pics attached are the 46 that we use as a shop advertising truck and my 40 that I drive a lot.

[dennislbrooks]

Nice trucks cshades. Those old art decos grow on you. My 46 3/4 has an 8 ft stepside bed and will remain mostly stock when complete. It has a 1954 235 in it which is about when they started pressurized oiling which is good. I think the 3/4's either were long beds or flatbeds --I do not know that for a fact. Here is a pic of the 42 so you can compare differences in looks after and before on the s10 frame. Yea it solves some problems but creates others.

[CSHADES]

are those front fenders from a big truck?

[dennislbrooks]

yep ---- I have 41, 42, and 46 parts on this truck --rear fenders are fiberglass. Front fenders are 1 1/2 ton and if you notice the front valance is trimmed. I worked with what I had.

[lts70]

Awesome trucks guys!

Definitely want it to be a cruiser. Here is a picture of the truck that inspired her to want this body style.

[lts70]

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