1946 Chevrolet Rat Rod / Hot Rod or Shop Truck with Short Bed

1946 Chevrolet S-10 Description

Very unique 1946 Chevrolet pickup that sits on an S-10 frame and running gear. I bought the top of the vehicle (cab, front clip and bed) from a barn in Wisconsin and put this on top of a frame/engine that I bought in Michigan (parts yard used by GM and Chrysler to scrap out their parts cars, show cars and test vehicles). Frame was pretty clean and the engine was froma high mileage 1989 1/2 ton truck (350 CI small block with new Holley 680 carburetor) . Trans (700R4) was from a local trans repair shop I have used in in the past.
In the build, we lowered the suspensionwith drop spindles and then cut the springs in the rear. It rides low and hard. NO AIR BAGS. Wheels are 22 inchers from Craig's List and came mounted with OK tires. Bench seat is from a 1942 fire truck that was in Portland Oregon and is totally original. Same vinyl material on the seat. Gas tank is from a Jeep found in the parts yard and is capable to support fuel injection (This truck is screaming for a newer LS engine). Tank is located under the truck and not in the cab as is original design. Battery is relocated to a big shelf behind the right front wheel. It is protected with a cover. Have a remote jump start block on the front of dash area. Steering wheel is from a 1952 Chevrolet truck as they are cool.
Truck has power steering, power brakes, tilt steering wheel (from a 1969 Oldsmobile) rubber floor, 4 speaker Alpine Audio head with an amp and sub woofer located under the seat. Truck bed us functional I do use it for hauling landscaping, pumpkins and my mountain bike. I have tie down hooks to keep things in place. Also, the grill, running boards and rear chassis have RED LED strips for car shows or if you want to drive with them on (check with your local police first for legality). We use this truck as a "haunted" truck at Halloween and it is a hit in the neighborhood.
This truck is not perfect but it's cool and everyone loves its unique shape and stance. Lots of attention, thumbs ups and people (young and old) that want a pic next to it or in it. Improvement that I would do:
- Add the LS motor (lighter and more HP)
- Add Catalytic convertors to keep the exhaust smell down. Currently headers into mufflers and each exit under running board in front of the rear wheels
- Front window does not fold out. Getting the hinge and crank is hard to find (they want a core to rebuild). I think it could be done for about $1500 if needed.
- Side windows have cracks. There are the original glass and did not replace for that reason. New window surrounds are also needed. Jim Carter Truck Parts has all the trim materials
- I have a nice heater box from the truck. It needs blown out and reconnected. Heat line in and out are in the cab. Blower works.
I am selling as I have 5 vehicles and a couple Harleys. It is more than I want to deal with now. This is a unique ride and it will go down the road at 70mph. It is light weight and moves out nicely and with the Power disc up front and truck rear drums, it stops just fine.
I have been honest here. There is no warranty with this purchase.I will help your transport choice load the vehicle but I WILL NOT PAY FOR SHIPPING. If you want to drive, come and visit Detroit.


ANSWERS to some of the questions I have received:
1) Truck will be titled as a 1947 Chevrolet. Why a 1947 and not a 1946?Chevrolet back in the day did not coordinateend of the year model changes as they do now (I work in automotive as and electrical engineer) and in 1946, the Chevrolet history says they had about 2100 vehicles worth of "extra" parts before they went to the NEW body style later in the year (the very popular rounded nose truck). This is one of those weird 2100 vehicles that is a 1946 in content but built in 1947. Title isGREEN and not rebuilt.
2) Engine works just fine as I can tell. No telling smoke and no oil leaks.Engine was pulled from a 1989 CK truck with 160K miles. It ranfine (as a 200HP motorwhen new) as we tested it in the donor vehicle. I would put an LS motor in it as it is the next best small block V8 and it is fuel injected. Carbs are cool but you can not beat the computer controls. I just sold a carbed/stokedHarley FatBoy as I still got beat by 103 CI fuel injected bikes. I would add the catalytic converters as the truck has NO emissions and my wife complains of the smell. She does this on my new StreetGlide too as I replaced the exhaust and installed a Stage 1 kit. You DO NOT smell exhaust when driving the truck. The engine pulls this very light truck surprisingly well. I do drive this to the office to piss of my upper management (about 30 miles with 10 miles on the highway) and do not have any issues other than people crowding in on me to get a better look. We did upgrade the Holley 4100 carb to the new 680 with electronic choke as we could not get a rebuild kit for the 4100 (weird carb I was told). Distributer is also new and electronic. Truck always starts right up even after the long winter here in MI, it did not require jumping (battery is 2 year new (from Costco))
3) YES. The paint on the cab and fenders is the original paint. Even the glass is original so I did not replace it when the bb gun pock mark grew. It is original only 1 time. Front blinker glass is original. Rear lights (brake/turn) are They blend in well.
4) I do not have a buy it now price.If you really like it, shoot me an offer. All I can do is say no. I did not build this to make money but to have some fun and to learn something. I am selling to re-rebuild my 1942 Harley Flat Head (if you must Know) and I want a new exhaust for my LS3 Vette.