Doug Coward is a talented builder who was able to save an unloved 1946 Chevy 2-ton truck from a slow death after its former owner retired it from active service on the family farm.
Doug devised a game plan for the truck and ran with it over a three-year build process after he became the ’46 Chevy’s owner.
Jim Sutherland
MyStarCollectorCar was fortunate enough to attend a spring car show that marked the debut of Doug’s truck after the long build process. Doug is an old school car guy who wanted to build his truck with donated components, a process used by most hotrodders from a bygone era.
Doug’s engine choice was arguably the biggest upgrade in the truck project because he used a 5.3 LS engine donated by a wrecked 2000 Chevy truck. The popular Chevy engine was connected to a modern 6-speed automatic transmission, although Doug was able to retain an old school manual transmission look inside the ’46 Chevy truck’s cab.
As mentioned, Doug followed a traditional hot-rodder’s approach to his project, including a rear differential and front end donated by a 1982 Chevy school bus. He needed to custom-fit the bus’s front- end components so the wheels would fit in the truck’s wells, but fortunately Doug was able to fit three out of four cab mounting bolts because the school bus and his ’46 Chevy shared a similar pattern.
The newer donor bus offered an opportunity for Doug to upgrade to front disc brakes and beefy rear drum brakes, a very valuable safety upgrade after he transplanted the LS engine into his ’46 Chevy truck.
The newer engine required an upgraded digital instrumentation system so Doug added an aftermarket replacement instrument panel that looks retro but can handle the newer electronic monitoring process.
The steering column was donated by a 1970 Chevy truck, so it is somewhere between the old school truck and its 21st century components. The old truck’s bench seat is also a new addition because it was donated by a Dodge minivan, although it looks like an excellent fit in the ’46 Chevy.
Doug upgraded his old truck’s door panels with vinyl covering that helps give the cab a clean look.
Curious onlookers will also notice the stylish rear deck on the ’46 Chevy. Doug’s vision for his truck included a box donated by a 1938 Ford truck and a custom rear rack that really enhances the overall look of his ’36 Chevy 2-ton. He also added custom exhaust stacks that are behind the truck’s cab.
The exterior of the truck is important to Doug because he wanted to preserve its long history on a farm, although he invented the Triple D signage on its doors. He ordered a rub-on aftermarket clear-coat product to protect his truck from the elements and enhance the truck’s nicks and wound over the decades.
Doug intends to drive his 1946 Chevy 2-ton so he built an unusual crowd pleaser that will surprise a lot of people when he passes them on the highway.
We at MyStarCollectorCar salute Doug for his efforts and attitude.
Jim Sutherland
BY: Jim Sutherland
Jim Sutherland is a veteran automotive writer whose work has been published by many major print and online publications. The list includes Calgary Herald, The Truth About Cars, Red Deer Advocate, RPM Magazine, Edmonton Journal, Montreal Gazette, Windsor Star, Vancouver Province, and Post Media Wheels Section.
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