t’s hard to imagine that some of the hardest-working parts on your classic truck aren’t just related to your driveline. While we’re tuned to think of everything from pistons to torque converters and rearends, the truth is that there are far more wear-and-tear items when you start to pin them down. For example, think about how many times your doors have been opened and closed along with the windows over the decades. Through all sorts of weather they thanklessly take a beating while keeping the gateway to your interior protected from the elements. It’s easy to take them for granted but keeping them in top operating condition should be a priority.

Likewise, your dash functions as the epicenter for relaying critical information by keeping track of your speed as well as your engine’s vitals on a minute-to-minute basis. Flash-forward through the decades and it’s easy to see that it might need some refreshing to bring it back to perfect operating standards since the components have been switched on since your truck left the assembly line. Regardless of whether you’re taking on a full build, restoring, or updating, it’s a perfect time to take a step in the right direction to address these items. In the case of the 1946 Chevy in our article, bringing a barn find truck back to the streets gave us an opportunity to tackle a number of important subjects.

When it came time to sourcing parts for the project we obviously wanted to contact the experts on Art Deco Series trucks. Chevs of the 40’s, in Vancouver, Washington, are the world’s most-complete supplier of 1937-1954 Chevrolet car and truck parts. Their knowledgeable staff and extensive catalog gave us plenty of options for our needs, regardless of whether we wanted restoration-level parts or something more modern. To take on the project we met with Scott Roth, co-owner of Rothspeed in Milton, Vermont, who got started by carefully disassembling the doors. Evaluating them proved that they were structurally sound and ready for a complement of new parts to bring them back into perfect service. They did, however, suffer from a number of issues, including yellowed and delaminating glass, difficult-to-operate latches and window regulators, dried-out and deteriorating rubber parts, and droopy door handles. We opted to focus on stock restoration parts knowing that Chevs of the 40’s offered everything we would need.

Looking at the original dash, it was obvious the components handled the quest through the years well, but it was clear they had reached their end. Once removed from the cab, the dash was placed on strands and striped of all its components, wiring, and tattered glovebox. Chevs of the 40’s was able to supply us with everything we needed for the rebuild, including a restored original gauge cluster updated for our V-8 application, new four-position key starter conversion kit, headlight and windshield wiper switches, dash accessories, and even a complete new glovebox kit. Installation of the components was a snap, bringing new life to the dash for years to come. There was no better way to seal the deal than with the addition of a classic new factory steering wheel to complete the look. Taking the time to freshen up the doors and dash was time well spent, easily seen through the images that follow.

2. The inner door handle, window-riser handle, and door panel screws were removed next using the same clutch head drive. The door panel was then lifted from the door.

4. Next, the window regulator support bar and hardware were pulled from the inner doorframe.

6. Finally, the door glass with frame and inner flex channel were removed to prepare them for a full rebuild with parts exclusively from Chevs of the 40’s.

8. Once the lower channel was removed it allowed the glass to be pulled from the upper frame. Note that this step takes time and care, especially since this was original glass sitting in the frame installed on the assembly line.

10. With the original door glass frame prepped and cleaned it was ready for installation of the new glass. Using a healthy coating of soapy water on the glass, a rubber mallet was used to carefully seat it in the frame. Fresh setting tape was then set into place on the new lower glass setting channel. Reassembly was a snap using the original hardware.

12. The nearly seized window regulator was decontaminated using brake cleaner along with a scrub brush and clean cloth while wearing eye protection. The mechanism was then fully lubricated with a healthy coating of Wurth Anti-Seize Copper Paste to renew its original smooth operation on all moving parts.

14. Focusing on the door reassembly, a new flexible cloth-covered window channel from Chevs of the 40’s was measured and set in place.

16. This close-up lets you see the newly restored and lubricated window regulator mounted to the window regulator support bar mounted in place ready for action once again. Tired of the exterior door handle droop, we also reinstalled the original door handle with a fresh return spring eliminating the problem. We wrapped up by installing a new window stop bumper.

18. Moving onto the dash, team member Dylan King first dropped the steering column using a ½-inch socket and ratchet. With the steering box previously removed, it allowed him to pull the column and wheel as one unit.

20. From the bottom of the dash, all anchoring screws were removed as well as the support bracket for the cowl vent mechanism. At this time you should also disconnect and tag all wiring, cables, and senders from the rear of the dash prior to its removal.

22. The dash was then carefully removed for the first time since the truck was built. It’s a good idea to have some extra help at this step, if available.

24. Flipping the dash over, we were greeted by a horrendous mess where the original wiring harness was in rough shape. Knowing our plan to rewire the truck, a set of wire cutters were used to cut it all away. An 11/32-inch socket was then used to carefully free the cluster from the back of the dash as it will be returned for use as a core in a future rebuild.

26. When removing the headlight switch, spin off the dash knob and then depress the shaft release button (we marked it with an arrow) to separate the shaft from the switch and follow by unscrewing the dash bezel.

28. Next, from the rear of the dash the restored instrument cluster, complete with new chrome bezel, was set in place using the original hardware using an 11/32-inch socket.

30-31. For plenty of dependability, a new 30-amp headlight switch was then installed.

33. Since the original glovebox was beyond repair and the latch mechanism was frozen it was time to freshen it up. Chevs of the 40’s supplied us with everything needed to handle the job, including a cloth-lined glovebox with mounting hardware, glovebox lock and retainer, lock-to-door gasket, rubber bumpers, and light kit.

35. The final icing was the installation of a new steering wheel since the original was in rough shape due to years of abuse. Chevs of the 40’s offers factory replacement wheels in your choice of brown or black as well as offering new U-bolt mounts, column insulator, horn button, and spring, if needed.