New guy old truck (1941 ford 1ton Railway Express)

[RustyExpress]

Hello everyone. Been lurking on here for a few years absorbing some knowledge while working on my most recent project and I figured I should introduce myself and say thank you for the wealth of knowledge on the site. My name is Luke and I previously in my younger years worked as a mechanic in a handful of different shops and eventually got out of the buisness and got into operating engineers and now run heavy equipment for a job. Now wrenching is a fun hobby rather than a not so fun job. Ive built myself a bunch of cool projects and toys from racecars, to vintage snowmobiles and cars/trucks. My favorite to date being my 49 GMC 3/4ton pickup that I drive regularly everywhere besides work. My current project is a 1941 ford 1-ton Railway Express truck. If you google that phrase the first truck that pops up will likely be my truck on barnfinds.com with a tree growing through it which is how I originally found it then chased it down a while later after it was removed from said tree.

Ok so about the truck…. It had a lot of good points and a few bad points. Good= 95% solid in the floor, 100% solid roof, 100% complete as a whole (drivetrain, brakes, wheels ect….), cool history, awesome odd looking charm. The Bad= locked up engine, locked up trans, partially locked steering gear, rust on much of exterior sheet metal, rotted fuel tank, front sheet metal was all there but was like 10x re-used tinfoil. Oh and the tree that was growing through it actually engulfed the front axle, leaf springs, shock link, tie rod , tie rod end, drag link, most of the spindle. When I bought the truck it was out of the woods already but they just cut out enough to release the truck and the rest of the tree was my problem.

So the whole plan with this truck is for me and my wife (and kids) to start up a buisness selling ice cream at events and parties. Not so much the drive around the street type ice cream trucks but more of the party rental or truck for hire type venture. This truck is slightly over 6’3” inside so that was easier than using a old Divco truck or some other shorter truck. So I got it home and already knew my plans. I had the truck built in my head before It even rolled off the trailer. I knew I would be spending a considerable amount of $ on the project but I do everything myself and have a good skillset and can usually source parts at good prices (and I have a lot hanging around). My plan was ditch the flathead and trans and install a 4.8/5.3 GM LS based engine with auto trans and leave literally everything else as it was from factory besides adding power steering. Well thats exactly what I did and so far has been flawless. I already had a good 4.8/4l60e out of my grandfathers truck that was in a wreck and it was a beautiful rust free low mileage truck that I drove before drivetrain removal so I knew I was good to go there. The stock ford timken full floater split rear looked clean inside even though there was some considerable gear backlash when turning driveshaft I decided to just run it. Bought a fuel tank from Tanks inc that was already setup for fuel injection and then used stock Silverado harness and ecu like I always do because it’s cheap/free . Wired it up and had a running and moving truck pretty easily. All new brake hydraulics, lines, cleaned up the already like new relined shoes and machined the drums and ended up sourcing all new wheel bearings (all USA made oem ford) , all new USA made kingpins, tie rod ends, drag link, shock links and installed a gm saginaw PS box/pitman/tilt column. New aluminum rad/fan, trans cooler. Put radials and new tubes on original oddball 17” 2 piece wheels. Everything worked out great and me and the kids probably put 20 miles on it after going up and down the driveway 1000 times. Truck has since driven around probably 50 miles with no real issues other than a little drip from the pinion seal. I also managed to find all NOS front fenders, grille, and hood side filler pieces. Hood was in ok shape on top so I kept that. Headlights should be going on tonight or this weekend so I dont keep racing the sunset on the way home in afternoon. Its a fun truck to drive around and local people have been loving it. Hopefully by this winter or in spring I will start on rust repair on the rest of the body and a few crossmembers under the box then the truck will be painted close to its original green color then cream wheels and roof and I will have the logo and livery all hand brush painted by a sign painter to keep the vintage non vinyl look. Then will be outfitted with all the coolers, sinks, power and things it will need to put in work. Its been a fun project so far and it really has cooperated well so far. I think its just happy to be given a new life. Enjoy some pics from beginning to end results.

***Im sure some people my not approve or appreciate the powerplant or use of the truck but its mine and the engine platform is something Im just super familiar with and the cost effectiveness of it and dependability is huge so thats why I run it. Im not name brand loyal to anything either. I own a gmc 2 fords 1 VW, a Mitsubishi (LS turbo powered of course&#128514 and a few others. Im not a 100% purist but I do have a knack for fooling people and making things appear to be all stock.

[RustyExpress]

Pictures

[RustyExpress]

More pics.

[ford38v8]

Now that is cool! Good to see the resurrection of such a rarity!

[Model51]

Neat truck and neat story. While I'm in the camp of originality, I think you should go with what you want to do. The drivetrain you mention certainly seems appropriate for you especially since you plan to use this for an active business.
I think the folks on FordBarn can be a good resource for answering questions you have, so keep the conversation going.

[GB SISSON]

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Thanks so much for posting! That's a really beautiful job you are doing on a very unusual tonner. I have owned a bunch of these tonners and always interested in 17" tires. What are size and make of your radials? Also, can you post a pic of it with the tree? Last night I was deleting pictures off my phone and deleted one of a fully restored '47 jailbar tonner Railway Express truck that is on display at the Lamay museum in Tacoma, Washington. Keep on posting and welcome to the 'Barn!

[RustyExpress]

The pic of it in the tree is the 1st pic above. As for radials they were like new take offs from a jeep or something. Not the weight rating I wanted but brand new good years for $100 I couldn’t complain about it. Worst case scenario they are temporary and I use them on my wifes jeep later on. They are 255/75/17’s

[flatford8]

I like what you’re doing with it!…..good on you for saving a rare truck!…..put me down for a small chocolate on a sugar cone……Mark

[38 coupe]

I have to admit I'm not excited by the new engine, but the truck looks great. For what you are doing it makes sense, just keep the hood closed.
If you find you want higher speed rear gears you can get a 4.11 ring and pinion set to replace what is probably either a 4.86 or 6.66 ratio in there now. Depending on tire size, transmission final drive ratio, and total truck weight you may be happy with what is there now and not be interested in changing anything.


Upsized pictures: truck as found with tree growing between the bumper and front fender, truck with tree removed, and truck as of 6 Sept 2024.

[RustyExpress]

It has 4.86’s in it currently and with the OD trans and a 34 ish” tire it’s plenty happy. 2100RPM =65mph which I wont be running it at anyhow. It is happy cruising at 55. Its not built to be a highway king but rather get from point A to point B when its needed.

[fortyonerag]

Love it.

[pistonbroke]

You have one of the coolest event vender trucks I have ever seen . I would scrub/wash it with scotch bright and clearcoat it. Then paint crusty cones on the sides. Nice save ,Tim

[RustyExpress]

Haha yes I actually already jokingly named it that! I do love rust and patina look but this one will be all clean and painted and proper. I already have a patina type truck. I will admit I’m going to miss the crusty natural look when I do make it pretty.

[5851a]

I may have missed it but how are you going to power the ice cream coolers?

[RustyExpress]

Will be using cold plate dipping cabinet freezer and probably a extra regular 110v mini chest freezer. Cold plate runs on 110 but will hold temps below zero for like 8-10hrs with no power. The truck will have a generator and will still be able to run on shore power since most likely it will be easily available wherever its parked. Again… this will not be a truck just crusin around town selling ice cream. It will be more of a park it on private property we own or park it at a event or party that its hired for.

[5851a]

Ok thanks.

[RustyExpress]

Got some eyeballs on and working last night.

[51504bat]

Brings back memories of a '40 1 1/2 ton cab and chassis I used to own

[65f100]

nice truck - good luck with it

[deuce lover]

Awesome !!!