1946 Railroad depot truck or mail truck?
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From: Seattle
1946 Railroad depot truck or mail truck?
Can anyone give me some more info about this truck? http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/super_vw/album?.dir=/2390
Hopefully that link will work, please let me know if it does not.
I bought it listed as a 1946 Ford Mailtruck, but I have been by a few people it was a railroad depot truck, I think my father called it an REA. It looks worse in the photos than it really is. It definitely needs work, but it is all there with the only real rust(not just surface) is in a couple of the box crossmembers behind the rear wheels. It has the flathead six and a 4 speed. I am only missing a front bumper and the gas tank. I do need brake parts too, I have the front wheel cylinders, but they have been in the back of the truck for a long time. It has been sitting since 1982, but I was told by a gentleman there that he turned the motor over about 6 months ago. Where is a good place to get brake parts for this beast and are they different from a regular 46 ford truck? The wheels are 17" and thr brakes look pretty big. Any info about this truck would be greatly appreciated, especially if anyone has any pics of something similar. Thank you.
Tate
Hopefully that link will work, please let me know if it does not.
I bought it listed as a 1946 Ford Mailtruck, but I have been by a few people it was a railroad depot truck, I think my father called it an REA. It looks worse in the photos than it really is. It definitely needs work, but it is all there with the only real rust(not just surface) is in a couple of the box crossmembers behind the rear wheels. It has the flathead six and a 4 speed. I am only missing a front bumper and the gas tank. I do need brake parts too, I have the front wheel cylinders, but they have been in the back of the truck for a long time. It has been sitting since 1982, but I was told by a gentleman there that he turned the motor over about 6 months ago. Where is a good place to get brake parts for this beast and are they different from a regular 46 ford truck? The wheels are 17" and thr brakes look pretty big. Any info about this truck would be greatly appreciated, especially if anyone has any pics of something similar. Thank you.
Tate
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 287
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From: Utah
We have one like that every year in our 4th July parade. But they used it as a Milk Delivery Truck. With a top like that, it is made for standing up in as a Utility Bed. I assume the same holds true for yours.
Does it have Insulation in the inner walls for keeping things cool, or what kind of shelfing does it have on the inside. Type of items you found inside may be a clue as well.
Does it have Insulation in the inner walls for keeping things cool, or what kind of shelfing does it have on the inside. Type of items you found inside may be a clue as well.
Last edited by IBeam; Sep 6, 2005 at 04:37 PM.
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From: Seattle
Definitely not a milk truck, has a gas heater above the driver's side rear wheel well that looks original and a wood burning stove someone added later. There is no shelving left, but looks like there used to be some. There is no door between the driver and the back, just a partition right behind the driver only. The back doors are of a bifold design and the fronts slide into pockets and have latches to keep them openand a turn **** on the inside to keep them closed. I forgot to mention earlier the original color is dark green, visible in many spots where the blue paint is peeling, and under the hood. I hope to take some more pics soon after I clean it a bit.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Southern Oregon
That is quite a unique looking truck! What are your plans for it? I have an excellent reconditioned gas tank if you need one. It came out a 46 big truck, and I've been using it in my half ton. Only one problem, the top of the tank where the sending unit screws in has one screw busted off into the tank's threads. Hasnt been leaking at that point though.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,643
Likes: 35
From: Orange County, CA
What you have there is a Railway Express truck. They were delivery trucks, they were kind of like UPS. All of them were painted that dark green color you describe. The box was built by Railway Express on the Ford chassis. What is the wheelbase of the truck? Not many of these trucks pop up, so any info you can provide will help. If it is a 122" wheelbase then it's built on a 1 ton chassis, if you can't measure, then take a quick look underneath, if the driveshaft is 2 piece, with a support in the center, then it's a 1 ton. The brakes and such are unique to the 1 ton. Mac's Antique Auto has the wheel cylinders I believe, and the brake shoes could be relined, as new shoes are hard to find. The master cylinder is still availale from Mac's as well. There is a picture of one of these trucks on an MSN groups site. It is on a 4 wheel drive chassis though.
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From: Seattle
My plans so far are just to really go over what is there and see what condition it is all in. I hope to get it running soon, hopefully, and go from there. I may take you up on that gas tank, it is either that or whatever will fit. I hope to get into it soon, but need to put a clutch in my 60 F100 first, hopefully this weekend. I guess it really depends on what condition the motor and tranny are in as to what I will do with it, but I would love to keep it stock. I'll have to check the wheelbase,hopefully tomorrow, thanks for the info.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 819
Likes: 2
From: Northern Maine
Try Dennis Carpenter Reproduction Ford parts. He offers almost everything and is quite reasonable. http://www.dennis-carpenter.com/
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 37
Likes: 3
From: Quebec
Since your truck began life as a Ford chassis and cowl, I'm curious as to it's dashboard. Is it the same as the regular truck dashboard or does it have a special one to accomodate a custom body? Also, I'm looking for a cowl such as the one on your truck. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the same cowl was used from 40 to 47 on all of the different wheelbases, including the school bus chassis. If anyone knows the whereabouts of one for sale, I'd appreciate hearing from you. Thanks, Joe.
Last edited by Stovebolt; Sep 25, 2005 at 08:45 AM.
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