1946 DP 1/2 ton shortbed p/u
Built in KansasCity Mo in June 1946, I believe Hank headed south for its first career before being restored (sort of restored anyway) for its journey from Georgia to the wild west in the 2010’s, I Purchased Hank in central Calif & immediately drove him 4 hours north to his current home just north of SF.
Wanted a push out windshield and OHV engine so Art Deco or earlier was my ideal truck.
Bought the best (& only) truck I could find in nor cal, I had to see and drive before purchasing.
Came with 235 full pressure engine by Troy Robinson, got one of the last Langdon HEI dizzy’s which made a significant improvement, PO had just had a T5 gearbox, driveshaft and Currie rear end installed by a driveline specialty shop (thank you)
I work on it myself, replaced steering box w rebuilt, tie rods/drag link, king pins, springs,shackles, bushings, shock links, refinished the bed & wood, ss bed strips, Short shift kit, wife stitched up custom seat, YOM 46 lic plate, replaced all brake lines, cylinders & dual master, found a original grill, had it restored and chromed (repro in first photo, redone grill in last). Just went to 54 bendix front drum brakes, The work completed continues……
10/25 update: just swapped out the rear end gearing,was 3:0 now it’s 4:11, finally I can use 5th gear, and 1st/ reverse is low enough.. installed a PCV system on the engi…
Enjoying working on Hank, but even more driving it, even to p/u lumber and runs to the dump and long drives… nice as it Is….it is still a truck!
Last edited by Hanks custodian; 07/14/2026 2:59 AM. Reason: Update
Thanks for sharing the pics and your story.