My two prides and joy are 1946 trucks and both have lived their lives as farm trucks.. and that's the way they'll stay.
There will undoubetebly come a day with the 216 in the 1/2 ton will give up the ghost, and I doubt i'll put a 216 back in it.. probably a 261 with a updated rear and 5 speed tranny.
Not sure if that's what you'd call a rod or a restore, but for me it's all about function before fashion.
A '44 truck would be a rare bird.. i'd probably sell it and use the proceeds to buy a '41 or '46 thats a little closer to what you're looking for.
But in the end, it's your truck.. do to it what you need to do so it'll do what you need it to do.
