Any Art Deco Panel/Suburban is hard to find much less anything larger than a 1/2 ton. Not many were built.

I have a 1946 1/2 half ton Suburban and sheet metal is hard to find. I would not have bought mine if the clam shell tail gate assembly and rear lower valance had not been there.

Also the LH & RH doors are different as well from pickups.

After 3 years I finally have all the parts to complete except the second and third seats and I will have them made out of bent tubing like the originals.

I love their look and the opening front windshield. Keep in mind that the mechanical parts are about the same as you have now with your 53.

Also unless you change the gearing it is still going to be a slow truck, go to a different geared rear end 3.55 or better.

Here is the real beauty of that vintage, they are so old and so rare that very few people are left that remember them so you will not get any criticism regarding what you do to it.