New member restoring '46 Hudson pickup

[Toolcaveman]

Hello!

I just found this site today after a Google search to find plans for building a slip roll. I am restoring my 1946 Hudson pickup and I am planning to build a slip roll that can handle at least 18 gauge, up to 36" wide. This site looks like a good place to start looking for plans!

[Jon]

Hi Toolcaveman - welcome to HomemadeTools.net

Interesting pickup project; how is the restoration going? Here's a slip roll build from this forum: Just finished my slip-roll...

[kbalch]

Hi Toolcaveman,

Welcome!

Lots of car guys here (me, too!) who'd love to see some pics of your Hudson project…

Let us know when you get started on the slip roll.

Ken

[Toolcaveman]

Hi Toolcaveman,

Welcome!

Lots of car guys here (me, too!) who'd love to see some pics of your Hudson project…

Let us know when you get started on the slip roll.

Ken

Thanks for the welcome! I checked out the slip roll by "Jim in Idaho" but I didn't see a link to details or plans for it. Is there a place I haven't found yet where members post plans on this site?

I have just started the restoration of my '46 Hudson pickup (see two photos below that I took before starting). The body is solid; the hole on the hood wasn't from rust, it was caused by the old battery foaming up and eating the steel. The truck is original and complete (including the Harbor blue paint). I plan on doing a frame off restoration and going 100% original. I am starting with the doors, which are rusty on the bottoms where water collected. I need a slip roll to make the rusted out lower door skins. Also parts of the floor pan are rusted out, but otherwise the body is very solid.

[kbalch]

Your plan for the truck sounds fantastic. I'm a huge fan of 100% original, concours restorations. Is the original wiring harness still usable? Do you have a good reference for Hudson factory info? Decals, inspection marks, wire routing, etc. Very cool stuff; please do keep us posted on your progress!

No, you haven't missed finding a plans repository, though you should be aware of two features:

- The 'Want a plan?' button on every tool page. Once a given tool has received a number of requests, we'll try to get the original builder to contribute a plan.
- Our new Plans Marketplace is will be opening very soon. Plans of all types will be available for purchase there. If you'd like to sell any of your own designs, drop me a line at: plans@homemadetools.net and we'll discuss.

Ken

[Toolcaveman]

Your plan for the truck sounds fantastic. I'm a huge fan of 100% original, concours restorations. Is the original wiring harness still usable? Do you have a good reference for Hudson factory info? Decals, inspection marks, wire routing, etc. Very cool stuff; please do keep us posted on your progress!

No, you haven't missed finding a plans repository, though you should be aware of two features:

- The 'Want a plan?' button on every tool page. Once a given tool has received a number of requests, we'll try to get the original builder to contribute a plan.
- Our new Plans Marketplace is will be opening very soon. Plans of all types will be available for purchase there. If you'd like to sell any of your own designs, drop me a line at: plans@homemadetools.net and we'll discuss.

Ken

Ken,

Thanks for the info about plans. I look forward to seeing the upcoming Plans Marketplace.

As to my Hudson pickup, the original wiring harness is all there but since I haven't started disassembly (except the doors) I haven't taken a close look to see if the wiring harness is brittle - hopefully it will be usable. Always before I disassemble anything, I take dozens of photographs, notes and label the parts. I do have an original 1946 Hudson "mechanical procedures manual" (detailed shop manual) and other things like sales brochures, Hudson paint chip folder, etc. Some of the original decals are still under the hood (but not in great shape). I belong to the Hudson Club and I will be checking there to see if they have reproduction decals. When I bought the Hudson years ago, I actually bought two complete 1946Hudson pickups; one was too rusted out to restore so I totally stripped that one for all of it's parts. A bonus was that one of the trucks had a complete cowl setting in the bed of the truck and that cowl has the heater and all of the gauges. So with two complete trucks and a third dash with gauges I am pretty well set with extra parts.

Mike

[kbalch]

Hey Mike,

Sounds like you're in great shape for the project. I'll be watching this one closely. Very cool!

Ken

[DIYer]

That looks like a terrific project, Toolcaveman. As a fellow enthusiast, I look forward to the day when that Hudson is rolling down the street. Welcome to the forums!