Man that looks great!
see if you can "flip" the image, its upside down!

A couple more pics after washing it.

FYI
Its very nice Trk As Is... Some floor rot is normal for all Hudson's (and other cars that age). Value is all over depending if runs, etc. If I read correctly it has a Ford motor? Best guess having the original engine too probably $7500+ because nice short Bed's are a rare find.

If its an Automatic you will need to change the Rear to arounf 3.00 Ratio. Early Ford Van, Granada, Ranger, etc Rear's fit well and have the same 4.5 bolt circle as Hudson. To retain value its best to keep the exterior stock looking. The biggest mistake modifying a vehical is usially cant recoup the investment later. The original paint has 'nice patina' and gives the truck character.

I would go over the front end replacing anything worn, install new brake lines, M/cyl, wheel cyl's, new 12V Fuse Box and wiring kit for Safety, then drive it.

Its yours, do whatever you want with it....

It is difficult to say, but the truck is worth probably around $7500 with the original engine because it's in great shape and looks completely stock. That's now, without really doing anything else to it.

It is not the short bed, but the long bed Big Boy PU. Regardless, as I've posted elsewhere, there were probably only about 500 total pickups made in 1941, with about 300 of them being this Big Boy model. There aren't really many survivors. it will probably have more value in the longer haul if kept stock, and generally mechanical parts are not difficult to come by. There are some simple fixes to make these a little more comfortable to drive/ride in. They really weren't designed for long hauls down the freeway, but you could improve that a little by installing an overdrive unit with the car. Anybody can drive the go-carts we have for transportation today. Teach the boy how to drive and maintain a classic! One of these trucks sold on Ebay for around $35K (pre-recession) and it was fairly well restored. It did have a Hornet engine with Twin H power installed however. I can come up with some pictures of that one if you're interested. It was a light tan color.

Thanks Guys!
It is official. We have started on it. Pushed it into the shop on Sunday. Took 5 of us with the front brakes dragging.
First task was to grease all of the front end. There are at least 22 grease zerks on the front of this beast. All of them had rock hard grease to be picked thru. Jake persevered. It turns much better and better yet seems tight.

Next was removing of the front tires and all of the front drum brake assemblies. Just a spindle and knee are showing. Removed the drums from the spindles (riveted together). Getting hubs ready to mount much newer parts house rotors on. Will be making our own brackets to hold calipers.

Removed the rusty exhaust to just clear the way.

Pulled the factory master cylinder and will fit up a dual reservoir unit next.

Picked up a used rear bumper from a 53 -56 ford pickup at a swapmeet on Sat. It will get mounted.

Jake had to get some thin shop overalls. Mom does not like so much grease rubbed on his pants. Got to teach him to use rags.

man that is a nice looking truck!

Love those "before & after" pics!!! :woohoo: What a difference. Appears to have the original paint too.

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr

That is a great looking truck and I'm sure y'all have already started working on it, as your posts were back in October. One thing you could do, and keep it at least all in the Hudson family (which would make it worth more), is to drop a Hornet engine, Hornet front brakes and an overdrive in it. Then, it could be used more as a highway cruiser, and be safer with today's traffic, get decent gas mileage, etc. The big Hornet 308 is a killer engine when properly tuned.

What Russ said. Dropping a 308 was quite common with Hudson pickups. Installing Hudson 8's was quite common also.

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr

We have been working plenty on it. The boy and I have started by:
Making front disc brake brackets
Used the original hubs and fit 1992 Ford Crown vic rotors
1978-1987 GM Metric calipers
Replaced the tierod seals with modern umbrellas
Replaced the rear axle with a 3.27 geared Explorer 1993
1974 Ford Torino dual master cylinder bolted in stock location.

As we have worked on it, the truck is in really good shape and we are grateful for that. The speedo is destroyed from many years of sun abuse. We cannot find a replacement and are making a dash insert using a 1977 repop CJ5 speedo unit.

Anyone have a nice 1941 speedo assy?

We are also mounting a swaybar from a 60's Chevelle. It is getting heated and bent for proper fit.

Here is what our speedo looks like. Need a replacement. Anyone have a good spare?

I'm not sure what's wrong with it. You can send these in and have them cleaned and refurbished and any broken parts can be replaced. Primarily, it will need cleaning and re-greasing after having sat for years. You can repaint the unit yourself. As far as the rest of the housing, you have to decide what the condition was originally and what you want to do. I've woodgrained these, as many were originally woodgrained. Yours could have been just a painted dash. You will have to drill out the spot welds that holds the diecast piece onto the front, then the lense and all other parts come out for cleaning, refurbishing. The plastic can probably be polished carefully and will look fine. Nothing on the face looks damaged to me -- just dirty and slightly yellowed which is oommon. Tap and put new small screws in to hold everything together once you're done cleaning. Should look nice. Besides the outer plastic lense, there are two other pieces in there.

If you don't want to use this unit, let me know if you're willing to sell it and how much you want for it.

that speedo lens you have is for a commodore, bigboy pickups had gold background dial artwork.