Hawkeye Mike

Yep, hadn't thought of that either. That would also explain why the dually's are gone. Maybe they wanted it to be able to go more places than just the highway. Mike

It has 81,000 miles. That's an interesting possibility - I hadn't considered it being used at an airport. Yes, that is a transfer pump, and I'm pretty sure it still works. There is another one on the other side too. I think one of them for sure is for the oil barrels, maybe both. The tanks 'drain' at the rear, low. So gravity appears to be the main method of getting fuel out of the main tanks. Mike

Interesting you say Internationals, as one of the vehicles in line in front of the tanker truck for us is my brothers '51 International pickup. Should also be a fun project.

It was left on some land that I purchased years ago, and had just sat out there as an ornament more than anything. Now, it's in my backyard (where the pic was taken) waiting to be restored. There are 2 vehicles ahead of it in line, right now I'm just getting it titled and starting to look for parts I know I'll need (i.e. the drivers side door windows are broken). It's not running now, but I don't think it would take much to get the motor started. I plan to do a full restore, likely keep the same motor if possible but too early to tell. One thing I haven't decided is what to do about the exterior paint. For sure, I want to repaint the tank and likely the interior and the engine bay, etc...but the patina look of the cab is starting to grow on me. We'll see - I'll probably change my mind ten times before I get that far. Mike

I think so...not sure why it was converted to not be a dually. Once I get it all apart I'll decide what to do with it - I'm worried it doesn't have the original rear diff. Tank full of fuel would have been nice, but it sure wouldn't have been fresh. The tanks inside (it's divided into 4) are very nasty. Restoring the tanks may be the most difficult part of this build, who knows? Mike

Also, here is a pic of the truck if anyone wants to see an old Dodge tanker truck:

Young Ed, I think you just figured it out. If it were a very late '49 B1, but with some features of a '50 B2, that would explain the 'X', and it would explain why the serial number lookup thinks it's a B2 but the tag says it's a B1. And, looking on the pdf I have linked above, I could find a valid serial number range in 1950 for a B2 (I never looked there earlier since the badge says B1). So, with the Dodge branding with a valid serial number range, it's not a Desoto...I'm not going to worry about the fact that the serial number also fits into that Desoto's serial number range. Thanks!!! I appreciate this. Anything else that can be gleaned from the tag or the firewall tag, I'd love to learn more. Thanks! Mike

Here is the VIN Plate, and also what I believe is the firewall tag? Don't know where to find the engine number. Also, not sure if this would help, but this truck is a fuel tanker truck. I wouldn't have any idea when/where the tank was installed. Thanks, Mike

Maybe to better summarize what I've found so far: Serial Number: 80381188X - According to the serial number guide (found here: http://dodgepilothouseclub.org/know/DE-FE_Export_Serials/Serials.pdf), this serial number range makes it a 1950 Desoto Truck S-2-F. However, the badging on the truck has nothing DeSoto on it, nor does it say S-2-F anywhere. - According to http://t137.com/registry/help/decode.php , this serial number range makes it a 1950 Dodge Truck. But, the possible models are all B-2’s, and the badge says it’s a B-1. - Also, not sure what the ‘X’ signifies. Model: B-1FA128 - B: B-Series - 1: Version - F: Model - A: 2-Speed Rear Axle - 128: Wheelbase According to Wikipedia, in 1950 the shifter moved to the steering column from the floor…but the truck has the shifter on the floor. Thanks, Mike

I'm in Illinois, the truck was built in Detroit per the ID badge inside the door. I see no evidence of DeSoto badging on the truck anywhere, only Dodge. Also, it has the manual shifter on the floor, which is one of the reasons I thought it was a '48. I thought I read somewhere that in '50 they changed to having the shifter on the steering column... Thanks, Mike

I have what I had thought was a 1948 Dodge truck, that I'm getting ready to title and start a restoration...but if I look up the serial number (80381188), it looks like I have a 1950 DeSoto S-2-F. But the badge on the truck says: 80381188X, model B-1FA128. So...is it a DeSoto truck? If so, what does that really even mean - since it is badged as a Dodge? Also, what does the "X" represent on the serial number? Is that common - I don't see it mentioned anywhere in my research. Thanks for any help or assistance anyone can provide. Mike