Jim Gaspard

There's a fairly good shape 1948 B1 in Dallas. http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/1661067647.html

I'm 66 and I can now see my goal is to make it to the now vacant 81+ group along with the rest of my fellow 31 baby boomers.

Well said! Like our trucks there isn't much NOS around anymore, which makes us NORS!

Thanks Bob. My B3B (low bed) and B3C (high bed) (both 1951) have the round rear top fenders. The square top started with late production of 1953 (B4's) til the 80's as you noted. But logically, Dodge probably made the 48 - 53 round top fender identical on B's, C's and D's, so you may have answered my question. I'm heading to the blaster this morning with a tape measure to confirm. Thanks again. Jim

Can anyone tell me if B3B (108) rear fenders will interchange with a B3C (116) rear fender. They seem identical even though they attach differently. Same question for running boards even though I suspect the B3C running board is longer. I saw my B3B rear fenders running boards at the blaster today and they look pretty rough. My B3C parts truck pieces are in great shape. I guess it will be a question time spent beating them out vs a cut and paste job. Thanks.

This is a good thread on the subject of Pilothouse B3 wheel colors and other options. It has Zeke's formula. http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=9386&highlight=wheel+paint+color

Me too, a second copy and now one for each truck.

I dug one out of my parts bin in less corroded condition. But I am intrigued by the "turn the plate 180 degrees". I need to investigate that.

As Barry stated, they are on it. That is great news to all of us. Here was their reply: And thanks for the lead, Merle.

All, whether you are beginning your restore, or are the proud owner of a restored vintage Pilot-House, drop Plymouth Doctor an e-mail on their web-site CONTACT US to let them know our interest in their expanded Dodge Truck B-Series product line. If they hear back there's a market for these parts, it may accelerate their decision to begin production.

Yes, my new replacement master looks exactly like the one posted below by Hanks3B3, had it for some while and can't remember where I bought it. The piston rod attaches to the right piece posted by Young Ed. The piston rod is the part that fits into the boot and its pitted, more at the boot fitting than the male end. Everyone agrees, shouldn't cut corners with brakes. Where can I find a good NOS or NORS piston rod? Jim

I am replacing my B3B brake master cylinder this weekend with a new one. I pulled out the piston rod from my old one and it's pittted here and there. There doesn't appear to be a lot of discussion on this subject on the truck side.Where is the line drawn between "you can use it" vs "you need to replace it"? Can this part be found in the local auto store as replacement stock for old trucks, or do I need to start searching for a better condition used replacement? Thanks for advice....and a part number if handy.

OMG......and a roll of duct tape. Its saved me more than once.

Way cool! Thanks GTK!

This is the Craftsman extraction set for smaller size bolts. It was around $19 as I recall.

From prior posts on the fender weatherstripping topic:

Merle, your 2700 posts in four years on B-Series trucks speak for itself. Plus, as a B truck owner you have shop smarts & are not just book learnt. Your posts obviously get the respect of Forum members, and I personally find your explanations informative, educational and right on point. There may another qualified member who will step forward and represent us like Bob Koch, or Reg or ? but no-one is closer to our trucks and their history then the members that chime in day after day. It appears the original Allpar.com B-Series Wikipedia definition was started in 2006. Thanks to GTK and 25,000+ P-H posts, the DPETCA, and resources like Don Bunn's book, this Forum has become a real powerhouse of information on the 48-53 Dodge Pilot-House trucks. We need an at-large member to step up. Low pay and little reward, but lots of appreciation.

A good thread on a fender-to-body sealer/weatherstripping material: http://http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=16723&highlight=fender+felt There are other archived discussions. Type in key words in Search V feature above.

Thanks Bob. I feel better already.

Wikipedia is a conglomeration of various authors over time, each an update of a previous entry. There is not one author. Kind of a progressive definition by the people. Anyone can rewrite or modify the information, but it is subject to review and rebuke by the general internet population. But, usually if the new informaton can be defended, it stands. Remember, the earth was once square. There is no better source for current knowledge and information on the Pilot-House trucks than the members of this Forum. I nominate Professor Merle or a member with his knowledge to be our advocate for updating the Wikepedia narrative. Do I hear a second?

I have seen the larger size extractor sets at Harbour and Sears. $20 bucks. This is the same extractor kit I used to remove the frozen door lock set-screw. Tempered steel and they really take a good bite for the torquing. Good luck.

I so hope Ed is right on with his 10% estimate because that would mean there are approximately 95,000 1948 - 1953 Dodge-series truck sleepers out there in the woods, barns and places unknown. And I may yet have hope of finding my shortbed lowside tailgate, my floorboard plate, a passenger side sun visor, a stainless set of B3B grills and the holy grail 610T radio. What we really need is a Pilot-House registry to keep track of what we know exists. Anyone up to writing a program. I have three entries from my personal harem (my trucks are my vice, get it?).

Did you reroute flow to increase the percentage of the filtered oil which I understand is only a small percentage of total volume? While I prefer to keep my B3B as stock as possible, I would consider some enhancements that improve safety and engine performance. Seat belts, disc brakes, turn signals and possibly oil filtering to name a few. Pictures would help.

Taken from Don Bunn's B-Series Truck book, there were 27 truck body models from 48 to 53, including Conventional Cab, COE's Panel's, Pick-ups, Power Wagons, Express, Platform & Stakes. Production by calendar year were: 1948 - 172,020 1949 - 151,513 1950 - 125,773 1951 - 169,000 1952 - 162,871 1953 - 105,248 Many of these were in military pools, corporate fleet trucks for industry and farm production while I believe F & C were more targeted for the mainstream consumer supported by heavy advertising, marketing and as you mentioned, more dealerships. Of the million or so Pilot-House Series and Power Wagons produced in this period I think our Forum and the PW club probably represent a high percentage of the survivors, I would estimate a wild guess of under 2500.

I was piddlin around the internet doing a search for a short bed, low side tailgate and came across this site I had never seen. Interesting reading. Of interest to us are some great Pilothouse truck photos and narrative, particularly the B3. http://www.allpar.com/model/ram/ram-history.html