Need help with a rare 1954 Dodge pickup--->

[Green_98]

Hey guys and gals! Im new here and I need help. Im from Mississippi and I own a fully restored 1953 Chevy 1/2 ton.

I know a guy who has a 1954 Dodge that his dad bought new and its been sitting in a field for about 20 years. Its still solid and could definetely be restored. Here's some stats:

-titled as a 1954

-factory flatbed, single rear axle - not sure if its a 1/2 or 3/4 ton

-241 V-8

- 3 speed

-rear corner windows

-factory light green/teal color (banner green)

This is NOT the truck...its one just like it except for the flat bed

Im wondering how rare this truck is. I know '54 was the first year for the V-8 and since its a factory flatbed, Im wondering how many were made. Can anyone help me? Im really having trouble finding information and replacement parts for this old truck and I know its worth saving.

Thanks!

[grey beard]

Howdy Mr. Greeen,

The truck looks solid. Don't think it is particularly rare, though. You have a pickup, not a flatbed. That term is normally used to denote a stake bed as opposed to a pickup.

The early V-8's had a limited following but were pretty dismal in the power-to-weight ratio department. The best thing that could be said for the engine was that it was an easy swap up to a 318 from it. Now he 318 is a legendary engine by comparison to the early poly of 1954. Rear fenders came in 1953 and stayed until 1068, if I am correct.

Good luck. Let us know if you get the truck and decide to restore/drive it.

[grey beard]

AND, one other thing . . . . . .

That wrap-around windshield says it is a 1955. 54 models still had a slanted post like earlier models. Nice truck!

[Merle Coggins]

Dave, read his post again. He said that pic is NOT the truck in question, it's one like that.

Mr. Green,

As far as I'm concerned, any old Dodge truck back on the road is rare compared to the number of Chevys and Fords out there. Parts are out there if you keep looking. Here are a few;

Roberts Motor Parts http://www.robertsmotorparts.com/index.html

Andy Bernbaum Auto Parts http://www.oldmoparts.com/ (there are mixed reports from this guy)

Vintage Power Wagons http://www.vintagepowerwagons.com/ (mostly Power Wagon parts, but many also fit 2WD trucks)

Steele Rubber Products http://166.82.96.9/homeframes.html

And there's always the Old Mopar Home Shopping Network (a.k.a. Ebay).

I say go for it. Bring another Mopar back to life.

Merle

[wallytoo]

Dave, read his post again. He said that pic is NOT the truck in question, it's one like that.

I say go for it. Bring another Mopar back to life.

Merle

could be that dave was up a little past his bedtime (3:47 am )

i agree, though. dodge's of that era are also uncommon compared to chevy's and drof's. certainly seems worth pursuing.

wally

[Frank Elder]

Check the lugs on the axle, if it has a stakebed it's not likely to be a half ton.

[Young Ed]

. Rear fenders came in 1953 and stayed until 1068, if I am correct.

The fenders that started in 53 are the same ones on the 78 and 79 little express trucks. They were used from 53 into the early 80s when dodge stopped offering flare side beds.

[Reg Evans]

Green 98,

Here are a couple of photos of the 54 Dodge truck.

54 was the first year of the Functional Design Era trucks (54-56) and was the first year Dodge trucks could be ordered with a 241 V-8 Semi-hemi engine. This was also the first year for a 1 piece curved windshield. As stated above 54 was the only year where this windshield was used. This makes it easy to identify a 1954 from the other years.

In 55 it wrapped around a little more like shown in your photo. Another identifying feature for 54 was the little optional chevron under the headlights.

This is a 54 1.5 ton with the V8. You can tell it's at least a 1.5 ton by the fender flares.

Here's another example of a 54 equipped with a flat head six. Note the different L6 hood emblem.

NAPA is another source for engine and brake parts and don't forget eBay !

[townwagon]

First check for the Seril Number tag, which in 1954 is mounted either to the firewall on the drivers side, or on the drivers side of the cowl.

Once you have those numbers share them with us and someone can tell you what size it is (1/2 ton, or ?)

Pictures would help, are you sure it is a factory flatbed, and not just a generic flatbed added by the dealer?

Eric

[Green_98]

Thanks for the information guys...its really helpful.

The guy who owns it said that his dad bought it new and its a factory stakebed or flatbed (whichever is correct) Ive seen pictures of it from the 1960's when it still looked really good and it had the flatbed. He was a mechanic at the Dodge dealer and he ordered it new...its been sitting in a field now for about 20 years.

I know old trucks pretty well...I know its a '54, 1 piece windshield, and it does NOT have fender flares; its not a big pickup...3/4 ton at best. I dont recall how many lugs it has

I found out that '54s 3/4 tons came with an optional 7.5' and 9' stake bed and I think that what I have is the 7.5'. I have since moved about 500 miles from the truck and I never wrote down the VIN # on it...hell I looked at it and took pics 5 or 6 times, I dont know why I didnt write down the VIN#...rrr!

It does however have lights mounted on the front fenders and the top of the cab and the owner said that those were factory.

Keep the replies coming guys! Y'all are great

[Green_98]

Heres another pic of one close to what I have. This is NOT the truck, but one close to it:

Notice the lights on the front fenders. It also has 3 or 5 smaller lights on top of the cab...can't remember.

Which would be more rare? A big rear window cab or the 5-window cab?

[townwagon]

The big back window was not used on the trucks with the flat windshield. I have only seen one example, and it was a first series 1955.

The picture you show in your last post is of a 1955 2nd series or 1956 truck.

The smaller fenders you keep showing were used on 1/2 ton to 1 ton trucks, so there is no way of knowing what size it is from the fender style, just that it is not a 1 1/2 ton.

Eric

[Green_98]

i think ive got a 7.'5 stakebed 3/4 ton. Its got the 5 window cab, like some of the 45-54 advanced design Chevy's had. I didnt get a VIN# off it, and now its 500 miles away so i can't just go get it haha. Oh well, I'll be done with grad school in May, maybe I can go buy it afterwards. Who knows; I just hate seeing good old trucks rot

[Reg Evans]

Yes.....go save it. It needs you !

[old woolie]

My 55 Fargo has the slanted post windshield. I believe Don Bunn's book on these trucks states that 1st series 55's had the slanted posts and 2nd series had wraparound posts.

[Reg Evans]

You are right old woolie! I just re read that section of his book. 1st series 55's did have the 54 windshield according to the Bunn/Brownell bible.

[Green_98]

yea thats what its got...1 piece solid windshield and 3 windows along the back of the cab (like the old advanced design 47-54 Chevys)

I'll see if I can get a couple pictures scanned soon...I've got 3 or 4 at home I took with a throw-away camera. Now Ive just got to convince the original owner to sell it...