restoration begins

[1952b-3F152]

When my grandfather died 16 years ago he left me his first welding truck. Now at 31 years old I am able to start restoration on the truck. The truck has been sitting since the late 1960's. It is mostly rust free but I do need a floor pan and the metal fins that the parking lights are in. According to the research I have done it is a 1952 1.5 ton 152" wheelbase. Are the drivelines different that the 1/2, 3/4, or 1 ton. That goes for the brakes too. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Jon

Tulsa, Ok

[grey beard]

Your engine block will ge 25 inches long and can be one of three possible cubic inch displacements - most likely 236. Transmission will be a four speed standard or an optional 5 speed. Rear may be a two speed if you are lucky.

Many cab and body parts will interchange with half and 3/4 ton pickups inclueding dash gauges,, knogs and hanedles,, and the parking lamp grille extensions you mentioned. These are ussually the first thing to deteriorate on this model trucks and rthe parts are very scarce. Your best bet will be to find a parts truck if you are able. Having been to your part of the country following the wheatr harvest, this should not be too difficult to find parts locally even if you must buy a truck dfor parts.

This forum will be very helpful to you. Some very knowledgable people are always willing to hel0 with difficult problems. Sufgest you purchase repro service and parts manuals from faxon.com or similar vendors, plus Don Bunn[s excellent book, Dodge B Series Trucks. These will become your chief source of reference as you work rheough the project.

Keep us posted on your progress. Good Luck.

[Dale Uhrich]

There Was Some Light Parts On Ebay Yesterday

[pflaming]

Research the "Search" system of the forum. (1) Put in "brakes", for example, then look primarily at anything related to brakes that comes from the Pilot-house side of the search. When you find information pertainent to your need, copy that line / lines. (2) Start a Truck Restoration folder, in that folder start a Brake document. Now open that document and PASTE the sentences you copied out of the forum. Save the information. (3) Keep searching, copying, pasteing and saving. (4) Now when you are working on your brakes go to YOUR document, print it out and take it to your shop. There is information on this forum that is NOT in the books, trust me, that isn't to say you shouldn't get the books, they have schematics that are almost priceless.

You are in for a nice experience. I hope to have my truck on the road in 60 days, the drive it regularly to establish dependability, and finally drive it out to Indianapolis, IN next summer and give it to my only daughter. Will look up Forum friends along the way, maybe even get a free meal or two.

[wallytoo]

if it really is a b-3-F152, it doesn't have a two-speed rear axle. that would be designated by b-3-FA152.

some of the brake parts can be found. the front wheel cylinders/assembly is the same as the rear wheel cylinders/assembly of the one-ton models. the rear brake parts are not the same as for the one-ton model, and you have to search various places to get lucky. i've found wheel cylinders for the rear axle on ebay. i've managed to locate a few places for both front and rear wheel bearings and axle seals, too, and have installed them.

the driveline will be different than the pickups/one-tons. for one thing, if it's a 152, it should have a center bearing just behind the cab. the driveline is far longer than for the pickups.

[Fernando Mendes]

Looking the rear axle drive shaft it is a 1/2 ton.To me it is a 108 wheelbase?

[wallytoo]

Looking the rear axle drive shaft it is a 1/2 ton.To me it is a 108 wheelbase?

???

the blue truck in the photo isn't the truck being asked about.

[pflaming]

NO! The blue truck is my '52 1/2 ton. I think it is a '52 because of: door windows and fenders. I think the '53's have a 'square' rear fender. I just wanted the new member to have something to compare to. A ton frame, wheels, springs, and other parts are much heavier, at least from what I have observed.

PF