newbie with questions

[Guest dadsdream]

Hello all,

i just found this site and am in the process of trying to do what i have wanted to for 20 years.

i have this old picture.

That is my dad at 16 and his dad standing beside the truck when they bought it new at the dealer.

Can someone tell me what model the truck is?

if for sure it is a 50 model.(it says 1950 on the back of the picture)

Were vent windows an option? and if so will doors from a vent window truck fit a non vent window truck?

Also what are the wheelbase lengths of these trucks?

i will have lots more ? and i appreciate any and all help you can offer as i try to fulfill a dream of mine of having a truck like the one in the pic.

Thanks

Eric

[oldmopar]

There should be a tag on the drivers door that will give you model and wheelbase with the 6 lug wheels it would be a 1 ton. Yes the doors will swap the vent windows were a option. Try the link below for some basic information

http://dodgepilothouseclub.org/know/know.htm

[Reg Evans]

What a great photo Eric !

I'm going to say it's either a 49 or 50 1 ton pickup with a 126" wheelbase. In 48 the grill bars would have been stainless steel. By the looks of the scratches on the front rim maybe it's a 49 in 1950. Yes, a door with wing windows will interchange.

Is your last name Bloom ?

Here's one like it for sale on eBay right now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1948-Dodge-Pilot-House-B-1-D-1-Ton-Express-Pickup-/130414182017?cmd=ViewItem&pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item1e5d4a7e81

[Guest dadsdream]

Yes Mr. Evans,my last name is Bloom. this photo is all the info i have on it. dad passed away in 2007. if i remember right he said that the truck got totalled in the late 50's when his dad got rearended by a milk truck. i am looking for one to restore. within 300 or so miles of southwestern indiana/southern illinois. so if anybody knows of one, please let me know.

thanks.

Eric

also, were all the 1/2, 3/4, and 1 tons the same cab and bed just different suspensions?

[Dave72dt]

Basically the same although some differences in the front grill panel, doors between years, some had corner windows, some not, other interior options. Inividual sheet metal differnces exist on other not so visible portions of the cab and front end. Bed lengths differ as does frame length and suspension and the rear fender is different on the latest model pilothouse.

[Tony_Urwin]

Eric, google Don Bunn (author) for the definitive reference books on our Dodge trucks.

[Merle Coggins]

Welcome. Great pic.

Based on the painted grill bars I'd have to say that it is a 1950 B-2-D 1 ton truck which would have a 126" wheel base.

Standard cab trucks didn't have rear corner windows or vent windows in the doors. Deluxe and Custom cab had both. 48-50 doors are interchangable. In '51 when they changed the grill style they also shortened the crease in the door. A door from those years would fit but wouldn't match visually. I also converted a non-vent window door to have a vent window, but you need the proper window parts to convert it. It would be easier to find the proper doors, or truck if you're starting from scratch.

If you are really interested in one of these trucks I highly recommend getting a copy of Don Bunn's book on B-Series Trucks. It is currently out of print and hard to come by for a decent price, but our DEPTCA president has been working with the publisher on doing a reprint. (Any progress Bob?)

[ggdad1951]

what a great picture! I've asked my parents if they have any pictures of my truck from back in teh day and sadly they do not. You have a great picture of history there my friend! Best of luck in your search for a project!

[Guest dadsdream]

my hope is to build up a truck an then use it to tow my 1949 and 1951 olivers to the tractor pulls that are halfway close.

i found a truck on craigslist halfway close to home. looks to be a 1 ton with a flatbed on it for $1900, does that seem in line or high? looks to be decent from the pics. says it has 6 new tires but needs brake work.

gonna call and get more info on it.

[4852dodge]

Check into it. It probably is worth what they are asking. Check for rust throughs and for frame cracking between the cab and the bed.

[Frank Ollian]

What color was this truck? I'm guessing red with black. Sad it was totaled, great photo.

[townwagon]

Judging by the door handle(which looks to be of the earlier pot metal chromed style) I think that is a 1948-49 B-1-D with the 9 foot bed.

I am not positive that painted grill bars really give away the year of the truck, I have looked a large number of B-1s with painted bars, and while I have not checked the years on all of them, I am willing to bet some are 1948s. I have pictures of the Serial Number tags for a lot of them, someday soon I will have to look up the numbers and see if any are 1948s.

I will say that most B-2s I find have painted bars, but again I have not checked to make sure that every set of stainless bars I ever saw was on a B-1.

The hollow stainless 1950 (sometimes seen in late 1949) exterior handle, and curved window winder are a couple of the little clues I find in the end of the 48-50 era.

Also note that Eric's picture shows a truck with the push on wiper arms, which means that the wipers were vacuum 90% of the time.

As for interchanges, basically stick with the 1948-50 trucks, a lot of the later stuff was subtly different, though some items like the bed and front fenders are the same 48-53. Of course there are always exceptions like the 1953 rear fenders and running boards. Also if you buy a truck in your area you may find the fenders are rusty, the front fenders are 1/2 ton to 1 ton only the 1 1/2 ton and larger fenders are very different.

Good luck, it would be great to see a matching picture of you in a matching truck.

Eric

[carls 49]

hi eric and welcome. good luck on getting that truck.

[Guest dadsdream]

well i missed the truck that was halfway close, its gone. but i think it was a 1-1/2 ton the more i looked at the pics.

the truck was origionally red and black as you guessed Frank.

i will keep looking, has to be one out there somewhere. or even a 1/2 ton with the long bed maybe??