My "new" 53 B4B

[moparmonkey]

Ok, so I finally took possession of my new to me '53 B4B. I believe I'm the third owner, it was originally purchased by a farmer as a work truck. When he passed a few years ago the family sold it, but no real work was done by the second owner. Hasn't run "in years", but the engine still turns. Supposedly had "electrical problems", and based on the wire harness I can see why.

Anyway, pretty nice, complete truck. Looks to be a Custom cab, has the wing vents and dome light but no quarter windows. Low-side bed, 3 on the tree, T306 engine. All but one of the original hubcaps, and the spare tire too! Built in San Leandro.

I did have a question, is there any way to tell from the outside if you have a fluid-drive transmission? I ask because the truck has the "shadows" on the hood below the side trim that would indicate there was an additional tag below the standard "Dodge" lettering. I looked underneath, seems to be a regular looking 3 speed (Not an M6). Do I just have to wait until I can get it running and see if it stalls when I don't push in the clutch at a stop?

Edited February 4, 2011 by moparmonkey

[Young Ed]

Can you see approximately how deep the bellhousing is? The fluid drive bell is much longer.

[moparmonkey]

Makes sense! Here's a couple of pictures. Seems like its about 13 1/2" long, but that's from the top and its hard to see where the front of the tape is at.

From the top

From below

[Dodgeb4ya]

You got yourself a real "Fluid Drive" coupling in that truck! The FD coupling in the trucks is a 1946-50 Chrysler straight "8" FD coupling for heavier service too!

Bob

[moparmonkey]

Sweet!!!

Is the fluid drive a rare option? I mean, I've heard of it before and I've seen a few trucks on the 'net with it, but it doesn't seem like there's a ton of them.

And I suppose the real question is, are they hard to service? I'm guessing its not something I can get parts for easily. And I don't imagine I'll be finding any of those hood badges anytime soon either...

[Frank Elder]

There are 2 kinds of fluid drive Monkey, regular 3SPD and O/D. If you have no solenoids or wiring to your tranny it is not O/D.

[Merle Coggins]

Never used the O/D in trucks Frankie. Fluid Drive in trucks was an option for B, C, & D trucks begining with the B2 series. It was available with the 3 speed or 4 speed. Then they put the M6 into B4 trucks (as an option) and called it a "Truck-O-Matic". It looks like a regular 3 speed behind your FD.

Maintenance is fairly easy. If it works and doesn't leak, leave it alone. You could change the fluid but otherwise it's pretty worry free. To change the fluid get some VG32 grade tractor hydraulic fluid (about 2 gallons). Now remove the pan under the FD/Clutch and rotate the engine until the drain plug on the FD unit is pointing down. Remove the plug and let it drain over night. Now, find the round cap in your bell housing at around 2:00 position. (I can just make it out under the dust just behind the speedo cable in your picture). Remove that plug and then rotate the engine until you can see the FD drain/fill plug hole through the hole in the bell housing. Now, with a long skinny funnel, slowly refill the FD with your tractor hydraulic fluid. It'll take it slow. Let it burp and keep adding fluid until it won't take anymore. Now it the tricky part, getting the plug back in. Use a magnetic socket or use a paper shop towel between the plug and a socket to hold it into the socket. Tighten the plug, clean up, and drive it.

FD unit sitting on my bench when I replaced my clutch. You can see the drain/fill plug in this pic

There are 2 different types of FD emblems for the hood. Your truck most likely uses the more common type. Here are the two types.

The ones that seem to be easier to find.

The ones that are harder to find, but what is on my truck.

P.S. Be sure your parking brakes works really good. You can't just park in gear and expect it to stay where you parked it. Especially if you park on a grade. There is no mechanical link between the transmission and the engine.

[Frank Elder]

Thanks Merle.

[moparmonkey]

Thanks Merle! Awesome write up!

I did a little reading last night too, seems like a pretty cool feature. I'll have to take a look at it along with everything else before I try to get this truck running. Going to have to go through all the fuel and electrical gear first and see if I can even get it to run, followed by the brakes and everything else before I try to actually drive it.

I'll make sure I check out the parking brake well, I saw while I was reading that because of the fluid drive leaving the truck in gear won't stop it from rolling. Thanks for the reminder though!

It looks like the larger badges were on my truck, based on the fade mark on the hood. I guess I'll have to keep my eyes open for a pair.

[ggdad1951]

Thanks Merle! Awesome write up!

I did a little reading last night too, seems like a pretty cool feature. I'll have to take a look at it along with everything else before I try to get this truck running. Going to have to go through all the fuel and electrical gear first and see if I can even get it to run, followed by the brakes and everything else before I try to actually drive it.

I'll make sure I check out the parking brake well, I saw while I was reading that because of the fluid drive leaving the truck in gear won't stop it from rolling. Thanks for the reminder though!

It looks like the larger badges were on my truck, based on the fade mark on the hood. I guess I'll have to keep my eyes open for a pair.

just get some airplane choks! Have to sig other/buddy run out and chok the wheels when you park!

[Dave72dt]

And shortly after that came the automatic transmission with a mechanical link. Suppose some engineer/executive had his truck roll away?

[ggdad1951]

And shortly after that came the automatic transmission with a mechanical link. Suppose some engineer/executive had his truck roll away?

hey now! Not ALL of us engineers are that bad!

[moparmonkey]

hey now! Not ALL of us engineers are that bad!

Yeah! Not all of us are that bad. But from an engineering standpoint, as long as the brake works right? Common sense does get lost sometimes.

Now, I see that the fluid drives were standard on a lot of Dodge cars in this era. Did a lot of the trucks have this option? Or is finding those badges going to be a big quest?

[HanksB3B]

What are the characteristics of driving with Fluid Drive as opposed to a conventional 3-Speed transmission.

Do you shift with a clutch?

How about when you are stopped for a light on a hill?

What about driving with a heavy load uphill near dogging..

I got the emergency brake part...

Any other anomalies?

Just Curious,

Hank

[Merle Coggins]

Hank, (and others)

You drive a Fluid Drive equipped truck like a normal truck. You will still need to use the clutch to shift gears, and you still have to shift gears when driving. However, if you're just puttering around town you can leave the trans in 2nd gear (3rd for a 4 speed) and drive around with just the brake and gas. With Fluid Drive you can come to a stop without depressing the clutch, but you won't be able to shift the trans since there will still be a load on the gears unless you depress the clutch. When you drive away in 2nd gear it'll be a bit sluggish at first because of the slippage within the FD unit, but I believe it accelerates just as fast as if I had to shift between 2 gears (especially since I have to double clutch with my 4 speed). If your speed gets high enough to require the next gear you'll have to shift up like in a standard clutch truck.

The advantages are that it removes shock loads within the drive train and you pretty much can't stall the engine. I can side step the clutch in my truck in any gear and the engine won't stall. It'll just start pulling. As the RPM comes up more torque is transmitted through the FD until it is virtually 1:1. It won't multiply torque like in a torque converter (in an automatic trans) since it doesn't have a stator. It's just a basic fluid coupler with an impeller and turbine. As for stalling out on a hard pull, if the load was heavy enough and the incline were steep enough it probably would stall out if left in high gear. However, just like with a standard clutch truck you'll need to downshift as needed in this situation. The advantage is that it'll be more forgiving if you wait too long. It still has stump pulling power in low gear once you have a few RPMs, and again it would be more forgiving when trying to pull that stump. If I were inclined to try it with my truck I'd put it in granny low (remember I have a 4 speed), and ease out the clutch to tighten the tow chain, then ease into the throttle. As the RPMs come up it'll pull harder. With a standard clutch truck you'd have to slip the clutch until something moves or the tires spin.

Plus it's fun to see the look on your passenger's face when you let out the clutch while still on the brakes and the truck doesn't move until you let off the brake and step on the gas. "What the heck just happend here?" I believe that's what Bradley S said when I gave him a ride.

Merle

[Young Ed]

And I've personally seen Merles truck start out in 4th from a stop sign. Not as slow as you'd expect.

[Don Coatney]

If I were to buy a Pilothouse truck I would seek out a fluid drive. In my opinion the advantages out weigh the shortcomings.

[moparmonkey]

If I were to buy a Pilothouse truck I would seek out a fluid drive. In my opinion the advantages out weigh the shortcomings.

I just kinda stumbled onto this one, I didn't even know it was a fluid drive until I got it home and started to take a look at things. Definitely seems like a cool piece to have except for the issue with the lack of a mechanical coupling.

[Dave72dt]

hey now! Not ALL of us engineers are that bad!

I was just supposing. I have a lot of resect for most engineers but I have run a cross a few that literally defied logic and common sense.

[HanksB3B]

I always wondered, now I know...

Hank

[moparmonkey]

Awesome info guys!

I was still kinda wondering, how rare are the fluid drive trucks? They don't seem "super rare" (like a Spring Special or Truck-o-matic) but are there any estimates on how many trucks actually had the option?

I know Dodge didn't really track options like that, but just from what you guys have seen what would you say as far as a ballpark guess? Less than half of the B2-B4's? More?

Also, I put a "want ad" in the parts wanted section for the emblems. Anybody got a spare set they wouldn't mine parting with?

[Frank Elder]

I was just supposing. I have a lot of resect for most engineers but I have run a cross a few that literally defied logic and common sense.

My gramps on mom's side was a mechanical engineer, he helped with the first nuke plant in idaho, was in on numerous manufacturing plants like uncle ben's and standard oil....he even designed the Capri movie theater in his home town. A very intelligent man that could run a slide rule accurately in seconds, but you dasn't hand him a wrench or a hammer:D:D:eek:Bless his heart he was just stupified on how to do the actual work.

[moparmonkey]

My gramps on mom's side was a mechanical engineer, he helped with the first nuke plant in idaho, was in on numerous manufacturing plants like uncle ben's and standard oil....he even designed the Capri movie theater in his home town. A very intelligent man that could run a slide rule accurately in seconds, but you dasn't hand him a wrench or a hammer:D:D:eek:Bless his heart he was just stupified on how to do the actual work.

As an Aerospace engineer I've certainly known my share of engineers whose grasp of common sense was seriously lacking compared to their engineering ability, and even more that would have made much better engineers if they had the slightest idea about production or actually working on their designs into the real world.

But I think the engineering talk has derailed my thread a bit here, so I was wondering if we could get back on topic?

I'm really pretty curious about how many of these fluid-drive trucks were made. I know that Dodge didn't keep production info on options, so I realize there isn't any actual production numbers to be had. I haven't seen a ton of these trucks, so I was wondering if some of the "experts" could comment on just what they've seen. I mean, are we talking 50% of the B2-B4 trucks? Less, more? Are they super difficult to find, or just a little more challenging than the Pilot House trucks in general?

Thanks guys!

[Dave72dt]

I would make a guess that MAYBE a third or less were Fluid Drive. Remember the work truck theory and buyers were sure the 3 and 4 speed were work truck capable.

[JBNeal]

Just studied up on Bunn's books, and though I couldn't find any specific numbers on production options, the prices tell the tale. A truck retailing for $1450, with vent wing option for probably $20, and Fluid Drive for $40. The Deluxe Cab listed for $29, the Custom Cab for $56, and a 4 speed for $50. Electric wipers were $10, a rear bumper was $8, an aux.tail lamp was $6, and an ash tray was $2. Since trucks back then were basically work tools, like the common riding lawn mower today, most folks bought only what they needed, unless there was some promotional special at the local dealer.

My great grandfather bought his '48 new, and knowing how frugal he was as a local farmer, I can only guess he picked up a special deal back then as this truck had electric wipers and a Custom Cab, but no heater, radio, passenger arm rest or visor. I've recently found some b&w photos, including other local farmers at planting & harvest. There was another Dodge seen, most others had Chevys, Fords or IHs, and none of those had anything fancier than a spotlight or a bumper built by the local blacksmith.

My guess is that Fluid Drives were a luxury that an older driver would order or a promotional special that was purchased at a reduced price. Who knows, dealers back then may have gotten a price break on one if they ordered X amount of this option or sold a higher volume of other models, or Dodge could have required a dealer to purchase one for a demonstrator and it was later sold at a reduced price at the end of the model year. At any rate, since Fluid Drive was an option that could increase the purchase price of a work truck by almost 10%, I reckon this was rarely picked option.