vin question

[mikeinkc]

the VIN plate is missing from my 49 B1C. i see that there is a duplicate stamping of the serial on the drivers side frame rail near the forward shackle perch. if i contact my local highway patrol and have the serial ran and it comes back clean, will this be enough to send away for a out of state registration ie, broadway title? does anyone duplicate the door jamb plate? this truck is neat as heck. i bought it from a co-worker and it was given to him from his girl friends dad. i doubt there is anything sinister goin' on, but i hope i can get it registered or i have a heck of a nice parts truck. even so, i know of a 49 B1B i can pick up on the cheap i could cull parts and a cab from if i need to. would this be a sin to swap cabs from a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 ton? thanks in advance, mike in k.c.

[Merle Coggins]

Vintage Power Wagon's has reproduction plates. I have one for my truck as it was missing too.

Merle

[Guest Dave Claussen]

Mike, No sin in swapping cabs from a 1/2 to a 3/4 ton. They should be interchangeable. The only significant differences in the two different size trucks are the suspension (extra leaf springs) and the the size of the wheels(15" to 16") and (I think) the brake drums. Other than that they are basically the same truck. Same engines, rear ends and so forth were available. Optional equipment was one way to "customize" your truck from the dealer.

Don Bunns' book is a helpful source of information on the B series trucks. You can get it at Barnes and Nobles and also through Amazon if I remember correctly. I had to order mine and it took about a week. Well worth the money for the amount of really helpful info you get regarding the particulars of what was standard and optional on the B series Pilothouse trucks.

[Jim Gaspard]

My 1/2 ton B3B is 108" wheel base and 3/4 ton B3B is 116".

[mikeinkc]

thanks guys, good info. i'll check out power wagons for the tag. i was really worried about that missing tag. i vacuumed out the bugs and what not, and did find some floor rust, but nothing to cry about. afterall, the drivers window has been down for years. the metal stuff is right up my alley, but the electrical, now that is going to be my co-workers job. i am thinking about doing a 12 volt dc with an alternator as hopefully my only hack-job on the truck. i just think it will be more reliable from day to day. afterall, i really want to make this a serious driver over the next few months. and slick it up over the next few years. i originally thought about a street rod, but decided this truck needed to stay close to factory looking and driving. i believe it would lose its charm if it was turned into a street rod. but these bad boys do look good street rodded though! keep the info flowing fellas, mike in k.c.