Questions about Charles's 4x4 Woodie

[townwagon]

Charles,

What is the drivetrain under your 4x4 woodie? The axles are 5 bolt, which could be WWII 1/2 ton, WWII 3/4 ton, Power Wagon, or M-37.

The front bumper is of a style used on 3/4 ton WWII trucks, or PWs.

Is the frame that of a B series truck, or is the Pilot House body dropped onto a PW frame? I ask because I find or hear about quite a few B series trucks that are on 4wd chassis, and I always figured they were home made. If yours is real, maybe some of the pickups, flatbeds, etc that I have seen are real (as in converted from new, not with leftover bits 15 years later) as well.

Let me know.

Thanks,

Eric

[Merle Coggins]

In the reproduction manual that I have for B-2 series trucks, in the front axle section, it has information on the B-2-PW axle. It looks like a 5 bolt wheel. In some of the discriptions it even refers to "The front axle of the Dodge Power Wagon (4 wheel drive truck). The rear axle secion groups the D, PW, and EU Full Floating axles together.

I guess I just assumed from that there was a Pilot-house type Power Wagon model.

Merle

[Tony WestOZ]

I am not 100% sure but I don’t think it sits on a Power Wagon chassis. I looked at putting a Pilothouse cab on a PW chassis and it wont fit. The nose section would have to be extended at least 3" maybe 4" to get it to fit.

I think this is because in the Pilothouse trucks the engine sits further forward in the chassis than the Power Wagon and 41-47 model trucks.

I would very much like to find out what chassis these 4x4 Pilothouse trucks were built on.

Its a long story but if I can prove that these were built on a pilothouse chassis (with may be some strengthening) then I can build one over here without having to get (or at least reducing the cost of) an engineering certificate to fit 4x4 to one of mine.

Any information on these 4x4 Pilothouse trucks would be greatly appreciated.

Tony

WestOZ

[Charles Furman]

Tony,

My 1948 Dodge Pilothouse Woodie 4x4 was purchased that way by the original owner, it has been as it is since new. The 4x4 conversion was done by a company called Murty in Portland, Oregon before it was delivered to the original owner. The guy I bought it from, who bought it from his neighbor in 1962, said it was 3/4 ton 4x4 running gear and I got a military 4x4 manual with the truck. I have not compared the frame on my 4x4 woodie to my 49 B1B 2 wheel drive woodie. The running gear looks like 1948 Dodge Military 4x4 stuff, which I believe is the same as the 3/4 ton Power wagon 4x4 stuff. I just haven't had it long enough to do much research. When I do I'll let you know.

Charles

[townwagon]

Charles,

The 1946-68 PW used somewhat the same axles as the 3/4 tyon military, but the 3/4 ton military was not made after late 45 or early 46. The M-37 was not made until 1950, so that may be out as well.

It is the front bumper that has me wondering, as it looks like a PW or 3/4 ton military bumper.

When you get a chance to look it over check for a frame number, and the rim date codes. If it is a PW chassis then look here for the location of the number on the frame, and the rim date code.

http://t137.com/registry/help/help.htm

Eric

[Tony WestOZ]

Thanks Charles that is appreciated.

[Charles Furman]

Eric,

I checked the numbers on the rims of my 1948 Pilothouse 4x4 as you suggested. There were three (3) that had 40 stamped on them and two (2) that had 41 stamped on them.

I haven't checked the frame number yet because it is covered by a bunch of undercoating or years of road grime. I'll clean the area and see what I can find.

Based on the rim numbers, it would suggest that the running gear is probably war surplus. Since it was delivered to the original owner in brand new condition, I am sure the running gear was unused.

What is your opinion?

Charles

[Tony WestOZ]

Charles,

Is it running a single speed or two speed tranfer case?

I am not sure but I think all the war time trucks ran a single speed were as the PW`s had a two speed fitted.