Frame Question

[Dodgebawl]

I am restoring my 49 B1B which has a damaged frame which is repairable but will be expensive. I have found locally (Phoenix) a frame for a 53. Could someone tell me if the 53 frame is identical to the 49 frame? I know that the 48 thru 50 frames are identical. Thanks for any help.

[JBNeal]

The '48-'49 frames and '50-'53 frames differ in the mounting of the steering column, and the '53 frame has a different cross-member mount for the fuel tank...from what I've seen, the '48-'52 had one style of fuel tanks, and the '53-'56 had a different tank.

Edited April 21, 2012 by JBNeal
parts book verification of steering column parts

[48Dodger]

1948/49 and 50 have different steering mounts. Holes different too. Demension wise 48 to 53 frames are the same. Just get a steering wheel/gearbox to go with the 53 frame....everything else will fall into place. I don't have a 51-53 frame at the moment, but will show the difference between the steering of a 48/49 and a 1950 frame.

48D

This is a 1948 frame with a cardboard rep of a 1950 frame. 50's bolt pattern is more of a true triangle.

second picture shows the inside view of the 1950 steering bracket. The 1948/49 has a similar bracket, but doesn't box the frame, rather lays inside it.

1948 steering bracket

fourth picture is a 1950 steering box. The 1948/49 has longer mount so it can reach the outside of the frame

Not a great picture, but you can see the extention.

Edited April 21, 2012 by 48dodger

[48Dodger]

Found a 52 frame.....has the same bracket as the 1950.

48D