1939 Dodge truck

[Tim Keith]

I am getting what I was told is a '39 Dodge truck, but the title is for a '47. The seller said it spent its early years on a military base and was not registered. In '47 it received a new motor and the state of Washington did an inspection and issued a title based on the number of the engine.

I don't care if its a '39 or a '47 as long as I can transfer the title. How can I go about validating the body number? On this truck the data plate is on the passenger side door jamb.

This is one of the best examples of this type that I have yet seen. Its in great shape with a rebuilt 218 drive train and chassis. It has been converted to dual circuit brakes. Some issues is the bed had been converted to a flatbed, the seller found the proper bed but the fenders were rear cut up(someone had used the bed for a trailer that rode too close to the pavement so they trimmed the bottom of the fenders). I have one of

the rear proper rear fenders in my stash of parts.

The seller is an engineer who manufactured starter drives for the compact Denso starter, he installed the Denso on this 218. The truck comes with a built 230 that has been aligned bored, has stainless steel Chevy V8 valves and I believe an Isky camshaft. The 230 has not been run. I would like to use this 230 in my 2nd P-15.

Pictures coming later this week. Its a nice truck. Its painted in a flatblack primer. Has Coker whitewall Deluxe Champion tires, the seller is a perfectionist.

[Young Ed]

The data plate will say tc for 39 and wc for 41-47. 40 was vc. These are for 1/2 ton trucks. The C changes as the trucks get bigger in rating. Rear fenders are a challenge to find but are available in fiberglass.

[Tim Keith]

The restoration is about 80 percent complete. I think the rear fender that I have is a match. The fenders on the truck have the speed lines cut off, but what's remaining is good. I think I might be able to fabricate the bottom portion if I can't find another matching fender. Other than the missing fender this is a very solid truck with no rust.

I am bringing the truck home this evening. It was originally painted drab olive. I may use that color until I find another good rear fender. Is the Denso mini starter available for the flathead six or is this a one-off as the seller said? The seller told me that he manufactured a prototype run of mini starter adapters for the Mopar flathead. The Denso starter sounds like a starter from a late model vehicle. its about the size of a coke can. The seller also cast some DeSoto hemi intake manifolds. The Denso is similar for all motors, a late model Dodge has a different adapter than a Honda or Ford.

[Young Ed]

I've never seen a mini starter adaptor for a flathead. Would be an interesting piece for those of us with 12v conversions. I wonder what he did for proper ring gear tooth count to starter gear count?

[Tim Keith]

I got the truck home last night. It is rust free but some panels have the expected 73 years of dings. It came from the dry side of Washington state. It will take some effort to smooth out the fenders and tailgate to make it look like new. It looks okay as is.

The data plate says "TC". The title does says 1947. I will investigate

the procedure for issuing an amended title. This is the oldest vehicle that I have owned.

The modern starter is called a "Resto Rides" Denso. It also has new electric wipers.

Other than missing window glass and unfinished wiring the truck could be on the streets. New glass rubber is included. The wiring is ran but not connected to the gauges, lights and switches. A hot rodded 230 was loaded in the bed. The 230 has Chevy 327 stainless valves and has been ported for better flow. The seller had the 230 line bored so that it would turn with less friction. I think the 218 that is in the truck is basically stock. There is zero miles on either motor. I would like to use the 230 for my 2nd P-15, my other P15 has a 218.

[Young Ed]

Sounds like fun projects. Yes TC is a 39 1/2 ton. Should have bulb and reflector headlights mounted on the catwalk between fender and grill. Those are 1 year only headlights. The front fenders were only used 39-40. This one is a street rod but this is a 39 front end.

Edited June 27, 2012 by Young Ed

[Tim Keith]

Its a TD, the 3/4 ton Dodge. The artillery wheels are 17 inch

Its a pretty clean truck, there is no rust, some dings.

http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w364/TimothyGKeith/?action=view&current=39Truck009-2.jpg

The rear fenders are cut. I may use fiberglass until I find replacements

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=57b5349de0&view=att&th=138308fb75acf16b&attid=0.2&disp=inline&realattid=f_h3z3t5u11&safe=1&zw

http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w364/TimothyGKeith/39Truck005-3.jpg

I covered the truck with a tarp until I can move it into my garage.

[Young Ed]

Your truck may actually be a 47. That is a 46-47 grill. You might be better off buying a repro serial # plate and stamping it to match the title. It does look like someone may have swapped cabs or possibly front clips. The 39 cab uses different door latches and also has a lighted headlight switch with no high beam indicator above the speedometer. You can also check the left front frame rail for a serial # stamped into the frame.