52/53 Dodge Truck

[pflaming]

I found this last night on CL sent him an email. Going up tomorrow to salvage some things I want. He was going to torch it tomorrow the steel box is there waiting. One more day and it would have been gone, it will still be torched but I am going to get my grille minimum and other items. It pays to be ever alert.

[Plymouthy Adams]

yessir...we need more lerts

[B1B Keven]

Paul,

Would you grab me the speedo, gauges, speaker grill and ash tray blank if they're still there? Please.

Keven

[Dodgeb4ya]

Paul could you check/get the Vin plate info on the drivers door hinge pillar before he scraps it? I'd like to know what model it is-IE B3V or B3Y , b4T ect and gross weight rating and HP ect. That truck should be a Moly Block twin carb truck. I'd be interested depending what it is and the guy might make more parting it out too.

Take some pics too!

Bob

[pflaming]

To get what I want I had to buy more than the grille. So I will have some parts for sale. I have no intention of getting into the salvage business but I need that grille, nearly had to buy the truck.

To my understanding he is going to cut an toss behind me. So if someone wants something I'll try to salvage it or buy it or. . . I will check this thread before I leave tomorrow. I am PST so that should help those east of here.

I have spoken for: grille, windshield glass, wiper mounts, all guages, knobs, choke cable, hood, emblems, steering wheel, heater, but will sell some of these.

edit: as you can see with the snow on the hood, the truck is about an hour drive into the foothills, so it will be a one time one trip deal. I'm taking my tools and a good pickup.

Edited January 10, 2013 by pflaming

[Plymouthy Adams]

Paul..that may well be vintage air in the tires...big market for that...seriouly..good to see parts saved for sure..

[buds truck]

I could use a drivers side visor. I cant seem to find mine

[John-T-53]

It's a shame anyone would want to "torch" this truck. Even more so that another rare biggun' gets converted to mere parts and scrap.

It's good that at least some parts are being saved, too bad not the whole beast!

[Frank Elder]

It's a shame anyone would want to "torch" this truck. Even more so that another rare biggun' gets converted to mere parts and scrap.

It's good that at least some parts are being saved, too bad not the whole beast!

I agree.....at least throw a few token logs on it and use it for yard art until someone who wants it for what it is comes along.

[pflaming]

I didn't realize there was such interest in the large trucks. I'm going to try and discourage him from torching it for a time yet since I will take some of the icing it may then be less desireable. It does look like a very large truck.

[ggdad1951]

my short list when I go picking:

mirror division bar

wiper chrome bezels (if 51+ I'd be in for a good set for TODD project)

gauges (keven will almost ALWAYS buy these to refurb)

knobs

ash tray

mirrors

data/body tags

running boards

grill bars

bumper push guards

rear bumpers

folding hood prop arms

any badging

cranks/door handles

interior visors

control cables (I am looking for a LONG one on the order of 58+" long for my fresh air, generally hooked up for the defrost option for a heater if not fresh air)

fresh air parts

exterior visor

cab roof exterior lights in good condition w/ glass lenses (again might be interested for TODD project)

spare tire carrier (box side version)

heaters

"dome" lights

corner window glass

stock gas caps

exhaust manifolds (not cracked)

ACME screws from floorboards and inner fender mounts

[Jeff Balazs]

Paul;

Way to go! You get a big ATTABOY! That is one way to get your missing grill pieces And I imagine more cost effective than Ebay based on the prices I have seen there recently for bits and pieces of a grill. I wish I had space to store a few of these trucks.......there is a '53 up in Oxnard/Ventura on CL right now that would be a good save and the grill looks to be all there.

Jeff

[pflaming]

What one calls complete and complete are not always the same. The dash was stripped, corner windows gone, mirrors gone, hood side insignias gone, Wipers, heater, engine head and manifold all gone.

I did get the grille, one windshield glass, driver's side visor (spoken for), and the complete headlight buckets including the lamps and rings. It was a task to remove the grille but with the use of a torch we got it out. It had a 145 HP engine and a short wheel base.

The location was in the foothills at about 3,000' above sea level, very green, with lots of oak trees and manzanita bushes.

I took a couple of pics on the way back of one of the river and of the hydro electric turbines on the river.

[Todd B]

Paul could you check/get the Vin plate info on the drivers door hinge pillar before he scraps it? I'd like to know what model it is-IE B3V or B3Y , b4T ect and gross weight rating and HP ect. That truck should be a Moly Block twin carb truck. I'd be interested depending what it is and the guy might make more parting it out too.

Take some pics too!

Bob

Very courious, what on that picture makes you believe it is twin carb truck??

[Dodgeb4ya]

All 1951-53 "MolyBlock" 3 ton and bigger dodges had twin carbs and exhaust-except R series 229" WB buses.

[Looznutz]

Wish I could had got a hold of that front axle. Oh well will keep hunting for something closer to LA are.

[Todd B]

Bob,

I am still confused, what makes you think that it is a 3 ton or bigger. I have two 2 1/2 ton trucks and I have looked for an hour and cannot see anything different. Its kinda like the game find the hidden items.

[Todd B]

Wish I could had got a hold of that front axle. Oh well will keep hunting for something closer to LA are.

I have a complete front axle from a 1950 F sitting in my back shop.

[Jeff Balazs]

Paul;

Well hopefully the grill was in good shape and will make a nice addition to your truck.

Jeff

[Dodgeb4ya]

Bob' date='

I am still confused, what makes you think that it is a 3 ton or bigger. I have two 2 1/2 ton trucks and I have looked for an hour and cannot see anything different. Its kinda like the game find the hidden items.[/quote']

The quickest way to tell the heavy series (2-3/4 to 4 ) ton dodge trucks from the lighter medium series trucks 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 ton trucks is the heavy series have cast spoke or 10 lug nut wheels and the front fenders have much wider 10" wheel extensions for the heavier and wider Timkin 6-8000lb front axles.

Also the front nose is longer for the longer bigger "Molyblock" engine. Look at the front fender extensions and you will see the fender extends forward from there about six inches.

Also I could tell by the much larger rear Timkin rear end and shape.

Bob

Edited January 11, 2013 by Dodgeb4ya

[pflaming]

That truck was BIG. I could sit under the fender infront of the tire to remove the bolts for the grille. It was still uncomfortable and those bolts were tight but better than on my back.

[Todd B]

Bob,

THANK YOU for the history lesson. I had a chance to be a 4 ton dump truck a few years ago and I remember it was big but I was convinced that my semi had the same fenders and outer fenders. I can't really see the wheels on that picture because it is to dark but I do remember the dump truck had 9x20 tires in the front (i think). My semi has 8.25x20 Thanks again.

Todd B

[John-T-53]

The quickest way to tell the heavy series (2-3/4 to 4 ) ton dodge trucks from the lighter medium series trucks 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 ton trucks is the heavy series have cast spoke or 10 lug nut wheels and the front fenders have much wider 10" wheel extensions for the heavier and wider Timkin 6-8000lb front axles.

Also the front nose is longer for the longer bigger "Molyblock" engine. Look at the front fender extensions and you will see the fender extends forward from there about six inches.

Also I could tell by the much larger rear Timkin rear end and shape.

Bob

Good info. I can see the front fender extension in Paul's pic below! Looks like it's about 12" long at least. Are the big blocks that much longer than the little 23" flatties?

[HanksB3B]

Paul;

Well hopefully the grill was in good shape and will make a nice addition to your truck.Jeff

Yeah, I was a little worried about that...Paul is the Medallion Cast or Stamped?

Congratulations,

Hank

[pflaming]

The center piece is stamped but no dings or dents: Now I have a decision to make, use this grille or two parallel bars from a '55. I'm having a body shop shorten the one bar to match the other. Will install both take a picture and decide.

Edited May 16, 2018 by pflaming