Pre Pilot-House Sighting

[Merle Coggins]

Things you see when you're out and about...

 

I was driving from one customer visit to the next and saw this as I passed through West Bend. It is a nice looking '38 Dodge, but someone did a hack job on the rear of the frame. Apparently they didn't have a bed that was long enough, so they just torched off the back of the frame.

 

 

 

 

 

[MBF]

That could have been a firetruck in a previous life, and the frame rails may have been torched by them to accomodate the body and the step down for the rear step deck.  Most firetrucks have very little factory frame behind the rear spring perches.

[Young Ed]

Yes as Mike said its possible that was a period modification. My truck frame shows some signs of that having been done but then being welded back on. The frame I got was "restored" by a shop so they may have grafted something back on.

[pflaming]

Globeclassiccarparts.com has a complete 38 plymouth pickup. Neat, to say the least. It's original priced at $5,800. Cash will reduce that I'm sure.

[1952B3b23]

The frame on my '52 B3b was also cut off like someone did to that '38. I know mine wasn't a firetruck in its past life so i can rule that out, but i sure was bummed out when i noticed some hack had hacked it off. I've since welded on some extension pieces to get it close to its original length. But any who thats a cool looking old truck, how much are they asking for it Merle?

 

-Chris

[Reg Evans]

I really like the look of the rounded corners on that bed.  One of my first Pilot House trucks, a 50 1 ton, had that style of bed with metal corners and bent sheet metal that followed that curve. Shoulda kept it !

[Merle Coggins]

... how much are they asking for it Merle?

 

-Chris

 

No price, just a phone number. You'll have to give 'em a call.

[1952B3b23]

I really like the look of that truck, to far away for me though (Im in MA). I was just curious on the price, what'd you guys think it would go for?

 

-Chris

[Don Coatney]

I think the owner has fifteen grand in it and is asking 12 grand. Nice guy to talk to and he will give you all the details.

[Jim Shepard]

Shoulda kept it !

I think I've heard you say that before...

[townwagon]

Looks like a decent truck. I've seen a lot of rear frames bobbed like that for more than just firetrucks. Tow trucks had that done as did dump trucks. I've seen some cut flush with the rear spring shackle and that is a lot harder to fix. That truck looks like it has enough frame left to weld on. Based on a few details there is a strong chance it is a 1937 and not a 1938.

 

Eric

[1952B3b23]

Looks like a decent truck. I've seen a lot of rear frames bobbed like that for more than just firetrucks. Tow trucks had that done as did dump trucks. I've seen some cut flush with the rear spring shackle and that is a lot harder to fix. That truck looks like it has enough frame left to weld on. Based on a few details there is a strong chance it is a 1937 and not a 1938.

 

Eric

 

Thats exactly how my frame was cut off, flush with the rear shackle mount. Luckily i had to take them off to replace, so it made welding a length of frame on a bit easier.