1953 B-4-B KINGPIN DIAMETER???

[ggustinmoto]

I am rebuilding the front axle/brakes/suspension on my 1953 B-4-B. when trying to reinstall the kingpin I noticed that the diameter of the pins in the rebuild kit were a smaller diameter, .795". the original pins measured.875"  The company I got the rebuild from seems to think that the smaller diameter is correct. What is weird is that the new bushings and bearing are for the bigger diameter pin. I am confused and any help would be great.

Thanks

Graham

[Dodgeb4ya]

Your supply company is wrong. .875 is correct for the 1953 B4B series 1/2 ton trucks.

Bob

[Jeff Balazs]

Hi Graham;

Welcome to the group neighbor.

I am not exactly sure when it changed but I think around 50 or 51.

 

Your truck looks real sharp. Is it relatively stock or has it had an engine swap?

 

Jeff

[ggustinmoto]

Thanks Bob, that's what I thought.

Jeff, the truck is mostly stock. stock motor. the only thing that im looking for is a set of stock wheels for it. the previous owner put on the pep boys special rims

[Jeff Balazs]

Graham;

You shouldn't have too much trouble finding those wheels. The 1/2 ton wheels seem to be much easier to find than the ones for a 3/4 ton. There was a set on the local Craigslist a few months back.

How long have you had this truck? It sure looks nice.

 

Jeff

[austinsailor]

The smaller  kingpins you got are the harder ones to find. I went through the same thing on my '48, but mine took the smaller ones.

[ggustinmoto]

jeff, when u say "local craigslist", where is local?

I have had the truck for only a few months.

any other help in finding the wheels would be awesome.

thanks for all the info

graham

[Jeff Balazs]

Graham;

Orange or LA county........although the inland empire list often has more.

If I recall correctly there was someone around Huntington or Seal Beach that had some wheels about 4 months ago....but I have not seen that listing for quite a while.

I am a few miles south of you at the El Toro Y right across from the Irvine Auto Center. I am about 95% complete on a 2 year long reclaimation project of a 52 B-3-C. It had sat for about 20-30 years prior to me starting on it.

 

Jeff

[RodFru2u]

Hi Graham, Nice looking truck. I found the ones I needed at a used tire place here in east LA. What size are you looking for ? 15" or 16"

[Dennis_MN]

The correct wheels for a 1/2 ton pickup are difficult to find because they came in two different 16 x sizes

There is light duty like a car, 16 x 4.00 then heavy duty 16 x 4.5 there were three tire sizes offered depending on rated gross weight.

The Mopar safety rims are hard to come by.

[48Dodger]

A low side square fender......nice.

 

I like that look.

 

48D

[ggustinmoto]

I FOUND SOMEWHERE THAT 15" ARE THE ONES THAT CAME ON STOCK ON THE TRUCK. I HAVE THE CAPS ALREADY

[Jeff Balazs]

Graham;

I believe all the 1/2 ton trucks were equipped with 16" wheels. Some one will correct me if I am wrong. 3/4 ton trucks take a 15" wheel but use a different lug pattern........ 5 x 5"....... and those wheels are unique to that size truck. The 1 ton models are yet another size.

 

I suppose you can fit other sizes depending on clearance and the lug pattern of the wheel.

 

Jeff

[Dodgeb4ya]

The B-4 Series Data book agree's with Jeff....

Edited October 5, 2013 by Dodgeb4ya