ranchracer Posted August 2, 2014 Report Share Posted August 2, 2014 So the VIN plate on my B1FA (1 1/2 ton, series 1, 152" wheelbase, two speed rear axle) has a serial number of 86,501,474. Now looking at the Dodge section of the Model Chart & Serial Number Guide for Plymouth, DeSoto and Dodge vehicles, it shows the following for the B1F: 1948 trucks range from 86,506,501 - 86,511,545 1949 trucks range from 86,511,546 - 86,512,000 My truck's serial number does not fit into either of these two ranges, so I'm left wondering when and where my truck was built. I've also looked at the page, "Deciphering your 1948 - 1953 Dodge truck code" page (http://www.dodgepilothouseclub.org/know/vin/model.htm). The B1F is not even listed in this table. Am I missing something, or is my truck just a figment of my imagination? :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B1B Keven Posted August 2, 2014 Report Share Posted August 2, 2014 This is what I got with your serial number: Serial Number 86501474 Year 1946 Make Dodge Model WF-21,WF-22,WF-23,WF-31,WF-32,WF-33,WF-34,WF-36,WFA-31,WFA-32,WFA-33,WFA-34,WFA-36 Engine 236.6 Flathead Six Wheelbase 135, 160, 190 Rating 1, 1 1/2 Ton Engineering Code T118 Plant Los Angeles, California Build Number 1474 http://www.t137.com/registry/help/decode.php Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodgeb4ya Posted August 2, 2014 Report Share Posted August 2, 2014 ^^^^ Same as I came up with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranchracer Posted August 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 (edited) This is what I got with your serial number: Serial Number 86501474 Year 1946 Make Dodge Model WF-21,WF-22,WF-23,WF-31,WF-32,WF-33,WF-34,WF-36,WFA-31,WFA-32,WFA-33,WFA-34,WFA-36 Engine 236.6 Flathead Six Wheelbase 135, 160, 190 Rating 1, 1 1/2 Ton Engineering Code T118 Plant Los Angeles, California Build Number 1474 http://www.t137.com/registry/help/decode.php So that just adds to the mystery since my VIN does not match the VINs listed in the lookup tool. Additionally, all of the DMV registrations for the truck (they were all wrapped and taped to the steering column) list it as a 1949. Both the VIN and serial number are very clear on the plate, but the fact that they don't jive is very odd. Edited August 8, 2014 by ranchracer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodgeb4ya Posted August 10, 2014 Report Share Posted August 10, 2014 Better find the # on the frame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranchracer Posted August 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 Better find the # on the frame. Where is that number usually located? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggdad1951 Posted August 14, 2014 Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 Mine was on the out side of the frame trrail on the passenger side I believe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Balazs Posted August 14, 2014 Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 Drivers side on the outside of the frame behind the tire. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desotodav Posted August 14, 2014 Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 The attached photos show where I found the frame number on my 48 chassis (just near where the brake line goes through the frame rail)... chopped up chassis became an engine mount for a friend of mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Balazs Posted August 14, 2014 Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 I would not expect to find it exactly where Davins photo shows. More likely to be on the side of the frame below this area.....and probably quite a bit fainter or harder to spot than the nice deep impressions his Oz truck has. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
48Dodger Posted August 15, 2014 Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 No kidding Jeff......wonder if those numbers were redone by the Ozy factory or the previous owner. The numbers I've found, on multiple frames (all 48-50), are faintly imprinted in the location Jeff mentioned in post #8. 48D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desotodav Posted August 15, 2014 Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 Sorry about that, I should have mentioned that I was from 'the land down under'. They are factory stamped #'s on that 48 chassis as far as I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Balazs Posted August 15, 2014 Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 Davin; Nothing to be sorry about. I think we wish the factory would have done a better job stamping those numbers. You really have to hunt for them here as they are very faint. I wonder if they were there on your trucks and either got sanded off or just ignored? I am a bit curious about the location on your Oz frames. Since it is stamped on the top of the rail is there a cut out in the inner fender well sheet metal that allows a view of them? That spot is covered on our N/A model trucks. Jeff On a sidenote I just watched an episode of Wheeler Dealers (UK) that had an interesting segment on UTE's down under. I really enjoyed it......was sort of like a flashback to 70's off road truck culture here. Almost like a glimpse of a parallel universe..... He went with a group of UTE fans to a track to horse around which brought back memories of my buddies cutting it up back in the day. The only real difference .......the accents and the brand of beer.......otherwise it could have been filmed in the Mojave in 1973. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desotodav Posted August 15, 2014 Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 Not all of our trucks here have #'s stamped on the chassis Jeff. There is no cut out in the inner guard - so the number is not seen when the panels are on. We have a huge ute culture here in Oz with many ute 'musters' or shows -some of them shown here... http://ubeautaussieutes.com.au/category/ute-shows/ . It's funny as I never really considered my accent until landing in LA back in April. I did notice you nodding a lot when we were chatting in your workshop Jeff - you really had no idea what I was saying did you?... and you were just nodding to be polite? We do have some good beers here in Oz. I did sample quite a few beers in USA with Hank and Blanca. I should have sampled some of Mark's local lolly-water beer when he offered it to me at the BBQ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrampSteer Posted August 16, 2014 Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 My '53 has the frame stamp on the outside left as Jeff noted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Balazs Posted August 16, 2014 Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 Davin; Are you kidding? I understood every word you said mate. Grew up listening to "Tie me kangaroo down Sport" The serial number stamping is a funny one. Here I was thinking that you Aussies had done it up better than Detroit......but if it was covered up.... what was the point in such a nice stamping? I think ours were very faint from the get go but at least it wasn't covered by the sheet metal. When you have time do me a favor and take a close look in the area our serial number would be and see if there isn't some evidence of a stamping there. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Oil Soup Posted August 16, 2014 Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 Drivers side on the outside of the frame just above the front leaf spring mount Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnboy Brewer Posted March 15, 2021 Report Share Posted March 15, 2021 My vin is 83354482 pilot house truck. What year is it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merle Coggins Posted March 15, 2021 Report Share Posted March 15, 2021 10 hours ago, Johnboy Brewer said: My vin is 83354482 pilot house truck. What year is it. According to https://www.t137.com/registry/help/decode.php it's a 1950 B-2-C made in Detroit 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bil Posted December 9, 2023 Report Share Posted December 9, 2023 I found the serial number on my 50 Dodge truck. It is 88366187. The decoders I have tried turn up nothing. Can someone here help with this? Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
48Dodger Posted December 11, 2023 Report Share Posted December 11, 2023 (edited) Try checking your numbers again.....maybe you wrote it down wrong. ? It could be 83366187...never know. It would make it 1951. 48D Edited December 11, 2023 by 48Dodger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46BulldogDodge Posted December 11, 2023 Report Share Posted December 11, 2023 I'll be careful here...many have posted over the years about the apparent weakness of the person swinging the hammer on the number dies when these serial numbers were put on the frame...but engine block numbers were usually more regular, at least in a straight line. Just be gentle if you are sanding, scraping when cleaning it. If an "8" were tilted it could show up as a "3". Dick Hultman, SW PA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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