B1FA serial number decoding

[ranchracer]

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? :-)

[B1B Keven]

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

[Dodgeb4ya]

^^^^ Same as I came up with.

[ranchracer]

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

[Dodgeb4ya]

Better find the # on the frame.

[ranchracer]

Better find the # on the frame.

Where is that number usually located?

[ggdad1951]

Mine was on the out side of the frame trrail on the passenger side I believe

[Jeff Balazs]

Drivers side on the outside of the frame behind the tire.

Jeff

[Desotodav]

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.

[Jeff Balazs]

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

[48Dodger]

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

[Desotodav]

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.

[Jeff Balazs]

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.

[Desotodav]

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     

[TrampSteer]

My '53 has the frame stamp on the outside left as Jeff noted.

[Jeff Balazs]

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

[The Oil Soup]

Drivers side on the outside of the frame just above the front leaf spring mount

[Johnboy Brewer]

My vin is 83354482 pilot house truck. What year is it.

[Merle Coggins]

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

[Bil]

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

[48Dodger]

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

[46BulldogDodge]

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