jeepinchris Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Hey all... I am new to this forum but very excited to be here. I have been searching old posts and really enjoy the knowldge that this forum has. Long story short, I had to leave home for a extended business trip and on the way to the airport, I spotted a truck from a distance and could tell it had a for sale sign in it. I asked my wife to stop and look at it for me on the way home. She sent some pics and it looked good (from poor pictures anyway). The story on this truck is that it has been in the same family and has the original build sheet and documentation back to the original purchase (hope so). It is tilted 1942 but believed to be a 41. I have not gotten the VIN yet but was advised it is all original numbers matching. Needless to say, my wife purchased it for me. Such a sweetheart. I am lucky to have a wife that realizes a man needs hit toys. This will be something I can get my girls out and tinker with. My oldest cannot wait for me to teach her to drive it. My question is this: Job rated or WC? From what I have read, the title job rated was used for marketing. The WC is a carry over from the military vehicles. Is there anything to distinguish a non military WC from the other? Once I get the VIN, I have that I can learn more about the truck. Regardless, This should be a fun little project. Also, do these trucks carry any value? This still has original drivetrain as well as 6V charging system. Thanks for looking.. Chris 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NiftyFifty Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Looks like a great start, and a solid truck! I'm guessing WC with the chrome lower bars, and only 41-42 had those I believe...but lots more guys here that know those trucks better then me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Ed Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Hey all... I am new to this forum but very excited to be here. I have been searching old posts and really enjoy the knowldge that this forum has. Long story short, I had to leave home for a extended business trip and on the way to the airport, I spotted a truck from a distance and could tell it had a for sale sign in it. I asked my wife to stop and look at it for me on the way home. She sent some pics and it looked good (from poor pictures anyway). The story on this truck is that it has been in the same family and has the original build sheet and documentation back to the original purchase (hope so). It is tilted 1942 but believed to be a 41. I have not gotten the VIN yet but was advised it is all original numbers matching. Needless to say, my wife purchased it for me. Such a sweetheart. I am lucky to have a wife that realizes a man needs hit toys. This will be something I can get my girls out and tinker with. My oldest cannot wait for me to teach her to drive it. My question is this: Job rated or WC? From what I have read, the title job rated was used for marketing. The WC is a carry over from the military vehicles. Is there anything to distinguish a non military WC from the other? Once I get the VIN, I have that I can learn more about the truck. Regardless, This should be a fun little project. Also, do these trucks carry any value? This still has original drivetrain as well as 6V charging system. Thanks for looking.. Chris Its really both. Jobrated is the name given to the series just like the next ones are pilot houses. The model for your particular job rated truck is WC which means 41-47 1/2 ton. The second letter went up as you got bigger and bigger trucks. There are WD WF etc. As was just mentioned those stainless lower bars are 41-42 only. Could be a 42 but a 41 is more likely. 42 production was cut short and shifted over to war production. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brent B3B Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Welcome Chris, nice looking truck. Way to go getting the kids involved, Those will be irreplaceable memories for all of you! A lot of us here also have understanding spouses, I recently over heard my wife talking to another sayining " there were a lot worse things he could be addicted to" 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeepinchris Posted April 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2016 Thank for the replies. I should be taking posession of the truck monday.. I had my wife grab a few addtional photos and thought I would share. Chris 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merle Coggins Posted April 10, 2016 Report Share Posted April 10, 2016 Looks like a pretty solid truck. Congrats on the purchase of your new toy. Merle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Ed Posted April 10, 2016 Report Share Posted April 10, 2016 Looks like you need to do the speedo disk repair. I think they all need that! Any other plans for it? Looks like get in and go should be about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeepinchris Posted April 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 (edited) considering it is all original, I am not planning on doing anything significant right away. We are the 3rd owner of the truck. The gentleman we purchased it from got it from his wifes father who was the original purchaser. We have the original purchase order and supporting documentation. While these do not seem overly rare, I would suspect this to be one of the few in this level of originality. I think it could use some minor body work, The underside looks pretty clean for the age. I am not sure a full frame of would be cost effective since its condition is pretty good. Maybe a body on would improve it. I am hoping to get some advise on what to watch for on these trucks. Lots of good info on this site. Any post that show the speedo disk repair? I did not find any. Chris Edited April 11, 2016 by jeepinchris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Roberts Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 You can search for the UTUBE video of the speedo disk repair . The disks are sold on ebay for low $ and they come with a video on doing the repair . Although I have not done it , you use two opposing tools like dinner forks to pry off the remaining part of the broken needle . 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeepinchris Posted April 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 Thanks. I appreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
48Dodger Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 Although I have not done it , you use two opposing tools like dinner forks to pry off the remaining part of the broken needle . Having done a few needle pulls, with opposing flat screw drivers.....I gotta say, I never thought of using a fork. I believe I'm going to take an old fork, cut the outside forks and then use the fork and a broad flat screw driver. Thanks Jerry. 48D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeepinchris Posted April 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 I found the video and was impressed at the use of a fork as well.. I can see mine getting repaired before long. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1952B3b23 Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 Welcome and nice truck. If i was you I'd make it road worthy and have fun driving it around with the kids. Then make improvements as you go along. -Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 I would think a pair of rolling head pry bars would work better than bendable forks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Ed Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 I would think a pair of rolling head pry bars would work better than bendable forks. Those are way too big. This is a tiny project. I did mine carefully with an exacto knife and a tiny screw driver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeepinchris Posted April 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Well everyone... I found out my truck is a WD-15. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Ed Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Well everyone... I found out my truck is a WD-15. That gets you a few different things. Different wheels 15" and 5on 5 bolt pattern. Longer wheelbase as you noted above and the longer box to go with it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffsunzeri Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Great truck! As for value, keeping it as original as possible maintains value the best, and in my opinion is the best way to enjoy the time machine. I see converted Job Rated projects with a variety of engines and modifications, and they sit with 'for sale' signs for much longer than an original will. The 41-42 built trucks often had some military components on them as the factory decided what was going where. Often the military steel-edged windows found their way onto civilian trucks, and I've seen many components with OD green under the factory applied 'color'. It was an interesting time for MoPar. There is a Yahoo group that many members here also belong to that provides great info for these pickups. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeepinchris Posted April 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 I joined the yahoo group. I am not a big fan of yahoo groups but it seems like a wealth of information. I was considering converting the generator to a gener-nator ( www.gener-nator.com ) if the cost is reasonable. I have read that the motor runs better as well as lighting and battery charge is more reliable and the truck maintains an original appearance. I have not decided. From what I can tell, the truck has all origianl sheet metal. There are a couple of problem areas - lower tailgate (round tube is rusted through) - square boxes between bed and cab are rusted through - a few spots on the side steps Overall, the truck is in great shape for the year. I am not sure that it is worth trying to do a frame off as the costs could rise quickly. Are there many original 42's left? Most that I have seen have been chopped/rodded. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffsunzeri Posted April 14, 2016 Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 Just a thumbnail impression says the most numerous W-models are 1946-1947, with 41-42 next, and 38-40 after that. Craigslist seems to always have a Job Rated listed someplace. From the parts availability I'd say there are a good many 42 left, and maybe 60% or more are mostly original (bed replacement, big electrical changes being the most common). The rust you have seems to be fairly common. The repro tailgates are OK, but I've repaired my originals. On one tailgate, I replaced the lower portion with a new tube, and with another I used a tube as a mandrel to smooth out the dents and spent waaayyy too much time patching. I think the result was worth the work but that was back when the repros were not readily available. The old steel welds up very nicely and predictably so that rust repairs are pretty straightforward. The generator-alternator conversions seem like a good deal because you'd be getting better output at low rpm's. I've been driving with generators and lead acid since forever with no issues in the charging/running department. For the past 10 or so years I've been using red top Optima 6 volt batteries in all my 6 volt-generator vehicles and I am extremely pleased. Very predictable failure profiles and very good charge holding characteristics and their health is very easy to monitor, much easier than wet lead-acid. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeepinchris Posted April 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 Thanks for the comments Jeff. I am just excited to get it on the road! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggdad1951 Posted April 15, 2016 Report Share Posted April 15, 2016 BTW, the link in your post for genor-nator seems to go to a 404 error page, I tried to fix it yesterday but it seems to still error out...might be my computer. For some reason the link still has the errors in it even after a complete delete and replace. http://www.gener-nator.com/ which seems to work fine here... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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