Best place to find parts online?

[48 B1D]

Hey everybody. I just recently got a 1948 B1D. It was my grandfathers and he finished about 80% of the restoration. I'm having trouble finding some of the smaller things now ( the original gauges or hoping to find just the backings in the gauges) I also want to make it back into a dually but can't find anywhere that makes reproduction stock rims. Any help would greatly be appreciated. 

[Reg Evans]

Welcome to the group !  That's cool that you have your Granddad's truck.

For gauges PM B1BKeven. He should have what you need.

[48 B1D]

Thanks a lot Reg Evans. I will get in touch with him and see if he can help me out. Do you know of any good sites to get parts from. I have found a few but can't help to get some advice on others

[Larry Leibhart]

The links directory top of page is a very good place to start.  I have used Roberts Motor Parts and Vintage Powerwagons a lot.

[Los_Control]

As a newbie myself, I think that maybe nobody wants to reveal their sources. If you buy a part this week, sure enough they will need same part next week and they will all be gone.

 

I myself just got a 1949 B1C and am wondering about brake shoes. I see Rockauto.com has some wheel cylinders and master cylinder, but not seeing shoes or drums.

Am curious about what others are doing for these items.

[Young Ed]

I get my shoes relined at www.brakeplace.com

drums can be tricky hope your old ones are good

[ggdad1951]

look in the "For Sale" section of the forum as well.  There are several people here that have parts to sell to you to help you out.

 

 

[Jeff Balazs]

12 hours ago, Los_Control said:

As a newbie myself, I think that maybe nobody wants to reveal their sources. If you buy a part this week, sure enough they will need same part next week and they will all be gone.

 

I myself just got a 1949 B1C and am wondering about brake shoes. I see Rockauto.com has some wheel cylinders and master cylinder, but not seeing shoes or drums.

Am curious about what others are doing for these items.

This isn't really the case here at all. In fact this forum is your very best resource. Trust me you will understand what I am saying as time goes on. Pretty much everyone here is helpful. What you do need to come to grips with is that you have chosen to build a vehicle that is not nearly as well supported by after market parts suppliers as say a Chevy of the same period. And there are less Vintage Dodge experts out there too. Yes you can get some things from Rockauto or Napa.....but you can't always be certain of the quality and generally they don't have much knowledge behind the counter when you run into problems. For the most part you will be able to find what you need or have the parts you already have reconditioned. For example it may be more cost effective to have your shoes relined than to find and buy new ones. I will tell you one thing.....some 3/4 ton parts are extremely hard to find......replacement brake drums being one of those rare items.

Jeff

[Brent B3B]

17 hours ago, Los_Control said:

As a newbie myself, I think that maybe nobody wants to reveal their sources. If you buy a part this week, sure enough they will need same part next week and they will all be gone.

 

I myself just got a 1949 B1C and am wondering about brake shoes. I see Rockauto.com has some wheel cylinders and master cylinder, but not seeing shoes or drums.

Am curious about what others are doing for these items.

LC, I am a fan of Hagen's in your area for some things...... https://hagensautoparts.com/dodge+-+truck/9-brake/2858

[59bisquik]

I have had good luck with Roberts and Dodge Central of Michigan. Pretty much any of the vendors at the top of the page are all good bets.

almost forgot... Horkeys for bed and wood parts!

[ggdad1951]

correct bed strips come from Midwest Military

[Los_Control]

All great info, I am very happy Hagens is still around. I remember as a kid driving by and looking at all the cool stuff they had sitting around, and going there with my uncle a few times to buy parts.

Of course I was only joking when I suggested we might be hoarding the sources for parts 

[Jeff Balazs]

One of the things you will find with some of the stuff the box stores sell is that the quality isn't always there. If you troll through postings here for the last several years you will see what I mean. Things like voltage regulators and fuel pumps to name a couple might fit fine but often times they don't work for long. If at all. Ignition replacement parts are another potential problem area......with quality and fit being all over the place.

One thing that I have learned is that things like say an original clutch can be rebuilt as good as new by vendors listed here. For a lot of the original components like distributors and starter motors this is a good way to go if your core isn't total trash. These were quality items that can be reconditioned to give excellent service.

And then there are some items that you will want to try and find as NOS or used and Ebay, etc can still yield some pretty good deals if you are patient. I hope some of this helps to put a perspective on this.

Jeff

[Young Ed]

Jeff add 6v turn signal flasher to that list!