19** Dodge Ambulance Australia - Vehicle Check

[The New Guy]

Hi All. This is going to be a massive long shot on this request but here goes. Firstly i live in Australia so this vehicle is right hand drive.

I have an old Dodge Ambulance that i was given by my granddad. I have no idea on what model or the year, and unfortunately my granddad has passed so i cant ask him about it at all.

There is not plate in the engine bay (i think someone removed it) and the only numbers i can find are follows.

BAL* 253-16754 - This is a small metal plate on the firewall inside the engine bay on the driver side (this is right hand drive)

5319-197 - This is another small plate on the firewall inside the engine bay on the passenger side

KEW 2B 1546 - I found this stamped on the engine.

I have attached some photos of vehicle along with the plate pictures and motor number. I really want to just know what year and model the vehicle or how i could identify it.

I have tried to look for the vehicle number on the frame but apart from taking it apart i couldnt find anything.

Thanks alot for any help you may have.

[wagoneer]

Hi @The New Guy

 

its a 1948-1950 model . There should be another stamp on the door jam of drivers side with the serial number and model number .

 

http://dodgepilothouseclub.org/know/vin/model.htm

 

https://www.t137.com/registry/help/decode.php

 

[Merle Coggins]

In North America that would be a 1948-1950 B-Series truck. But in Australia they changed model designs in different years, so it could be a later model. Hopefully some of our Aussie members will chime in soon to help you out. 

[The New Guy]

2 hours ago, wagoneer said:

Hi @The New Guy

 

its a 1948-1950 model . There should be another stamp on the door jam of drivers side with the serial number and model number .

 

http://dodgepilothouseclub.org/know/vin/model.htm

 

https://www.t137.com/registry/help/decode.php

 

Unfortunately there is no plate or stamp that i could find on both drivers and passenger door jams. I hunted around the whole door jam but still nothing, not even the holes were it would have been placed.
Would any of those numbers i mentioned mean anything??

[The New Guy]

1 hour ago, Merle Coggins said:

In North America that would be a 1948-1950 B-Series truck. But in Australia they changed model designs in different years, so it could be a later model. Hopefully some of our Aussie members will chime in soon to help you out. 

Well ill keep an eye on this post and hopefully i can get some more information.

Thanks alot.

[wagoneer]

@The New Guy

 

Looks like you have a 1953-1955 108B Deluxe Suburban model. According to the service manual, the serial number should be on the dash panel.

 

KEW* engine codes started in 53, and body style changed in 56. So you are in 53-55.

 

Dodge Pilothouse Club Aussie Page-- Full of good information

-- http://dodgepilothouseclub.org/garage/garage.htm

 

Special purpose units

 

http://dodgepilothouseclub.org/garage/5558brochure/P6a.html

 

"basis for fitment as an ambulance"

 

 

http://dodgepilothouseclub.org/garage/garage.htm

May 1953 to July 1955,108 A and B

The 108 A was a carry-over from the Canadian import model. The A model used the earlier Canadian steering parts, and Canadian chassis. The B model used a different steering box (fore-aft motion) and tie rod system, and the chassis were locally produced. 

All body panels were now produced in Australia.
All models had the electrical system changed from the 6V Autolite system to a 12V Lucas positive earth system.
Both A and B models 108`s, until early 54, came with three engine choices.

All long blocks. (25”) 

T307 =218.06 (3 3/8 x 4 1/16)
T311 =228 (3 3/8 x 4 ¼)

Kew 2B =250.06 (3 7/16 x 4 ½ Usually called 251cu”, in Australia)
From early 54 on, all 108`s were fitted with a KEW-2B, 251” standard.
The 108 GVW was increased from 4850 lbs to 5250 lbs.

Model range included
108A Standard (1068 produced, model ended July 1954) available as-Standard Ute only.
108B Deluxe (5697 produced) available as- Standard Ute, Deluxe Ute, Tray Top, Panel Van, Suburban (Panel Van with windows, single seat, bench seat, 3 seats), and Express.

The words, standard and deluxe, after 108 are used as a way to distinguish between the A and B models only. There is no difference in the cab options.
Australia used (from 48) the cab with door vent windows and rear three windows. In Canada and the US this would be called a custom cab. To my knowledge we never had the single rear window cab.
There is however a large difference between the Standard Ute and the Deluxe Ute in the108B (C, D, E, F) model line. The Deluxe Ute was also called the Coupe Ute.

 

From the service manual:

 

[wagoneer]

5 minutes ago, wagoneer said:

All models had the electrical system changed from the 6V Autolite system to a 12V Lucas positive earth system.

 

What an interesting note. Aussie Pilothouses had 12v before American Pilothouses; even a proper fuse box. I can't tell whether it's better to be 6v positive ground, or 12v positive ground in terms of compatibility with modern electronics. To switch to 12v negative ground, is it any easier, or compatible with 12v neg ground electronics?

 

Since Aussie Pilothouse trucks kept the same body as US 48-50 Pilothouse trucks, then all the equivalents are there too.

 

Here's a thought - ordering a 12v Aussie wiring harness for our US pilothouse trucks? 12v alternators are cheaper and more plentiful. Simple conversion?

[Tony WestOZ]

Well hello to all, it`s a long time since I have been to this site.

 

New Guy,

I got your message. 

Wagoneer sames to have covered all as regards the make and model.

 

With the doors I think the only way is to buy another van or hope someone will sell a couple off a really bad wreck.

 

For a Shop manual go to.

http://dodgepilothouseclub.org/garage/garage.htm

The is a manual for your model down the page.

I think I have a parts manual on pdf somewhere on an old hard drive. If I find it I will let you know and I can email it to you.

 

The pics show Ambulances sent to somewhere in Asia in 1957? 

I have never seen one in this form. The ones I have seen had modified rear cab sections. 

 

 

regards

Tony

[Manuel in Oz]

Aussie cars may have had Kew engines and cars Lucas electrics. 

[Steven Linke]

Chassis number is stamped by the steering box on top of the chassis.