1947 WFAX-32 Project

[LKM_truck]

Hi Folks, 

     Just picked up a very straight WFAX-32 from farm country in Northern California. Starting this thread to document my progress and ask questions of the collective here. 

     Still debating the details but I'm thinking I'd like to repower it with a diesel and shorten the frame, if not do a chassis swap. 

     I've attached two photos from the trip home, need to finish a shelter for it before it snows. 

     

     Funny story picking it up - I had gone to see it a couple weeks before I was ready to get it, checked the door tag verified it was a -32. Knowing it had the dual rear wheels I figured a car trailer might not fit it so I rented an equipment trailer. Since I didn't have my gooseneck hitch installed I figured it would be OK if the bumper and tail end of the frame hung off a bit, so originally was going to get a 16' trailer. Something told me to measure the wheelbase so the seller and I took a long tape and measured wheel to wheel - 15' 8" he said. Huh, I thought, that's a bit longer than 160" - weird, but maybe the guy misread it, idk, next size up was a 22' ; well, glad I did - turns out somewhere along the line the frame had been cut and extended to 190" - presumably to fit a longer flatbed for a WF-33 that is no longer with it. They did a nice job, I didn't even see it the first time I looked at the frame, of course I was focused more on the cab than anything else. 

 

    Next steps beyond finding shelter for it:

- new tire(s) - passenger front valve stem is squished and holds air for about an hour

- figure out the rear axle ratios - I'll post pics of the numbers I found on it but some of the casting text has been covered in some sort of sealant. 

- see if the engine runs and how much of the existing equipment works on it

- new glass (rear was shot out by seller's kids with a BB gun years ago apparently, passenger side front is cracked)

- interior stuff (reupholster seat, etc.)

- measuring, planning, etc. for a potential repower

- take more photos for you all!

 

Cheers and thanks for the forum, 

-Logan

 

[LKM_truck]

Without rolling the truck as described in the shop manual (or having it up on stands) anyone know how to identify which ratios the two-speed rear has? 

Here are some photos of the text I found stamped and cast into the diff housing. 

 

Thanks,

-Logan

[ggdad1951]

He looks to be in great condition!  Can't wait to see what you will do with him!

[47 dodge 1.5 ton]

Welcome to the forum and nice truck. I have found the ratio on my non-two speed located on the drivers side, between to bolts (axle housing/gear housing assy), I believe about 3:00 position. I need to look back at some pictures I took. Now with that being said, the 48 2spd rear I have was in the same area but need to look at that again for certainty. I had to emory the paint because the stamps are not bold. I used a black light to read the numbers.

i found a picture to give you the location but as you can see, not very visible.

Edited November 6, 2021 by 47 dodge 1.5 ton

[47 dodge 1.5 ton]

I believe these will be the numbers to look for, picture from parts list book.

[47 dodge 1.5 ton]

This is the heavy duty rear ratio. Without the serial number to the truck, it could have one of the two rears listed.

[LKM_truck]

Thanks all!

Well, as for the diff ratios - it was staring me right in the face this whole time. 

First pic I posted, top number is a little hard to make out but certainly looks like 5.83 where the period is sort of a down arrow or a heart. I've seen photos of other Eaton 1350 units where the delimiter is a triangle or a star, so I think this fits. 

On 11/5/2021 at 1:20 PM, LKM_truck said:

Without rolling the truck as described in the shop manual (or having it up on stands) anyone know how to identify which ratios the two-speed rear has? 

Here are some photos of the text I found stamped and cast into the diff housing. 

 

Thanks,

-Logan

 

So that's good - one question down. 

 

I'm trying to fill out the registry worksheet but I can't seem to find any date stamp on the wheel rims. I did see the lug nuts are marked BUDD so that's nice to know. 

 

 

[wallytoo]

here's a picture of mine, which does have an eaton 1350 2-speed, in 5.83 and 8.11 ratios.

 

Edited November 13, 2021 by wallytoo