Does B = Pilot House?

[DakotaFrank]

Are only B-series trucks considered Pilot House trucks?  The C-series had lots of changes.  Too many to call them Pilot House?  What is the consensus?

[Fernando Mendes]

Yes.Pilot house=1948-1953

B1=1948-1949

B2=1950-1951

B3=1952-1953.

[JBNeal]

additional information - definitions

[wallytoo]

b1 1948 & 1949

b2 1950

b3 1951 & 1952

b4 1953

 

the c series were also referred to as pilothouse in dodge’s own literature/brochures/advertising.

[48Dodger]

Side note: no matter the trim package, 48-53 are considered Pilothouse.

 

48D

[DakotaFrank]

Thanks for all responses.  Since 48-50 look so similar, and 51-53 look so similar, how do you determine the year without seeing the data plate?  I mean, what small details give clues to the year?

[ggdad1951]

Where to start?  Biggest tell is grill bars.  After that you can look at: dash, door crease, door gutter, hood, rear fender (53 is unique), then you start to get deep into minutiae.

 

To get down deep enough between B1 and B2 or B3 (year 51 or 52) you need the dataplate.

[JBNeal]

On Express models, almost all 48s will have the rear fenders that line up with the departure angle line of the bed; very late 48s and all 49s will have the rear fender that extends beyond the departure angle line.

 

B-2s will look just like '49 B-1s, the giveaway will be the amp gauge that changed from 35 to 50...also, column shift 3pd 1st appeared, so did the 2 little mounting holes in the hood for the optional Fluid Drive badge under the side DODGE logos.

 

B-3 changed grille, hood, and door crease, dash layout, steering wheel, door handles...51s have a bolt-on bracket for the hood prop; 52s have the bracket integrated into the hood reinforcement.

 

B-4s purty much the same as B-3s except DODGE logo on the dash instead of stainless bar...Express models have the formed fenders that were used up until '85.

 

additional information - Pilot-House Cab differences

[Los_Control]

Then there is always the oddball in the crowd.

My 1949 B1B was built at the end of the year and used at the dealer to show off next years trucks.

So it was built in 1949 & titled as a 1949, truly is a 1950 model though.

 

Is there such a thing as a B1.5B

[JBNeal]

57 minutes ago, Los_Control said:

...

Is there such a thing as a B1.5B

additional information - X Model

[B1B Keven]

My observations.

48 has a smooth speedometer face.

48 & early 49 have 35 amp gauge.

Late 49 & 50 have 50 amp gauge.

48 & 49 have floor mounted parking brake.

50 has a dash mounted parking brake.

[DakotaFrank]

Thanks all. 

[Rodney_Hamon]

This was a great discussion to define what B series meant. In my youth I owned a ‘48 3/4 ton and just knew it like that.  Now I know my truck was a B-1C. What a great truck it was.  Thanks for filling that info gap in.  Btw, I still have that dash cover plate for where the upright radio would be in case anyone needed to cover that hole. It’s dark blue.