Mistaken Identity?

[Guest Dodger Codger]

This is a follow up to an earlier thread, where I posted about trying to find some parts for a friends truck. He says the truck is a '49 Dodge, and the VIN indicates a B1C. Looking at these pictures, I'm not sure he's right at all, it looks like an earlier model, maybe even a morphidite of several years thrown together.

What do you folks think?

[Guest Dodger Codger]

Maybe this picture will show up a little better

[Dennis_MN]

Looks like a 49 to me.. only detail that I noticed is that the rear fender has been cut off short.

here is my 49 actually doing some work

Dennis

[Guest Dodger Codger]

Looks like a 49 to me.. only detail that I noticed is that the rear fender has been cut off short.

here is my 49 actually doing some work

Dennis

Looks pretty sweet, but I guess I'm fixated on the back window...yours has the two side glass panels that I thought were characteristic of the "pilothouse" redesign for 1949. Like I keep saying, I'm new at this but the truck in my pictures has that one tiny rear window which makes me think it's a '48 or older. The VIN coming back as a '49 makes me wonder if it hasn't been modified somehow.

Thanks for the input!

[Young Ed]

I think those side windows were optional. It sure looks like a 48-50 truck to me.

[Guest Dodger Codger]

I think those side windows were optional. It sure looks like a 48-50 truck to me.

You could very well be right. I'm looking around at some other pictures and they're all very similar. Any idea on the model? The owner is adamant that it's not a 3/4 ton, but the VIN seems to say otherwise.

[Falcon(63)]

Looks like a 49 to me with a non-custom cab, w/o rear side glasses. 3/4's originally had 15" tires, while 1/2 tons had 16" tires. Go figure!

[Merle Coggins]

The "Standard" cab has no corner windows and no vent windows in the doors. The "Deluxe" and "Custom" cabs have the corner windows and vent windows.

Looks like a 48 or 49 Standard Cab truck to me.

[Guest Dodger Codger]

Looks like a 49 to me with a non-custom cab, w/o rear side glasses. 3/4's originally had 15" tires, while 1/2 tons had 16" tires. Go figure!

Thanks, I'm getting into some areas (brake lines, etc.) where I'm going to really need to know what I'm looking for, and every little bit of info will really help.

DC

[Young Ed]

Hopefully someone can confirm that this applies to the pilot house trucks too. On 39-47 dodges the 3/4 ton has a 4in longer bed and wheel base. I believe its 116 vs 120. Also the 3/4 ton with the 15in wheels has a bigger bolt pattern that only fits 3/4 tons.

[Guest Dodger Codger]

The "Standard" cab has no corner windows and no vent windows in the doors. The "Deluxe" and "Custom" cabs have the corner windows and vent windows.

Looks like a 48 or 49 Standard Cab truck to me.

Thank you, that's the first I've heard or read about cab variations, and definitely clears things up a little.

I'm sorry the pictures aren't better, but I didn't quite get how to post them inside the messages. Now I just need to get busy and track down suppliers.

[Merle Coggins]

8" difference with the Pilot-House trucks. 1/2 ton = 108" wheel base. 3/4 ton = 116" wheel base. I've also heard that the 1/2 & 3/4 ton trucks had a different wheel bolt pattern too, but I've not confirmed that. 16" wheels were standard on the 1/2 ton's and 15" on the 3/4 ton's like earlier stated.

[Guest Dodger Codger]

8" difference with the Pilot-House trucks. 1/2 ton = 108" wheel base. 3/4 ton = 116" wheel base. I've also heard that the 1/2 & 3/4 ton trucks had a different wheel bolt pattern too, but I've not confirmed that. 16" wheels were standard on the 1/2 ton's and 15" on the 3/4 ton's like earlier stated.

That helps ,too. Thanks!

[Merle Coggins]

Thank you, that's the first I've heard or read about cab variations, and definitely clears things up a little.

I'm sorry the pictures aren't better, but I didn't quite get how to post them inside the messages. Now I just need to get busy and track down suppliers.

Do your self a favor and pick up this book.

It explains all of the different options and changes made within the Pilot-House series of trucks. A GREAT book to have if you are working with these trucks.

For parts sources, click on the "Return to Pilot-House.com" at the top of this page. There is a nice list of parts suppliers. Also don't leave out your local parts stores. Several parts can still be sourced locally at Napa, Checker, Advanced, Auto Zone, etc.

Good luck,

Merle

[Guest Dodger Codger]

Thanks, Merle!

And everyone else, too...I may have to find one of these of my own to work with...I think I'm getting hooked!

[Falcon(63)]

Apparently you are right Merle, about the wheel bolt pattern. Out of all I have parted out some had 5 on 5 1/2, 5 on 5, and even had one that had 5 on 4 1/2. it would be interesting to know the history on the one with the 5 on 4 1/2

[Young Ed]

5x4.5 should be a 1/2 ton. Thats what mine has. 5x5 is the 3/4 and 5x5.5?

[Reg Evans]

It looks like a 48 B1C to me because of the stainless grill bars and the long bed. And Yup...if it has 15" wheels with a 5 on 5 lug pattern it's a 3/4 ton.

[Dennis_MN]

As long as we are looking, here is a front view of my '49 with stainless grill bars. Don Bunn was nice enough to pose with my Pilothouse.

Dennis