Eric WD21 Posted April 5 Report Share Posted April 5 Hello, I recently purchased a 47 WD21. As far as I know, it’s 100% original, but I honestly know very little about these trucks, so I’ll be visiting the forum frequently. I do not plan to do any modifications, but upgrading the oil filtration system does interest me. If anyone has done such an upgrade, please let me know your thoughts. what I know (or have been told) about the truck: New water pump, new brakes, new tires, new glass, new shocks, 12v, fuel system cleaned. I drove it home about 1 hour through the mountains. I learned a lot in that hour. Like she handles similar to a backhoe with low tires ha ha, and 3rd gear is the only gear I can get my foot on the brake pedal. But she ran great! 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric WD21 Posted April 5 Author Report Share Posted April 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBNeal Posted April 5 Report Share Posted April 5 additional information - bypass spin-on oil filter 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veemoney Posted April 5 Report Share Posted April 5 That does look nice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidevalvepete Posted April 5 Report Share Posted April 5 Welcome aboard. Nice looking truck!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Harrison Posted April 6 Report Share Posted April 6 Hello Eric The WD21 (extended length one ton) is a fairly uncommon version. I have a 41 model which is very much the same as yours but I have not seen many others. These came with the larger Budd Wheels like the WF series of trucks. An original interior like yours is also uncommon. I see you have both arm rests. You may have a deluxe cab. They were more common in 47. Do you have a little placard on the dash and an arm under the seat about the middle of the seat? This would adjust the air under the seat (air ride) you could see this with the deluxe cab. Yours is definitely in the survivor category. You may have either the 23 inch or the 25 inch long engine. I am very curious as to if you have the smaller or larger motor as the parts book depict the 23 inch model mine has the 25 inch which I suspect is the correct motor. I am a member of the 39-47 Dodge truck group you should join as some of us are on both sites and the 39-47 has a lot of files and things specific to your era as well. please post some pics of the bed I am missing mine. The oil filters are pretty simple to install I may have one but must check Bob Harrison the other Dodge truck site is https://groups.io/g/39-47Dodgetruck 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric WD21 Posted April 6 Author Report Share Posted April 6 1 hour ago, Robert Harrison said: Hello Eric The WD21 (extended length one ton) is a fairly uncommon version. I have a 41 model which is very much the same as yours but I have not seen many others. These came with the larger Budd Wheels like the WF series of trucks. An original interior like yours is also uncommon. I see you have both arm rests. You may have a deluxe cab. They were more common in 47. Do you have a little placard on the dash and an arm under the seat about the middle of the seat? This would adjust the air under the seat (air ride) you could see this with the deluxe cab. Yours is definitely in the survivor category. You may have either the 23 inch or the 25 inch long engine. I am very curious as to if you have the smaller or larger motor as the parts book depict the 23 inch model mine has the 25 inch which I suspect is the correct motor. I am a member of the 39-47 Dodge truck group you should join as some of us are on both sites and the 39-47 has a lot of files and things specific to your era as well. please post some pics of the bed I am missing mine. The oil filters are pretty simple to install I may have one but must check Bob Harrison the other Dodge truck site is https://groups.io/g/39-47Dodgetruck Thanks for the info Bob, I will definitely check out that 39-47 group. I do not see any placards on the dash, and I haven’t even looked under the seat yet. I’ll be driving it from my work to my house tomorrow, so I’ll have to look and see what I find under the seat. I’ll gladly snap some pictures of the bed. I’ve been meaning to get the numbers off the engine, but haven’t had a chance to really dig in to the truck yet. I’ll be sure to measure the engine as well. Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Ed Posted April 6 Report Share Posted April 6 Welcome to this group and the 39-47 forum! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric WD21 Posted April 7 Author Report Share Posted April 7 Here are some more pics of the bed. Not sure if it’s original or not. It appears to sit on wood rails between the frame and the bed. The engine appears to be 23” measuring from the front to the back of the head. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric WD21 Posted April 7 Author Report Share Posted April 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric WD21 Posted April 7 Author Report Share Posted April 7 I found this truck was already added to the 39-47 club database by the previous owner. The vin 86000105 I understand makes it the 105th out of the Los Angeles plant in 1946, but it’s registered as a 47. Is there a way to find out more details about the trucks original build specs, such as paint color, rear gear ratio, etc? The t137.com site only provided basic info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9 foot box Posted April 7 Report Share Posted April 7 This is a 3.9 differential that was handy. The upper flat is where a fill plug could be tapped, the lower flat is where the gear ratio is stamped. My guess is 4.3. Rick D. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric WD21 Posted April 12 Author Report Share Posted April 12 Engine pics… I can’t find anything in the shop manual regarding the metal tube that comes off the back of the intake manifold that’s pinched off. I haven’t really had any time to spend with the truck since work has picked up. Holler if you see any glaring issues or missing items in the pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBNeal Posted April 12 Report Share Posted April 12 •pinched tube on intake manifold appears to be the vacuum source for the vacuum windshield wiper motor •intake manifold appears to have a partial PCV setup •spark plug wires appear a little on the long side...universal sets with 90° boots can be sourced 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric WD21 Posted April 12 Author Report Share Posted April 12 9 minutes ago, JBNeal said: •pinched tube on intake manifold appears to be the vacuum source for the vacuum windshield wiper motor •intake manifold appears to have a partial PCV setup •spark plug wires appear a little on the long side...universal sets with 90° boots can be sourced Vacuum tube for the wiper motor makes sense. Good idea on the plug wires too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan_B Posted April 12 Report Share Posted April 12 That pipe could be for wipers or other vacuum operated equipment? To determine what is and what's not original, it is best to find some vintage illustrations, such as from the owners' or repair manuals. Here are some of the things I see on the pictures: bed is likely not original or modified, rear view mirrors do not look period correct. Obvious - turn signals, side markers, etc. Interior appears to have been redone. Under the hood: is that a DIY PCV setup? You might want to check the original fuel bowl next to the pump, it needs to be cleaner. The heater outlet has been welded shut I see the vacuum advance next to the ignition distributor but do not see a vacuum line going to it, is it still there? Also, is this engine original to the truck (does the number match the frame)? The red color seems a bit unusual. Also, either your brake or clutch pedal is out of alignment, they should be the same height. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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