Thor Nogson Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Hi guys , its been a whilwe since i posted so here is an update on the little yellow dodge. All the pics are here and i'l upload some narative this evening. https://plus.google.com/photos/110359745280260589931/albums/5718745926153281361/5784968268244517538?banner=pwa Does anyone know where to get 1/2 ton dodge shock absorber link bushes in uk ? John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon_M Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Steve Rivers at Dallas Autos. If Steve hasn't got them, no-one has Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Johns Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 (edited) Good to see another 1/2 ton being restored, its got the enevitable chassis crack, seems all 1/2 tons suffered as its chassis frame not up to the job, mine has been repaired too There is a beautifull WC1 for sale on Milweb http://www.milweb.net/webverts/64390/ Edited October 1, 2012 by Nick Johns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon_M Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 (edited) Oooh, pile of difference between the civilian and military half ton chassis Nick, got both here and a couple of variations. The military VC frame was prone to cracking - I have a 'before' and 'after' in the garage. My VC1 chassis has cracks all over it and if it wasn't rare you'd just bin it. The VC 3 chassis has had just as many cracks, but Uncle Sam has welded it up again within an inch of its life. One of the front spring hangers looks like it has been ripped right off and then solidly re-mounted on a piece of plate. Really solid though, much more so than factory. My 'civilian' half ton frame is from a WC36, the militarised civilian half ton Carryall, and it is much lighter again - basically just single thickness metal. Springs, hangers, all lighter, and useless civilian tube shocks too, plus the spring hangers are jeep type open 'C' ones, in fact jeep bushes will interchange. Just weld it up, it'll be fine, but take the weight off the springs and check that none of the spring hangers are loose on the frame while you are there - if so, weld them up like Uncle Sam. I have a late 1940 one ton chassis here that I am adding some military stuff to. VC front axle, transfer case plate, double plate hangers at the front, knee-action shocks ( not found on civilian Dodges under 1.5 ton ). Military VC springs at the front and 3/4 ton WC springs at the rear. You can mix and match a lot of this stuff, within limits, as all the bits on that chassis will be original Dodge equipment from late 1940 to mid '42. Uprating the springs and shocks will help, but since it is a civilian single-thickness chassis I'll have to watch the overall weights. Edited October 1, 2012 by Gordon_M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor Nogson Posted October 5, 2012 Author Share Posted October 5, 2012 I finally got my build card from Chrysler and it turns out that the little yellow truck was built in November 1940 and , according to the registers , is the second oldest known 1/2 T WC . Can anyone tell me what body style code 56 means ? , I'm trying to determine what it was before it was fitted with a civvy cab and monster heater Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon_M Posted October 6, 2012 Share Posted October 6, 2012 (edited) Don't have 56 as a code on the list; http://ww2dodge.com/content/body-tag However 66 is an open cab pickup with transverse rear seats, so your complete code might have been 4066-xxxx, and the smaller the xxxx number the earlier in the build sequence. Actual model year production start was September. I wouldn't guarantee that 56 didn't exist as a code, it will be out there somewhere, however all the common military body codes are accounted for, and 66 was one of the most common. ( Most of the special purpose trucks on ordinary chassis would have had 4062 which would be just a cab and chassis supplier separately to a specialist body supplier ) You should go to the WW2 Dodge Forum and look for the Build Card thread, and send them a copy too as there are approaching 100 similar cards on file. http://forum.ww2dodge.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7441 Edited October 6, 2012 by Gordon_M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor Nogson Posted October 6, 2012 Author Share Posted October 6, 2012 Found the answer after I posted here , on command-car.com where 56 is listed as closed cab 1/2 ton . Doesn't explain the civvy cab or the fact that the cab has never yet been OD (it's red under the yellow). I've emailed the chap I bought it from for contact with the person he bought it from. Thanks for your help. I already sent my build card to Sylvia . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon_M Posted October 6, 2012 Share Posted October 6, 2012 Found the answer after I posted here , on command-car.com where 56 is listed as closed cab 1/2 ton . Doesn't explain the civvy cab or the fact that the cab has never yet been OD (it's red under the yellow). I've emailed the chap I bought it from for contact with the person he bought it from. Thanks for your help. I already sent my build card to Sylvia . Never seen 56 listed, but if Sylvia has it on the Build Card list. Must be an earlier closed cab variant, maybe the full waterfall dash version. I'd guess if your truck had been 1941 production the code would be different Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happydayz123 Posted October 6, 2012 Share Posted October 6, 2012 Ken Pugh,has tons of nos 1/2 ton dodge parts see his website.Not everything is listed,so u really need to contact him. Google GI sales & hire. Regards stu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny loot Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Hi guys , its been a whilwe since i posted so here is an update on the little yellow dodge. All the pics are here and i'l upload some narative this evening. https://plus.google.com/photos/110359745280260589931/albums/5718745926153281361/5784968268244517538?banner=pwa Does anyone know where to get 1/2 ton dodge shock absorber link bushes in uk ? John as far as i know m37 dodge shocker arms are the same bushes and can be used , powerwagons in the states keep them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor Nogson Posted October 27, 2012 Author Share Posted October 27, 2012 Steve Rivers at Dallas Autos. If Steve hasn't got them, no-one has Just had a joyous moment in a mates garage... No not what you think.... but after weeks of trying to make 1/2 ton shock link bushes from a bar of polythene with limited success, found that classic mini engine stabiliser poly bushes are a perfect fit , just need the stainless centre reaming out a tad. Now got 72 year old suspension with 'fast road' bushing :cheesy: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor Nogson Posted December 1, 2012 Author Share Posted December 1, 2012 Hello again all , been busy on the 1/2 ton since last post. Thanks to Mel and Ken for help with brake bits , and thanks to Ralph for the door card pattern . Pallet of tinware , pickup bed, fenders etc arrived from Montana at last :-) and is now blasted and primered with the lacy bits replaced . All new American oak has been cut and fitted ,latest pics with comments here : https://plus.google.com/photos/110359745280260589931/albums/5718745926153281361?banner= I now have a spare set of good running board brackets blasted and primered And enough pickup bed timbers to use as patterns if anyone has need of either of these . Now I'm looking for tailgate hardware , hinges and catches, either good used or enough to use as patterns and if anyone knows where to get the pickup bed strips in uk, I'd be pleased to know. I also have a fix for dodge speedos needing new needle disc if anyone needs this. Regards John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 I see that a kettle is as vital a part of your equipment as ours! Word of warning about poly bushes, they can be hard enough to wear the metal, can you get rubber ones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor Nogson Posted December 1, 2012 Author Share Posted December 1, 2012 I see that a kettle is as vital a part of your equipment as ours! Word of warning about poly bushes, they can be hard enough to wear the metal, can you get rubber ones? Ive bought the cheapest poly bushes I can find and can get my thumbnail into them, should be fine for the time being. I think you can get them in rubber. Kettle is most essential power tool I own ! I can weld for 6 hrs straight at a brew an hour! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 :D When in doubt, Brew up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.