New to WW2 Dodge trucks

[Bill Holbrook]

Hi guys pleased to be, yet nervous as ****. I have found an old wc51. The only real problem is the bed is rough. The cab is painted alone with the fenders and frame. Big question is the bed, does anyone make panels for them? I have not found any online. I have found some good suppliers for other parts just sheet metal seems to be a big negative.

 

[NDT]

Welcome. No real suppliers of reproduction steel bed patch panels. Most of us just have a local sheet metal shop fab up what is required. Which generation bed are you working with? I think there are 4 versions that addressed the steel shortage, adding wood pieces.

 

[Bill Holbrook]

Its a 1943 wc51, but i was told the bed was an early model. I have got the truck yet. I didnt know if it would be worth it if i couldnt find the bed. They are asking 1800 and it has alot of the parts. Im good at mechanical work. But i dont know if it would be worth it if i cant find a bed. I would love to put it together, i love thesr old dodges.

 

[NDT]

No big deal to put an earlier bed on a '43. It has more steel content.

 

[Bill Holbrook]

Thats not my problem, i need to find a donor bed or at least patch panels. It comes witj a bed but it has alot of dents and several spots of rust. The cab fenders and frame are all good.

 

[Bill Holbrook]

I was looking at several sites online. I found alot of parts which really surprised me. I have looked at a few of the restored vechicals and it always leaves my mouth drooling. I hope i can achieve what alot of you guys have already done. I have a few physical hurdles and im going at it alone but i really want to build one. You could say a rebuilt vet attempting to rebuild a vet lol. If all else fails, I guess i could build a flat bed but that just seems so wrong.

 

[tankdriver]

You can get most ANYTHING you need from John at Midwest Military (https://midwestmilitary.com/), or from Vintage Power Wagons(https://www.vintagepowerwagons.com/). I have spent too much money buying stuff from both of them.

Also the National Convention of the Military Vehicles Preservation Association is in Louisville this year (MVPA.org) So it will be close to you.

Don't miss it......

 

[Bill Holbrook]

Thanks tankdriver, i appreciate the info. I have called and talked to both. Very nice people. Neither had a cab. Got everything else i need. VPW told me they had m601 cabs that could fit. Anyone ever done this? Thanks for the info, im new so i havent made any contacts yet. From what ive seen so far its confusing. The MVPA sounds great. Do they have a swap meet and show? As soon as i figure out how to post pics i will get a few up. Dont laugh it was a farmer who owned it since it left the service.

 

[Tinwoodsman]

Plus 1 on tankdriver's comments. I used both companies when I restored my WC51.

 

[Bill Holbrook]

Ok i just relized i put my comments on the wrong post. But i guess the same. Vpw says the m601 open cab would fit on my 41 wc frame and front clip. Anyone done this or know anything tha would help.

 

[Tinwoodsman]

Do you have any pictures?

 

[Bill Holbrook]

Yeah i got pics but i havent figured out how to load them.

 

[tankdriver]

Thanks tankdriver, i appreciate the info. I have called and talked to both. Very nice people. Neither had a cab. Got everything else i need. VPW told me they had m601 cabs that could fit. Anyone ever done this? Thanks for the info, im new so i havent made any contacts yet. From what ive seen so far its confusing. The MVPA sounds great. Do they have a swap meet and show? As soon as i figure out how to post pics i will get a few up. Dont laugh it was a farmer who owned it since it left the service.

Yes, you can spend DAYS at the swap meet. Last year it was at the old Cleveland Tank Arnsal bldg, and over 14,000 people came through. Don't miss it.

 

[Bill Holbrook]

Ok im confused on the engine id #. I have looked at several different sites and my numbers dont seem to match any year if im doing it right. My # is 0MU316 what year does that make my engine? Any help would be great thanks.

 

[Tinwoodsman]

Do you have any number such as a T137 on the block before the 0MU316?

 

[Tinwoodsman]

The Dodge WC51 had a T214 6 cyl. flathead.

 

[Tinwoodsman]

Here is a picture of my WC51 engine.

 

[tankdriver]

Ok im confused on the engine id #. I have looked at several different sites and my numbers dont seem to match any year if im doing it right. My # is 0MU316 what year does that make my engine? Any help would be great thanks.

OK, here is a copy of my build card from Dodge. You can see the engine serial # on it.





Here is the serial number to show where and what it looks like.

 

[Dozerman51]

Look below the distributor. There should be some numbers cast into the block around that area. In some years, the foundry casted the month, day and year the block was made. Also to the rear of the those numbers on the block, just above the oil pan, the block casting number(which is also the part number)should be there. Let us know what those numbers are.

 

[Bill Holbrook]

I will get them today and post them.