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Deciphering your 1948 - 1953 Dodge truck code:
Truck vehicle numbers (we think of them as VIN's, though they weren't called that during this time period) are located on a metal plate on the left side door post. If that is missing the number should also be repeated on the frame near the front spring hanger as shown below in the cleaned area. Sometimes this has been difficult to locate as it may be further back on the frame and may be faint. The vehicle number is the serial number for the truck and can be useful for vehicle registration as well as determing the type of truck and location of build. Serial numbers are listed at the bottom of this page.
The model number will be in the form as seen on the identification plate above. An analysis of this number follows:
B-Series:
The B-series trucks were made from 1948 - 1953. They are also known as pilot-house trucks because of their distinctively new cab design. There are no "A-Series" trucks. Trucks built before 1948 are classified with model types such as TC, TD, WC and VC and as "job-rated" although the job-rated nomenclature continues to be used by Dodge even today. After 1953 the "C-Series" trucks were made from 1954 through 1956 , and continued on with the "Power-Giant" series til 1960 . The B-Series for trucks should not be confused with Dodge's B-series of cars that were made in the 70's.
You will find dodge truck brochures for many of these models in the Pilot's Knowledge section. Pictures of many of these trucks will be found in the Dodge Gallery.
Version:
B-(1, 2, 3, 4): Four major version changes of the Dodge B-series trucks were made.
| Model | Years Produced | Total - all trucks in series manufactured |
|---|---|---|
| B-1 | 1948 - 1949 (ended 9-1-1949) |
299,900 |
| B-2 | 1950 (ended 4/1/1951) |
207,667 |
| B-3 | 1951 - 1952 (ended 5/1/53) |
298,925 |
| B-4 | 1953 (ended 5/1/54) |
104,262 |
Model:
B-1- : The third set of digits gives us the model truck type. This is divided into major chassis classifications of: Light-duty,
Medium and Heavy-duty, and School Bus.
Light-duty Classifications |
||
| B | 1/2-ton | Pickup. (Only the 1/2 ton was called a "pickup"). |
| C | 3/4-ton | express |
| D | 1-ton | express |
| PW | 1-ton | express power wagon |
Medium and Heavy-duty Classifications |
||
|---|---|---|
| DU | 1-ton | route van |
| EU | 1 1/2-ton | route van |
| F, FM^ | 1 1/2-ton | |
| G, GA* GM**, GMA*^ | 1 1/2-ton | |
| H, HA*^, HH, HHA*, HN HM^ , HMA*^ | 1 1/2-ton (some are rated at 2-ton depending on year and model) | |
| HHM^, HHMA^* | 2-ton | |
| J, JA, JL, JLA* JM^, JMA^*, JMLM, JMAL^* J | 2 1/2-ton 2 1/2-ton 2 1/2-ton | |
| K, KA* | 2 1/2-ton | |
| R, RA*, RAL*, RL | 2 3/4-ton | |
| T, TA* | 3-ton | |
| V, VA*, VL VX, VXL | 3 1/2-ton 3 1/2-ton | |
| Y, YA* | 4-ton | |
| YX | 4-ton | |
* "A" indicates model has 2-speed rear axle
^ "M" indicates model is COE (Cab Over Engine)
"L" indicates version is 6-wheel model
School Buses |
||
|---|---|---|
| FS, GS | 1 1/2-ton | |
| HS, HHS | 2-ton | |
| JS | 2 1/2-ton | |
| RS | 2 3/4-ton | |
"S" indicates model is school bus
Serial Numbers |
||
|---|---|---|
Built in Detroit |
Built in California LA = Los Angeles SL = San Leandro |
Year, Model and Wheelbase |
| 82,044,001 | 9,227,001 | 1948 B1B -108 |
| 82,092,129 | 9,234,692 (LA) | 1949 B1B -108 |
| 82,140,001 | 85,300,001 (SL) | 1950 B2B -108 |
| 82,215,001 | 85,308,001 (SL) | 1951 B3B - 108 |
| 82,257,601 | 85,313,701 (SL) | 1952-53 B3B - 108 |
| 82,302,001 | 85,322,001 (SL) | 1953 B3B - 108,116 |
| 83,314,001 | 85,502,001 (LA) | 1948 B1C - 116 |
| 83,323,946 | 85,503,863 (LA) | 1949 B1C - 116 |
| 83,340,001 | 85,506,001 (SL) | 1950 B2C - 116 |
| 83,362,001 | 85,510,001 (SL) | 1951 B3C - 116 |
| 83,373,001 | 85,512,001 (SL) | 1952-53 B3C - 116 |
| 83,388,001 | 85,515,001 (SL) | 1953 B4C - 116 |
| 81,245,001 | 86,003,501 (LA) | 1948 B1D - 116,126 |
| 81,268,732 | 86,006,646 (LA) | 1949 B1D - 116,126 |
| 81,280,001 | 86,008,501 (SL) | 1950 B2D - 116,126 |
| 81,435,001 | 86,010,001 (SL) | 1951 B3D - 116,126 |
| 81,447,301 | 86,011,201 (SL) | 1952-53 B3D - 116,126 |
| 81,463,001 | 86,013,001 (SL) | 1953 B4D - 116,126 |
| 83,900,001 | 88,750,001 (LA) | 1947-48 WDX - 126 |
| 83,907,001 | 88,759,501 (LA) | 1948-49 B1PW - 126 |
| 83,917,001 | 88,766,001 (SL) | 1950 B2PW - 126 |
| 83,922,501 | 88,766,501 (SL) | 1951 B3PW - 126 |
| 83,926,501 | 88,755,001 (SL) | 1952-53 B3PW - 126 |
| 83,934,001 | 88,767,501 (SL) | 1953 B4PW - 126 |