Hi Guys, I tried searching for the info, but I cant seem to find anything. I bought what I was told (and was registered as) a 1949 dodge d100. I know that the guy that had it before me put a 51 nose on it. I would like to be able to find info on the decoding the VIN. Any help would great. Thanks
The manufacturers serial number should be on a plate affixed to one of the "A" pillars The should also be a number stamped into a boss onthe engine block, drivers side just below the head and just above the generator, If this is a Truck it should start with a T. Either of those numbers shoud be referencable. If its a truck you may want to look at the maerial here; http://dodgepilothouseclub.org/index.htm Just noticed you are fom Canada, is this a Canadia maufactured vehicle??
The Flathead 6 was often exchanged at Sears for a new one, back in the day, so it may have a P number. I had a 54 once, and it was an oval tag near the voltage regulator on the firewall. Since my truck was registered with the sears flathead engine number (for some reason), and not the body tag, I really didn't need the tag anymore, but I got a wild hair one day and bought about 10 of these tags from a guy in New Zealand, or maybe it was Australia, but anyway, I stamped the engine number onto the new tag, and it made me feel better when I junked the flathead and put a 270 hemi in it. I still have a few if anyone is looking for that style of tag (rectangular with oval ends).
This is were I get confused, The VIN has no letters it is all numbers... As far as I know it is a canadian truck, does that make a differance?
It is not really a VIN as we know them today. It is a serial number and reflects the build order from the assembly plant. These vehicles were assembled from component parts, bodies were built and seperatly numbered by a subcontractor. Engines were numbered as they were assembled before going to final assembly. If it's a Canadian manufactur the serial number will not be reflected in the American build numbers. Measure the head of the engine, Canadian manufactured vehicles used 25 inch long engines, American Dodges and plymouths and dodge trucks used 23 inch, while Chrysler and Desoto used 25's. So yes it makes a difference for engine parts. So the numbers aren't like the numbers matching deal ford and gm guys are so into. The engine number will give you more info regarding cubic inches and date of manufacture. The serial nummber will give you the date and location of manufactur if you can find the Canadian reference numbers. You will find a bunch of Dode Fargo truck enthusiasts on the Pilothouse forum; http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/forumdisplay.php?f=8
Ok, I took another look at the tag on the a-piller and the model number is DE1-08. This is format is not on http://dodgepilothouseclub.org/know/vin/model.htm Do you have any clue what it might be? Thanks for you help!
I will post this on the Pilot house site you you then you can read the responses. There should be either an oval or rectangular plate that says Serial number quite clearly. Did you look for the engine number or measure the head???
some basic information DE models were made from 1948 - 50. It is 108 inch wheel base and a 1/2 ton pickup. You're correct, similar to B1B-108. Engine might be 218/226 or 230 based on the stroke. You can measure the strok by removing the square pipe plug located in teh center of the head over #6 cylinder. Insert an 8 inch or so long piece of stiff wire. It will ride up and down through the pistons lenght of travel. Mark the high and low and that will be the engine's stroke. The diference in displacemeent in mopr 6's is usually in the stroke. 4 3/8 = 218, 4 5/8 = 230. There are both Dodge and Fargo in Canada. Dodge would be DE and Fargo would have been FE. The engin number would also provide better information.
That is great, Thanks for your help. after looking a little more I think that the K-Member might be the way I go.
I would like one of the tags. Where did you get the stencils to put in the numbers. Contact me at fernwood48@gmail.com Lee
Too bad you didn't try to contact me. The truck is a '49 Canadian model, when i got it it was registered as a '51. I registered it back to '49 using the vin number off the drivers door, and a old Mopar parts book which showed vin numbers and years they were used. It' registered as a d100, which i think is what confuses you since it's a B-1-B. The explanation is simple........ D100 is the oldest Dodge truck model in the ICBC computer. If you have more questions or kneed parts let me know. By the way how's the truck doing now, did you do any updates to make it look better? Roman
Roman, It's going pretty good. I ended up going with a Dakota frame swap. I am knee deep in that right know. I ended up getting alot of answers off of http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/forumdisplay.php?f=8 That is where I got the idea for doing the frame swap. -James
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