1939-1947 Dodge Trucks
Dodge's Job Rated haulers make great projects and collectibles
09/24/2018
Paul Christensen wasn't about to let his grandfather's 1942 Dodge truck grow roots on the family farm in Canada. So, in 1989, he headed north and drove the one-owner truck back--from Alberta to Salt Lake City, Utah, with his wife and son following in the family's Ford Crown Victoria.
Inline-sixes of varying displacements with one-barrel carburetion were standard issue in Job Rated Dodge trucks. Rebuild parts as well as rebuildable cores or interchangeable used parts are relatively easy to locate, especially since variations of these engines were also used in passenger cars.
It would be rare to drive a rolling pre-WWII-vintage heirloom 600-plus miles without incident, and Christensen's trip had its exhilarating moments.
"We had left the [Canada-U.S.] border crossing near Cut Bank, Montana, and when I stepped on the brakes, there weren't any."
Making an old Dodge truck interior look new again is possible, thanks to the availability of reproduction rubber pieces and no shortage of painted surfaces.
After rolling precariously through an intersection using the handbrake lever (connected to a driveshaft-mounted brake) to bring the Dodge to a halt, Christensen regrouped and got the truck to a muffler shop. There, he could see that the brake line had popped off the master cylinder, allowing the fluid to pump out. It was a fairly easy fix, and soon the Dodge was rolling again. Now, if only he'd remembered to release the emergency brake afterward....
"I left the handbrake on, and it caught on fire," Christensen said. "Luckily, we were able to put it out with a fire extinguisher."
Then, about an hour from Salt Lake City, there was a run-in with a Utah Highway Patrol officer.
"He pulled me over because I'd lost [power to] the taillights," Christensen said. "He sent me to a convenience store and told me to get a flashlight and tape it on the back."
As you've probably gathered, this road trip story has a happy ending. Christensen made it to his parents' house in Salt Lake City and had the truck shipped to his place in Southern California.
Once home, Christensen disassembled the truck and restored it to its current condition. The project took about two years to complete. As the truck had been used primarily around the farm, it wasn't rusted, but it was dented and scraped. The tailgate was missing, as were the decorative rear hubcaps.
"It was a two-year process," he said. "It was missing the tailgate and missing the rear hubcaps. Other than that, everything was there. There was no rust at all. In Alberta, they don't use salt, and it's pretty dry. Most of the dings and dents were from combines backing into it while it sat in the barn."
While Christensen's truck is a Canadian-made DD2-33, it is virtually identical to the American WD21, long-wheelbase one-ton. One of the minor differences is the size of the engine. The Canadian trucks used a 228-cu.in. engine, while American trucks used a 230-cu.in. engine. Both are flathead six-cylinders and use the same transmission bolt pattern, though the block sizes are physically different.
Christensen completely rebuilt his truck's engine and its accessories, but left the non-synchromesh four-speed transmission and the 4.30:1 rear axle alone. The truck's springs are original, but the bushings were replaced, as were the front kingpins and pitman arm. The original steering box was in good shape and returned to duty with just an adjustment.
When all of the dents had been worked out, the truck was painted by a local body shop in green and black acrylic lacquer.
Christensen's truck is relatively unusual, as it's one of about 2,000 Canadian Dodge one-ton trucks and one of about 850 DD series trucks built in the Windsor, Ontario, plant (there were about 4,000 built in Detroit) for the 1942 model year. However, 1939-1947 Dodge trucks of any stripe are not difficult to find. Restoring one of these trucks isn't terribly complicated either, as the parts supply remains abundant. Dodge light trucks were used extensively by the military during WWII, so many spare parts were purchased by the government and later sold off as surplus. These trucks also have some components in common with Dodge cars, which further bolsters the parts stream.
"Dodge had military contracts during WWII, so you could go to military shows and buy NOS driveline parts and they were inexpensive," Christensen said, adding, "There has been a lot of interest in these trucks and that stuff is drying up."
There wasn't much change in the design of these trucks during their production run, so the interchangeability of parts from year to year also makes the job of assembling one a little simpler.
Body
Dodge rolled out a striking new design for 1939, featuring an all-steel cab with a two-piece windshield that could be opened for increased airflow at the turn of a crank. There was also a center cowl vent for increased ventilation, though vent windows in the doors wouldn't appear until 1946. The 1939 truck had a unique front-end/grille treatment that was changed in 1940. In 1940, Dodge trucks began using sealed-beam headlamps and were equipped with marker lights mounted on the headlamp housing. For the most part, after 1940, year-to-year appearance changes were very minimal. Used body parts for Dodge's "Job Rated" era trucks are not difficult to find. Rust-free fenders and doors are climbing in price, though they're still reasonable. During the course of researching this story, for instance, we quickly turned up a usable set of used front fenders and a lower grille panel for less than $200. Reproduction front cab floor pans for these trucks are available as are reproduction bed front panels, tailgates, running boards, bed wood kits and bed bolt kits.
Chassis
Dodge's 1939-'47 light trucks were offered in 1/2-, 3/4-, and one-ton varieties, but the nomenclature changed a little from year to year. The Job Rated trucks had stronger frames than previous trucks because they used steel with a higher tensile strength, the rails extended further forward past the engine than earlier trucks, and the trucks used beefy channel-type bumpers that helped to tie the frame rails together. A variety of wheelbases gave buyers greater options to suit their needs. The 1/2-ton rode on a 116-inch wheelbase, 3/4-tons on a 120-inch wheelbase, and one-tons were available with a 120- or 133-inch wheelbase. In 1940, Dodge 1/2-ton trucks adopted the safety-oriented system of using left- and right-hand thread lug nuts on opposite sides of the truck. Mechanically, the trucks are all very similar, with leaf springs at all four corners and solid axles front and rear. After WWII, there were some changes made to production truck chassis parts due to reliability issues that cropped up during military service. For instance, the 1946-'47 trucks were equipped with housing vents on live axles--a spring-loaded valve in the vent could automatically reduce pressure when it built up inside the axle. This helped reduce seal leakage and failure. Stronger differentials and larger axle shafts were also used in post-war trucks, and steering boxes were beefed up and made heavier. Though entire assemblies might interchange from year to year, you should be careful that you're getting the correct part for your year truck when buying individual components. Chassis parts and brake parts are widely available for these trucks, either from specialty parts vendors or even the corner auto parts store.
Drivetrain
There were three flathead sixes used in Dodge's light trucks throughout the Job Rated Era. A 201.3-cu.in. engine initially rated at 70hp (82.5hp in 1941) was standard issue in half-ton trucks. Three-quarter and one-ton trucks used a 217.76-cu.in. engine from 1939-1941, rated at 77hp, then at 82hp and at 85hp in 1941. From 1942-'47, 1/2- and 3/4-ton trucks were equipped with the 217.76-cu.in. engine, while one-ton trucks stepped up to the 230.2-cu.in., 102hp six-cylinder. A three-speed manual was standard issue, while a four-speed with a compound first gear was an option. Oil filters and oil-bath air cleaners were options on Dodge trucks, as were heavy-duty generators.
Complete overhaul kits for Dodge engines are available, as are clutches and virtually anything else needed to make your truck run like new.
Interior
Work-truck basic is the name of the game here, which can be a good thing for restorers. Rubber parts and seals are available for these trucks, as are switches, gauges and lenses. Original-style upholstery is also easily sourced from upholstery shops or upholstery suppliers.
Options inside these trucks were few and far between, and included items like upgraded seat cushions, a left-side sun visor, a left-side arm rest and a dome light.
PARTS PRICES
Shop or service manual -- $22
Outside door handles -- $150
Mirror bracket -- $49
Windshield gasket -- $45
Hood emblems -- $115
Door (used) -- $200
Carburetor (rebuilt) -- $190
Front floor pan -- $50
Wheel brake cylinders -- $51
Brake hoses -- $34
Engine gasket kit -- $63.89
Gas tank filler neck grommet -- $11
Cowl vent gasket -- $15
Door weatherstrip -- $35
Clutch disc -- $89.50
Fuel pump -- $79.50
Universal joint -- $85
Rear leaf springs -- $195 each
Shock absorbers -- $42.50 each
SPECIALISTS
Andy Bernbaum Auto Parts Inc.
315 Franklin Street
Newton, Massachusetts 02458
617-244-1118
www.oldmoparts.com
Classic 2 Current Fabrication
24536 Capitol Street
Redford, Michigan 48239
313-534-2886
c2cfabrication.com
Kanter Auto Products
76 Monroe Street
Boonton, New Jersey 07005
800-526-1096
www.kanter.com
Roberts Motor Parts
17 Prospect Street
West Newbury, Massachusetts 01985
800-231-3180
www.robertsmotorparts.com
Bruce Horkey's Wood and Parts
46284 440th Street Dept. H
Windham, Minnesota 56101
507-831-5625
www.horkeyswoodandparts.com
Dodge Job Rated Truck Registry
1625 Jason Street
San Diego, California 92154
619-575-1543
www.39-47dodgetrucks.com
WHAT TO PAY
1947 Model Year
PRODUCTION
1947 Model Year
1/2-ton -- 42,542
3/4-ton -- 9,992
One-ton -- 27,773
The British motor industry is well represented on this week’s round up of successful sales on Hemmings.com. The strongest listing went to an LS V8-powered 1997 Land Rover Defender 110 custom that outperformed the market and looked to be able to well outperform a stock 110. A 1978 Aston Martin AM V8 found a new home via auction, the same fate experienced by a V12-powered 1972 Jaguar XKE Series 3 roadster. The original Jeep Grand Wagoneer was perhaps the first luxury SUV and the 1988 example sold on Hemmings.com featured low-mileage and excellent overall condition. There are few muscle cars are instantly recognizable as a Carousel Red Pontiac GTO Judge, like the 1969 model detailed below. Finally, we look at a restored 1913 Ford Model T Runabout sold from a Canadian-based collection.
For the week of May 12 through May 18, a total of 61 listings crossed the Hemmings Auctions block. Including Make Offer listings of previously ended auctions, a total of 40 cars were sold, resulting in a net 66% sell-through rate. An additional 29 cars were sold via direct Make Offer listings.
You can keep abreast of the latest consignments by subscribing to the daily Hemmings Auctions email newsletter.
Reserve: $80,000
Selling Price: $84,000
Recent Market Range: $45,000-$80,000
Aston Martin produced some version of its V8-powered saloon from 1969 through 1989, though we are more likely to refer to the body style as a coupe on this side of the Atlantic. A beefy 5.3-liter DOHC V8 with multiple carburetors and a stout Chrysler-sourced TorqueFlite automatic very much gave the models a muscle car vibe, albeit one made with fine leather upholstery and thick wool carpets. This silver on red 1978 Aston Martin AM V8 Series III saloon, which traded hands last year via online auction for $46,988, achieved one of the highest prices seen in recent years for a coupe equipped with a standard-specification engine, particularly outside the U.K., where values are typically stronger.
Reserve: $63,000
Selling Price: $68,775
Recent Market Range: $54,000-$75,000
Perhaps no other American vehicle has combined class and off-road capability quite like the original Grand Wagoneer, the trailblazing luxury SUV that was produced by Jeep for almost three decades. This 1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was submitted with just 27,417 miles showing on the odometer and plenty of notes from the seller indicating the original condition of the vehicle and all of its major components. The undercarriage, interior and engine bay photos all appeared to show an exceptionally clean example, which is notable for a rust-prone vehicle that has been in the Northeast since new. The net sale price, achieved with the 39th bid, was in line with market expectations for this very collectible vehicle.
Asking Price: $150,000
Selling Price: $157,500
Recent Market Range: $80,000-$150,000
The Land Rover Defender market shows no signs of slowing down, particularly as more and more examples are allowed into the U.S. via the DOT’s 25-year rule for previously banned imports. Likewise, there is a burgeoning market for what can best be described as restomodded examples, like this 1997 Land Rover Defender 110, which was powered by a modern GM LS3 V8, the same powerplant found in later C6 Corvettes. The list of what was original to this SUV might be shorter than what was changed, given the comprehensive nature of the build. Achieved via a direct Make Offer listing, the net sale price of this Land Rover was at the very top end of recent market activity for such customized Defenders.
Reserve: $54,000
Selling Price: $52,500
Recent Market Range: $46,000-$62,000
This 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge ticked all the right boxes: matching numbers with photos verification of the partial VIN stamping on the engine block of the original Ram Air III V8, Muncie four-speed manual transmission, PHS documentation, and that classic Carousel Red finish and Judge decals. It looked to be in excellent overall condition, but it also appeared to have been driven and enjoyed some in recent years, with some signs of wear. And the net sale price, achieved via post-auction Make Offer listing, reflected the condition and authenticity of the car. A concours-level example, or one with a rare Ram Air IV engine for example, would likely command a premium over this one.
Reserve: $65,000
Selling Price: $69,825
Recent Market Range: $78,000-$115,000
The final iteration of the Jaguar XKE was a bit larger than the original and not as precisely focused on its sporting nature. Rather, with a big V12 under the hood, it was more of a GT car. This 1972 Jaguar E-type Series III Roadster appeared to have some minor wear and tear and signs of road use, but it made up for any shortcomings with what appeared to be an abundance of authenticity. The seller noted that the exterior finish, interior upholstery and engine were all original. Reflecting the low number of owners and the car’s years sitting in a museum, the odometer reading of just over 30,000 miles was also believed accurate. While the net sale price was below market expectations, it was not too far off.
Reserve: $25,00
Selling Price: $26,250
Recent Market Range: $22,000-$36,000
There has never been a shortage of early Fords at Hemmings, dating to the earliest days of our magazine. Like any other vehicle, the most desired examples in the best condition will always attract the bidders. This 1913 Ford Model T Runabout appeared to have been restored to high level and showed only minimal signs of use. It was also equipped with an electric starter. The maroon body, black fenders and white spoke wheels nicely complemented the button-tufted black vinyl seat. The undercarriage appeared to be exceptionally clean, indicating little use for the car that was said to come from a Model T collection. The next sale price was well within the going market rate for an open-top, two-seat, early Model T.
What was thought to be the last Chevrolet Camaro rolled out of the factory in late-2023, but the model’s nameplate may not be on hiatus for long. General Motors president Mark Reuss reportedly wants to see the Camaro make a comeback as an affordable EV.
According to Motor Trend, Reuss has a vision to create a budget-friendly four-door electric vehicle under the Camaro muscle car nameplate. The approach would be somewhat similar to Ford’s Mach-E, except instead of offering an electric crossover alongside gas-powered coupe and convertible Mustangs, the Camaro would retain its sedan body style. The future electric Camaro is unlikely to be offered in a coupe or convertible version due to engineering complications for the EV platform and low sales numbers for two-door cars, which wouldn’t justify the extra expense.
While most Americans recognize the Camaro as a burly muscle car, Reuss reportedly wants the next generation of Camaro to go back to the model’s roots as a simple and affordable vehicle.
The estimated cost for a Camaro EV sedan could be similar to the current MSRP of a Chevy Equinox EV crossover which starts at $34,995. By adding an EV Camaro to its electric vehicle lineup, Chevrolet will have several affordable EVs available in the near future, including the return of the Chevy Bolt.
Despite Reuss’s desire to re-focus the Camaro EV on practicality and affordability instead of performance and high-horsepower numbers, it’s important to note that none of this news is formally part of GM’s production plan. With nothing yet set in stone, there’s still a glimmer of hope that we may still see a next-gen Camaro with bigger performance options.