my 1934 Dodge 4x4 1.5 ton

[scuppernongwine]

Hi folks. I learned about this forum while doing some research on my 1934 Dodge 4x4. I thought you guys might enjoy some photos and info on my 1934 Dodge 4x4 truck. It's official name was the K39x4. It was the first four wheel drive that could be shifted from inside the truck. It predates the Marmon Harrington Ford conversions. Dodge, of course, went on to develop some fine vehicles for WW2 which subsequently led to the famous Power Wagon line. These first 4x4 trucks were used in the 1930s by the US Cavalry/US Army. Here are some pics of my truck. The flatbed came with the truck-not sure if it's original or not although it definitely seems period. I seen a few threads on these trucks on this forum but havn't seen another one currently in existence.

[scuppernongwine]

the flatbed

[Gordon_M]

Nice

I've never seen another survivor. I do know a guy in Texas who has an original 4 x 2 dump and an extra 4 x 2 chassis and some parts if you are missing any critical items.

The flatbed looks like the bones of an original 1.5 ton stake and platform. I suppose the first question would be does it fit the chassis - any mounting holes, spring marks?

We have a section on the WW2 Dodge Forum for pre-WW2 trucks like that - let me know if you want to sign up, and let me know what the chassis number is from your find too. Is it set up to have dual spare wheel carriers, one on each side?

Gordon

[scuppernongwine]

Thanks Gordon. Yep, I believe I just signed up for the WW2Dodge forum-still waiting to get approved. This truck has the spare on the drivers side only. I've seen vintage photos where it's on both sides and also where it's only on the drivers side. I've also seen two variations in front fenders. One looks close to a 4x2 front fender and others have more of a curve to them.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/15826935@N06/5674915402" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Gordon_M]

Ooops, if you used that handle I might have deleted you as we have had a big problem with spam recently and that handle kind of looks spam-ish.

The REGISTER link should be open at the minute - please re-register with a handle I'll recognise and e-mail me with a note of it at

gordon (at) dodge.org.uk

.. and I'll try not to delete you this time, honest. All the factory and original shots I've seen of the '34 pattern Dodges have steel beds. On another thread someone said they were Gar Wood built beds. Your flatbed will be period, might be original, might be borrowed. There are a few '34 pattern trucks about, maybe five or six, but you have the only 4 x 4 I know of.

Gordon

[Gordon_M]

David DeWeese said that both his '34 pattern truck chassis were drilled to take two side-mount spare wheels - is yours?

Looking at your images again, it looks to me that the original bed on your truck has been held down with U-bolts, but the flatbed has vertical angle-iron sections that look like they bolt to the frame. There's no matching marks visible on your frame sides?

I'd guess the flatbed steelwork is definitely worth having, even military, just maybe not factory for your truck.

[rixm37]

All I can say is what a find ! What a piece of history to bring back to life ! I look forward to following your progress !!

[cessna]

I wonder if the u bolts held down a wood beam that ran the length of the frame and the pieces on the bed bolted through that?

[Gordon_M]

I wonder if the u bolts held down a wood beam that ran the length of the frame and the pieces on the bed bolted through that?

You could be right. I wonder if the inside face dimension across those angles is exactly the same as the chassis rail width?

[scuppernongwine]

Yep, the inside of the brackets fits right over the frame rails. It looks like it fits perfectly. They was some wood underneath when I got the truck but the vast majority had rotted away.

[forestry4evr]

Scuppernongwine,

Welcome! Based on your handle name; the Japanese honeysuckle, privet, and loblolly pine in the images is it possible that you pulled this truck out of the weeds in the south? It is amazing that there are still old relics lurking about, great find!

I began my truck hobby in search of a 1934-37 Civilian Conservation Corps Chevrolet 1 ½ ton truck. I never found the truck, but did fall upon some images that may be useful to you. The CCC used the same trucks as the military. From the period images, there were two bed styles. At least on Chevys, there was a metal Gar Wood bed as well as a flatbed version.





I also pulled some images from someone that recovered a military Chevy from the same period. I don’t recall the location of this truck buy seem to think it was in the Pacific Northwest.




I hope you are going to restore this truck to its original configuration as it is very unique. Can you go back to the recovery site and kick around in the duff layer to try to find the grill guard? It looks like your truck has a Timken front axle. If you are lucky, there may be some crossover front end parts from an early CCKW.

Paul

[scuppernongwine]

Paul,
Thanks for the pictures and good call on the surrounding foliage! Yep, I'm in the deep south-Atlanta to be precise and this truck came from the neighboring state of Alabama. I don't have any solid plans on the truck yet. I"m not military vehicle buff per se and the oldest four wheel drive I previously owned was a 60s Travelall. I've had a number of prewar cars and 1/2 ton trucks. I ran across this truck in my search for some vintage iron and couldn't resist bringing her home. I've done my internet research and knew she was a rare beast! She is number 5 or 6 in line to restore but I had to have her! Someone else locally wanted to turn this truck into a hot rod and I couldn't let that happen to this piece of history.
I uploaded a couple of up close pictures of the front of the truck-I don't see where a grill guard would have been bolted. There are no empty holes? I've seen the guards on these trucks in most of the old pictures but I've also seen a variation with front fenders, 1 or 2 spares mounted in the fenders, etc.

Elliott

[forestry4evr]

Elliot,

Good to hear that you got the truck before the hot rodder. It is too unique to be adulterated. I am not a military vehicle restorer per se, but more of a 4X4 enthusiast and the military made the earliest versions. Beware, OD fever is VERY addictive!

When I was looking into the prewar Chevy’s, I ran into a similar debate as to spare tire locations. It seemed that they could have been on either side or both! I don’t have good reliable evidence, but civilian trucks of that period typically had the spare tire mounted on the passenger side.

Are the gearboxes full oil/grease or water? I would imagine that the front axle and transfer case would be the rarest parts so I hope that they are not ruined. The tires still have air in them so hopefully the rims will be usable. Great project and it will be fun to learn about its history.

Paul

[scuppernongwine]

Paul-look at the above vintage picture on the group of trucks. They have the spare mounted only on the driver side. There are no holes drilled in the frame for a spare tire mount on the passenger side. I have other vintage photos where they are mounted on both fenders. Like most older rare vehicles, I wouldn't be surprised to see a bit of variation in how the trucks were built...

[kelley]

Elliot,
Hats off to you sir for sharing those photos, what an interesting find.
Kelley