Next up on our tour through the Official CC Truck Lot: a 1954 “Job Rated” Dodge, with another utility-type bed (that similar-colored “tower” in the back is from a different truck. Now even though it’s a Big Three product, this truck is a pretty rare sight, even hereabouts. But then, wasn’t that the case even decades ago? Maybe it’s my biased memory, but Dodge trucks from the fifties always seemed rather uncommon; or maybe it’s because they just looked so generic, or? Actually, ore is the right word that might explain it, because these trucks had something under the hood that were its most desirable asset, and plenty of them were mined for that, and long ago too: the legendary original hemi.
My heart skipped a beat when I saw the big chrome V8 symbol on its hood. There’s something about the sight of that big hulking pair of giant valve covers that always brings forth a surge of hemi-love. That response is deeply ingrained, like seeing a picture of your mother. Once the hemi’s virtues were discovered among the go-fast crowd, any aging Chrysler vehicle sporting the Fire-Power emblem was circled, like sharks that smelled blood. Well, it wasn’t only Chryslers and Imperials that got the “big” hemi; Dodge trucks too. And I won’t keep you in suspense any longer: this one has been raped and pillaged too.
Strictly speaking, Dodge trucks of this vintage came with two versions of hemis, in addition to the stalwart flathead sixes. The smaller trucks, from 1 1/2 ton through 2 1/2 ton were offered with the “baby hemi”, a 241 cubic inch (3.9 L) version of the family that included short deck 241 and 270 CID engines, and 315 and 325 CID high deck variants. The one pictured is a 241 CID Red Ram, obviously not in original trim. In its day, the smaller hemis were quite desirable too, and of course again now again, given its unique place in history as well as its unique looks.
But the larger Dodge trucks, from 2 3/4 ton up, had the real article, the Chrysler 331 cubic incher (5.3 L). This one I shot in a ’53 Chrysler. Makes me wonder if the Dodge trucks used their own valve covers, or were ok with the “Chrysler Fire-Power” embossed in them?
Just looking at early versions of the hemi with that little constricting two barrel carb induces asthma. Please, put a few more of those jugs on that! But if my source is correct, the 331 in those Dodge trucks came with either a one barrel (!) carb, for 153 hp, or the two-barrel, for 172 hp.
Either way, these engines had superb torque, and even those horsepower ratings were pretty impressive for trucks of that vintage. I’m going to guess that a 331 inch Dodge was the most powerful truck in its class.In fact, that kind of power was still none too common into the early-mid sixties. I drove plenty of bigger mid-sixties F-600 and F-750s with the 332 inch FE, which had a lower power rating. This was the hot rod truck of its time.
There’s something odd about this one. “Job Rated” was the moniker for the Dodges of this vintage, and I assume K stands for its particular ranking in the hierarchy of the lineup.
But the other side fender has this on it. Hmm…a Monday morning assembly job, or?
The cab on this truck is in quite serviceable shape for its age, and a cheerful red color. I didn’t quite think that signal yellow paint job was likely original.
The dash and instruments are identical to what one would find in the lowliest half-ton pickup. Pretty basic, and no tach, which was also the case for almost all trucks except the really big ones. One shifted by sound and feel, or when the governor cut off the fun, if there was one. Or it might just be when it stopped breathing; that was certainly the case with the Ford FEs. Now wonder they put such tiny carbs on these truck hemis, otherwise they’d have all been over-revved like mad.
I think this big knob on the passenger side of the dash is to select between batteries; or?
Here’s the instructions on how to get those split shifts with the two-speed rear axle. Don’t ask why, but that was the funnest part for me. And that’s why I can’t let go of my old Ford; it’s set up almost the same way, with its manual overdrive on all three gears. The directions make it look a bit easier than it was, if you didn’t want the tell-tell grrrrrr from the back end. But getting them fast, clean and smooth was satisfying, even if there wasn’t a hemi under that hood. Too bad.
I do love these old interiors. Almost artistically spartan.
That said, what’s that gigantic control where a radio would be?
I forgot to include it, but I just added it. I’m not familiar with it, but I’m guessing it’s for switching between two batteries this truck has. Or??
I googled Yacht Safety Bureau and found this : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yacht_Safety_Bureau
I’m more baffled now than before!
An aside: The Bureau was stablished in 1947/48 by Ed S. Terwilliger…
Nope – it’s a battery selector switch (my 1969 Cadillac ambulance originally came equipped with one) – you can select either battery or both (essentially paralleling them).
The second battery was probably for powering some accessory such as a winch or hydraulic pump motor for something on the back.
Rough guess, it looks like a winch control.
The circus red is certainly an improvement over the Chevy/GMC metallic silver that was used in, I believe, all their trucks from the half-ton pickups to the 2 1/2-ton cab/chassis combinations.
I’ve worked with Chevy trucks over a continuum from 1949 models through to 1976…color only made it into the interiors in 1967. Ford and Dodge, by contrast, used the same color as the exterior.
Its usual to split shift at the same time as shift the main box once torque lock is off shifting is easy same as a roadranger each up shift is split then an overdrive split then low split the next gear and on up thru the whole box splitting downshifts is a waste of torque much better to lug down to 1000 rpm and take a whole gear climbing steep hills.
I love 18 speed crash boxes way more use than a auto shift thats invading trucks now mainly due to younger drivers unable to operate a gearbox properly
Granddad had an old Dodge grain truck of about the same vintage as this, perhaps a year or two older. Only got driven once a year, during harvest. Had an un-synchronized four-speed. Dad always told me that it was the truck he learned the fine art of double-clutching in. I learned the art in an International 1-1/2 ton dump truck of similar vintage.
Here’s another Dodge, perhaps a bit less well known.
Unknown here to me why? explain
Thats a battery switch for a boat. Probably doing similar duty in the old Dodge.
As much as I want to say swap in an old Detroit 6v71(might even fit an 8 in there), it’d be kinda neat to find an old Hemi to stuff back in that hole.
(ETA) I thought I had a pic of the Dodge truck covers somewhere but can’t find them. The trucks came with plain valve covers and no embossing. Later when the “Power Giant” engines came about they had decals.
The guys over at the H.A.M.b might have a few pics.
Love these spartan truck cabs too. That battery switch is great, imagine Captain Kirk and Scotty driving this during an episode of Star Truck:
We need more speed Scotty:
Aye Captain, but it’s only a one barrel, it CAN’T GO ANY FASTER!
Doesn’t matter, we need warp speed, switch to two batteries:
(Scotty takes two hands to turn switch, then holds on for dear life)
It can’t…take…much…more Captain!
Finally, a REAL truck.
But seriously, the interior shot shows some unexpected style in such a big workhorse.
As for the fender trim, could Job Rated I and Job Rated J be on the back fenders?
I own a ’54 V8 Job Rated K with a dump on it… ALL there, was probably still working for the Mining Contracting Co. 20 years ago. I got it from the estate sale 4, 5, years ago. We live in a 107 yr old railroad house next to a busy rural freeway, and the truck is parked next to the house and gets occasional attn from guys in the know passing by. Some stop and inquire… but, for the moment, it’s not for sale. want to refurb. But looking for a trade in that process. JB [email protected]