Help me identify my chassis

[TTman23]

Hello everyone,

I purchased a 1947 Dodge pickup off auction a year ago. It was billed as "on a Dakota Chassis", but never stated the year or gen chassis.

Are there any dead give-aways on what gen chassis I have? Any stamps anywhere or things like that?

I am wanted to finally get started on this project and have the 5.7l HEMI out of my wife's Challenger that I want to swap into it, but don't know waht conversion kit to go for until I know what gen I have.

Thanks in advance-
Christian

 

[Mikes5thAve]

What engine does it have? A forum like Moparts with truck content would probably be more helpful to pinpoint everything about it. Pics would help too.

 

[TTman23]

Not sure of the engine either. Truck is a Frankenstein hack job currently. Here's some pictures if it helps.

 

[Mikes5thAve]

That's F or M body front suspension and looks like a magnum engine of some sort.
Since they went to the bother of putting in that suspension it would be a bit strange if they did a frame swap too but who knows. It wouldn't matter much anyway because all the specific parts you'd ever need for steering or suspension would be for these cars and the rest is pretty generic.

A shot of the rear frame and suspension and gas tank might help identify what frame it is.

Looks like an interesting ride. Years ago a place here was selling a bunch of model As that had newer V8s and wheels on them. They would have been a fun project but needed more then I was capable or interested in putting into one.

 

[TTman23]

I uploaded a shot of the rear, it currently has no gas tank. It was relocated to the bed it seems but didn't come with the truck when I got it.

I'm trying to determine what 5.7l HEMI swap kit to go with that'll actually work on my truck so I can start the process.

 

[Vaanth]

Hello everyone,

I purchased a 1947 Dodge pickup off auction a year ago. It was billed as "on a Dakota Chassis", but never stated the year or gen chassis.

Are there any dead give-aways on what gen chassis I have? Any stamps anywhere or things like that?

I am wanted to finally get started on this project and have the 5.7l HEMI out of my wife's Challenger that I want to swap into it, but don't know waht conversion kit to go for until I know what gen I have.

Thanks in advance-
Christian

As mentioned, the engine crossmember, aka K-member, or cradle, is from an F/M/J-body car. The transverse, or bent, torsion bars are a key identifier of it. It includes the suspension, steering linkage and steering gear, plus the brake hardware, except possibly the hoses.

It is a 1991 or later Magnum V-8 engine. It appears to have the brake master cylinder, booster , and linkage setup from a 1980s - 1990s B-series van with its sideways configuration. The master cylinder is for disc brakes.

The wiper motor appears to be a late 1960s - 1980s car two-speed motor, or possibly late 1970s - 1980s car intermittent motor, or 1972 - 1985 truck motor.

The rear axle is an 8-3/4" assembly with a 2881489 differential housing. If the perches have not been relocated, it is a 1961-1974 truck axle housing. It looks to have 11" drum brakes. The driveshaft looks like a possible Dodge van or 1/2 ton truck shaft, but it might be anything that matches the transmission and rear axle.

The leaf springs may be from a F/M/J- body, R-body, or late 1970s B-body. The lower shock mounts appear to be from the same car as the springs, with Iso-Clamp suspension, but only using the lower shock plate. The rear shocks mate with the plate but are not a Mopar rear shock application.

The front frame rails appear to be fabricated from box tubing, and may be merged with a Dakota frame.

The engine crossmember, unless changed, will have spool type motor mount attachments. Early Magnum engines with the cast in bosses could use the spool motor mounts. Later engines only supported a different truck mount. For a 5.7L conversion, determine if it is using spool mounts, or the later Dakota/Ram truck style mounting.

That's about all I can discern and offer. The folks on For Trucks Only in the Dodge/Ram forum section might have more.

 

[TTman23]

Hi Gary, thanks a ton for the information. I didn't realize it was potentially THAT Frankenstein'd lol. Time to get to work -

 

[AMC Diplomat]

Might it be easier to cut that whole front off and use a subframe from a 5.7 vehicle?

 

[Mikes5thAve]

Might it be easier to cut that whole front off and use a subframe from a 5.7 vehicle?

If you can't easily find conversion engine mounts you can cut what's there off the k frame and weld on new ones with a kit like this

Motor Mount Kit; Gen III HEMI (5.7, 6.1, 6.2 Hellcat, 6.4)

Heavy-Duty Engine Mount Kit (LS & HEMI) We’re confident that this kit will handle the scrutiny of your friends when they’re checking out your build, as well as any power you can throw at it. The very same kit is trusted by Don Schumacher Racing on their 1150hp HEMI dyno cart , so you know it’s...

welderseries.company.site

 

[Oldiron440]

The Dakota frame will have a VIN on it and before you drop money into your new project you should have checked out. You don’t know if it is hot, scrapped unless you have a good title for it and I hope you do.
Because as far as the DOT is concerned your old truck will be a rebodied Dakota pickup.