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Posted by Clint Dixon [65.125.107.130] on Thursday, March 03, 2011 at 13:04:57 :
I think the main reason I am against the use of these terms as viable descriptions is that they serve to mainly provide an easy way out, a loophole, a crutch, a lazy excuse. Before people started using this term and applying it to the WDX-WM300 model Power-Wagon(not that long ago), new people to the hobby were forced to study and learn the differences between the various military and civilian models of the Dodge all-wheel-drive trucks, their different weight classes, and differences in their outward physical appearances, all in an attempt to converse intelligently on the subject. They were forced to learn out of necessity. Now, people find they have a handful of loose, generic, horribly inaccurate, terms to throw around. Not a single one of them serves to impress those outside the hobby into joining our ranks. Not one of them accurately describes any physical features of the truck. Not one of them serves in making the user appear any more educated on the subject than the typical Chevy or Ford enthusiast down the street.
One can not walk into any NAPA or CarQuest in the country and expect the young clerk behind the counter to know exactly what we mean when we throw out the word “flatfender” in describing the truck we hope to buy parts for. “Flatfender” is not programmed into their computer and it definitely is not written into any of their hard copy parts manuals. Say "flatfender" to someone who has used these trucks day in and day out since 1965, 1951, or 1946, and they are going to look at you like you are a snot nosed brat.
I, for one, find these terms confusing. What model of truck is the person who is using one of these terms actually trying to talk about? Do they really think the fenders appear flat? If so, there were many different models of Dodges outfitted with fenders that looked vaguely similar. In that context, “flatfender” does not differentiate between a military 1/2-ton, military 3/4-ton, military 1-1/2-ton, military M601 1-ton, or a WDX-WM300 civilian truck. If they are talking about a military 3/4-ton, consider all of the various models and body styles possible within that one weight class. If they are talking about a WDX-WM300 model, consider all the changes that truck went through during its production and the model numbers that loosely reflected those changes.
None of the "f" words really narrow anything down.
Respectfully Yours,
Junior
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