Posted by Clint Dixon [74.206.63.42] on Saturday, July 27, 2013 at 09:58:58 :
In Reply to: Jerry posted by Clint Dixon [74.206.63.42] on Saturday, July 27, 2013 at 09:30:22 :
The powers that be at Chrysler at the time didn't seem to have any real need to label the Power-Wagon axles, as they were making only two versions after WWII - those for the 1-ton civilians and those for the 3/4-ton military vehicles, until such time that they started buying Timken and Spicer axles when the Power-Wagon model line of trucks expanded in 1956 and 1957.
In all my literature from 1946 through 1957, I can find no mention of any model numbers listed anywhere for the Power-Wagon 1-ton axles. The first mention of a model number that I can find appears in the aforementioned 1961 specifications.
So do the numbers actually have any meaning? Possibly.
According to early specifications, the front was a 3,750 lb. rated axle. The "F" in F-375 apparently means "front" and the "375" apparently abbreviates the load capacity of 3,750. The rear was a 6,500 lb. rated axle. The "R" in R-65 apparently means "rear" and the "65" apparently abbreviates the load capacity of 6,500.
So, it may very well be correct to say that the early civilian Power-Wagon axles had no model numbers - kind of like the first two transmissions that were simply differentiated by referring to them as "up-to type" and "after type". I think it is appropriate to refer to the 1-ton Power-Wagon model WDX-WM300 axles simply as Chrysler Corporate 1-ton Civilian axles. No further description ever really needed.
Junior
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