Dodge used two basic styles of Body Tags between 1946 and 1968 on all Dodge trucks. The early 46-56 tags had a different 4 number prefix depending on the model of truck and are located on the door jamb. The later 57-68 tags do not have a model component to them and are located on the top or side edge of the firewall. It would take several pages to decode every body tag Dodge used in this era, so this page is limited to WDX-WM300 Power-Wagons.

1946 WDX to 1950 B-2-PW-126 Body Tags start with 4312, and the rest of the numbers, in this case 12677, are sequential. Because of this, the body tag number can be used to determine the approximate year of the truck.

California, and Michigan built trucks all use the same first four numbers for a given year, so it is hard to determine the model year from the Body Tag without also looking at the first three digits of the serial number to determine where the truck was built. California trucks have an 887 prefix and Michigan trucks have an 839 prefix. Even with that information, the Body Tag is not a VIN number, it is just a sequential tag that was put on the truck cab by Budd. So while the numbers tend to be in order, and can be related to the time the cab was built, they are not in perfect order like the VIN numbers.

1951 B-3-PW-126 to 1956 C4-PW6-126 Body tags start with 5182, and again the numbers after the dash can be related to when the cab was built, which gives a good idea of what year truck it is from. Other Dodge trucks of the same era have a different group of first four numbers depending on the model of the truck.

Below is a 1952 Dodge truck Body Tag:

Starting in 1957 Dodge did away with the Body Tags on the door jamb, and moved them to the upper surfaces of the firewall. At the same time, Dodge changed the style, appearance, and numbering of the Body Tag.

Below is a 1957 Body Tag, note it starts with an L, which was for Light Duty. 1957-58 Body Tags on trucks One Ton or less start with an L, later trucks do not. Thanks to Tyler for the next two images!

This particular one is located on the passenger side of the cowl, below where the hood covers.

I am not sure that all 1957-1958 Body Tags will be in the same location, judging from other models of 1957-1958 Dodge trucks, the tags could be located anywhere on the cowl area of the cab, below the hood.

I hope to update this page from time to time as more information becomes available. I am also very interested in suggestions for additional content to include on this page.

Please contact the Registry maintainers at the below email address if you have any suggestions or questions.