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| WDX-WM300 Gauge Changes |
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| The gauges on a WDX-WM300 Power-Wagon can give a good clue to what year a truck is, as subtle changes were made over the years to the various styles of gauges. |
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| There were two main styles of gauge used on WDX-WM300 P-Ws, the first style was used from 1946 to early 1951, and the second style was used from mid year 1951 until 1968. |
| Below is a picture of the early style of gauges, the speedometer is in the center of the steering column, and is flanked on either side by a small gauge with two readings in it. |
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| Starting with Serial Number 83922966 for Detroit production, and Serial Number 88766605 for California production Dodge went to the second style of gauges used in P-Ws. This gauge style has the engine info in a cluster that had all 4 readings combined, and was moved into the center of the dash. The speedometer stayed in front of the steering column, but it is now mounted to the outside of the dash, rather then being mounted behind like before, and the housing is square in shape. |
Click for larger image |
| Below are details about the subtle changes made among the various styles of gauge used by the WDX-WM300. |
| These gauges are from a 1946 WDX, note the AMPS gauge reads 35 0 35. The 35 0 35 AMPS gauge was used until towards the end of 1949. The changeover was a little erratic according to the parts book but was complete by Serial Number 83914263. No listing for the change for California production has yet been found, though it is believed that the change happened around the same time. |
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| This is the late version of the gauges above, note the AMPS Gauge reads 50 0 50 . The 50 0 50 gauge was used from late 1949 until early 1951 ending with Serial Number 83922966 for Detroit production, and Serial Number 88766605 for California production. This makes for 466 early style gauge 1951 trucks from Detroit, and 105 early gauge style 1951 trucks from California. |
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| Starting in 1951 Dodge changed to a different set of gauges, and moved the gauge cluster to the middle of the dash. The 1951 (after the first 500 or so) to 1954 Power-Wagons used gauges with a Bluish Gray background, and chrome bezels. The AMPS gauge reads 50 0 50 and the HEAT gauge was still mechanical. |
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| 1954, 1955 and possibly some 1956 6 Volt Power-Wagons used a gauge with a black background, and an off-white painted bezel. This gauge cluster was the same in size, shape, and layout as the 51-54 gauges with the chrome bezel, and they still had the 50 0 50 AMPS gauge. The HEAT gauge was now electrical instead of mechanical. |
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| When the 1955 or 1956 Power-Wagon was changed to 12 Volt the gauges started using an AMPS gauge that read 30 - 0 + 30, otherwise the Gauge cluster was the same in external appearance as the 1955-56 6 Volt gauge. This gauge was used until about 1966 without change. |
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| This is a late 60s gauge cluster, the parts book shows a change in the AMP gauge at serial number 2461598189, which is mid year 1966. This would mean that the D - 0 + C ALT gauge shown below was used from mid year 1966 until 1968 at least. |
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| It is not yet known when the the 60 - 0 + 60 AMPS gauge was started. |
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I hope to update this page from time to time as more info becomes available, and feedback is given about other information that would be good to include on this page.
Please contact the Registry maintainers at the below email address if you have any suggestions or questions. |
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