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Power Giant W500 and 56 HW production figures

 
Serial numbers:
 
1956 HWs
 
 
 
 
1957 W500s
 
Model Code Starting Serial Numbers
K6-W500 81010001
K8-W500 83016501
1957 2 Ton Model Code Key
K 1957
6 Flat Head six engine
8 V8(315) engine
W Four Wheel Drive
5 Two Ton

This is the paper tag that was put in the glovebox of all 1957 Dodge trucks, and early 1958 Dodge trucks. I have only ever seen this one.

This was the only tag put on 1957 Dodge trucks, so most 1957 trucks can only be verified by the VIN number on the frame. The VIN number is located on the drivers side of the frame near the front spring shackle.
 
1958 W500 Serial Numbers
Model Code Starting Serial Numbers
L6-W500 L6W5-H01001
L8-W500 L8W5-H01001
1958 2 Ton Serial Number Key
L 1958
6 Flat Head six engine
8 V8 engine
W Four Wheel Drive
5 Two Ton
H Heavy Duty
  DODGE TRUCKS
  BUILT BY CHRYSLER CORPORATION DETROIT MICHIGAN U.S.A.
  MAXIMUM GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT BELOW IS RESTRICTED BY SPRINGS
  AND AUX. EQUIP. WARRANTY VOID IF GROSS WEIGHT IS EXCEEDED
  L8W5 H07323   20000
  156

 

 SERIAL NO.   MAX G.V.W. LBS
  W. B.
  17000   6.8   TIMKEN   H141  
  REAR AXLE CAP.   REAR AXLE   MAKE   MODEL  
  7500   4 SYN   N PROC   420  
  FRONT AXLE CAP.   TRANS.   MAKE   MODEL  
  165 4400   2800   7000  
  CERT. NET HP AT R.P.M.   FRONT SPRING CAP.   REAR SPRING CAP.  
          40206073  
  MAKE AUX.   MODEL TRANS.  

S. O. NO

  

1958 is the first year for the VIN tag to be located on the drivers door jamb like the rest of the years of Power Giant trucks. Though some early 1958 trucks have the paper tags like the 1957 trucks.

The early trucks often have no holes in the door jamb for the tag, and have single headlights. Later 58's, and every year following of PG has the VIN tag on the drivers door jamb.
 

1958 Production Numbers
 
1959 W500 Serial Numbers
Model Code Starting Serial Numbers
M6-W500 M6W5-H01001
M8-W500 M8W5-H01001
1959 2 Ton Serial Number Key
M 1959
6 Flat Head six engine
8 V8 engine
W Four Wheel Drive
5 Two Ton
H Heavy Duty
  DODGE TRUCKS
  BUILT BY CHRYSLER CORPORATION DETROIT MICHIGAN USA
  MAXIMUM GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT BELOW IS RESTRICTED BY SPRINGS
  AND AUX. EQUIP. WARRANTY VOID IF GROSS WEIGHT IS EXCEEDED
  M8W5 H08243   W500
  156

 

 SERIAL NO.   VEHICLE MODEL
  W. B.
  17000   6.8   TIMKEN   H141  
  REAR AXLE CAP.   REAR AXLE   MAKE   MODEL  
  7500   4 SYN   N PROC   420  
  FRONT AXLE CAP.   TRANS.   MAKE   MODEL  
  170 4400   2800   7250  
  CERT. NET HP AT R.P.M.   FRONT SPRING CAP.   REAR SPRING CAP.  
  20000       20205100  
  MAX G.V.W. LBS   AUX. TRANS.  

S. O. NO

  
 

1959 Production Numbers
 
1960 W500 Serial Numbers
Model Code Frame/VIN Numbers Parts Availability Numbers
P6-W500 2560119263 06W5-M100001
P8-W500 2580119481 08W5-M100001
It is unclear what the starting Frame number is, so I just threw in numbers that were higher than what I knew to be an actual Frame number.
1960 1 Ton Parts Availability Number Key
0 1960 (in the Model code, P is also 1960)
6 Flat Head six engine
8 V8 engine
W Four Wheel Drive
5 Two Ton
M Medium Duty
1960 1 Ton Frame/VIN Number Key
2 Four Wheel Drive
5 Two Ton
8 V8 engine
6 Flat Head six engine
0119594 Sequential build number
  DODGE TRUCKS
  BUILT BY CHRYSLER CORPORATION DETROIT MICHIGAN USA
  MAXIMUM GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT BELOW IS RESTRICTED BY SPRINGS
  AND AUX. EQUIP. WARRANTY VOID IF GROSS WEIGHT IS EXCEEDED
  2580119483   W500
  174

 

 SERIAL NO.   VEHICLE MODEL
  W. B.
  17000   6.8   TIMKEN   H141  
  REAR AXLE CAP.   REAR AXLE   MAKE   MODEL  
  7500   4 SYN   N PROC   420  
  FRONT AXLE CAP.   TRANS.   MAKE   MODEL  
  170 4400   2800   7250  
  CERT. NET HP AT R.P.M.   FRONT SPRING CAP.   REAR SPRING CAP.  
  20000       40721363  
  MAX G.V.W. LBS   AUX. TRANS.  

S. O. NO

  
THIS NUMBER MUST BE USED

WHEN ORDERING SERVICE PARTS
 
0 8W5 M100363
 
 
PARTS AVAILABILITY NO.

This is the first year for two tags to be used on Dodge trucks, the small tag is the "Parts Availability Number" this was supposed to be the number used to order parts. The serial number was generally used for titles and the like.

The frame normally had the serial number stamped into it, not the "Parts Availability Number".

The only problem with all of this is that most of the books show the "Parts Availability Number" as the way to decode what type of truck you have, and if you use the '61 and up system to decode the serial number you will get an odd answer for the year, but the model code part works.

1960 Production Numbers
 
Total production of Power Giant Two Ton Trucks
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