Prewar trucks are few and far between, especially when comparing the condition of the few surviving examples. This 1934 Dodge Brothers is a fabulous project with no rot, a solid frame, and even a running engine. Despite its age, the seller claims that this Dodge has covered only 14,000 miles in its lifetime! Nearly a driver, this Dodge Brothers truck is available for the opening bid of $7,500. Check it out here on eBay out of Grand Junction, Colorado. Thanks to reader David F. for this solid prewar truck find!
In remarkable shape from its pampered life, this trucks original inline 6 is a runner and “sounds good” according to the seller. The brake system needs attention, but is does sound promising. It seems that the major hold up from driving this truck is that the clutch is sticking to the floor. Also the radiator has a hole in it, but at least it is still with the truck so that it can be repaired. The ignition system is operational, and really it seems as if a few weekends worth of work could turn this old truck into a driver. At some point in time the wheels were powder coated and new tires were installed. Once the brakes and clutch are sorted it seems there would be little to prevent you from enjoying this sweet old truck.
With suicide doors and a charming interior, this Dodge just keeps looking better. The bench and door panels have been reupholstered, but there are signs of age. For instance, the steering wheel is present although it does show some cracking. The wood paneled floors look to be in great condition and the only downside to this Dodge is that some of the windows are not currently installed. Although the seller does have all new glass for this Dodge including the windshield frame that pushes out.
Although there is no bed, you get a clean and clear view of the mechanicals on this truck and it is clear to see that the condition is quite nice. There is no rot or heavy rust to be found, and the frame rails and suspension are rock solid just like the cab. Although lacking a bed, I see this truck as a blank slate to make whatever you so desire. A great start to a prewar truck, what would you do with this ’34 Dodge Brothers truck?
I’d start by removing at least 2 spring leafs from each side, then I’d shorten the wheel base down to an 8′ truck box. I’d then fabricate a period correct box with widened fenders to accommodate those duallies. The rest would be restoration work. I might even consider a cummins diesel with a 5 speed overdrive manual trans, of course that would mean steering and brake upgrades too. Finally I’d paint a cream colour with emerald green fenders and cab roof. Inside I’d put in a set of nice air ride seats I’d also keep the green and cream colours going. What a cool hauler you’d have. If you had a trailer queen you liked to take to shows this could be your rig. You could even take a modern camper and reskin it to look period correct and put it in your new/old truck box. There you have it my vision for this old beauty.
Love your vision. It’s a great idea, my only change would be to leave the cab in its current weathered finish. It’s a gem either way.
Cool
So only 1,114,000 miles then on the truck .
Please no proof on 14 k on clock .., execeeds mechanical limits most likely.
Or are we to believe 80 plus years and no miles ?
Do we have the original Dodge boys in the curenet TV commercials vouching or the local mechanic over 100 years vouching on tune ups 🙃😳👍. Maybe we can pull a teletype fax to also validate 😜
It’s sweet and yes we like it but the original miles has to stop 🛑
14K miles and I’m the Pope!
And I’m Henry the 8th I am!
I am, Henry The Eighth I am. :)
Super cool……….
Cool truck great lines. The possibilities unlimited. Lets start with a cat diesel , eaton transmission and 2 speed rear axel. Cold molded ceder camper shell like a big tear drop trailer. All the comforts of home. Self contained smart, extended off grid camper. Patagonia bound adventure in a truck that deserves a new purpose.
Classic steel,get a life.nobody is going to believe million miles plus on this old gem.14000 is very easy to believe.they didn’t ride very nice to begin with.and it’s in great condition.this is definitely streetrod material.
It’s a cool truck and will make a great project.
The seller is heading in the right direction. The first time he had it listed on eBay the opening bid was $8,500, the second time was $7,500, this time its $6,900. Sooner or later he’s going to hit “market value”.
Steve R
No, no, a THOUSAND times NO! Stop with the Cummins updates, for heavens sake. This is way too nice to chop it up. 1st, the mileage. Who cares. Kind of a dumb selling point on something like this. Speedo’s were unreliable, at best, and probably quit the 1st year they drove this. 2nd, there’s enough resto-mods out there, this is complete enough to finish it out, stock. Little dump truck, or stake bed. Lot of stuff like this still out here, many not near this nice. Most of this stuff has been “found” already, so you’re gonna pay the “finder” dearly, but this was the best they had in 1934, not some Cummins diesel, and hopefully, will remain this way.
100% agreed, Howard. Too many of these are getting resto-modded with the original drive trains headed to the scrap yards. The Cummins, while a bulletproof, engine to use, is becoming the SBC of the diesel powered world. When I was a kid there were still trucks like this hauling grain on the farms. They were slow but steady. Dump truck, stake bed, even a low profile cube body, there are lots of ways to enjoy this…
Im in complete agreement with you, Howard. While it is extremely unlikely that the claimed 14k miles is anywhere near accurate, it’s completely irrelevant, and who really cares?? This truck was built to WORK, and I’m sure this old soldier worked it’s wheels off. This one deserves to retain it’s originality. Not every classic car/truck needs a SBC, or diesel conversion.
Sorry to disagree left as it is even in a restored state its working days are over. So you restore then what? Enter it in the parade twice a year well then what? This is no MG sized car you can tuck in the corner of your garage when not in use. Most people wouldn’t want the hassle of storing it. So what you going to do with it restore it then leave it sit outside. I don’t know about you guys but if I’m going to put a ton of money into something I want to be able to use. Who’s going to want to drive this thing any distance at 45 mph, Howard you’ve said yourself many times on here about what a ball crushing experience it is to drive these old trucks. Without a restomod nobody’s going to want it. Just my opinion gentlemen
I see your point, Mark, but some of us don’t mind driving our toys at 45 mph. This particular truck wouldn’t do much for me at this time because I don’t have a place to keep it. But it could be kept to good use otherwise. Always something to haul around. I might add that I know some guys (One, I think, not far from you, at a place called Irricana?) who thoroughly enjoy their vintage trucks but they also have a place to put them….
That’s ok, you make very valid points, which is exactly why interest in these, as original, is waning fast. It’s just, there simply cannot be many of these old gals left, and it’s complete. If it had a disassembled motor, or was a pile of parts, resto-mod is ok, but something this complete, should be left as is, if for no other reason, it’s historical value. A picture on a screen would never be the same as in person if all restored.
Hi Geomechs and Howard of course your right too and ideally that would the right thing to do. But the world is never what we want it to be. I always value your comments and your perspectives. Geomechs the place your thinking of is pioneer acres. It is on the edge of Iricana. They have a whole building dedicated to antic trucks it is a working museum, in August they have pioneer days where they bring everything out and do old time farming demos. I have a freind how is involved out there, he is also the chief engineer on the locomotives at heritage park here in Calgary. He’s has also taken a 1927 Essex suicide coupe that really was beyond hope. And did a prefect restoration on it. It took him 10 years and it is fantastic. Cheers gentlemen.
Very possible mileage is correct considering this was most likely a farm truck. Some trucks never even saw a public road, thinking this could have been used in an orchard or vegetable operation. Also might have enjoyed a early retirement for any number of reasons,the good shape of the body indicates such. Low mileage farm trucks are not at all unusual. I’ve seen plenty and own a few of my own.
Yeah, first install a late model Cummins diesel coupled to a five speed overdrive tranny but then you’ll need to update brakes, suspension, and…….. Well, might as well drop the cab onto a late model complete modern chassis but then you’ll probably want get rid of that rickety, drafty old cab and swap it over for a late model dual cab with electronic gauges, heated power seats, AC, and all the comforts. Hey, wait a minute, why not just go out and buy yourself a brand new effin’ truck and be done with it?
Hi Dirk I see that you are not in agreement with my vision. That’s ok so you’ve thrown down my idea. Why don’t you let us in on yours. It’s ok to disagree but with out presenting your own you really haven’t come up with a solution as to what should happen to this truck. Any thoughts Dirk.
Sure. Rebuild as required – brakes, clutch, or whatever, make or acquire a period or period-type body for it and drive it! Take it to shows, county fairs, use it to advertise your business, take it through the McDonalds drive-thru, take it on long rides down back country roads, towns, villages, etc. That’s what old cars(and trucks) are all about. If you go and modernize them, they aren’t old cars anymore and they aren’t new cars either and next year or the year after that or in ten years, they will be outdated anyway and cast aside, I’ve seen it happen a million times. If they are allowed to remain and be maintained as they were built, they will be used and enjoyed for the next 50 or 100 years or more. I’m going on 80 years old, I’ve owned, and used hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of old cars, I’ve covered this ground many, many times and I know what I’m talking about.
I respect your point of Veiw and I know that what you say is valid even though I would take this in a different direction than you. Isn’t living on this side of the world great we all get to have an opinion.
You know what they say about opinions, right?
Sure do Dirk. I respect a guy that stick to his guns even if I’m not on the same page.😎
My Dad took one of these and made a Doodle Bug tractor out of it , used it at camp in summer to pull out stumps and plowed snow with it in winter , used to keep the pond plowed off so us kids could skate rough ride but tons of fun
Yes we all have a right to our own opinion and thats okay, leads to an exchange of ideas, as I have said a few times, and I see there are others that agree, old cars and trucks of any age if at all possible should be restored even if it rides rough as this certainly would doesn’t mean it needs to be modified. For years in the early 60 my Dad had a 47 Willys pickup as our only means of transportation year round Dad. Mom and I rode in cab, brother ,and sisters rode in box at 46 MPH on two lane highway, speed limit 55, so this truck could be used on back roads no problem. Take your time enjoy a seneic ride, life goes by fast enough. sorry for long winded post
Personally I like the idea of updated drivetrain, suspension and brakes. I also like the idea of maintaining what you have – big dilemma (almost).
Find a suitable frame with proper engine, suspension and brakes under. Slip the cab off this one and onto the alternate and save the originals.
Best of both world IMO: Something you can drive and show off today yet have the ability to return it to original if you ever want to in the future.
Love these 34’s. The shorter 34 pickups look a bit dwarfish with the bulbous fenders, but start looking elegant with the longer beds. Alas, this one doesn’t have the bed with the steel floor or the all important rear fenders. Note the lack of hike up in the frame over the rear axle. Your kidneys are really going to feel that big 2 1/2″ of suspension travel. No coil overs or air bags here without modifying the frame. I’m a preservationist thru and thru, but even I would mod this a bit in the name of ride comfort and gearing.
Furthermore, I’ve seen 34 dodge pickups perfectly restored and slightly resto-moded sell for mid $40k, unfortunately they both had a binder on the front seat showing $50k+ in receipts. That makes this one worth a minus $5k. Oh well, the price of a hobby!!!