1934 Dodge

April 9, 2012

G'day,

My name is Luke, I was sent a link to this forum by 1930. I've recently imported a 1934 Dodge from Texas to Australia. Im wanting to find out as much info on her as possible, (when she was built, first sold, whom to etc).

The serial numbers I have are,

vin/chassis#DR62451,

Plate on the firewall#DRXX8936S (the word BODY stamped below it)

Door pillar#4012227

Block#620029-3

Head#620027-2

Im not sure if the firewall# & the vin/chassis#'s should match? This is my first Dodge so am new to this.

I've attached a couple of pics of her as well.

Any help in gathering information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Luke.

ply33 · April 9, 2012

Your door pillar number is the serial number and is what Chrysler tracked the car by. That would be the closest thing to a modern VIN number on the car. The DR62451 number looks like the engine number which some jurisdictions used for registration purposes. The plate on the firewall is the body number and near as I can tell wasn't used for anything after manufacturing but I guess it might make a difference when ordering some body parts from the factory.

Block and head numbers are probably the raw casting part numbers.

From your serial number:

Serial Number 4012227

Found in range 4000001 to 4015004

Serial 12227 of 15004

Year 1934

Make Dodge

Model Code DRXX

Engine 6

See: http://www.ply33.com/Misc/vin

For North American built Chrysler products of that era you can order a copy of the "build card" from the Chrysler Historical Collection. Some money and the serial number will be required. The build card will show the original options installed and the dealer the car was shipped to. At least the build card for my '33 Plymouth showed that. On a Plymouth that XX suffix on the model code would indicate export, not sure if that was true for Dodge too. That might make a difference on availability of the build card. See: http://www.ply33.com/Misc/buildcard

Edited April 9, 2012 by ply33 (see edit history)

1936 D2 · April 9, 2012

Beautiful looking car! Getting its first sniff of Oz air! Cool shots!

You should also find the "Engine Number" on the left side of the block, just below the head, between cyls #1 and #2. Look just above the generator. You can apply through "The Chrysler Historical Collection" (search for other posts on this Forum for links and easy instructions as to how to apply) for a copy of the "Build Record" for your car. Lots of interesting info on that record!

Have fun with your new acquisition!

April 9, 2012

Hi Luke, I am glad to see you here, there are some other 34 owners here that will be a BIG help to you,

I can help as well but if you give these guys a few days I am sure they would be more than happy to do the same and they can tell you things that I cannot.

34 I believe is my favorite year Dodge by the way and I do have a pretty good collection of literature that I look forward to sharing with you.

Ian_Greenlaw · April 10, 2012

Hi Luke and welcome.

The other guys were probably wondering when my ears pricked up when I saw 34 Dodge in Australia.

Mine ( under restoration ) is a 34DR made in America, right hand drive and sent to Australia.

The others are pretty much spot on when it comes to the serial numbers. The serial number on the door pillar will match the number stamped on the chassis. Have a look at my pictures and you should see where mine is ( took a while to find). There were a limited amount of DRXX cars made so definitely hunt down the build sheet. Contact details :

Danielle Szostak-Viers

Historical Services

Chrysler Group LLC

CIMS 410-11-21

12501 Chrysler Freeway

Detroit, MI 48288-5000

Fax: (313) 252-2928

DR62451 will be the engine number. Can you post...like another 100 photos. We all like photos !!!! especially the fire wall, interior, engine bay etc...

Paint job looks pretty good too.

Where abouts in Aus are you ?

If you need anything, more than happy to help, like the others and we all share information

Ian

April 11, 2012

Hey guys,

Thanks for your reply's, as I said they're greatly appreciated.

Thanks ply33 for ther info, thanks 1936D2, she's a pearla, and thanks 1930 for directing me to this forum, its great to hear and see what you guys are doing and to see photos of other old girls.

Ian, thanks for your info mate, I've just emailed Historical Services in regards to obtaining information on Dorothy,( my Wife and I settled on her name). The paint job is pretty good, she has a couple of stone chips and marks on her but im not in a possition to get her to the paint shop so have been going over her with the artline permanent marker,(lucky she's black). I think she was "driven" in the States which is good. Have you finished yours yet? Your certainly doing a top job mate!

I live in the Hunter Valley and will post a heap of photos soon.

Thanks again guys for your help, I'll be getting on here as much as I can and I'll let you know how i go with Historical Services.

Luke.

Ian_Greenlaw · April 11, 2012

Hey Luke,

Nah I'm a fair way off finishing. It goes in for painting in July ( took me ages to find this guy and someone on this website was kind enough to give me his details ). Trouble is school fees, landscaping etc...etc keep getting in the way but I'm getting there. One day I'll post photos of my back yard and you'll see why my car has taken 10 years so far.

I did send off for my build sheet but mine was missing on their microfilm. These forums have had quite a bit of discussion about these. You can search Ian_Greenlaw and see all the postings and should be an interesting read for you.

I live in Victoria ( Melbourne ) but often use to travel to Newcastle and a friend of ours was the CEO of the Newcastle Private Hospital. From there we would often drive to the Hunter Valley. Pity she's not there anymore.

Look forward to heaps of pics.

Ian

April 12, 2012

Hey Ian,

Thats a shame about your build sheet mate! I did a little searching and reading this morning after work (5am!) and have got back on now, I'm hopping and have my fingers crossed that I dont get the same response about my build sheet.

I know what you mean by bills, My Wife and I where married in October just passed and are heading to Europe/UK in a couple of weeks for a belated honeymoon so saving like mad for that, was lucky to get Dorothy really, very glad we did but.

We live about half an hour from Newcastle in Maitland. Beautiful spot of the world up here, am thinking of hiring Dorothy out for the odd wedding and wine tour, allready have a friends wedding I'm going to do for them early next year so see how that goes.

I'll take a heap of pics over the next couple of days and get them on here for all to have a look at, would love to hear your's and all the other guy's thoughts on her.

Im actually looking to wire up some sort of indicator system so would love some advice on this if anyone could help? Was thinking on getting the tail lights to flash and some how getting the parker lights on the left and right hand front guard to flash also, as im not real keen on adding any after market indicators.

Look forward to your reply's,

Luke.

1936 D2 · April 12, 2012

I was just conversing with another '36 owner on the same issue with turn signals. I mentioned this style to him: Dodge 6v Pos Ground Turn Signal Switch & LED Light Kit . He also was looking around and decided on another - bit more modern kind using a small box with two switches on it mounted under the dash that controls the flashing signal to amber LED lights. It also emits a beeping sound to remind you they are on. He mounted the front LED's behind the horn grilles on the '36 and the rears were put into the taillight buckets. The front showed through the grilles nicely and the rears showed amber color flashing light through the top part of the taillight lenses. Worked surprisingly well! If you were to use the incandescent kit from the link above, they would light essentially the same way, except for a lever switch on the steering column instead of the under-dash switch box. You could mount your LED's or bulb sockets inside the taillight buckets and the fronts could be added to the park light buckets or somehow inside the horn screens. LED's would make the front application much easier I would think.

Ian_Greenlaw · April 12, 2012

Hi Luke,

With the indicators, I spoke to someone in the registration department and I remember that the indicator had to be visible from the front as well as the side of the car. Another stupid part of our registration approval process. Might pay to check with your registration branch to see what is legal and what's not. It would be a shame to do all that work and then be refused rego on some technicality. I know in Victoria I don't have to put in seatbelts as they were not fitted in 34 but I have to have indicators. Go figure !

It's like having to fence a swimming pool but you Can have a dam next to a pool and that dosn't require a fence......confusing laws.

Ian

April 12, 2012

I thought Ians originally was a R hand drive so that complicates things on the build sheet, your car coming from Texas Luke may not be an issue

R.White · April 12, 2012

A very nice example you have there, Luke.

I couldn't help noticing that you want to get flasher indicators on the car without adding modern lights. So, if I understand you, what you are asking is if you can use the brake lights and front parking/side lights to operate as indicators like on some cars of the 1950's. The answer is yes, if your regulations allow but no, if they insist on amber indicators. You will need to check, but I think you cannot have flashing parking lights as indicators so additional bulbs in the headlamps might be the way round it.

The wiring will need to be altered slightly and you will need two flasher units and two relays. It won't work any other way. If you are on for a bit of electrickery, I should be able to help with a D.I.Y. wiring diagram and advise but no doubt other contributors will advise against flashing brake lights as drivers these days are looking for amber indicators; so it's not the safest way to go.

Of course, what is allowed here in Britain, may be frowned upon in Oz.

Cheers,

Ray.

April 13, 2012

Hey Guys,

Thanks again for your reply's, this forum is excellent!

1936D2, thanks for that link, I have an auto lecko mate and he's coming over in the morning to check it out so I'll get him to have a look at that as well.

R White, thanks for your info as well and thanks for the kind woords in regards to Dot, my wife and I have only had her for a couple of weeks and wish we had her longer, I'll check into those regs.

Ian, she's already rego'd mate, she passed with flying colours! Was rego'd Monday before last, have driven her around town four times since, and counting! Im looking to get these blinkers on for my own piece of mind, last thing I want to do is go for a cruise and get rear ended or some thing, touch wood!!

I'll check in tomorrow and let you all know how I go, and please keep the suggestions and advice coming, can never have too much.

Luke.

April 13, 2012

Hey guys,

Sorry R White I forgot to say if there's any way you could post that wireing diagram that would be great, I'm ok with my hands so would love to have a look.

Luke.

1936 D2 · April 13, 2012

Sorry Luke... "lecko"? Meaning "mechanic" or "specialist" or such?

"Rego'ed"?

(Jingoes! I gotta get with the lingo!)

R.White · April 13, 2012

Hi Luke,

I have just looked for the wiring diagram which I used before and it's been pulled. I will try and get it back but can't promise anything. Sorry.

Ray.

April 13, 2012

Hey guys,

Sorry 1936D2, they are Australian slang terms I guess, Lecko is an electrition, auto lecko is auto electrition, and rego'd is registration, thats what we need to drive over here, a certificate of registration.

Ray, no problems mate, i'm not in a rush, as long as I drive with a passenger i'll be able to indicate. Would still like to have a look at it though.

Luke.

R.White · April 13, 2012

Ray, no problems mate, i'm not in a rush, as long as I drive with a passenger i'll be able to indicate. Would still like to have a look at it though.

Luke.

Bless you, mate, but you are making me feel OLD ! I guess you never had to learn hand signals. Funny thing, but it reminds me of when I took my driving test and the new fangled indicators packed up on the old Ford. Quite by instinct, I lowered the window and hand signalled to turn left; much to the delight of the Driving Test Examiner!

Needless to say, I passed!!

I am trying to get the info. sent to me. Will keep you posted,

Ray.

1936 D2 · April 13, 2012

Ray:

Is this diagram anything like what you would be looking for? :confused:

Thanks Luke for the "translation". I'm starting to get it - sort-of.

Directional Indicator Circuit.pdf

Edited April 13, 2012 by 1936 D2 (see edit history)

R.White · April 13, 2012

Sorry , (1936D2) I will have to study that but at first glance it only seems to be a simple circuit for flashers. As it's been ages since I last did this, and my memory is not what it was, I may make a mistake here or there, so a wiring diagram would be a useful tool.

I think in order to utilise the brake light circuit as indicators, there needs to be a relay to allow a brake light to stay on or go off one side and another relay to allow the same circuit to operate the other light as a flashing turn indicator (and vice versa), again with the brakes on or off.

As you wish to operate the front side lights as indicators; (two flasher units will be needed) because the existing side light circuit is completely separate from the new indicator circuit, there will need to be separate side/parking lights which can sometimes be incorporated in the headlights or even the sidelight lamps themselves. This is because you will probably not be permittted to show flashing parker/side lights. it all depends on your regulations....

I am no auto electrician and there are big gaps in my understanding but I love old car electrics because they are so simple and there is no reason why the average guy cannot tackle them. I will post the wiring diagram for the above conversion when (or if) it is sent to me.

Ray.

Edited April 14, 2012 by R.White (see edit history)

R.White · April 13, 2012

Sorry about the delay Luke. Here is a set up which I think will work on your car. Although it is about Austin Sevens, the principles are just the same. The link will take you to the home page and you will need to navigate via the technical pages to 'fitting modern flashers circuits' by scrolling down the second column.

The diagram you want is number 2 by Roger Ballard. It's a lot easier than it looks.

The Austin Seven Clubs, by the way, have some of the biggest brains in the old car world. Engineering geniuses, some of them.

DORSET AUSTIN SEVEN CLUB

In awe, :rolleyes:

Ray.

ply33 · April 13, 2012

I've posted a circuit for running the brake and turn signals on the same filament at Turn Signal Adaptor This circuit is basically the same as found in my old '92 Jeep's factory service manual for powering trailer brake lights from a car that is fitted with separate bulbs for turn and brake.

R.White · April 13, 2012

this is the type of relay I think you will need

6V Relay - Change Over

April 14, 2012

Hey Guys,

Thanks heaps for all the info, if I cant get something from it therees something wrong.

Ray, I'll sit down and study that link tonight. I havnt had to learn hand signals your right, the world has gotten itself in a big rush these days, my wife had her right arm out today and we near got over taken as we were about to make the turn.

My friend couldn't make it over this morning but is coming over tomorrow morning and we'll sit down and have look at the info aswell.

Going to uplaod some pics so stay tuned.

Luke.

April 14, 2012

Hey Guys,

As promised, here a a few shots of Dorothy (Dot) my 1934 Dodge.

It's only letting me upload 5 at a time so I'll post more seperatley.

Let me know what you think.

Luke.

April 14, 2012

Hey Guys,

Heres 5 more.

Luke.

April 14, 2012

Hey Guys,

Heres 2 more.

Luke.

April 14, 2012

Sent you a P.M luke

Ian_Greenlaw · April 14, 2012

Hi Luke,

The photos look great. As mine was in 1000 pieces and when I see photos of sections of the car I need photos of, its like gold to me !

I especially like the photo with the willow tree in the background.

And for god sake...get the smile off your face !!!

Seriously though...NICE

Ian

R.White · April 14, 2012

As you were, Luke! I have just received an Email which clarifies the legal situation here in the U.K.

Apparently, the use of rear (red) and front (white) indicators has never actually been legal in the U.K. unless the car had them like that from new. Various manufacturers, including Ford and Jaguar adopted this American method during the 1950's but legislation eventually prohibited it; so everyone went over to orange. If the Australian authorities will allow it I don't know but I would be surprised if they did, so it will probably mean orange indicators for you, Luke.

By the way, I should have read your post more carefully, Luke, because I failed to realise that you had a left hand drive car. That is why I couldn't make out why you needed a passenger to make hand signals. I have an Australian right hand drive Dodge (tourer) and I imagined your car was the same.

Sorry to hear you had a near miss already!

Be safe,

Ray.

April 14, 2012

P.M sent Ian

April 14, 2012

Hey Guys,

Ian, classic, I'd bet they're like gold! If you need any specific shots at all just let me know mate, would be more than happy to help.

Ray, Was thinking on disconnecting the front parker and having wire as an indicator with an orange bulb so that it still looks like a clear parker but flashes orange. Still dont know what I'll do with the rear, I'll mill it over with the mate tomorrow hopefully. The lef hand drive makes it hard when your driving by yourself thats for sure, I'm lucky the wife loves cruising just as much as me!

Let you guys know how I go.

Luke.

ply33 · April 14, 2012

I believe you will find that the marker lamps on your front fenders are not original. At least they would not be original for Plymouth and I don't see them on photos of '34 Dodges in my A Pictorial History of Chrysler Corporation Cars published in 1974 by Chrysler. The parking lamps for that era would be inside the head lights with a separate bulb on the reflector. This is for a '33 Plymouth but I bet a '34 Dodge would be the same.

I'm guessing that the car was converted to sealed beam lamps at one time and thus the need for fender mounted parking lamps. It looks like you have correct head lights on there now so the parking lamps could be returned to their original location and the fender lamps could be dedicated to turn signals.

If you can't find amber lenses for those lamps then you might be able to use clear amber glass paint on the bulbs. (Here in the US 6v amber bulbs are not available but hobby stores usually have suitable paint for making your own.)

If you need amber for the rear turn signals, maybe your local motorcycle parts supply would have something that could be adapted to mount on the bumper support brackets. Some of the retro-styled motorcycle stuff is styled appropriately for the era.

Edited April 14, 2012 by ply33 (see edit history)

April 14, 2012

Not that I can tell you much about your car other than what I can read in my literature I can hopefully offer something to you guys and maybe learn something new along the way.

I am not sure if your car is a deluxe or standard, I can tell if I were to do a little reading but I can only read so many books at one time before I start getting all jumbled up so here are the two different versions.

I am also posting a pict of the Deluxe six Brougham which is the only model I can see within this salesmans booklet that has the funny little deal mounted below the headlights, what are these and were they an option avail. for all models.

April 14, 2012

Some things I happen to notice on viewing the photos is that the wheels are different, hoods seem to be different, bumpers on deluxe have the overrider, headlights are different as well.

Any comments?

April 14, 2012

Tell me which model you 34 guys have and I will post the respective information one backsides of these photos, I know of at least 3 34 owners here including Luke, might be I am missing someone though.

keiser31 · April 14, 2012

Not that I can tell you much about your car other than what I can read in my literature I can hopefully offer something to you guys and maybe learn something new along the way.
I am not sure if your car is a deluxe or standard, I can tell if I were to do a little reading but I can only read so many books at one time before I start getting all jumbled up so here are the two different versions.
I am also posting a pict of the Deluxe six Brougham which is the only model I can see within this salesmans booklet that has the funny little deal mounted below the headlights, what are these and were they an option avail. for all models.

Those "funny little deal" items are horns.

April 14, 2012

I thought maybe so to be honest but I was not sure, thanks

I guess I need to clarify because I looked again and I cant see how they could be horns, look like they have a lens over them. Will post a cropped picture ( I hope )

Edited April 14, 2012 by 1930 (see edit history)

April 14, 2012

Sure look like they have lenses over them

keiser31 · April 14, 2012

Those are gravel screens.

1934 Dodge

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