RE: Need help figuring out what year my duece is.
the triangular tag is stamped with a MWO (Modification Work Order) number- probably saying seat belts were installed.
Boy, I'd sure like to have the complete original bed off this truck....
HOWEVER, this brings up an interesting theoritical discussion - the registration number was assigned to the complete "assembly" - a 3000 GPH ERLTOR, which was built in 1961 (which corresponds to the registration number style). As I understand this (including my experience buying one - and seeing others sold), for accountability purposes to the army this is not a "truck" it is a water purification unit - and this is reflected by its FSC.
In the instance of this vehicle - the chassis in question with certainity was NOT the one underneath the now missing bed when the bed (ERLATOR) was built, and the registration number assigned. Rather, the chassis is somewhat newer (I am still thinking 196
. The "truck" carries the ERDLATOR registration number (which makes sense for accountability) - BUT, in all probability at one time the chassis had its own registration number (since it was built as a cab and chassis, as we know from the serial number) - and when the bed and chassis were joined, the chassis registration number would have been replaced by the bed registration number, and the chassis would have "ceased to exist".
How would this be handled on the property books?
Thanks Delby for posing this question, which gave us this information - which helps us all unlock the story of these trucks.
Ever digging,
David Doyle