The B-series pickup trucks were sold from 1948 to 1953. They replaced the prewar Dodge truck and were replaced by the Dodge C series in 1954. The B-series trucks came in several different variants. The B1-B were ½-ton trucks standard with a 95 hp (71 kW) flathead-straight-six engine while the B1-C were ¾-ton trucks with a standard 108 hp (81 kW) flathead-straight 6 engine. It also came in several other variants such as the B1-T and B1-V which were semi-truck cabs and vans, respectively. A woodie version, the "Suburban", was also available from outside companies.
The B-series trucks featured a high-visibility "pilot-house" cab with optional rear quarter windows. The engine was shifted forward and the front axle moved back on the frame for better weight distribution as well as a shorter wheelbase, moving from 116 in (2,900 mm) to 108 in (2,700 mm) on ½-ton models. The cargo bed sides were made higher to increase capacity by 40%. The redesigned cab could seat three people, with 2.5 in (64 mm) more height, 6 in (152 mm) more width and 3 in (76 mm) additional in length. The cab was mounted on rubber mounts for an improved ride. Another innovation for the time was the use of cross-steering arrangement, giving the trucks a 37° turning radius. The cargo box space was increased over previous models and overload springs made optional on all variants to increase hauling capacity. In 1950, more new features were added as the 3-speed manual shift lever was relocated to the steering column instead of on the floor. A fluid drive standard transmission, with 3 or 4 speeds, became an available option. The front end and dashboard/gauge layout were redesigned for 1951.
1953 was the last year of the "pilot-house" trucks, but brought many new changes. The Truck-O-Matic transmission, a fully automatic transmission was available for ½ and ¾-ton models. The longer 7.5 ft (2.3 m) bed previously only available on ¾-tons became available on ½-tons as well, which would increase the wheelbase to 116 in (2,946 mm). New longer rear fenders were added, which would continue to be used by Dodge through 1985.
