Dodge WC series

Dodge WC series
The most produced variants in the range were the ​3⁄4-ton, 4x4, WC-51 and WC-52 Weapons Carriers
Type ​1⁄2-ton, ​3⁄4-ton 4x4 truck
​1 1⁄2-ton 6x6 truck
Place of origin United States
Service history
Wars World War II
Korean War
Production history
Manufacturer Dodge / Fargo
Produced 1940-1945
No. built Total: ~376,170 excl. variants
~332,950 4x4 models —
~77,750 ​1⁄2-tons (1940-1942) [1][2] [nb 1] [nb 2] and
255,195 ​3⁄4-tons (1942-1945) —
And 43,224 ​1 1⁄2-ton 6x6 trucks [4][5]
Variants VC-1 – VC-6 ​1⁄2-ton, 4x4 (1940): 4,640 units
Specifications (WC-51 / WC-52[6])
Weight 5,250 lb (2,380 kg) empty
(5,550 lb (2,520 kg) with winch)
Length 166 7⁄8 in (424 cm)
(176 1⁄2 in (448 cm) with winch)
Width 82 3⁄4 in (210 cm)
Height 81 7⁄8 in (208 cm)
Engine Dodge T-214
92 hp (69 kW)
Payload capacity 1,500 pounds (680 kg)
Transmission 4 speed x 1 range
Suspension Live beam axles on leaf springs
Ground clearance 10 23⁄32 in (27.2 cm)
Fuel capacity 30 US gal (114 l)
Operational
range
 240 mi (386.2 km)
Speed 55 mph (89 km/h)
The "Ben Hur" 1-ton, 2-wheel cargo-trailer was frequently mated to the WC series trucks.

The Dodge WC series was a prolific range of light 4WD and medium 6WD military utility trucks, produced by Dodge / Fargo during World War II.[nb 3] Together with the ​1⁄4-ton jeeps produced by Willys and Ford, the Dodge ​1⁄2-tons and ​3⁄4-tons made up nearly all of the light 4WD trucks supplied to the U.S. Army in WW II – with Dodge contributing some 337,500 4WD units [nb 4] – over half as many of these as the jeep.[7] [5] [nb 5] Contrary to the versatility of the highly standardized jeep, which was mostly achieved through field modification, the Dodge WC-series came in many purpose-built variants from the factory. The WC series evolved out of, and was part of a more extended family of trucks, with great mechanical parts commonality, that included open- and closed-cab cargo and weapons carriers, command cars, reconnaissance vehicles, telephone installation trucks, panel vans, carryalls, ambulances and mobile workshops.

From 1940 to 1942, almost 82,400 G-505 ​1⁄2-ton 4x4 Dodge trucks were built — initially called the VC series, but the great majority (from 1941) in the WC series, and in more variants.[10][2] However in 1942, the truck grew into the G-502 ​3⁄4-ton 4x4 Truck (Dodge) and the G-507 ​1 1⁄2-ton 6x6 personnel and cargo truck (Dodge) — retaining the Dodge WC model code. Although the ​3⁄4-tons featured significant design improvements, they retained some 80% interchangeable components and service parts with the ​1⁄2-ton models.[10]

Dodge was the U.S. Army's main supplier of ​1⁄2-ton trucks, and its sole supplier of both ​3⁄4-ton trucks and ​1 1⁄2-ton six-by-six trucks in World War II.[5] With over a quarter million units built through August 1945, the G502 ​3⁄4-tons were the most common variants in the WC-series.[5]
After the war, Dodge developed the ​3⁄4-ton WC-series into the civilian 4x4 Power Wagons; and in 1951, the WCs were replaced by the very similar ​3⁄4-ton 4x4 Dodge M-series vehicles .

WC was not an abbreviation of "Weapons Carrier", but a Dodge model code – initially W for 1941, and C for half-ton rating. However, the 'WC' model code was retained for both the ​3⁄4-ton and ​1 1⁄2-ton 6x6 Dodges – as well as for the subsequent model years.[10]

History and design

1934 K-39-X-4(USA) – Dodge's first Army 4x4 truck
The initial Dodge VC-series military models had a lot in common with this 1939 T-series pickup

Dodge had been the United States military's primary supplier of light wheeled vehicles, since before the U.S. joined the First World War.[11] After starting business in 1900, producing precision engine and chassis components for other car builders in Detroit – Ford and Olds chief among these – Dodge introduced their first own car, the Model 30/35 tourer, in 1914. It was stronger and more high quality than the ubiquitous Ford Model T, and in 1916, Dodge cars proved their durability, both in the 1910s U.S. Mexico Border War — the U.S. military’s first operation to use truck convoys,[12] as well as in World War I, when some 12,800 Dodge cars and light trucks were used,[11] primarily as ambulances and repair trucks.[13], but also as staff and reconnaissance vehicles. All the while, Dodge maintained its reputation for high quality truck, transmission and motor parts they made for other successful manufacturers.

Dodge light trucks were initially based largely on their passenger cars, but later specific truck chassis and bodies were designed. Light- and medium-duty models were offered first, then a heavy-duty range was added during the 1930s and 1940s. Dodge developed its first four-wheel drive truck in 1934 — an experimental 1½ ton for the U.S. Army, designated K-39-X-4(USA), of which 796 units were built in several configurations.[11][14] Timken supplied driven front axles and transfer-cases, which were added to a militarized commercial truck. The Timken transfer case was the first part-time design,[15] that allowed the driver to engage or disengage four-wheel drive using a lever inside the cabin.[13][16] In spite of the limited 1930s U.S. military budgets, the ’34 truck was liked well-enough that the ​1 1⁄2 tonners were further developed. Dodge built the U.S. Army further batches of 4WD ​1 1⁄2-ton cargo trucks in 1938, 1939 and 1940.[17] 1,700 RF-40-X-4(USA) trucks were procured in 1938, and 292 TF-40-X-4(USA) in 1939.[11] All of these ​1 1⁄2-ton Army 4x4s rode on a 143 in (363 cm) wheelbase, and the 1938 RF-40 and 1939 TF-40 trucks were the first to receive a Dodge engineering code in the 200 range (T-200 and T-201 respectively).[14]

1940 Dodge VC-1 / VC-2 Command Reconnaissance / Radio car

1940 — ​1⁄2-ton VC and ​1 1⁄2-ton VF models

1940 Fargo-badged truck at the Australian Army History Unit museum.
Dodge D15 Canadian Military Pattern truck, built very similar to the 1940 VC-series.

Well before the onset of World War II, it was clear that the USA needed to update its military. The Quartermaster Corps (Q.C.), responsible at the time for providing the military with non-combat vehicles, moved to standardize truck designs, and by 1939, as the war in Europe exploded, the Army had settled on five payload-based general-purpose truck chassis: ​1⁄2-ton, ​1 1⁄2-ton, ​2 1⁄2-, 4- and ​7 1⁄2-ton.[18] By June 1940 the Q.C. had tested and approved its first three standard commercial based, all-wheel drive trucks: the ​1 1⁄2-ton 4x4 Dodge, the GMC ​2 1⁄2-ton 6x6 and a Mack 6-ton 6x6.[19] Moreover, in the summer of 1940 the largest truck contract awarded went to Chrysler's Dodge / Fargo Division for more than 14,000 (mostly) 4x4 trucks.[20]
The government's preferences were however reshuffled — although initially it had standardized Dodge's ​1 1⁄2-ton 4x4 truck, after mid 1940 it decided they preferred to have Dodge build light-duty four-wheel drives, contracting for a series of half-ton trucks,[17] while in 1936 a Marmon-Herrington converted Ford had become the Army's first 1/2-ton 4x4.[21] And GM / Chevrolet was instead going to become the standard supplier for ​1 1⁄2-ton trucks.[5]

Dodge started developing designs for a 4x4 half-ton in 1939, and began production for the U.S. military build-up for the war in earnest in 1940 — both 4x4 half-tons, as well as 1½-ton 4x4 and 4x2 trucks. On all 1940 trucks, front sheetmetal was mostly identical to the commercial VC and VF models, with the addition of a big brush guard mounted in front of the grille and headlights — except for the addition of 4-wheel drive, and the custom bodies of the command cars, following the 1939 procurement doctrine, to "use commercial trucks with only a few modifications such as brush guards and towing pintles to fit them for military use." [9]

The first prototypes of the ​1⁄2-ton, 4x4, VC series military trucks, were based on their civilian, 1939 model TC-series. Six variants, numbered VC-1 to VC-6, were presented: open and closed cab pick-ups, with or without rear troop-seats, reconnaissance / radio cars, and a carry-all.[22] The military VC models retained the civilian engine and wheelbase, but gained four-wheel drive, and a new technical code: T-202.
Production of the Dodge VC series (SNL number G-505) began in 1940, making these the Army's first half-ton 4WD trucks. The soldiers also called these light command reconnaissance vehicles "jeeps",[23] — before that term migrated to the quarter-tons, starting in 1941.[24][25] A total of 4,640 units were built – mostly pick-ups and reconnaissance cars. Only 34 radio cars and 24 carry-alls were made.[1] While proving successful, the 1/2-ton VC trucks were replaced in 1941 by the G-505, 1/2-ton WC models. Although obsolete, the VC trucks remained in use until the end of the war.[22]

In 1940, Dodge also built some 6,400 four-wheel drive ​1 1⁄2-ton models, called VF-401 to VF-407, or T-203 by Dodge, and G-621 by the Army, riding on a 143 inch wheelbase, a continuation of their experimental pre-war predecessors, the RF-40 and TF-40 (or T-200 / T-201). They consisted of 6,000 regular closed cab, open bed trucks, a thousand of which equipped with winch, and just under 400 dump-trucks. Three ambulance units were also made, likely experimental.[1][26]
Additionally, production started for a militarized commercial 1½-ton, rear-wheel drive truck in 1940 — initially Dodge's model VF-31, cargo (engineering code T-98) under the government SNL number G-618. The 4x2 model VF-31 was succeeded by the model WF-31 (internally T-118) for 1941 (closed cab tractor) and 1942 (cab and chassis) – both on a 135 inch wheelbase – and the 1942 model WF-32, closed cab, stake and platform cargo truck, on a 160 inch wheelbase.[27][1] After a modest production of 516 units of the WF-31,[26] at least 9,500 Dodge WF-32 trucks were built, mostly for lend-lease to Russia.[28][29][30]

External video
Dodge trucks in 1940 U.S. war promotion film
"Army on Wheels" – WW II-era U.S. Army exercise stock film on Periscope Archives. Made by the U.S. War Department, together with Dodge, the May 1940 film opens with news of 7,000 new Dodge trucks for use by Uncle Sam (from 02:34) — showing VC and VF models. The four-wheel drive off-road capability, ruggedness, and the diverse uses for the vehicles are expounded, for instance: officers employ portable desks in their command cars to study maps and plot strategies (mark 13:00).

1941–1942 — ​1⁄2-ton WC series

World War II soldiers called the ½-ton 1940/1941 Dodge Reconnaissance / Weapon Carriers a "Jeep" before the Willys MB.[24] [25]

The ’40 VC-series Dodge 1/2-ton 4x4s were well liked but considered only an interim solution because they were essentially a modified civilian truck. At the outset of World War II a more military layout was designed.[11] Dodge replaced the 1940 VC-1 to VC-6 with the equally half-ton rated WC series of military light trucks, produced in 38 model variants, in varying numbers — thousands of some models were produced, while only a few of some others were made. While the military VC-series used much civilian sheet-metal, distinguished by a brush-guard in front of the grille — the WC-series came with wide-open, almost flat fenders that prevented mud build-up, clogging rotation of the wheels — as well as a redesigned nose with an integrated, round, grated grille / brush-guard. A new ambulance with a fully enclosed, all-steel box rear body was designed, on a longer, 123 inch wheelbase. The ​1⁄2‑ton WC models were the first all-military design Dodge developed in the build-up to full mobilization for World War II,[10] and they were the U.S. Army's first standard light truck – prior to the jeep – when the U.S. formally declared war in December 1941.[11]
Both the Dodge half-ton VC and WC trucks were part of the Army G-505 series. Some 77,750 of the ​1⁄2‑ton WC named trucks were produced during late 1940 to 1942 under War Department contracts.[1][2][nb 2] Half-ton rated WC series models were numbered in the 1 to 50 range.

Common features of the 1/2 ton trucks were:

  • Drive: 4×4
  • Wheelbase: 116 in (123 in for ambulances)
  • Track width: 59.375 in
  • Tires: 7.50x16
  • Brakes: Hydraulic
  • Engine: 6 cyl, in-line, L-head
  • Transmission: 4 forward/1 reverse, manual
  • Transfer case: Single speed

1942–1945 — ​3⁄4-ton and ​1 1⁄2-ton WC series

In 1940 the Army revised its range of standard, payload-based, general-purpose truck classes: a ​1⁄4-ton chassis requirement was added; the ​1⁄2-ton was to be replaced by a ​3⁄4-ton, and additional heavy categories were specified. The Quartermaster General wanted to start direct negotiations with Dodge, GM and Mack for certain models immediately, but not until after February 1941 could the Quartermaster Corps choose manufacturers directly, based on their engineering and production capabilities.[31] One deciding factor had to do with availability of certain critical components, like transfer cases and especially constant-velocity joints, not used much on commercial trucks, but all-wheel drive vehicles all needed these; plus additionally, they would use two or three times the amount of driven axles, meaning more gears to cut for all the differentials. Produced up to the war by a few specialized firms with limited capacity, from spring 1942 Ford, Dodge and Chevrolet joined in fabricating these in mass quantity,[20] with Dodge's experience in making quality, precision parts dating back from the earliest beginnings of the company.

In late 1941, Dodge introduced a redesigned WC-series 4×4 trucks uprated to ​3⁄4-ton and their SNL code changed to G-502. The ​3⁄4-ton featured a lower profile truck bed that could seat eight troops, plus under seat stowage compartments, and maintain 80 percent parts interchangeability with the ​1⁄2-ton series.[11] Throughout the war, Dodge was the U.S. Army's sole producer of ​3⁄4-ton trucks, and built a total of 255,193 of these across all variants from April 1942 to August 1945.[5][32][33] Standard vehicles in the ¾ ton 4×4 class were the WC-51 / WC-52 Weapons Carrier, Telephone Installation Trucks, WC-53 Carryall, and the WC-54 Ambulance. In the cargo trucks, the WC-51 was identical to the WC-52 but the latter had a front bumper-mounted winch.[34]

The ​3⁄4-ton 4x4 WC truck was also stretched into a ​1 1⁄2‑ton 6x6 troops and weapons carrier for larger 12-troop squads (the G-507).

Models table – overview

Dodge VF-401 /-402 /-404 /-405 closed cab cargo

The table includes data on the relation between government and Dodge identification numbers, chassis payload rating, wheels and drive, and types of body fitted, according to the US Army Ordnance SNL supply list.[27][35] The initial Dodge VC series ​1⁄2-ton trucks are seen as part of the SNL G-505 range by the military.

External image
Restored VF truck (archived)

In the case of vehicle identifications separated by a slash, the first number refers to a vehicle without winch, and the second to a vehicle fitted with a winch, typically resulting in a 10 in (25 cm) longer front overhang, and significantly reduced approach angle. Not only were the winches driven by a power take-off from the engine,[6] but unlike the later Dodge M-series trucks, on which an extension was bolted to the frame when mounting a winch – on the WC-series the winch equipped versions actually had a different frame.[36][37]

On the ​1 1⁄2-ton rated VF-400 series trucks, the PTO-driven winch had a 10,000 pound capacity, but added almost 1000 pounds to the vehicles weight, reducing the payload to 2400 pounds.[38]

Numbers separated by a comma indicate similar models but with different secondary details.

​1⁄2-ton 4 x 4 — G-505 ​1⁄2-ton 4 x 2 ​3⁄4-ton 4 x 4 — G-502 ​1 1⁄2-ton 4 x 4 ​1 1⁄2-ton 4 x 2 ​1 1⁄2-ton 6 x 6
T202T207T211T215G-613 / T112T214G-621 / T203G-618 / T118G-507 / T223
Pick-up, closed cab, w. troop seatsVC3WC1WC12, WC14WC40WC38, WC47
Pick-up, closed cab, no rear seatsVC4WC5VF401 / VF402,
VF404 / VF405
Pick-up, open cab, weapons and troopsVC5WC3 / WC4WC13WC21 / WC22WC51 / WC52WC62 / WC63
Carry-allVC6WC10WC17WC26WC36, WC48WC53
Dump truckVF403, VF406
Command / ReconnaissanceVC1WC6 / WC7WC15WC23 / WC24WC56 / WC57
Radio truckVC2WC8WC16WC25WC58, (WC54)
Panel VanWC11WC19WC42WC37, WC49
Emergency Repair (mobile workshop)WC41WC60
MaintenanceWC43WC60
Portee gun truck [nb 6]WC55
AmbulanceWC9WC18WC27WC54, WC64 (KD)VF407
Telephone installation / maintenanceWC43WC39, WC50WC59, WC61
closed cab, bare chassisWC20WC41WF31

Engines

All engines were liquid-cooled, straight-six Chrysler flathead gasoline engines, mated to four-speed manual transmissions and a single-range transfer-case offering part-time four-wheel drive.[39][40] Only the T203 and the T223 configurations applied in the ​1 1⁄2-ton VF-400 models, and the G-507 6x6 trucks had a dual-ratio transfer-case.[38][8]

Tech. codeSince [41]Block [42]Bore (mm)Stroke (mm)Displacement [43]CompressionTorquePower (HP)
T112194123 inch3 1⁄4 in (83 mm)4 3⁄8 in (111 mm)217.7 cu in (3,567 cm3)170 lb⋅ft (230 N⋅m) @ 1200 rpm [44]85 @ 3000 rpm [44]
T118194125 inch3.44 in (87 mm)4 1⁄4 in (108 mm)236.6 cu in (3,877 cm3)190 lb⋅ft (258 N⋅m) @ 1500–2200 rpm104 @ 3000 rpm [45]
T202194023 inch3 1⁄8 in (79 mm)4 3⁄8 in (111 mm)201.3 cu in (3,299 cm3)6.7:1154 lb⋅ft (209 N⋅m) [46]79 @ 3000 rpm [39][22]
T203194025 inch3 3⁄8 in (86 mm)4 1⁄2 in (114 mm)241.5 cu in (3,957 cm3)6.5:1188 lb⋅ft (255 N⋅m) @ 1200 rpm99 @ 3000 rpm [47]
T207 [nb 8]194123 inch3 1⁄4 in (83 mm)4 3⁄8 in (111 mm)217.7 cu in (3,567 cm3)6.5:1170 lb⋅ft (230 N⋅m) @ 1200 rpm [48]85 @ 3000 rpm [48][39]
T211194123 inch3 1⁄4 in (83 mm)4 3⁄8 in (111 mm)217.7 cu in (3,567 cm3)6.5:1170 lb⋅ft (230 N⋅m) @ 1200 rpm [48]85 @ 3000 rpm [48]
T211 from August 1941 [10]23 inch3 1⁄4 in (83 mm)4 5⁄8 in (117 mm)230.2 cu in (3,772 cm3)6.7:192 [16]
T214194223 inch3 1⁄4 in (83 mm)4 5⁄8 in (117 mm)230.2 cu in (3,772 cm3)6.7:1180 lb⋅ft (244 N⋅m) @ 1200 rpm [49]92 gross / 76 net @ 3200 rpm [50][11]
T215194123 inch3 1⁄4 in (83 mm)4 5⁄8 in (117 mm)230.2 cu in (3,772 cm3)6.7:1180 lb⋅ft (244 N⋅m) @ 1200 rpm [51]92 @ 3100 rpm [51][39]
T223194323 inch3 1⁄4 in (83 mm)4 5⁄8 in (117 mm)230.2 cu in (3,772 cm3)6.75:1180 lb⋅ft (244 N⋅m) @ 1200 rpm [52]92 gross / 76 net @ 3200 rpm [52]

Model descriptions

Open cab weapon carriers / pickups (with bed seating or not) were the most numerous of the ½-ton WC rigs
Dodge WC-14 pickup 1941

Half-ton series

From production start in 1941, until replacement by the ​3⁄4-ton models in 1942, the half-ton, 4WD, WC models evolved through no less than three mechanical engineering versions – T-207, T-211, and T-215 – in not much more than a year; while receiving a different engine midway production of the T-211 based versions. Based on Chrysler Corporation Mopar's 1946 annual model chart and serial number guide, the distribution across the versions was: [3]

  • 31,935 units of the WC-1 through WC-11 models, with the T-207 engineering code and a 217.7 cu in (3,567 cm3) engine with 85 HP;
  • 17,293 units of the WC-12 through WC-20 models, with the T-211 engineering code and initially the same engine, however during August 1941 the T211 engine was increased to 230.2 cu in (3,772 cm3) and 92 HP, but the T-code number was not changed on affected models (e.g. WC-18) [10]
  • 28,537 units of the WC-21 through WC-27 and WC-40 through WC-43 model, with the T-215 engineering code and a 230.2 cu in (3,772 cm3) engine with 92 HP.

WC1, WC5, WC12, WC14, WC40

Closed cab, two seater pickups with a nominal carrying capacity of a 1,000 lb (450 kg). Some portion of these models were manufactured with winch, at least of the WC-12, the WC-14 (pictured), and the WC-40, reducing the payload to 700 lb (320 kg); and the WC-12's displacement was increased to 230.2 cu in (3,772 cm3) mid-series, after engine No. 42001.[53]

Open cab ½-tons, w/wo winch
WC-3 or WC-13 half-ton 4x4 with optional M24 machine gun mount.
Dodge WC-4 open cab with winch.

WC3, WC13, WC21

Weapon carriers, two seater pickups with open cab. The open cab pickups could be fitted with an optional M24 machine gun mount, which bolted across the front of the bed. The mount could carry the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle, as well as the M1919 Browning machine gun, and the M2 Browning machine gun.

  • Length: 181- 1/16 inches
  • Height: with top 88-1/8 inches
  • Weight: 4440 net
  • Width: 75-13/16 inches
  • Height:
  • Payload: 1300 LB

WC4, WC22

Open cab weapons carrier, with Braden MU winch, and transverse seats, designed to tow the M3 anti-tank cannon as well as carry the gun crew and ammunition. This type was usually issued to early tank destroyer units. 5570 built.

  • Length: 191- 5/16 inches
  • Height: with top 88-1/8 inches
  • Weight: 4775 net
  • Width: 75-13/16 inches
  • Height:
  • Payload: 1000 LB

Command / reconnaissance cars
Lord Mountbatten, Allied Commander South East Asia, stands in a ½-ton WC Command car near Mandalay, 1945.
Dodge WC-24 w. winch

WC6, WC15, WC23

Command / reconnaissance cars.

WC7, WC24

Command / reconnaissance car with winch.

WC8, WC16, WC25

Radio car / Command reconnaissance car with radio, 12 volt.

WC9, WC18, WC27

Dodge WC-9 Ambulance

Entering production during 1941 to early 1942,[54] they were specifically designed to serve as military ambulances. These early variants are distinguishable from the later ones by having a curved radiator grille, while the later ones (WC-51 onwards) featured a flat grille. These versions were given a longer 123 in (3,100 mm) wheelbase.

  • Length: 195 inches
  • Height: 90 inches
  • Weight: 5340 net
  • Width: 75-13/16 inches
  • Height:
  • Payload: 1300 LB

WC10, WC17, WC26, WC36, WC48

Carryall trucks with a nominal carrying capacity of a 1,000 lb (450 kg).

WC11, WC19, WC42

Panel trucks carrying radio and communication equipment.

WC39, WC43, WC50

These models were built as signals trucks, designed to install and repair telephone lines, and were also known by the U.S. Signals Corps as the K-50 truck.

WC41

M1 emergency repair truck, Dodge WC-41

Fitted with dual rear tires. Mostly employed as an emergency repair truck whose purpose was to provide mobile facilities for emergency ordnance repair (G-061 / G-502). Other types of bodies were produced, such as an oil service vehicle. 902 of these chassis were built.

Three-quarter-ton series

WC51

Dodge WC-51 — no winch, but a better approach angle.

WC-51 Truck, Cargo, 3/4 ton, 4x4 w/o Winch Dodge (G502) Weapons Carrier. 123,541 were built. The open cab pickup could be fitted with an optional M24A1 machine gun mount, which bolted across the front of the bed. The mount could carry the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle, the M1919 Browning machine gun, or the M2 Browning machine gun.

  • Length: 13 ft 11 in / 4.24 m
  • Height (with canvas cover): 6 ft 10 in / 2.08 m
  • Height (with top down): 5 ft 2 in / 1.57 m
  • Weight: 5,250 lb / 2 382 kg net
  • Width: 6 ft 11 in / 2.11 meters
  • Payload: 1,750 lb / 800 kg
  • Tires 9.00 x 16 in., 8ply

WC52

Dodge WC-52 – identical to the WC-51, but with a factory front winch.

WC-52 Truck, Cargo, 3/4 ton, 4x4 w/Winch Dodge (G502) Weapons Carriers was identical to the WC-51, but fitted with a Braden MU2 7,500 lb / 3 402 kg capacity winch at the front bumper. 59,114 built.

  • Length: 14 ft 9 in / 4,48 m
  • Height (with canvas cover): 6 ft 10 in / 2,08 m
  • Height (with top down): 5 ft 2 in / 1,57 m
  • Weight: 5,550 lb / 2 518 kg net
  • Width: 6 ft 11 in / 2,10 m
  • Payload: 1,750 lb / 800 kg
  • Tires 9.00 x 16 in., 8ply
  • Engine 6 cyl, in-line, L-head 99 hp (73 kW)

WC53

WC-53 Carryall

A carryall, mechanically it was virtually identical to the WC-54 but was fitted with a body which was the 1939 civilian carryall modified to military specifications. All four rear side windows were opening wind-up and the seating consisted of front folding passenger seat to allow rear access, two person second row leaving space to access to the rear full width three person seat. The spare was carried on a mount on the driver's side and although the door was fully operational it could not be opened (driver had to enter from passenger side). The rear end had split tailgates.[55]
WC-53 were also fitted as radio trucks with a bench on the left side with the operator seated sideways. 8,400 WC-53 Truck, 3/4 ton, 4x4 Dodge Carryall (G502) were built. No carryalls came from the factory with a winch though there was a field modification available.[56]

  • Length: 15 ft 6 in / 4,73 m
  • Height: 6 ft 9 in / 2,06 m
  • Weight: 5,700 lb / 2 590 kg
  • Width: 6 ft 7 in / 2,00 m
  • Payload: 1,750 lb / 800 kg

WC54

1943 WC-54 Ambulance

The WC-54 Truck, 3/4 ton, 4x4 Ambulance, Dodge (G502), was produced as an ambulance, but a few were modified to serve as radio/telephone trucks with the US Signal Corps. A total of 26,002 WC-54 units were built from 1942 through 1944, after which the ambulance was redesigned, and replaced by the WC-64 in 1945.[57][58]

  • Length: 16 ft 3 in / 4,95 m
  • Height: 7 ft 6 in / 2,30 m
  • Weight: 5,920 lb / 2 685 kg
  • Width: 6 ft 6 in / 1,98 m
  • Payload: 1,800 lb / 816 kg

WC55

WC-55 Gun Motor Carriage

The M6 37 mm Gun Motor Carriage (3/4-ton, 4x4) (or GMC), also known as M6 Fargo, and by Dodge as the WC-55 Truck, was a modified G-502 Dodge WC-52, designed and built to carry an M3A1 37mm antitank gun and shield, mounted on its cargo bed. The WC-55 with gun combination was designated M6 Fargo Gun Motor Carriage with 37mm Anti-tank Gun, with supply catalog Standard Nomenclature List number (G-121). A total of 5,380 were built by Fargo in 1942,[59] but most were later dismantled / downgraded and returned to service as WC-52 cargo trucks.

  • Length: 13 ft 11 in / 4,25 m
  • Height: 8 ft 2 in / 2,49 m to top of gun shield
  • Weight: 5,600 lb / 2 540 kg
  • Width: 7 ft 2 in / 2,18 m
  • Payload: 80 rounds 37mm
WC-56 command car without winch

WC56

The WC-56 was wider and much shorter than the ​1⁄2-ton command cars, giving it squat proportions.

The WC-56 Truck, Command Reconnaissance, 3/4 ton, 4x4 w/o Winch Dodge (G502) was a command and reconnaissance vehicle akin to a large Willys Jeep. It did not prove popular as it was heavier and not as maneuverable as the Jeep, and its distinctive profile made it a target. The soft-top included side-curtains, for better weather shielding. 21,156 built.[60][58]

  • Length: 13 ft 10 in / 4,22 m
  • Height: 6 ft 9 in / 2,07 m
  • Weight: 5,335 lb / 2 420 kg
  • Width: 6 ft 7 in / 2,00 m
  • Payload: 1,750 lb / 800 kg

WC57

Dodge WC-57 command car with winch.

The WC-57 Truck, Command Reconnaissance, 3/4 ton, 4x4 w/Winch Dodge (G502) was identical to the WC-56 but fitted with a Braden MU2 5,000 lb / 2268 kg capacity winch at the front bumper. 6,010 built.[60][58]

  • Length: 14 ft 8 in / 4,46 m
  • Height: 6 ft 9 in / 2,07 m
  • Weight: 5,644 lb / 2 560 kg
  • Width: 6 ft 7 in / 2,00 m
  • Payload: 1,750 lb / 800 kg

WC58

The WC-58 Truck, Radio, 3/4 ton, 4x4 w/o Winch, Dodge (G502) was identical to the WC-56 Command / Reconnaissance Car, but fitted with a Signal Corps Radio set in front of the rear seat, and a 12-volt electrical system.[61][62] Some WC-58 models may have been built, based on the WC-57 with winch, as well.[11][63] A total of 2,344 radio equipped units were built,[62] but it is unclear whether these were included as part of the WC-56 / WC-57 production, or constituted an additional 2,344 WC-58 radio car units.

  • Length: 13 ft 10 in (4.22 m) / 14 ft 7 in (4.46 m) with winch
  • Height: 6 ft 9 in / 2.07 m
  • Weight: 5,335 lb / 2 420 kg
  • Width: 6 ft 7 in / 2.00 m
  • Payload: 1,750 lb / 800 kg

WC59

WC-59, 3/4-ton K-50 telephone truck with ladder on side.

The WC-59 Truck, Telephone Maintenance, 3/4 ton, 4x4 Dodge (G502) was designed to install and repair telephone lines. Based on the same chassis as the WC-54, but with a wheelbase increased by 50 cm. The spare wheel was carried behind the seats, with a step ladder fitted to where the spare wheel would have been. 549 were built. The bed was known by the Signal Corps as the K-50 truck, and was fitted to both Dodge and Chevrolet chassis.

  • Length: 16 ft 0 in / 4,88 m
  • Height: 6 ft 9 in / 2,06 m
  • Weight: 5,357 lb / 2 430 kg
  • Width: 6 ft 6 in / 1,98 m
  • Payload: 1,750 lb / 800 kg

WC60

Dodge WC-60 Emergency Repair Chassis, M2

The WC-60 chassis, fitted with a bed similar to the WC-61 by American Coach and Body Co. (Cleveland, Ohio), formed the "M2 Emergency Repair truck, 3/4 ton, 4x4 Dodge" (G-61 / G-502), a mobile workshop designed for field maintenance. Its open-topped service-type bed featured numerous tool trunks and stowage bins, accessible from the outside. 296 built.

  • Length: 15 ft 6 in / 4.73 m
  • Height: 7 ft 5 in / 2.26 m
  • Weight: 5,952 lb / 2 700 kg
  • Width: 6 ft 10 in / 2.08 m
  • Payload: 1,750 lb / 800 kg

WC61

WC-61 / K-50B

The WC-61 Light Maintenance Truck, 3/4 ton, 4x4 Dodge (G502) was designed to install and repair telephone lines. Replacement for the WC-59, the WC-61 had the step ladder fitted to the roof, the spare wheel was fitted behind the seats, and the tool trunks were accessible from the outside. 58 built. The US Signal Corps referred to these as the K-50B truck.

  • Length: 15 ft 6 in / 4,73 m
  • Height (without ladder): 7 ft 5 in / 2,26 m
  • Weight: 5,952 lb / 2 700 kg
  • Width: 6 ft 10 in / 2,08 m
  • Payload: 1,750 lb / 800 kg
Dodge WC-64 Ambulance

WC64

The WC-64 KD Truck, 3/4 ton, 4x4 Ambulance Dodge (G502) was an ambulance based on the same chassis as the WC-54 but with a knock-down body designed to increase the number of vehicles that could be shipped at the same time. The rear boxes were supplied in two major parts: lower and upper. The lower part of the box was attached to the chassis at the factory, while the upper box was crated for installation in the field.[64] 3,500 were built between the beginning of 1945 and the end of the war.[65]

One-and-a-half-ton models

G507, 1½-ton, 6x6 trucks
WC-62 – without winch
WC-63 – with winch
WC-62 / WC-63 cabin interior

WC62

The G507 Cargo and Personnel Carrier, ​1 1⁄2-ton, 6x6 Truck, Dodge (WC-62 w/o Winch) was based on a lengthened WC-51 Weapons Carrier with an extra axle added. When the army enlarged rifle squads from eight to twelve men, the ​3⁄4-ton no longer sufficed, and a 48-inch longer 6x6 variant was created that used most of the mechanical parts and some of the sheet metal of the G-502. The G507 trucks could be driven by all six wheels (6x6) or by the four rear wheels only (6x4).[66] A number of components were strengthened in this design, and many of these changes were also incorporated in subsequent ​3⁄4-ton production. Production amounted to 43,224 units total,[5] — 23,092 WC-62 units without winch, and 20,132 WC-63 variants with winch.[58][4] One prototype was produced as an armored car.[67]

  • Length: 17 ft 11 in / 5.47 m
  • Height (with canvas cover): 7 ft 3 in / 2.21 m
  • Height (with top down): 5 ft 2 in / 1.57 m
  • Weight: 6,925 lb / 3 141 kg
  • Width: 6 ft 11 in / 2.11 m
  • Payload: 3,300 lb / 1500 kg

WC63

The WC-63 Truck, Cargo and Personnel Carrier, 1 1/2 ton, 6x6 with Winch Dodge (G507) Weapons Carrier was based on a lengthened WC-51 with an extra axle added. Identical to the WC-62 but fitted with a PTO powered Braden MU2 winch, initially of 5,000 pound, later 7,500 pound capacity.

  • Length: 18 ft 9 in / 5,72 m
  • Height (with canvas cover): 7 ft 3 in / 2,21 m
  • Height (with top down): 5 ft 2 in / 1,57 m
  • Weight: 7,175 lb / 3 250 kg
  • Width: 6 ft 11 in / 2,10 m
  • Payload: 3,300 lb / 1500 kg

Former operators

 Austria
 Belgium
 Brazil
Free France France
 Greece
 Iran
 Nicaragua
  • Guardia Nacional de Nicaragua
 Norway
 Portugal
 Philippine Commonwealth
Commonwealth of the Philippines Philippine Republic
 United Kingdom
 United States
 Soviet Union
  Switzerland
  • The Swiss Army bought several hundred after World War II, mainly 3/4-tons, a few 1/2-tons, and just ten ​1 1⁄2-tons. WC-54 ambulances served until 1960.[68]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Chrysler Corporation Mopar's 1946 annual model chart and serial number guide indicates a maximum of 77,765 serial numbers: [3]
    — 31,935 units of the WC-1 through WC-11,
    — 17,293 units of the WC-12 through WC-20, and
    — 28,537 units of the WC-21 through WC-27 and WC-40 through WC-43
  2. 1 2 The Summary Report – Tank-Automotive Materiel lists a total of 82,454 ​1⁄2-ton 4x4 trucks (page 58), including 65 Marmon-Herrington Fords (p. 57) and 12 'Amphibian Car Corp.' units (p. 55), and the generally accepted number of 4640 VC-series units (1940), leaving 77,737 half-ton WC-series 4x4 units
  3. ↑ Although within the Chrysler Corporation, the Fargo Division handled government contracts,[7] the trucks were all built at Dodge’s Mound Road, Warren truck plant near Detroit, Michigan.[5][8]
  4. ↑ Including the 4,640 G-505 VC trucks of 1940
  5. ↑ The Army at that time grouped motor transport vehicles into four weight classes — ​3⁄4-ton or one-ton and under were "light", ​1 1⁄2-tons were "medium", and above that were two groups of "heavies".[5] [9]
  6. ↑ truck with bed-mounted gun, typically unarmored, except for possibly a gun shield
  7. ↑ Dodge WC-6 (T-207) dashboard data plate (archived)
  8. ↑ Recommended fuel octane was just 60–65.[nb 7]

References

Some parts of this article are translated from French and Portuguese Wikipedia, tables are adapted and corrected from Italian Wikipedia.

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 SNL G-657 Master Parts List (1943), p. XX-XXII.
  2. 1 2 3 Summary Report – Tank-Automotive Materiel (1945), pp. 55–58.
  3. 1 2 Serial Number Guide – Dodge Trucks Built for the U.S. Government (1946), Page 26.
  4. 1 2 Summary Report – Tank-Automotive Materiel (1945), p. 66.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Hyde, Charles K. (2013). Arsenal of Democracy: The American Automobile Industry in World War II. Wayne State University Press. p. 152–153. ISBN 9780814339527.
  6. 1 2 "TM 9 808 Dodge ​3⁄4 ton 4x4". US Dept. of the Army. 31 Jan 1944. Retrieved 30 Aug 2015.
  7. 1 2 Summary Report – Tank-Automotive Materiel (1945), pp. 19, 58, 64.
  8. 1 2 Doyle, 2011: Standard Catalog of U.S. Military Vehicles - 2nd Edition, pg. 100
  9. 1 2 Thomson, Harry C.; Mayo, Lida (2003). The Ordnance Department: procurement and supply. Washington, D.C.: Center of Military History, U.S. Army (Originally published: 1960, Washington, D.C., Office of the Chief of Military History, Dept. of the Army). p. 269/270.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Truck, 1/2 ton, 4x4, Dodge WC (G505)". Olive-drab.com. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Allen, Jim (7 December 2016). "1943 Dodge WC-51 Weapons Carrier, Power & Glory: Backward Glances". FourWheeler.com. Extreme Ventures, LLC. Retrieved 2018-02-24.
  12. ↑ Jowett, Philip; de Quesada, Alejandro. The Mexican Revolution 1910–20. Osprey. p. 25. ISBN 978-1-84176-989-9.
  13. 1 2 DeLorenzo, Matt (15 February 2014). Dodge 100 Years. MotorBooks International. p. 55. ISBN 9781627880848.
  14. 1 2 "Serial Number Guide – Dodge Trucks Built for the U.S. Government". T137.com. Archived from the original on 2016-07-18. Retrieved 2018-02-15. scanned images of parts books pages showing serial numbers, engine numbers, and other information from factory MoPar parts books covering Dodge and Fargo trucks manufactured from 1939-1977
  15. ↑ Allen, Jim (2009). Four-Wheeler's Bible. MotorBooks International. p. 21. ISBN 9781616730888.
  16. 1 2 1946-1948 Dodge Power Wagon – HowStuffWorks
  17. 1 2 Bunn, Don (26 September 2012). "1940-1980: Power Wagon Pickups". One Classics. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
  18. ↑ Hyde (2013), page 147.
  19. ↑ Thomson & Mayo (2003), page 271.
  20. 1 2 Thomson & Mayo (2003), page 274.
  21. ↑ Will The Real Jeep Please Stand Up – Offroaders.com
  22. 1 2 3 Truck, 1/2 ton, 4x4, Dodge VC (G505) – Olive Drab
  23. ↑ "Pages of Interest to 4x4ers: 4x4 History - Where It All Began". Dog-walker.us. Archived from the original on 11 February 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
  24. 1 2 Zaloga, Steven J. (2011). Jeeps 1941–45. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 9781780961477. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  25. 1 2 Morr, Tom; Brubaker, Ken (2007). Jeep Off-Road. MotorBooks International. p. 11. ISBN 9781610590563. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  26. 1 2 Dodge Trucks – US auto industry in WW II
  27. 1 2 Ordnance Publications For Supply Index (OPSI). Washington: War Department, Ordnance Office. 1 July 1943. pp. 104–108, 123–125.
  28. ↑ Dodge WF32.html
  29. ↑ Lend Lease trucks in Russia
  30. ↑ Dodge WF-32 – Engines of the Red Army in WW2
  31. ↑ Hyde (2013), page 148.
  32. ↑ David D. Jackson (2010). Chrysler's contribution to the war effort during WWII (Museum wall plaque). Auburn Hills, Michigan: Walter P. Chrysler Museum. Retrieved 2018-05-16.
  33. ↑ Wilson, Gerald (April 1957). "1928-1957 Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth, Fargo, and DeSoto Car, Truck, and Military Vehicle Model Data Guide". Allpar LLC. p. 11-5. Archived from the original on 2017-06-18. Retrieved 2018-05-15. Chrysler Corporation serial №s in numerical sequence, until 1957
  34. ↑ "Dodge Military Trucks". Olive-drab.com. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  35. ↑ T. Richards and R.M. Clarke, op. cit. pg 24-26
  36. ↑ SNL G-657 Master Parts List (1943), p. 296.
  37. ↑ Doyle, 2011: Standard Catalog of U.S. Military Vehicles - 2nd Edition, pg. 56
  38. 1 2 Article page on the 1½-ton 4x4 VF400 series
  39. 1 2 3 4 David Doyle: Standard Catalog of U.S. Military Vehicles - 2nd Edition, pg. 44
  40. ↑ TM 9-808 – 3⁄4-Ton 4x4 Truck (Dodge), Technical Manual (1944), p. 12.
  41. ↑ SNL G-657 Master Parts List, Dodge Trucks, US Army, 1944, Front cover (archived)
  42. ↑ T Flathead Six Engines – T137.com
  43. ↑ TM 9-2800 'Standard Military Motor Vehicles' (1943).
  44. 1 2 TM9-2800 manual (1947), p. 224, 231.
  45. ↑ TM9-2800 manual (1947), p. 243.
  46. ↑ 1940 Dodge VC-3 Express poster and specs – Gary Grant Robertson (archived)
  47. ↑ TM9-2800 manual (1947), p. 248, 254.
  48. 1 2 3 4 TM9-2800 manual (1947), p. 230, 232.
  49. ↑ TM9-2800 manual (1947), p. 234–239.
  50. ↑ TM9-808 ¾-ton 4x4 Dodge Truck Manual, 1944, page 13
  51. 1 2 TM9-2800 manual (1947), p. 227, 228, 229.
  52. 1 2 TM9-2800 manual (1947), p. 261.
  53. ↑ TM9-2800 manual (1943), page 155.
  54. ↑ "Dodge WC9 WC18 WC27 Truck, 1/2 ton Ambulance". Olive-drab.com. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  55. ↑ 1942 Dodge Power Wagon WC-53 Carryall – Bring a Trailer
  56. ↑ DODGE cinq generations de tous terrains Boniface and Jeudy
  57. ↑ Summary Report – Tank-Automotive Materiel (1945), p. 62.
  58. 1 2 3 4 Benedict, Chris (July 1979). "Dodge 3/4 Ton 4X4 And 1½ Ton 6X6 Production, 1942–1945". Army Motors magazine.
  59. ↑ Summary Report – Tank-Automotive Materiel (1945), p. 19.
  60. 1 2 Summary Report – Tank-Automotive Materiel (1945), p. 63.
  61. ↑ SNL G-657 Master Parts List (1943), p. XIII; 296.
  62. 1 2 David Doyle: Standard Catalog of U.S. Military Vehicles - 2nd Edition, pg. 60
  63. ↑ WC-58 Dodge Radio Car, 3/4 ton, 4x4 – Olive-Drab
  64. ↑ Dodge WC-64 KD Ambulance – Technical
  65. ↑ "History". Pinodesign.nl. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  66. ↑ U.S. Army Technical Manual TM9-1808B, 1943, page 4
  67. ↑ "Fargo 6x6 Armored Truck Index". Warwheels.net. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  68. ↑ "Swissmotor / Dodge". Swissmotor.com. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  69. ↑ Rossagraph Dodge WC-51 monograph Review – Armorama

General references

  • Chief of Ordnance Office; Military Vehicle Preservation Association, eds. (2010). Summary Report of Acceptances, Tank-Automotive Materiel, 1940-1945 (Revision). Detroit: U.S. Army Service Forces, Office: Chief of Ordnance-Detroit, Production Division, Requirements and Progress Branch (published December 1945).
  • Crismon, Fred W. (2001). US Military Wheeled Vehicles (3 ed.). Victory WWII Pub. pp. 96, 98, 240–241. ISBN 0-970056-71-0.
  • Doyle, David (2003). Standard catalog of U.S. Military Vehicles. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. pp. 45–49, 55–62, 100–101. ISBN 0-87349-508-X.
  • Doyle, David (2011). Standard Catalog of U.S. Military Vehicles - 2nd Edition. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. ISBN 9781440225727.
  • Richards, T. and Clarke, R.M. Dodge WW2 military portfolio 1940-45. Brookland Books LTD (Surrey, UK) ISBN 1-85520-533-5
  • Ware, Pat (2010). The World Encyclopedia of Military Vehicles. Lorenz Books. pp. 232–233. ISBN 0-7548-2052-1.
  • SNL G-657 – Master Parts List, Dodge Trucks. Standard Nomenclature Supply Catalog. Ordnance Department, United States Army Service Forces. 1 December 1943. Ten page sample here (pdf)
  • TM 9-808 – ​3⁄4-Ton 4x4 Truck (Dodge), Technical Manual (PDF). Technical Manual. U.S. War Department. 31 January 1944.
  • TM 9-810 – ​1 1⁄2-Ton 6x6 Truck (Dodge T-223, models WC-62 and WC-63) (PDF). Technical Manual. U.S. War Department. 28 February 1945.
  • TM 9-2800 – Standard Military Motor Vehicles. Technical Manual. Washington: U.S. War Department. 1 September 1943.
  • TM 9-2800 – MILITARY VEHICLES (PDF). Technical Manual. Washington: Department of the Army. 1 October 1947.
Dodge company promo film of their WW II trucks, mostly WC models (YouTube)
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