Truck, 3/4 ton, 4x4, Dodge WC (G502)
The G502 family of 3/4 ton, 4x4 WC trucks were built by Dodge during World War II, 1942-1945. The G502 series contained twelve individual models, produced by tens of thousands. The WC 3/4 ton trucks replaced the 1941-1942 WC 1/2 ton Dodge trucks. The 3/4 ton WC G502 were 80% interchangeable in service parts with the 1/2 ton WC models.
The highly successful 3/4 ton WC G502 trucks remained in use through the Korean War until replaced by the M-37 series 3/4 ton Dodge trucks in the early 1950s.
The Dodge 3/4 ton G502 model numbers range from WC-51 to WC-61 and WC-64 with differences in body type, winch provisioning, and other details as shown in the table. For photos and more information on the specific truck, click on the link in the table. Although often put forward as the explanation, WC does not stand for "weapons carrier." "WC" was a Dodge model code: W for 1941 (or later) plus C for half-ton rating. The "C" code was retained for the 3/4 ton and 1 1/2 ton Dodges, an inconsistency in the codes.
SNL G-657 Dodge Master Parts List
The many Dodge 3/4 ton 4x4 WC-series trucks were grouped under the engineering code T214. The code identified the engine used and other small production details.
The trucks were produced under War Department contracts which specified the serial numbers and U.S. Government registration numbers (Army hood number) of the vehicles produced. Therefore, if you have the serial or hood number you can say definitely what WC model you have.
Common specifications for the Dodge G502 series WC trucks:
- Drive: 4x4
- Transmission: 4fwd/1rev, manual
- Transfer case: Single speed
- Tires: 9.00x16
- Engine: Dodge 230.2 cid, 6 cyl. T214, 76hp@3200rpm, 180ft-lb torque@1200rpm
- Winch: Braden MU-2, 5000 or 7500 lb. cap. on equipped vehicles
- Tires: 9.00x16
- Engine: Dodge 230.2 cid, 6 cyl. T214, 76hp@3200rpm, 180ft-lb torque@1200rpm
- Winch: Braden MU-2, 5000 or 7500 lb. cap. on equipped vehicles
Length, width, weight and other dimension vary by model. The WC54 Ambulance is longest at 194.5 in. The WC-64 Ambulance was heaviest at 7,000 lbs. net.
The December 1943 edition of the Dodge Master Parts List ORD SNL G-657, a book of more than 600 pages, lists all parts for all of the 3/4 ton G502 and other Dodge trucks. This book replaced an earlier volume TM 10-1199 from 1942. Information in the following table is extracted from ORD SNL G-657.
| Model | Winch | Description | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| WC-51 | No | Weapons Carrier | 123,541 |
| WC-52 | Yes | Weapons Carrier | 59,114 |
| WC-53 | No | Carryall | 8,400 |
| WC-54 | No | Ambulance | 29,502 |
| WC-55 | No | Gun Motor Carriage | 5,380 |
| WC-56 | No | Command/Reconnaissance Car | 21,156 |
| WC-57 | Yes | Command/Reconnaissance Car | 6,010 |
| WC-58 | Yes | Radio Car | 2,344 |
| WC-59 | No | Telephone Maintenance | 549 |
| WC-60 | No | Emergency Repair Chassis | 300 |
| WC-61 | No | Light Maintenance Truck | 607 |
| WC-64 | No | Knock Down Ambulance | 3,500 |
Production quantities in the table are from ORD SNL G-657 supplemented by data from Chris Benedict's table in Army Motors, July 1979 and Doyle . During the produciton years of 1942-1945, a total of 260,403 Dodge 3/4 ton WC-series G502 vehicles were made.
Dodge 3/4 ton WC G502 Manuals
This is a partial list of the manuals for the Dodge 3/4 ton 4x4 WC G502 trucks and related equipment.
- TM 9-808 Operation and maintenance
- TM 9-1808A Power plant
- TM 9-1808B Power train, chassis and body
- LO 9-808 Lube chart
- ORD 7 G502/43 Basic parts and equipment, tools
- ORD 9 G502 Complete parts listing
- SNL G657, Dec 1943. Master Parts List covering Dodge trucks built for United States Army.
Find More Information on the Web
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