Dodge Military Trucks History
At the outset of WW II, Dodge was producing the WC 1/2 ton series of military light trucks in many models. The 3/4 ton 4x4 Weapons Carrier and related models were first introduced in late 1941 as the WC series, replacing the Dodge 1/2 tons of 1939-1941. Standard vehicles in the 3/4 ton 4x4 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 WC51 was identical to the WC52 but did not have the front bumper-mounted winch. Photos and more detailed information about many of these vehicles are found in the Olive-Drab.com Military Vehicle Chart for Light Trucks, Military Ambulances, or Military Staff / Command Cars.
Dodge WC-7 Command Car Production for the U.S. Army during World War II.
The 98-inch wheelbase 3/4 ton 4x4 was designed for all arms and services. Used to transport personnel, weapons, tools and equipment, the body is of a commercial pickup type, with removable canvas top mounted on three bows. Troop seats are provided within the body. A removable canvas top and folding windshield are provided. There was space at the rear for a gerry can, and low seat sides for easy dismount. The 'combat wheels' were divided-rim, that used a bolted-on retaining ring replacing the normal split ring wheels.
The WC-52 had a top governed speed of 54 mph, and could operate over unimproved roads, trails and hilly country with a towed load. A total of 23,164 of the WC51s were built, and 10,826 of the WC52 model, all between 1942 and 1945.
Another Dodge product was the 1/2 ton WC-7 officer's Command Car (production photo, above) that included a 12-volt electrical system for powering a radio, a map table, cargo area lights, sliding windows, blackout curtains and a folding rear step.
U.S. Army Dodge Trucks on Olive-Drab.com
Visit the Olive-Drab Military Vehicle Charts that start here, especially the Light Trucks section where many Dodge models are listed with photos. The Olive-Drab.com Military Vehicle forums and Internet groups page has many listings for Dodge discussion group resources, great sources of information.
Recommended Book About Dodge Military Trucks
Dodge Power Wagon Photo History covers the original Dodge military truck series of World War II, and their successor civilian vehicles, the matchless Dodge Power Wagons. Many great photos are included.
U.S. Army Dodge Trucks on the Internet
An Overview of Military Dodges is one of a series of pages on the Off-Road.Com site featuring the WC and M-37 Dodge trucks and their Power Wagon cousins. This is a very well done series of articles with much technical and practical information. You can find the rest with their site search.
Vintage Power Wagons is one of the oldest and largest dealers in military Dodge parts and trucks, as well as the commercial version Power Wagons.
M-37 and Power Wagon Central site, focused on these renowned trucks. Hosted by Alan Bowes, this site is the unofficial information source for information about the Dodge M-37 and Power Wagons. Includes lots of links, lists of manuals, and a book store.
M-37 Disk Brake Conversion and Master Cylinder Upgrade are covered in detail on this site by Helitool Inc. which sells a kit for the brake conversion. Many photos, dimensions, and fittings descriptions make this a very valuable resource for M-37 modernization.
M-37 Radio Installations from Mark's Green Radio web site has scanned pages from the installation manual showing how the AN/VRC-46, AN/VRC-53, or AN/GRC-125 radios are mounted into an M-37.
This page features a big list of M-37 parts interchange numbers so you can match up the original manufacturer's number with aftermarket parts available at NAPA or other parts stores.
Steve Andersen provides a web site dedicated to the 3/4 ton Dodge Command Car (WC-56, 57, and 58). This is the vehicle used by General George S. Patton and often associated with him. Lots of detailed specs plus ID illustrations, history and vintage photos.
Gordon's Vehicle Pages has excellent descriptions and photos of WC and other series Dodge military trucks.
The Kempner Power Wagon Museum is a collection of trucks and reference materials that tells how the Dodge Company developed a light cargo truck for the Army, and how these highly successful military trucks evolved into the commercial Power Wagon.
Jay's Dodge Power Wagon Site covers the civilian and military PWs and offers an ICQ chat room.
The WW II Dodge Motor Pool -- step back in time to the WW2 Dodge Motor Pool and wander up and down the rows of mighty four wheel drive WW2 Dodge military vehicles. Lots of good parts and information sources plus links on this site.
World War 2 Dodge Wiki is Bert Roelofsen's excellent site on WW II Dodge trucks. Photos, specifications, discussion board, links and reference materials. For example, he has posted the complete Dodge "Model Identification and Specification Chart" as it appeared in SNL-G657 "Master Parts Book for Dodge Trucks."
The Dodge WC-52 is featured on this page in Russian from the Museum of Antique Cars and Motorcycles in Moscow.
The '61-'71 Dodge Truck Website has an excellent page of parts sources. Despite the name of the web site, many of the parts companies and salvage yards listed carry what you may need for the older Dodge military models. Other pages of this same site have a lot of interesting info on Dodge trucks, mostly civvy.
Find More Information on the Web
There are many fine websites that have additional information on this topic, too many to list here and too many to keep up with as they come and go. Use this Google web search form to get an up to date report of what's out there.
For good results, try entering this: ~military dodge trucks or m37. Then click the Search button.
