Dodge WC series


The Dodge WC series was a prolific range of light 4WD and medium 6WD military utility trucks, produced by Dodge / Fargo during World. Together with the -ton jeeps produced by Willys and Ford, the Dodge -tons and -tons made up nearly all of the light 4WD trucks supplied to the U.S. military in WWII – with Dodge contributing some 337,500 4WD units. Contrary to the versatility of the highly standardized jeep, which was mostly achieved through field modification, the Dodge WCseries came in many different, purpose-built, but mechanically uniform variants from the factory, much akin to the later family of High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles. 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 trucks and weapons carriers, command cars, reconnaissance vehicles, ambulances, carryalls, panel vans, and telephone installation and mobile emergency / field workshop trucks.
From 1940 to 1942, almost 82,400 G-505 -ton 4x4 Dodge trucks were built — initially called the VC series, but the great majority in the WC series, and in more variants. However in 1942, the truck grew into the G-502 -ton 4x4 Truck and the G-507 1-ton 6x6 personnel and cargo truck — retaining the Dodge WC model code. Although the -tons featured significant design improvements, they retained some 80% interchangeable components and service parts with the -ton models.
Dodge was the U.S. Army's main supplier of -ton trucks, and its sole supplier of both -ton trucks and 1-ton six-by-six trucks in World War II. With over a quarter million units built through August 1945, the G502 -tons were the most common variants in the WCseries.

After the war, Dodge developed the -ton WCseries into the civilian 4x4 Power Wagons; and in 1951, the WCs were replaced by the very similar -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 and 6x6 Dodges – as well as for the subsequent model years.
All in all, not counting mechanically related variants, the WC series alone involved 52 model versions.

History and design

Dodge had been the United States military's primary supplier of light wheeled vehicles, since before the U.S. joined the First World War. After starting business in 1900, producing precision engine and chassis components for other car builders in Detroit – Ford and Oldsmobile chief among these – Dodge introduced their first car, the Model 30/35 tourer, in 1914. It was stronger and more high quality than the ubiquitous Ford, 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, as well as in World War I, when some 12,800 Dodge cars and light trucks were used, primarily as ambulances and repair trucks., 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 1 ton for the U.S. Army, designated K-39-X-4, of which 796 units were built in several configurations. 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, that allowed the driver to engage or disengage four-wheel drive using a lever inside the cabin. In spite of the limited 1930s U.S. military budgets, the ’34 truck was liked well-enough that the 1 tonners were further developed. Dodge built the U.S. Army further batches of 4WD 1-ton cargo trucks in 1938, 1939 and 1940. 1,700 RF-40-X-4 trucks were procured in 1938, and 292 TF-40-X-4 in 1939. All of these 1-ton Army 4x4s rode on a wheelbase, and the 1938 RF-40 and 1939 TF-40 trucks were the first to receive a Dodge engineering code in the 200 range.
However, Dodge also eagerly pursued military contracts for half-ton four-by-fours at the same time. The smaller size had outperformed the 1-ton 4x4 during testing in 1938, and Dodge had invested greatly in half- to one-ton trucks in prior years. In 1936, Dodge's light, car-based trucks had been crucially redesigned — dropping the old car frames and for the first time using modern, truck-style chassis, with side rails welded to the cross members on their half-ton to one-ton rated trucks. Additionally, Dodge had built the all new, very large Warren Truck Assembly plant in Michigan for its light and medium trucks, opened in 1938. In 1939 again, Dodge presented a completely redesigned line of pickups and trucks. The modern looking, "Job-Rated" trucks aimed to fit every job.

1940 — -ton VC and 1-ton VF models

Well before the onset of World War II, it was clear that the USA needed to update its military. The Quartermaster Corps, 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 classes:,, -, 4- and. By June 1940 the Q.C. had tested and approved its first three standard commercial based, all-wheel drive trucks: the 4x4 Dodge, the GMC 6x6 and a Mack 6x6. With regards to Dodge however, the U.S. military reconsidered its preferences for the build-up for the war almost immediately after this.
Whereas in 1936, a Marmon-Herrington converted Ford had become the Army's first half-ton 4-wheel drive, and the Army had initially standardized Dodge's 4x4 truck — following Dodge's push for building -tonners, after mid 1940 it was decided they preferred Dodge to build light-duty four-wheel drives, contracting for a series of half-ton trucks, while GM / Chevrolet was instead going to become the standard supplier for trucks. So, when in the summer of 1940 the largest government truck contract awarded went to Chrysler's Dodge / Fargo Division, for more than 14,000 4x4 trucks, this was in the midst of the transition, and thus included both orders for -ton and 1-ton trucks, as GM / Chevy still needed to tool up for the 1-tonners.
Dodge had started developing designs for a 4x4 half-ton in 1939, and began production in earnest in 1940 — both 4x4 half-tons, as well as 1-ton 4x4 and 4x2 trucks. On all 1940 trucks, front sheetmetal was mostly identical to the commercial VC and VF models of that year, 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 custom bodies on the -ton command cars, the trucks followed 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."
The first of the -ton, 4x4, VC series military trucks were based on Dodge's 1939 civilian, one-ton rated model TC-series. The military VC models retained the civilian engine and wheelbase, but gained four-wheel drive, and a new internal technical code: T-202. Manufacturing of the Dodge VC models began in 1940, making these the Army's first standard production half-ton 4WD trucks. The soldiers also called the light command reconnaissance vehicles "jeeps", — before that term migrated to the quarter-tons, starting in 1941.
A total of 4,640 VC models were built across six variants – mostly pick-ups and reconnaissance cars. These 1/2-ton VC trucks proved successful, but were immediately further developed and succeeded by the G-505, 1/2-ton WC models in 1941. Although obsolete, the VC trucks remained in use until the end of the war.
In 1940, Dodge also built 6,472 four-wheel drive 1-ton trucks, under two U.S. contracts – one awarded to Dodge, and one to Fargo. The models VF-401 to VF-407, were a continuation of their experimental pre-war predecessors, the RF-40 and TF-40, still riding on a chassis of the same wheelbase. Production consisted of just over 6,000 closed cab, open bed cargo trucks, plus just under 400 dump-trucks.
Like on the -ton VC-series, the 1940 VF-400 1-ton models simply used civilian front sheet-metal, based on the 1939 commercial model, with a brush-guard fitted in front of the grille and headlights — but with a Dodge developed front driving axle, directional, cross-country tires, and a military cargo body. Importantly, one thousand of the VF-400 series cargo trucks were equipped with a power take-off, gear-driven Braden model MU capacity winch — a feature that was carried over on many of the subsequent and WC series models, directly from 1941. And although the light-duty WC models that followed, did not receive the VF-400's two-speed transfer cases, these did return on the and. An ambulance model,, was also designed, but only three units were built, likely experimental.
These proved to be the last of Dodge's 1-ton 4x4 trucks for the war. Although the Army had steadily taken the bulk of its trucks in this category from Dodge / Fargo up til then, further production of 1-ton 4x4 trucks was instead awarded to GM's Chevrolet G506, which became the standard in this segment for the rest of the war.
Aside from four-wheel drive trucks, production started for a militarized commercial 1-ton, rear-wheel drive truck in 1940 — initially Dodge's model VF-31, cargo under the government SNL number G-618. The 4x2 model VF-31 was succeeded by the model WF-31 for 1941 and 1942 – both on a wheelbase – and the 1942 model WF-32, closed cab, stake and platform cargo truck, on a wheelbase. After a modest production of 516 units of the WF-31, at least 9,500 Dodge WF-32 trucks were built, mostly for lend-lease to Russia.

1941–1942 — -ton WC series

The 1940 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 design was laid out. Dodge replaced the 1940 to with the equally half-ton rated WC series of military light trucks, produced in 38 model variants, of which 30 were four-wheel driven, in varying amounts — thousands of some models were produced, while only a few of some others were made. Where the military still used much civilian sheet-metal, distinguished by a brush-guard in front of the grille — the WCseries came with wide-open, almost flat fenders that prevented mud build-up, clogging rotation of the wheels — as well as a redesigned, sloping 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; and PTO-driven winches were now fitted to some models.
The ton WC models were the first all-military design Dodge developed in the build-up to full mobilization for World, 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.
Both the Dodge half-ton VC and WC trucks were part of the Army G-505 series. Some 77,750 four-wheel drive ton WC numbered trucks were produced during late 1940 to 1942 under War Department contracts. Additionally, aside from the fully military 4WD models, a small total of 1,542 two-wheel drive units retaining civilian sheet-metal were also supplied to the U.S. military, bearing WC model numbers in this same range. These models carried the SNL-code G-613, and brought the total number of half-ton WCseries up to some 79,300 units, and the grand total of all half-tonners to almost 84,000.

1942–1945 — -ton and 1-ton WC series

In 1940 the Army revised its range of standard, payload-based, general-purpose truck classes: a chassis requirement was added; the was to be replaced by a, 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. 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, with Dodge's experience in making quality, precision parts dating back from the earliest beginnings of the company.
While very successful, the -ton WC trucks had to be supplanted by -ton trucks. In late 1941, Dodge introduced a redesigned WCseries 4×4 trucks uprated to -ton and their SNL code changed to G-502. The -ton featured a lower profile truck bed that could seat eight troops, plus under seat stowage compartments; while service-parts remained 80 percent interchangeable with the existing -ton series. Maintaining 80% service parts interchangeability with the -ton models was of great value. The -ton models could swiftly be deployed, and the -ton, G-505 WCtrucks remained in use to the end of World War II.
Throughout the war, Dodge was the U.S. Army's sole producer of -ton trucks, and built a total of 255,193 of these across all variants from April 1942 to August 1945.
Standard vehicles in the -ton 4×4 class were the / Weapons Carrier, Command Reconnaissance, Carryall, and the Ambulance. In the cargo/troop and command trucks, the and are identical to the and, but with a longer frame, extending to carry the protruding front bumper with front-mounted winch.
The -ton 4x4 WC truck was also stretched into a 1ton 6x6 troops and weapons carrier for larger 12-troop rifle squads.

Models table – overview

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. The initial Dodge VC series -ton trucks are seen as part of the SNL G-505 range by the military.
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 longer front overhang, and significantly reduced approach angle. Not only were the winches driven by a power take-off from the engine, but unlike the later Dodge M-series trucks, on which an extension was bolted to the frame when mounting a winch – on the WCseries the winch equipped versions actually had a different frame.
On the 1-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.
Numbers separated by a comma indicate similar models but with different secondary details.

Engines and drivetrains

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. Only the T203 and the T223 configurations applied in the 1-ton VF-400 models, and in the G-507 6x6 trucks had a dual-ratio transfer-case.

Descriptions — Half-ton VC series

The 1940 Dodge / Fargo VC models formed the first production run in the U.S. military's G-505 range of four-wheel drive, half-ton, light military trucks. Created based on Chrysler's civilian one-ton rated range of light trucks and carry-all, the VC models formed the foundation for the subsequent WC series.
All variants used the same wheelbase as the commercial trucks, but with the addition of four-wheel drive. Bodywork and sheet metal on the pick-ups and carryall were largely copied from the civilian models — however, for the reconnaissance and radio cars, a dedicated open four seater body was created. Also the same inline six, flathead engine was used, but horsepower was raised from a 70 HP civilian rating in 1939 to 79 HP at 3000 rpm in the G-505. The transmission had 4 speeds and the transfer case had one.
The VC series came in six variants, numbered to, and internally T-202 by Dodge:
None of these trucks came with winches yet.

Descriptions — Half-ton WC series

From production start in late 1940, until replacement by the -ton models in 1942, the G-505 half-ton, 4WD, Dodge WC models evolved from the VC series, through no less than three mechanical engineering versions – T-207, T-211, and T-215 – in no more than a year and a half; while receiving the T-215 specification engine midway production of the T-211 coded versions. Half-ton rated WC series models were numbered, roughly chronologically, in the to range, but skipping numbers, to, and to.
Based on Chrysler Corporation Mopar's 1946 annual model chart and serial number guide, the distribution across the versions was:
T-207 range units initially received only front axles with Bendix-Weiss constant-velocity joints, whereas T-211 and T-215 models were either given front axles made by Bendix or with Rzeppa design CV joints, made by Ford. Additionally, from the T-211 onwards, the rear brakes were 14-inch instead of 11-inch drums, and on the T-215 a military instead of a civilian design dash panel, with round instead of square gauges was introduced. Among the T-211 range versions, no single WC model number was explicitly used for any winch equipped units.
Aside from the above, another 1,542 rear-wheel drive units were built, that retained civilian bodywork and front axles.
Common specifications of the 1/2 ton WC trucks were:
WC-9, WC-18, WC-27
Entering production during 1941 to early 1942, 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 featured a flat grille. These versions were given a longer wheelbase.
WC-10, WC-17, WC-26, WC-36, WC-48
Carryall trucks with a nominal carrying capacity of. The,, followed engineering pattern T-207, T-211 and T-215 respectively — whereas the and were T-112, rear-wheel drive models.

-ton (Radio) Command Reconnaissance

WC-6, WC-15, WC-23
Command / reconnaissance cars.
WC-7, WC-24
Command / reconnaissance car with winch.
WC-8, WC-16, WC-25
Radio car / Command reconnaissance car with radio, 12 volt.

-ton Trucks, Closed Cab

WC-1, WC-5, WC-12, WC-14, WC-40
Closed cab, two seater pickups with a nominal carrying capacity of a. Some portion of these models were manufactured with winch, at least of the, the , and the, reducing the payload to — but no distinct model number was assigned for such units. The engine displacement was increased to the T-215's volume of mid-series, after engine No. 42001.

-ton Trucks, Open Cab

WC-3, WC-13, WC-21
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.
WC-4, WC-22
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.
WC-11, WC-19, WC-42
Almost 1,400 panel van trucks, and panel van bodied radio communication cars. At first, regular panel van trucks were ordered: 642 units of, and 103 units of. The subsequent panel vans were however furnished and equipped as radio communication cars. The 650 radio panel vans almost outnumbered their bare transportation siblings, and they were also the only radio communication cars that Dodge built in a panel van body style in the entire VC and WC series range.

-ton Telephone Service

WC-39, WC-43, WC-50
These models were built as technical service trucks for the U.S. Army Signal Corps, designed to install and repair hard telephone lines. Together with some earlier 1/2-ton GMC/Chevrolet models, and the later -ton and, they were also known by the Signal Corps as the K-50 trucks.
Of the two-wheel drive WC-39 and WC-50, only a single unit of each were built, but the four-wheel drive numbered 370 pieces.

-ton Trucks, Emergency Repair

WC-5, WC-14, WC-20, WC-40, WC-41
Just over one thousand emergency repair chassis and trucks were ordered within the half-ton Dodge G-505, WC series. The Dodge SNL G-657 Master Parts List doesn't explicitly list most of them as built to serve as emergency repair trucks, but the Summary Report of Acceptances, Tank-Automotive Materiel, 1940–1945, shows that at least 902 emergency repair chassis and trucks were received by the Army, and it involved at least all of the, and models, and most of the.
Dodge delivered at least all thirty WC-20, and most of the WC-41 units, as closed cabs with a bare chassis, on a wheelbase, fitted with dual rear tires. Mostly furnished with third party utility service rear bodies, as M1 emergency repair trucks, for the purpose to provide mobile facilities for emergency ordnance repair. One other body-type was ordered: one T-211 oil servicing truck in 1941.
U.S. Gvmt. Contract nr.Tech modelUnits orderedVehicle / body type – as orderedUnits builtModel codeVehicle / body type – Dodge description Units acceptedSummary Report of Acceptances model / type
W-398-QM-8286T-20760Emergency Repair60WC-5Closed cab pickup––
W-398-QM-9388T-211268Emergency Repair268WC-14Closed cab pickup298Emergency Repair, chassis
W-398-QM-9388T-21130Emergency Repair, chassis30WC-20Closed cab – bare chassis298Emergency Repair, chassis
W-398-QM-10327T-215275Emergency Repair275WC-40Closed cab pickup275Emergency Repair
W-398-QM-10327T-215267Emergency Repair, chassis267WC-41Closed cab – bare chassis213Emergency Repair, chassis
W-398-QM-11244T-21539Emergency Repair39WC-41Closed cab39Emergency Repair, chassis
W-398-QM-11592T-21577Emergency Repair, chassis77WC-41Emergency Repair, cab & chassis77Emergency Repair, chassis

Descriptions — Three-quarter-ton models

In 1942, the Dodge WC range was significantly revised. All four wheeled models were uprated to a nominal three-quarter ton payload rating, and in 1943 a 1-ton six-wheel drive variant was derived. All models were widened to a front and rear track, while at the same time the bulk of production models were significantly shortened, from a to a wheelbase, giving the vehicles much more squat proportions. Ambulances, carry-alls, and telephone installation / emergency repair trucks received a wheelbase reduction of only. Panel vans were dropped from the range and no longer made.
The volume production pick-up / weapons carrier models received a redesigned rear bed, seating troops on top of the rear wheels, instead of between them, further widening these models to 6 ft 11 in / 2.11 meters. A single such unit, though compact, offered practical all-terrain transportation to a full eight man rifle squad and their gear.
The -tons retained the same 6-cylinder in-line, L-head engine of 92 hp gross, from the -ton WC series.

-ton Ambulances

WC-54
The WC-54 Truck, 3/4 ton, 4x4 Ambulance, Dodge, 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 units were built from 1942 through 1944, after which the ambulance was redesigned, and replaced by the in 1945.
WC-64
The WC-64 KD Truck, 3/4 ton, 4x4 Ambulance Dodge was an ambulance based on the same chassis as the 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. 3,500 Knock-down ambulances were built between the beginning of 1945 and the end of the war, the great majority went to allies under lend-lease:
WC-53
A carryall, mechanically it was virtually identical to the Dodge WC54| 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. The rear end had split tailgates.

WC-53s were also fitted as radio trucks with a bench on the left side with the operator seated sideways. 8,400 : Truck, 3/4 ton, 4x4 Dodge Carryall were built. No carryalls came from the factory with a winch, though there was a field modification available.
WC-56
The WC-56 Truck, Command Reconnaissance, 3/4 ton, 4x4 w/o Winch Dodge 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 units were built.
WC-57
The WC-57 Truck, Command Reconnaissance, 3/4 ton, 4x4 w/Winch Dodge was identical to the, but fitted with a Braden MU2 7,500 lb / 3,402 kg capacity winch at the front bumper. 6,010 units built.
WC-58
The WC-58 Truck, Radio, 3/4 ton, 4x4 w/o Winch, Dodge was identical to the Command / Reconnaissance Car, but fitted with a Signal Corps Radio set in front of the rear seat, and a 12-volt electrical system. Some models may have been built, based on the with winch, as well. A total of 2,344 radio equipped units were built, but it is unclear whether these were included as part of the / production, or constituted an additional 2,344 radio car units.
WC-51 and WC-52
Almost three quarters of Dodge's 255,195 total -ton G-502 WC series production, were built in the form of the and, "Truck, Cargo, ton, 4x4, Weapons Carrier", with or without winch. 123,541 were built without winch as the, and 59,114 with a front winch as the — for a total of 182.655 units — or just over 188,000 including the 5,380 M6 GMC's that were later downgraded and used as.
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.
The WC-52 was identical to the, but fitted with a power take-off driven Braden MU2 7,500 lb / 3,402 kg capacity winch at the front bumper. As before, the winch equipped models actually had different, longer frames than those without, so a winch wasn't easily added in the field..
A substantial amount, and almost a quarter of all -ton weapons carriers, were provided to World War II allies, under Lend-Lease:
WC-55
The M6 37 mm Gun Motor Carriage , also known as M6 Fargo, and by Dodge as the Truck, was a modified G-502 Dodge, designed and built to carry an M3A1 37mm antitank gun and shield, mounted on its cargo bed. The with gun combination was designated M6 Fargo Gun Motor Carriage with 37mm Anti-tank Gun, with supply catalog Standard Nomenclature List number. A total of 5,380 were built by Fargo in 1942, but most were later dismantled / downgraded and returned to service as cargo trucks.
WC-59
The WC-59 Truck, Telephone Maintenance, 3/4 ton, 4x4 Dodge was designed to install and repair telephone lines. Based on the same chassis as the, 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.
WC-61
The WC-61 Light Maintenance Truck, 3/4 ton, 4x4 Dodge was designed to install and repair telephone lines. Replacement for the, the 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.
WC-60
The WC-60 chassis, fitted with a bed similar to the by American Coach and Body Co., formed the "M2 Emergency Repair truck, 3/4 ton, 4x4 Dodge", 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.

WC-62

The G507 Cargo and Personnel Carrier, 1-ton, 6x6 Truck, Dodge was based on a lengthened Weapons Carrier with an extra axle added. When the army enlarged rifle squads from eight to twelve men, the -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 or by the four rear wheels only. A number of components were strengthened in this design, and many of these changes were also incorporated in subsequent -ton production. Production amounted to 43,224 units total, — 23,092 units without winch, and 20,132 variants with winch. One prototype was produced as an armored car.
A total of 6,344 WC-62 and WC-63 cargo trucks were provided to World War II Allies — 4,074 to the free French forces, 2,123 to Great Britain, and 137 units to Brazil.
The WC-63 Truck, Cargo and Personnel Carrier, 1 ton, 6x6 with Winch, Dodge Weapons Carrier was based on a lengthened with an extra axle added. Identical to the but fitted with a PTO powered Braden MU2 winch, initially of 5,000 pound, later 7,500 pound capacity.
This comprehensive, sortable table has been compiled to further elaborate and clarify the extensive range of models in the larger Dodge WC series family, the different codes that were applied, and some of each model's base characteristics, based on dodge's SNL G-657 Master Parts List, U.S. Army technical model manuals, such as the TM9-2800 and others, the U.S. Summary Report of Tank Automotive Acceptances, and various additional sources.
Different colors have been used to code groupings for maximum convenience, based on nominal payload rating, model family, and wheels and drive.
Lend-lease models, and Canadian-built models are presented in red, at the bottom.
Payload rating Dodge model US Army SNL-nr. Dodge
T-code		 Wheels & drive
body code 		Model and body description Winch Years Number built Wheel base Length Width Height Payload
'-ton VC-1 G-505 T-202 4 x 4 Command reconnaissance 1940 2,155
'-ton VC-2 G-505 T-202 4 x 4 Radio command reconnaissance 1940 34
'-ton VC-3 G-505 T-202 4 x 4 Pick-up, closed cab, with troop seats 1940 816
'-ton VC-4 G-505 T-202 4 x 4 Pick-up, closed cab, no bed seats 1940 4
'-ton VC-5 G-505 T-202 4 x 4 Pick-up, open cab / Weapon Carrier; transverse seats 1940 1,607
'-ton VC-6 G-505 T-202 4 x 4 Carry-all 1940 24
'-ton WC-1 G-505 T-207 4 x 4 Pick-up, closed cab; longitudinal seats 1941 2,573 /
'-ton WC-3 G-505 T-207 4 x 4 Pick-up, open cab / Weapon Carrier; transverse seats 1941 7,808
'-ton WC-4 G-505 T-207 4 x 4 Pick-up, open cab / Weapon Carrier; transverse seats w / winch 1941 5,570
'-ton WC-5 G-505 T-207 4 x 4 Pick-up, closed cab; no bed seating 1941 60 /
'-ton WC-6 G-505 T-207 4 x 4 Command reconnaissance 1941 9,365
'-ton WC-7 G-505 T-207 4 x 4 Command reconnaissance w / winch 1941 1,438
'-ton WC-8 G-505 T-207 4 x 4 Radio command reconnaissance 1941 548
'-ton WC-9 G-505 T-207 4 x 4 Ambulance 1941 2,288
'-ton WC-10 G-505 T-207 4 x 4 Carry-all 1941 1,643
'-ton WC-11 G-505 T-207 4 x 4 Panel van 1941 642
'-ton WC-12 G-505 T-211 4 x 4 Pick-up, closed cab 1941 6,047 /
'-ton WC-13 G-505 T-211 4 x 4 Pick-up, open cab / Weapon Carrier 1941 4,019 /
'-ton WC-14 G-505 T-211 4 x 4 Pick-up, closed cab / Emergency Repair 1941 268 /
'-ton WC-15 G-505 T-211 4 x 4 Command reconnaissance 1941 3,980
'-ton WC-16 G-505 T-211 4 x 4 Radio command reconnaissance 1941 1,284
'-ton WC-17 G-505 T-211 4 x 4 Carry-all 1941 274
'-ton WC-18 G-505 T-211 4 x 4 Ambulance 1941 1,555
'-ton WC-19 G-505 T-211 4 x 4 Panel van 1941 103
'-ton WC-20 G-061 T-211 4 x 4 Emergency repair, M1, Closed cab chassis 1941 30 /
'-ton WC-21 G-505 T-215 4 x 4 Pick-up, open cab / Weapon Carrier; transverse seats 1941–1942 14,287 /
'-ton WC-22 G-505 T-215 4 x 4 Pick-up, open cab / Weapon Carrier w / winch 1941 1,900 /
'-ton WC-23 G-505 T-215 4 x 4 Command reconnaissance 1941–1942 2,637 /
'-ton WC-24 G-505 T-215 4 x 4 Command reconnaissance w / winch 1941–1942 1,412 /
'-ton WC-25 G-505 T-215 4 x 4 Radio command reconnaissance 1941–1942 1,630 /
'-ton WC-26 G-505 T-215 4 x 4 Carry-all 1941–1942 2,900 /
'-ton WC-27 G-505 T-215 4 x 4 Ambulance 1941–1942 2,579
'-ton WC-36 G-613 T-112 4 x 2 Carry-all 1941 400
'-ton WC-37 G-613 T-112 4 x 2 Panel van — VC model civilian body 1941 6
'-ton WC-38 G-613 T-112 4 x 2 Pick-up, closed cab — VC model civilian body 1941 362
'-ton WC-39 G-613 T-112 4 x 2 Telephone installation, K-50 1941 1
'-ton WC-40 G-505 T-215 4 x 4 Pick-up, closed cab / Emergency Repair 1941 275 /
'-ton WC-41A G-505 T-215 4 x 4 Pick-up, closed cab / Emergency Repair 1941 39 /
'-ton WC-41B G-061 T-215 4 x 4 Emergency repair, M1, Closed cab chassis 1941–1942 306 /
'-ton WC-42 G-505 T-215 4 x 4 Radio – Panel van 1942 650 /
'-ton WC-43 G-505 T-215 4 x 4 Telephone installation, K-50 1942 370
'-ton WC-47 G-613 T-112 4 x 2 Pick-up, closed cab — VC model civilian body 1942 390
'-ton WC-48 G-613 T-112 4 x 2 Carry-all 1942 374
'-ton WC-49 G-613 T-112 4 x 2 Panel van — VC model civilian body 1942 8
'-ton WC-50 G-613 T-112 4 x 2 Telephone installation, K-50 1942 1
'-ton WC-51 G-502 T-214 4 x 4 Pick-up, open cab / Weapon Carrier 1942–1945 123,541
'-ton WC-52 G-502 T-214 4 x 4 Pick-up, open cab / Weapon Carrier w / winch 1942–1945 59,114
'-ton WC-53 G-502 T-214 4 x 4 Carry-all 1942–1943 8,400
'-ton WC-54 G-502 T-214 4 x 4 Ambulance 1942–1944 26,002
'-ton WC-55 G-121 T-214 4 x 4 Pick-up, open cab "M6 Gun Motor Carriage" w / winch 1942 5,380
'-ton WC-56 G-502 T-214 4 x 4 Command reconnaissance 1942–1944 21,156 /
'-ton WC-57 G-502 T-214 4 x 4 Command reconnaissance w / winch 1942–1944 6,010 /
'-ton WC-58 G-502 T-214 4 x 4 Radio command reconnaissance unclear 1942 2,344 /
'-ton WC-59 G-502 T-214 4 x 4 Telephone installation, K-50 1942–1943 549 /
'-ton WC-60 G-061 T-214 4 x 4 Emergency repair, M2, Closed cab chassis 1943 300
'-ton WC-61 G-502 T-214 4 x 4 Phone / Maintenance, K-50B 1943 58
'-ton WC-64 G-502 T-214 4 x 4 Ambulance, Knock-down 1945 3,500
1-ton VF-401 G-621 T-203 4 x 4 USM-BT-3 Pick-up / cargo, closed cab 1940 3,122
1-ton VF-402 G-621 T-203 4 x 4 USM-BT-3 Pick-up / cargo, closed cab w / winch 1940 491
1-ton VF-403 G-621 T-203 4 x 4 USM-BT-4 Dump truck, closed cab 1940 323
1-ton VF-404 G-621 T-203 4 x 4 USM-BT-3 Pick-up / cargo, closed cab 1940 1,956
1-ton VF-405 G-621 T-203 4 x 4 USM-BT-3 Pick-up / cargo, closed cab w / winch 1940 509
1-ton VF-406 G-621 T-203 4 x 4 USM-BT-4 Dump truck, closed cab 1940 67
1-ton VF-407 G-621 T-203 4 x 4 USM-BT-18 Ambulance 1940 3
1-ton WC-62 G-507 T-223 6 x 6 USM-BT-25/26 Cargo Carrier 1943 23,092 89¾ in /
84¾ in
1-ton WC-63 G-507 T-223 6 x 6 USM-BT-23/24 Cargo Carrier w / winch 1943 20,132 89¾ in /
84¾ in
1-ton T-203B T-203-B 4 x 4Lend-lease Cargo truck / Lend-Lease to Russia 1940 1,500
1-ton WF-32 G-618 T-118 4 x 2 Lend-lease Closed cab, stake and platform 1942–1944 9,600
'-ton D8A — T-212 4 x 4 Canadian production Pick-up, open cab / Weapon Carrier 3,001
-ton D3/4 APT — T-236 4 x 4 Canadian production Pick-up, open cab / Weapon Carrier; Air-Portable 1945 11,750

Former operators

In popular culture

Dodge WC series vehicles are visible in many World War Two movies, and American TV series. One of the most conspicuous examples is the frequent use of the WC-54 ambulances in the acclaimed M.A.S.H. tv-series, situated in the Korean War.
In many WW II films, directors would place high-ranking allied officers in Dodge Command Cars, although in reality, the German military quickly realized that personnel riding in the Command Cars were typically prime targets, and Allied generals and dignitaries would in reality prefer to ride in regular jeeps, to prevent advertising themselves as high-profile targets.

Gallery

General references

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