CCKW 2 1/2 Ton 6x6 Cargo Truck

Although many vehicles were in use in World War II, it was the 2 1/2 ton 6x6 (the "deuce and a half" or just "deuce") that made an outstanding contribution. After the war, the Allies' superior ability to move mountains of supplies was recognized as one of the keys to victory. No vehicle was more important in that superiority than the GMC CCKW 2 1/2 Ton 6x6 Cargo Truck, the "Jimmy." General Motors Corporation (GMC) produced the CCKW from 1941 to 1945, with 562,750 manufactured. It remained officially in service with the US Army until 1956 and did not really disappear for a decade or more after that.

More information about the GMC CCKW Cargo Truck (World War II vintage) is found on the linked page.

GMC CCKW 2 1/2 Ton 6x6 Cargo Truck during WW II.

GMC CCKW 2 1/2 Ton 6x6 Cargo Truck (G-508)

The GMC CCKW 2 1/2 Ton 6x6 Cargo Truck was produced in two chassis lengths:

• CCKW-352 Short Wheel Base, 145 inches
• CCKW-353 Long Wheel Base, 164 inches

The CCKW-352 was intended as an artillery prime mover while the LWB CCKW-353 was for general cargo and troop transport. In addition to the common cargo body, many other varieties were produced on the CCKW chassis including dump truck, water and fuel tanker and many others.

Early production of the "Jimmy" had a sheet metal steel cab or "hard top" with a steel bed. In mid-1942 wood beds were introduced, then replaced by a wood/steel composite bed in January 1944. After July 1943 the cab was "soft top", with canvas half-doors and roof. This reduced the steel content and made the CCKW more compact for shipping when the cab was folded down. Many other small changes were made during the long production run.

Additional details about the CCKW and other "deuce" trucks of WW II are on the linked page.

Find additional photos and hi-res versions of the GMC CCKW 2 1/2 Ton 6x6 Cargo Truck at the Olive-Drab Military Mashup.

GMC CCKW 2 1/2-ton 6x6 Photo Gallery

1940 photo of GMC CCKW 2 1/2 Ton 6x6 Cargo Truck (G-508). This vehicle has a closed cab and is equipped with winch.

GMC CCKW 2 1/2 Ton 6x6 Cargo Truck (G-508) closed cab with winch being fueled by Elizabeth Jarrard,71st Post HQ Co, Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation, 7 June 1943.

CCKWs crossing Rhine River during WW II.

CCKW processed for sea transportation, Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation, 27 May 1943. This is an open cab CCKW with winch and M-32 MG mount. This vehicle accompanied the 45th Division when it sailed early in June 1943 for service in Africa, Sicily and Italy.

CCKW on a street in Detroit, MI, April 1943. Truck registration number is USA 4134998.

Third Army CCKW delivering clothing to troops during Louisiana maneuvers, 1942.

Drivers of a quartermaster truck company practicing in mud, Air Service Command, Greenville, SC, July 1943.

Experimental stacking of CCKW trucks for overseas shipment, Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation, 20 June 1944.

CCKW Fuel Truck, 750 Gallons, 2 1/2 Ton, 6x6. The fuel is housed in two separate tanks with side racks for jerry cans. This 1941 photo is an early closed cab CCKW.

CCKW Dump truck at the Han River, Korea, 15 July 1952.

Truck, Cargo, 2 1/2 ton, 6x6 CCKW-352, short wheelbase 1942 GMC closed cab.
Photo: Courtesy Ken Wright

Dataplate for CCKW-352 immediately above. Photo: Courtesy Ken Wright. Comment by 'deadline' notes that this unstamped plate must be a reproduction since, a) in 1942 CCKWs were made by the Yellow Coach Manufacturing Co. (owned by GMC) while GMC did not appear as the sole manufacturer until 1944-45, and b) brass data plates were not used on production trucks, zinc data plates were.

Truck, Cargo, 2 1/2 ton, 6x6 CCKW-353, GMC closed cab w/M-32 MG mount
Photo: Courtesy Steve Keith

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