Dodge VC 1/2 Ton 4x4 Truck (G505)

The Dodge VC Half Ton 4x4 Truck, in six models, was the follow up to a very active program by Dodge to supply trucks to the War Department in WW I and the inter-war years. The VC series were based on civilian one ton rated truck designs, a first attempt to fill the vast needs that would develop for the American military in World War II. The VC series was quickly replaced by the WC series of half-ton Dodge trucks after only one year of production in 1940. Both the VC and WC series half-ton trucks were classified as G505.

Dodge VC-5 1/2 Ton 4x4 Open Cab Pickup Truck (G505). Hood number W-22641 confirms WC-5 (1940 contract)
Dodge VC-5 1/2 Ton 4x4 Open Cab Pickup Truck (G505). Hood number W-22641 confirms WC-5 (1940 contract).

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Truck, 1/2 ton, 4x4, Dodge VC (G505)

The G505 family of 1/2 ton, 4x4 VC trucks built by Dodge contained six individual models. Only the pickup body and the Command Reconnaissance body had production exceeding one thousand with smaller numbers of the others manufactured.

All of the VC-1 to VC-6 G505 Dodge half-ton 4x4 vehicles were produced during 1940 under War Department contracts, for a total of 4,640 trucks. While very successful, the 1/2 ton VC trucks were superceded in 1941 by the 1/2 ton G505 WC trucks, also from Dodge. Although obsolete, the 1/2 ton VC G505 trucks remained in use to the end of World War II.

For photos and more information on each specific truck, click on the link in the table.

SNL G-657 Dodge Master Parts List

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 1/2 ton G505 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 Eng Code Winch Description Quantity
VC-1 T202 No Command Reconnaissance 2155
VC-2 T202 No Command Reconnaissance Radio 34
VC-3 T202 No Closed cab pickup 816
VC-4 T202 No Closed cab pickup without seats 4
VC-5 T202 No Open cab pickup 1607
VC-6 T202 No Carryall 24

Production quantities are the sum of all contracts during 1940 for the specific model.

All Dodge halfton VC series trucks were Dodge engineering code T202 with a 116 in. wheelbase. The T202 engine was a flathead 6 cyl. 201.3 cu. in. with 79hp@3000rpm. The transmission had 4 speeds and the transfer case had one.

A good collection of photos of Dodge VC series halfton trucks appeared in an article by Chris Benedict in Army Motors, #48 (Spring 1989), titled "1/2-Ton, 4x4 Dodges on Maneuvers -- 1940." Some of the National Archives photos from that article are used in this section of Olive-Drab.com.

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