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

The lightweight and versatile Dodge half-ton 4x4 G505 WC series of trucks were built during 1941 and 1942. They were the first Dodge all-military design developed in the build-up to full mobilization for World War II. The various G505 models -- Pickup/Weapons Carrier, Panel, Command and Reconnaissance, Ambulance -- were carried over to the 3/4 ton G502 WC trucks that superseded the half-ton line in 1942.

Half-ton Command Cars in the final assembly operation section of the Dodge G505 assembly line, 1941 or 1942.
Half-ton Command Cars in the final assembly operation section of the Dodge G505 assembly line, 1941 or 1942.

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

The G505 family of 1/2 ton, 4x4 WC trucks built by Dodge contained 38 individual models, some produced by the thousands and other models with only a few ever manufactured. The WC 1/2 ton trucks replaced the 1940 VC-1 to VC-6 1/2 ton Dodge trucks, also contained in the G505 series.

All of the G505 WC half-ton 4x4 vehicles were produced during 1941-1942 under War Department contracts, for a total of 79,771 trucks. While very successful, the 1/2 ton WC trucks were superseded in 1942 by the 3/4 ton G502 WC trucks, also from Dodge. The 1/2 ton WC G505 trucks remained in use to the end of World War II, 80% interchangeable in service parts with the 3/4 ton models.

The Dodge 1/2 ton model numbers range from WC-1 to WC-50 with differences in body type, engine, 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.

Find additional photos and hi-res versions of the Dodge WC half-ton 4x4 trucks at the Olive-Drab Military Mashup.

SNL G-657 Dodge Master Parts List

The many Dodge 1/2 ton 4x4 WC-series trucks were grouped under engineering codes such as T-207 or T-211. The codes identified the engine used and other small production details. Here is a chart of the G505 Engineering Codes:

Code Model Group Cubic In HP Torque Notes
T112 WC36 to 39 & WC47 to 50 218     4x2 trucks, fuel filler at low rear of driver door. Also Canadian.
T207 WC1-11 217.7 78@3000 164@1200 Civilian dash, Bendix-Weiss front axles
T211 WC12-20 217.7 78@3000 164@1200 Civilian dash, Larger rear brakes, Bendix-Weiss or Rzeppa front axles
T215 WC21 to 27 & WC40 to 43 230.2 99@3000 184@1400 Military dash, Larger rear brakes, Bendix-Weiss or Rzeppa front axles

The T211 engine was increased to 230.2 cu. in. during August 1941, but the T code number was not changed on affected models (e.g. WC-18). Data from John Zentmyer, Albert Williams (Army Motors #23), and other sources.

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. Without one of the numbers, it can be very hard to distinguish one from another of the same body type if all you have is a photograph.

Common specifications for the Dodge G505 series WC trucks:

  • Drive: 4x4
  • Wheelbase: 116 in
  • Track width: 59.375 in
  • Tires: 7.50x16
  • Brakes: Hydraulic
  • Engine: 6 cyl, in-line, L-head
  • Transmission: 4fwd/1rev, manual
  • Transfer cas: Single speed

A few exceptions: The WC9/WC18/WC27 Ambulances and WC20/WC41 Emergency Repair Trucks had 123 in. wheelbase.

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
WC-1 T207 No Closed cab, express body, longitudinal troop seats 2573
WC-3 T207 No Open cab, flat face cowl with express body and transverse seats 7808
WC-4 T207 Yes Open cab, flat face cowl with express body and transverse seats 5570
WC-5 T207 No Closed cab with express body, less seats 60
WC-6 T207 No Reconnaissance Car 9365
WC-7 T207 Yes Reconnaissance Car 1438
WC-8 T207 No Radio body 548
WC-9 T207 No Ambulance 2288
WC-10 T207 No Carryall body 1643
WC-11 T207 No Panel body 353
WC-12 T211 No Closed cab, pickup body, longitudinal troop seats 6047
WC-13 T211 No Closed cab, pickup body, bucket seats in part of contract 4019
WC-14 T211 No Closed cab, pickup body 268
WC-15 T211 No Reconnaissance Car 3980
WC-16 T211 No Radio body 1284
WC-17 T211 No Carryall body 274
WC-18 T211 No Ambulance 1555
WC-19 T211 No Panel body 103
WC-20 T211 No Closed cab, no body 30
WC-21 T215 No Open cab, pickup or express body or weapons carrier, transverse seats in part of contract 14287
WC-22 T215 Yes Open cab, pickup body 1900
WC-23 T215 No Reconnaissance Car 2637
WC-24 T215 Yes Reconnaissance Car 1412
WC-25 T215 No Radio or Reconnaissance Radio body 1630
WC-26 T215 No Carryall body 2900
WC-27 T215 No Ambulance 2579
WC-36 T112 No Carryall body, 4x2 400
WC-37 T112 No Panel body, 4x2 6
WC-38 T112 No Closed cab, pickup body, 4x2 362
WC-39 T112 No Closed cab, Telephone Installation body, 4x2 1
WC-40 T215 No Closed cab, pickup body 275
WC-41 T215 No Closed cab, no body or Emergency Repair cab and chassis 383
WC-42 T215 No Panel Radio body 650
WC-43 T215 No Telephone Installation body 370
WC-47 T112 No Closed cab, express body, 4x2 390
WC-48 T112 No Carryall body, 4x2 374
WC-49 T112 No Panel body, 4x2 8
WC-50 T112 No Telephone Installation body, 4x2 1

Production quantities are the sum of all contracts during 1941 and 1942 for the specific model.

Dodge Half-ton WC G505 Body Manufacturers and Tags

The variety of body styles for the Dodge half-ton 4x4 WC G505 series trucks were produced by subcontractors and assembled by Dodge:

  • Budd: Cargo and Reconnaissance Car
  • GarWood: Dump truck
  • Highway Trailer Co: Cab and Telephone Installation bodies
  • Proctor-Keefe: Carry-All
  • Wayne Works: Ambulance

Vehicles with winches had longer frames than non-winch vehicles with mounting points for the winch at the front. The Braden MU winch was used.

The body type was encoded in a tag that can be found under the hood (open cab) or on the passenger door pillar (closed cab). The first two numbers of the body tag code will be the year (for example, 41 for 1941), followed by a two digit code for the body type:

  • 10 = Flat face cab
  • 12 = Closed cab
  • 19 = Command recon
  • 29 = Radio recon
  • 39 = Ambulance
  • 49 = Carryall
  • 62 = Closed cab
  • 66 = Express body transverse seats
  • 76 = Express body, no seats
  • 90 = Flat face cowl, bucket seats

Body code information from Army Motors #47.

Dodge Half-ton WC G505 Manuals

This is a partial list of the manuals for the Dodge 1/2 ton 4x4 WC G505 trucks and related equipment.

  • D-xxxx Parts lists for individual models (large number of these with 4 or 5 digits after the D)
  • D-9236, 1940, Instruction Manual, Dodge Trucks Built for United States Army, (Models VC-1, VC-2, VC-3 VC-5 and VC-6)
  • TM10-1120, 24 Jul 1941. Parts List, Truck, 1/2 Ton, 4x4, Dodge.
  • TM10-1122, 24 Jul 1941. Parts List, Truck, 1/2 Ton, 4x4, Dodge, C1
  • TM10-1123, 24 Jul 1941. Maintenance Manual, Dodge Trucks,1/2 Ton, 4x4, C1.
  • TM10-1152, 21 Nov 1941. Parts List,Truck, 1/2 Ton, 4x4, Dodge (WC-21,22,23,24,25,26, 27, WC-40,41).
  • TM10-1153, 10 Sep 1941. Maintenance Manual, Truck, 1/2 Ton, 4x4, Dodge (WC-21,22,23,24,25,26, 27, WC-40,41).
  • TM10-1180, 17 Sep 1941. Parts List, Truck, 1/2 Ton, 4x4, Dodge.
  • TM10-1181, 17 Sep 1941. Maintenance Manual, Truck, 1/2 Ton, 4x4, Dodge.
  • TM10-1194, 17 Sep 1941. Parts List, Truck, 1/2 Ton, 4x4, Dodge (Models VC-1 and VC-5).
  • TM10-1198, 28 Jul 1941. Parts List, Truck, 1/2 Ton, 4x4, Dodge (Models WC4-USA and WC6-USA through WC11-USA).
  • TM10-1199, May 1942. Master Parts List covering Dodge trucks built for United States Army.
  • TM10-1200, 16 Aug 1941. Parts List for Truck, 1/2 Ton, 4x4, Dodge (Models WC2 through WC20).
  • TM10-1201, 28 Jul 1941, Instruction Manual, Dodge Trucks, 1/2-ton, 4x4, Chassis Built for U. S. Army, C1.
  • TM10-1368, 15 Dec 1941. Parts List, Truck, 1/2 Ton, 4x4, Dodge.
  • TM10-1416, 2 Feb 1942. Parts List for Truck, 1/2-Ton 4x4, Dodge (Model WC-42)
  • TM10-1417, 2 Feb 1942. Maintenance Manual, Truck, 1/2 Ton, 4x4, Dodge (Model WC-42).
  • TM10-1442, 15 Feb 1942. Parts List, Truck, 1/2 Ton, 4x4, Dodge (Models WC-21,23,24,25,26, 27,41).
  • TM10-1443, 20 Feb 1942. Maintenance Manual, Truck, 1/2 Ton, 4x4, Dodge.
  • TM10-1444, 2 Mar 1942. Parts List, Truck, 1/2 Ton, 4x4, Dodge.
  • TM10-1445, 15 Mar 1942. Maintenance Manual, Truck, 1/2 Ton, 4x4, Dodge.
  • ORD 8 SNL G505 Parts List, Truck, 1/2 Ton, 4x4, Dodge
  • SNL G657, Dec 1943. Master Parts List covering Dodge trucks built for United States Army.

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