WC51 Dodge Truck, Cargo, 3/4 ton, 4x4

The 3/4 ton series of Dodge WC trucks was introduced in late 1941, replacing the G505 1/2 ton trucks of the period 1939-1941. The most versitile of the 3/4 ton "Weapons Carriers" was the WC-51 or WC-52, two trucks that were identical except for the presence (WC-52) or absence (WC-51) of the front-bumper-mounted winch. Although called a "weapons carrier" it had folding troop seats down both sides of the cargo area and was primarily used to haul personnel and ammunition.

Hundreds of WC51 or WC-52 Dodge weapons carriers wait to be shipped at the Dodge truck plant near Detroit, MI, August 1942
Hundreds of WC51 or WC-52 Dodge weapons carriers wait to be shipped at the Dodge truck plant near Detroit, MI, August 1942.

Today in WW II: 8 Jul 1940 Tea rationing begins in Britain.  More ↓
8 Jul 1941 Jews living under German occupation in Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania ordered to wear a Jewish Star.
8 Jul 1942 US Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Chester Nimitz orders invasion of Guadalcanal, Solomon islands, to seize a strategic Japanese airfield.
8 Jul 1944 US forces on Saipan mop up after surviving a 15-hour banzai charge, one of the largest ever, defesting over 3000 Japanese soldiers plus wounded and civilians who participated.
Visit the Olive-Drab.com World War II Timeline for day-by-day events 1939-1945! See also WW2 Books.

WC-51 Truck, Cargo, 3/4 ton, 4x4 w/o Winch Dodge (G502)

The WC-51 Truck, Cargo, 3/4 ton, 4x4 w/o Winch Dodge (G502) was developed at a Dodge subsidiary, the Fargo Motor Corporation. Between 1942 and 1945, 123,541 WC-51s were built for U.S. use and shipment to allies, especially the Soviet Union where the trucks became quite common. They were utilized very broadly for many purposes in all branches of the U.S. military through World War II and the Korean War. The M-37 3/4 ton 4x4 Dodge truck gradually replaced the WC models during the mid- to late-1950s.

Numerous variations of the WC-51 / WC-52 cargo trucks were produced, including the M-6 Gun Motor Carriage (GMC) which mounted a 37mm Anti-tank Gun in the cargo bed of the WC-52 base vehicle.

Specifications of the WC-51 3/4 ton 4x4 Dodge Cargo Trucks

Net Weight 5,645 lbs
Height (w/canvas top) 6 ft, 10 in.
Height (top lowered) 5 ft, 2 in.
Width 6 ft, 11 in.
Length 13 ft, 11 in.
Ground clearance 10 5/8 in.
Wheelbase 98 in.
Tires 9.00 x 16, 8 ply
Engine Dodge T214, 6 cyl, 230 cu. in. gasoline
Transmission New Process 4-speed
Transfer case New Process Single-speed
Horsepower 76 bhp
Road Speed 54 mph
Range 240 mi

WC-51 3/4 ton 4x4 Dodge Photos

Find additional photos and hi-res versions of the WC-51 3/4 ton 4x4 Dodge at the Olive-Drab Military Mashup.

WC-51 3/4 ton 4x4 Dodge Photo Gallery

WC-51 Dodge 3/4 ton 4x4 cargo trucks lining up for loading onto cargo ships, Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation, Newport News, VA during WW II.
WC-51 Dodge 3/4 ton 4x4 cargo trucks lining up for loading onto cargo ships, Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation, Newport News, VA during WW II.

WC-51 3/4 ton 4x4 weapons carriers with towed anti-tank guns, coming ashore from USS LST-1 to an Italian beach, World War II.
WC-51 3/4 ton 4x4 weapons carriers with towed anti-tank guns, coming ashore from USS LST-1 to an Italian beach, World War II.

Rear view of WC-51 or WC-52 transporting medical personnel during World War II.
Rear view of WC-51 or WC-52 transporting medical personnel during World War II.

XIX Tactical Air Command testing of waterproofed WC-51 at Aldermaston Court prior to the invasion of Normandy in June 1944.
XIX Tactical Air Command testing of waterproofed WC-51 at Aldermaston Court prior to the invasion of Normandy in June 1944.