This page covers details regarding the Dodge WC-54 like:
For more details check out the other Details page!
There were a number of minor changes and additions made to the tool kit during the service life of the vehicle. Most vehicles came with a tyre pump (8-P-5000) which had a jet cleaner attached to the hose. Early Dodges used the 2-ton Auto Specialties mechanical screw jack illustrated in this article, whereas later vehicles came equipped with the same hydraulic jack issued with the 1-1/2 ton 6x6 Dodges - the Hein-Werner 3 ton Model E-3.9A.
Likewise, the early Alemite 5585 9 oz. push-type grease gun gave way to the Alemite 6593 15 oz. lever-type (41-G-1344-40). The grease gun adapter, Alemite 6517 (41-A-14-800), converted the standard hydraulic fitting on the gun to the Zerk type of fitting used on the propeller shaft universal joints.
Also, later vehicles were fitted from the factory with provision for mounting a bracket to hold the M2 (1-1/2 quart) gas decontaminator (Spec 197-54-113). For example, Weapons Carriers had three tapped mounting tabs added on the lower side of the windscreen frame in front of the steering wheel. Early vehicles were modified in the field to carry these gas decontaminators although the mounting position was different for each vehicle type.
Click on the thumbnail below for an overview of the tools!
The spare parts usually issued with the 3/4 ton Dodge are listed below. In early vehicles, the spares were carried in a bag under the seat whereas in later vehicles, there was a spare parts drawer fitted to the firewall under the passenger’s side of the dash.
The Dodge WC-54 was equipped with four stretchers to carry the wounded. The original interior color was olive drab.Photo by D. Daubresse.
The Dodge WC-54 was equipped with a 6Volt swivelling searchlight. The seachlight was fitted to the left-hand windscreensupport, with a pistolgrip inside the cab to allow the driver to direct the light. The purpose of the searchlight was to ease the search for wounded soldiers on the battlefield.
Like most other 3/4 ton Dodges the WC-54 was powered by the T-214 engine.
Specifications of the T214 are: six-cylinder,
in-line, L-head, four cycle. Cast iron
block and head. Displacement: 230 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.24 x 4.625
inches.
Compression ratio:6.7:1. Brake horsepower: 76 at 3200 rpm. Four main bearings.
Mechanical valve lifters.
Like most US military vehicles the WC-54 was equipped with an axe and shovel. Both tools were contained in a toolrack. The toolrack was attached just on the right hand site of the vehicle.
Like all Dodge 4x4 and 6x6 vehicles the WC54 could be supplied with a "fording kit" (model WV6). The fording kit consists out of a flexible tube attached to the air filter. The fording kit made it possible transit water upto 1.20 m deep. The kit was mainly used during amphibious operations like the invasion of Normandy.
Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the photo.
The springs used on the WC-54 were softer than the springs used on the other models of the 3/4 ton family. The live axles were suspended on a long travel semi elliptical springs and the suspension was designed to provide a comfortable ride on tough surfaces, although this often took its toll on the service life of the springs and bump stops.
The spare tire was carried on the left outside of the body, in the recessed panel just behind the drivers door.
This one is also known as Chassis Serial Number Plate.
The Dodge WC54 was equipped with a heater. The heater was attached to the fire wall on the passenger side.
Very
few changes were made to the vehicle during the production run, most being
purely technical; the most obvious was the adaption of the larger diameter
fuel-filler neck and matching recess in the body side in October 1943.
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The left photo below shows the early model fuel filler neck. The photo on the right shows the late model. |
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