In 1939, Dodge presented a completely redesigned line of trucks. Formally the T series for 1939, V series for 1940, and the W series from 1941 through 1947, the trucks became mostly known as the Dodge Job-Rated trucks.
With streamlined, Art Deco-style front sheetmetal, and introducing the concept of "Job-Rated" truck configurations, Dodge tried to offer customers the truck that fit any job they were buying it for, literally comparing it to the process and user experience of buying shoes.
As a result, the 1939 to 1947 Dodge truck range was offered in a bewilderingly large number of available variants and model codes. Six different payload classes, a wide range of bodies, and more than twenty different wheelbase lengths were manufactured, and fitted with different sized versions of the straight six-cylinder Chrysler "Flathead" side-valve engines – from the half-ton TC pickup truck on a 116-inch wheelbase to three-ton tractor cabs. In 1940 alone, 20 different truck frames were simultaneously produced in the same year,1940 Dodge trucks brochure page (archived) which increased to 31 different chassis frames, for 17 wheelbase lengths in 1947.
Nevertheless, mechanically, the trucks were all very similar, with solid axles front and rear and leaf springs at all four corners. With World War II taking up most of production capacity from 1942 to 1945, the 1939 styling continued largely unchanged through 1947, as engineering and production became the main focus. The Dodge trucks enjoyed some popularity before the war, and the last of them – built in 1942, before Dodge turned to mostly military production – had progressed to the W-series model name. When commercial sales of the trucks restarted post-war, they resumed as the 1946 Dodge W-series.1946 Dodge WC Pickup – howstuffworks
Historic author on Dodge trucks, Don Bunn, noted that the 1939–1947 Job-Rated trucks represent a very significant segment in Dodge history. They were the first to be mass-produced in the new, huge (Mound Road) Warren truck plant. The Job-Rated trucks also formed the basis for Dodge's first light-duty military 4×4s, the 1940 half-ton Dodge VC series, which in turn further developed into the world's first factory four-wheel-drive commercial pickups: the Dodge Power Wagon. And lastly, Dodge was the first of the Big Three U.S. auto manufacturers to offer a diesel-powered truck. Chrysler engineered and built its heavy-duty diesel engines all in-house. Today, this series is the most popular pickups with Dodge truck collectors.
General
After Dodge joined forces with Graham Brothers trucks from 1925 onwards, Dodge and Graham trucks, marketed through Dodge's vast dealer network, were offered in various capacities, ranging from a half ton to three tons. In May 1928, Power Wagon magazine already computed a "truly impressive" 1,842 possible configuration combinations, of available models, styles, payload ratings, wheelbase, and other options."The Graham Legacy: Graham-Paige To 1932" by M Keller. – Antique Automobile Club of America (archived 05–06–2019)
For 1939, Dodge rolled out an entirely new design, except for the updated drivetrains – and offered many variants. In the later 1930s, streamlined styling had become the dominant design trend in the industry. The new, "Job-Rated" Dodge trucks followed suit, representing the "Streamline Moderne," Art Deco–based style, inspired by aerodynamic design, and characterized by elongated horizontal lines and curving forms meant to give the impression of sleekness and modernity.
The all new, all-steel cabs featured a front-end design with a barrel-shaped base and a sharp V-shaped grille; long, sleek, crowned front and rear fenders, with embossed "speed lines" on the lower rears of each fender; and a new sloped, two-piece windshield, that could be opened for increased airflow. The headlamps were still free-standing, but were mounted in bullet-shaped pods. From the half-tons to the three-ton models, the new trucks all featured the same distinctive design – the heavy-duty models only stood out taller, on larger wheels and tires.
The unique styling of the trucks was only really changed in 1940, when Dodge trucks began using sealed-beam headlamps and were equipped with marker lights mounted on the headlamp housing. For the most part, after 1940, year-to-year appearance changes were very minimal. The grille design was slightly changed again in 1941, and this style continued through 1947, except for the lower chrome strips, which were omitted post war.
The Job-Rated trucks had stronger frames than previous Dodge trucks, using steel with a higher tensile strength, and the frame-rails extended further forward past the engine than before, such that the truck's beefy, channel-type bumpers tied the rails together, reinforcing the frame. After World War II, several changes were made to production truck chassis parts, based on reliability experience gained during military service; for instance, stronger differentials and larger axle shafts were used in post-war trucks, and steering boxes were beefed up as well.
All in all, Dodge advertised as many as 175 basic chassis models, and seven engine variants, as well as different "job-rated" choices of clutches, transmissions, axles, gear ratios, springs, tires and brakes.period Dodge advertisement (archived) In 1941, General Motors introduced new trucks for Chevrolet and GMC, that literally became known as their Art Deco trucks, and advertised them as "The Right Trucks for all Trades."Shining Design: 1941-'47 Chevrolet – Hemmings Both Dodge's "job-rated" trucks, and GM's "Art-Decos" are recognized as prime truck examples of the 1930s Streamline Moderne architecture and design style.
Model name codes Introduced as the T-series for the 1939 model year, the line evolved into the V-series for 1940, and W-series for 1941, but the "W" was retained until the end of sales in 1947.
The bottom of the range TC, and its successors VC and WC, were -ton rated, on a wheelbase. As the second letter in the model code progressed in the alphabet, the payload rating typically also went up, however this was not implemented consistently. Although the TD-15, VD-15 and WD-15 were -ton rated, the TD-20 and -21 and its later VD and WD versions were one-tonners. The -15s and the -20s had a wheelbase, but the 1-ton could also be had with (the TD-/VD-/WD-21). Second letter 'E' models only existed in the form of the 1939 TE versions. TF-, VF-, and WF-models were either 1-ton or -ton,Except for the -ton rated VF-27 through VF-29 of 1940 ranging in wheelbase from . Second letter G- and H-models were consistently -ton and 2-ton rated, respectively, ranging in wheelbase from . The -ton rated J-models weren't introduced until the 1946 WJ-55 through WJ-59, ranging from in wheelbase. The K-lettered models were consistently 3-ton rated, but the L-lettered models went against the naming pattern – they were only 2-ton rated. Both were offered in wheelbases ranging through 1942. From 1946 instead there were 3-ton WK- and WR-models ranging in wheelbase from .
Engine Dodge's Job-Rated trucks used flathead sixes, originally developed by Plymouth, throughout the 1939–1947 range. In the light half-ton trucks, a engine was initially standard, with in 1939, but uprated to in 1940, and by 1941. The three-quarter-ton and one-ton trucks used a engine from 1939 to 1941, rated at initially, then at in 1940, and at in 1941.
Starting in 1942 (just before civilian production ended), the 201-cubic-inch engines were dropped from the range, and the -ton light-duty models received the larger 218-cubic-inch six, like the 3/4-ton pickups, going up to gross after the war, while the one-ton trucks received a larger unit (instead of the 218), with , until the lineup was replaced in 1947. A three-speed manual was standard issue, while a four-speed with a compound first gear was an option.
The 1939–1947 TK- and TL- through WK- and WL-models were also available with a diesel engine – Dodge's own diesel engine – Dodge and Mack Trucks were the only two American automakers of the period before World War II, to have their own diesel engines. An additional 6-volt auxiliary generator debuted in 1941 on the diesel engines. The unit furnished power for lighting, instruments, and horns. Diesel sales were extremely limited however, counting as many as 75 units sold in 1939, 134 units in 1940, and 195 units in 1941.
Bodies and options Besides with the "Express" pick-up bodywork, the Job-Rated trucks were available in cab/chassis, cowl/chassis, or bare chassis (for third-party custom body) versions.
At the bottom of the range, Dodge offered the three now common pick-up classes (-ton, -ton and one-ton), as well as a 1-ton pickup. Dodge's half-ton pickups, on a wheelbase with a 7-foot box, now had the 70-horsepower 201-cubic-inch L-head straight-six. The 3/4- and 1-ton models kept the 75-horsepower 218-cubic-inch L-head six, either on a wheelbase with a 7-foot box, or a wheelbase with a 9-foot bed. Dodge's 1-ton pick-up, offered from the Job-Rated trucks launch in 1939 until the 1942 switch to all-wartime production, consisted of the long-wheelbase one-ton model with 9-foot bed, but on bigger wheels and tires.
Aside from as pickups, the lightest models in the range, the wheelbase TC/VC/WC half-tons, were also offered as a delivery truck, either with solid steel "panel" van body, or open canvas-covered canopy or screenside configuration.1939 Dodge TC half ton Owner Manual Pickup Truck Panel Screenside Canopy Guide – eBay (archived)
After the war, both the 1-ton pickup, and the long one-ton pickup with the nine-foot bed were dropped. Post-war available equipment options included a larger clutch, four-speed transmission, oversize tires, electric driver's wiper, heater, chrome windshield frame, adjustable visor, driver's armrest, dome light, turn signals, "airfoam" seat with leather upholstery, and an AM radio.
Models used by the military Purpose-built four-wheel drive
After Dodge supplied the U.S. Army with its first four-wheel drive truck in 1934, more modern -ton 4x4 trucks were developed. Some 1,700 RF-40-X-4(USA) trucks, based on Dodge's new from 1936 "fore-point" trucks were supplied In 1938, and a further 292 TF-40-X-4(USA) in 1939, based on the brand new for 1939 T-series, the first year trucks of this article.1943 Dodge WC-51 Weapons Carrier, Power & Glory – FourWheeler.com In late 1939 and in 1940, Dodge again gained Army contracts to design and build -ton and 1-ton 4×4 military trucks in several styles, using as many commercial truck parts as possible. Based on the VC-Series, and internally called the T-202 series, the VC-1 through VC-6 came with essentially stock front-end sheetmetal. Similarly, their 116-inch wheelbase and 201-cubic-inch 79-horsepower six-cylinder engine shared much with Dodge's civilian -ton VC. The following year, the T202 was replaced by the T-207 series trucks. Again rated as -tonners, they featured a military-specific hood, grille, and fenders. These trucks were powered by the 218-cubic-inch six of 85 horsepower taken from Dodge's - and one-ton commercial models.1946-1948 Dodge Power Wagon – HowStuffWorks Eventually, the military trucks were substantially redesigned, and uprated to -tons with a 230-cubic-inch engine producing 92 hp. Together with the -tons of 1941, these were built from 1942 until the end of the war as the Dodge WC series military trucks. Some 30 were modified as armored trucks by the French in Syria prior to WWII and known as the Automitrailleuse Dodge Tanake. The Tanake was fitted with a 37mm cannon M1916 and two or three FM 24/29 light machine guns and a crew of 5. The vehicles served with French Foreign Legion, both Vichy and Free French units during WWII and post-war used by the Syrian government in the 1948 Arab–Israeli War.
Stock models and specifications