This 1943 Dodge WC55 Is A Stout, Reliable American Warhorse (That Carries A Big Stick) ​

It's the Fourth of July - Independence Day in the US. So today seems like a great day for some wrenching on this classic World War II-era Dodge WC truck. I've shared a lot of history on Dodge 4x4 trucks on this channel, and today we're finally looking at the progenitor of them all. It's tough, it's rugged, it's... terribly uncomfortable to drive, actually. But I'm confident it will still be running at the end of civilization. Whether it will still be stopping or not remains to be seen.
Also, make sure you check out today’s video from ‪@rocketresto‬ on this unit. It’s also for sale, and if you’re interested in owning it, make sure you contact Tom there.

[@daveallen8824]

Quick little story. Many years ago when I was a young man, I served in Vietnam and my job was driving trucks. Once I was sent to a repair depot to pick up an M37 ambulance and bring it back to our base camp. I don't remember why it was in the repair depot, but I do know that it would be going back, and I know why. I was stopped at a checkpoint at a bridge, and thought it would be cool to try and do a burnout. Wound that little bugger up and dropped the clutch. It went Bang, and did not move. So I casually put it in 4wd and drove it back to the base in front wheel drive and - said nothing... Damn irresponsible kids.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

😮 That’s incredible. Haha.

[@terrymonroe6490]

Thank you for your service 😊

[@MidnightOilsRestoration]

You sir are a stud! Thank you for your service 🫡🇺🇸❤️

[@mwilliamshs]

Nobody with 2 brain cells would drive an M37, on the job, and consider a burnout. They're adequately powered but nothing about one brings burnout to mind.

[@jackschmidt6157]

Welcome home sir

[@larrygulick6080]

Built & operated by the greatest generation. God bless the U.S.A.

[@jeffhutchins7048]

I'm two generations removed but YOU'RE RIGHT!!!

[@MetallicAH2O]

Gasp! The official Rocket restoration corndog canon!!! Awesome!! Also happy 4th of July!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Haaaahaha… the corn dog cannon.

[@stephancardoos1782]

As a Navy veteran of Vietnam I appreciate your words and testiment to all that fought for and to keep our independence. 🙏 Including the Iron and steel! 🙂

[@beljames1563]

You guys have entirely too much fun. What a cool truck. Happu Independence Day!

[@gregrhein1632]

What a GREAT salute to our history! Appreciate you and your well chosen words at the end in this tribute to the equipment that was used in WWII.

[@JamesAllmond]

I really love these vehicles. They are the REAL ancestor of all the SUVs, the capable ones and the Power Wagon, king of them all! Love WW2, stuff, the coil, is the same as the one Harley used on their WLA motorcycles.... Remember the 4th and VOTE to make sure we get to keep it.

[@throckmorton8477]

Great video !! These trucks are legendary. I remember just east of Akron, Ohio around 1974 seeing at least 10-20 ambulance versions of these at Sam Winer Motors for sale. They were 1950-1953 versions. The asking price? $3,499. It took a few years to sell them all. Sam Winer had all kinds of military /gov't surplus stuff back then. Even had a tank sitting out front!

[@donross8707]

Happy 4th Jaime, and thank you for this video on that awsome old military vehicle love that truck

[@alunhuang-wright3030]

Bravo form the UK. Happy 4th July.

[@jeffhutchins7048]

Thanks mate!

[@staceyrenner5418]

So much olive drab! It's like they just dipped the whole damn thing in a vat of paint.

[@1datsunlover]

Perfect video to release on the 4th of July

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Nailed it!

[@patrickwayne3701]

Jamie, you are continuing to endear yourself to those of us who are 'old school' [in our Mopar, American and Family values]. Thanks for sharing your eclectic tastes in Dodge lore. Thanks to you, and this vid,, I am gonna go sit in my WC. And think about the men, including my Granddad, who used these in Europe. Mine actually was sold/leased to Switzerland after WWII, and then found it's way home at some point when Switzerland swapped out a bunch of newer military equipment with the US. It still has the tags the Swiss put on it that read in metric for the specs like tire pressure and such. Anyhoo,, glad to see you got the 4:88's put in the Demon. God Bless the U.S.A.!!

[@WillyMcCoy50]

I would put that beast up against Uncle Tonys' incredible drag automatic. Those power wagons weren't known for coming in second. Straight cut gears may be that whine from the transmission. My buddy Steve in Seattle had the field car version. He would pull into the parking lot at the local beer meeting and it would always draw a crowd!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I would definitely expect some whine, but this is extreme… it’s really, really loud in fourth.

[@daltonsparks1293]

Happy fourth everyone and with that beauty, there would be no more tailgating

[@JeffMiletich]

Just saw Tom's video & now gonna watch this one.

[@ctwolfgang433]

Another reason this is the greatest generation ever. Could you imagine having to drive that thing in war time. That looks brutal

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That’s what I was thinking about this whole day. Nearly unimaginable.

[@MidnightOilsRestoration]

Great video Jamie! Happy Independence Day to you, your family, and all our fellow Americans, let freedom ring 🦅🇺🇸❤️

[@geoffreysmith3196]

That truck is its own warning label to tailgaters. And yeah, I made a similar comment on Tom's video too. Have a great 4th!

[@jeffhutchins7048]

DANG IT! You're gun's bigger than mine!!! Just to beat all of the other gunutz on here: M1 Thompson Submachine Gun .45 ACP caliber/ M1 Garand 30-06 (Patton daid it was the greatest battle implement ever devised). Don't know SQAUT about the 37mm cannon. The .50 caliber is an M2 Browning Heavy Machine gun. As you stated, just so EVERYONE can relax, the two personal arms are fakes. I'm assuming the .50 and 37mm are de-mil'd (inoperable)

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I’m not entirely convinced that much of the .50 or the M6 37MM are even original firing equipment. They look pretty scabbed together. Someone may have built somewhat faithful appearing replicas from scratch, or almost scratch. I don’t know any detailed history on the build so have no one to ask.

[@petergrey7125]

Great video of a great piece of history . Happy Independence Day, everyone! 🇺🇸

[@matthewb8229]

Happy 4th of July, Jamie! You'll get ol' Uncle Tony with that time slip from yesterday's video!

[@mexicanspec]

I had a leak out of the rear wheel cylinders on my 1963 Fury for decades. I always just put fluid in and pumped. It worked every time.

[@godfreydaniel2392]

Jaimie, you are a NUT!!! I am laughing my ass off at your comments concerning your brother Tom! You are hilarious! And all your videos are very good! Keep up the great work! FYI, I am also a great fan of the manual transmission! Nothing beats the personal approach to your vehicle's performance! I have a newer Toyota Tacoma 4X4 with a stick, and a 2002 Camaro SS/SLP with the 6 speed manual. Way, too much fun!

[@michaelnault5905]

Now I know the origins of the multimillion stacked up leaf spring camper special springs :⁠-⁠)

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That’s right. Haha.

[@duncanmacrae6384]

I had one of these for years. You couldn't kill it. 45 MPH was it's "happy speed". Mine had 5.87 gears as most of them did. There was a rare option for 4.89 gears. I think they are available now. With that data plate and the 55 MPH speed, the original gears might have been changed. Sure miss mine, my back doesn't though.

[@ceridwenattwood5784]

I know I've said it before (and will probably say it again)--your Daddy would be so proud of you! And I am, too. That was very nicely done, from start to finish.

[@kencooper2059]

Super cool old truck!

[@sirswerve2493]

Yes. A old man Chrysler dodge. Good job Bro. Happy 4th all you mopar people!

[@Anthony-nw5zv]

Transmission has straight cut gears. Happy Independence Day Jamie and everyone else watching.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I’m familiar, but my Power Wagon with the same transmission (and the other three similar year trucks I’ve driven, come to think of it) didn’t howl anything like that.

[@chriss6149]

Well said 🇺🇸

[@michaelgray7138]

Thanks for sharing this truck, Happy Independents Day.

[@geoffkeller5337]

Happy 4th of July. Perfect video for today and a fantastic truck

[@jeffhutchins7048]

I have that same basic pedal/starter set-up in my Willy's pickup. Sometimes you need 3 feet, maybe 4, to operate it.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

It’s a very involved driving experience… I learned the ropes in my ‘48 Power Wagon, which was always grumpy. Work the choke, tweak the hand throttle, pump the brakes, feather the gas, play with the clutch pedal, plan stops far in advance, rev match gears… there’s a lot to it, and I find the challenge very fun.

[@OllamhDrab]

Hee, we need to mix in the Rat Patrol theme for you guys chasing each other around the field. :)

[@linwoodlane5721]

Happy 4th to everyone over the pond in the US

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

Happy 4th of July, everybody.

[@kc5gym]

It needs to loose the plywood, and dry shifting that gearbox with no oil in it can't be good

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Ok, I’ll let it know

[@HelpingHand-ic4wt]

Introducing the 2023 DeSoto Fireflite Shopper. The latest in grocery getter convenience and safety, available at your local DeSoto dealer today!

[@staceyrenner5418]

Oh, that knob is off a forklift btw lol.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh that checks out, it’s got a fork tilt diagram. Haha.

[@vibingwithvinyl]

16:08 lmao!

[@JeffMiletich]

Those guns should help you maneuver through heavy traffic.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That’s right - especially when pointed forward 😅

[@nickelliott1174]

You are tearing that transmission up. Double clutch....😃

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

No 😁

[@sickcoy13]

Happy Fourth of July. Friction shocks. Somewhat common in that era. You probably already knew that. Love the channel.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Indeed. Thanks!

[@mtbpirates]

So cool. Thanks for posting this up. God Bless America!

[@christophertodd6405]

Cool truck

[@robertlee9395]

Happy Fourth of July from Detroit, the Arsenal of Democracy!

[@davidlewis2681]

Duuuuuude..that thing is SIC....

[@Ray-tf2fl]

Didn't these have Dana rear and front axles 🤔👍🏻 happy Fourth of July brother 🤘🏻🏁

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

It wouldn’t surprise me if they were Dana built, but I don’t actually know the technical particulars. I just know that same basic setup continued on the civilian Power Wagon and M37 for decades.

[@SypherF]

HAIL ALL. HAPPY FREEDOM DAY! That is an awesome rig.

[@raimoe4512]

Happy 4th to you.

[@shawnriddle3018]

Before willys, jeep was a nick name. Before jeep Dodge HD 4x4 since 1934. I believe Dodge command cars were called jeep. Later Beep for big jeep.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I’m familiar with the Jeep name history and/or controversy. It’s been a long time since I first researched the lineage of these 4x4s, and you’re absolutely right. They produced the K39 starting in ‘34 and sold those exclusively to the government/military.

[@rudybriskar5267]

Apropos for Independence Day ❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸

[@natesteiner5460]

.50 cal = 1/2" long range cordless drill. Truck has the multi-hole pattern model fitted.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Haaahaha. Nice

[@butcher390]

Nothing say 4th of July more than , Scoring a WW2 Era , WC55 Dodge M37 🇺🇲 💙 Definitely appreciate your , Indepth Historical debrief , Jamie Look at the size of that Torpedo generator !!!! Hahahahaha The look on your face 😂 During that close up.... LMAO !!!! That was a bold move Immediately road testing it Ok , you guys are having way too much fun , storming the grassy fields , of Washington state 😂 I just finished watching Tom struggle getting his NBA size 15 feet in & out of the cab . Poor Tom's personal ergonomics aren't agreeing with that M37 😬 💀

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Lucky me, I have normal sized feet, so it’s not so bad. Haha. You know what they say… fortune favors the bold!

[@allanperryman388]

Thank you Jamie. Happy Freedom Day!

[@Nighthawk92]

Happy 4th. Noticed it’s from New York long drive to where you are it’s where I am though ( up state)

[@garyslentzii2796]

Happy 4th dude! 🇺🇲

[@leefalvey9670]

If I remember correctly didn't one of those old dodge and Plymouth have grease fittings on the water pump, yah that's how old I am. great video

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

This does! And I would grease it, but unfortunately the bearing is already very toast with a bunch of play. We ordered a new pump.

[@jeffhutchins7048]

You need a Volkswagen to chase around the field.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Agreed 🤣

[@JustanOlGuy]

Oddball lives!

[@BigBoxDodge2020]

Even though you probably work on some difficult projects. You still get to work on all the COOL STUFF. Happy 4th of July.

[@cbobmonster]

Great video happy 4th to u

[@wheels-n-tires1846]

Nice... I was able to save a Ford "Burma Jeep" from being scrapped south of Portland last year... it still had the hydraulic PTO winch up front, and was still wearing some of its Navy grey still. The or8ginal flathead 6 was gone, replaced with a 60s online 6. But still, a good candidate for a resto!!

[@roberttoews2775]

Awesome piece of history. One additional option that would make driving that WWII rig more endurable would be it's own onboard medic.

[@timmcooper294]

Nice ! It's amazing how much use Chrysler got out of that 23" engine they introduced in 1928 for the new Desoto brand. Probably the best engine development investment Chrysler made other than the slant six. I've got a 1941 WC22 1/2 ton (still has its winch) and I cringed watching you shift HaHa!! I grew up with non synchro stuff, and I guess it's just second nature, to me they shift great. That noise is the rear end, for sure, not the trans or transfer case. Probably was run low on oil and burned the gears. Check to see if it has oil in it !! Most of these 3/4 tons had the same 9 5/8" 5.83 ratio as the civvy Power Wagons and M37, but some of the really early ones had the 8 3/4" like the 1/2 tons, but 5.83 as opposed to the 1/2 ton 4.89.... Thanks for sharing !!

[@Legacy_Lou]

Impressive that you know all this 411 about this cool ass truck. Im learning 😎

[@joshjesch6000]

At 14:23 that is the closest I have ever seen anything appear to stop moving...but actually kept moving. Very impressive driving skills

[@ryanomalley430]

That truck is awesome! My grandpa probably rode In one in WW2. Happy 4th of July to you and your family Jamie!

[@daveallen8824]

Ouch - glad it's not my transmission...

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

It’s not soooo bad…

[@geoffkeller5337]

​@@DeadDodgeGarageBut it does look like you're shifting the Demon when racing. 😂

[@AceFace50001]

Untethered camera shots are glorious. Sprinkle in a dose of crunchy transmission, and you've got internet gold. Gold, I tell you!

[@selenelacaze9883]

22:35 1976 Dodge Coronet. Love these ones! I have a 1975 Plymouth Fury : D

[@Nicks66Service]

An early arced WC grille guard, separated into 3 pieces with the headlight guards moved to the bottom and the center section hinged, serves as my fireplace grille. The old man drove and repaired WCs and 6x6s during his service at White Sands Missile Range in '46/7 as part of Operation Paperclip.

[@cjm5002]

Great choice of rigs for the holiday! Next thing ya know you guys are going to figure out how to pull some Montucky sh*t and convert all those mock weapons to mounted paintball guns. That would be legendary! I swear you are trolling us viewers with this: 10:45 after showing the PTO stuff and uninstalled winch hardware. I will pass the word on the for sale to a few folks. My pops is still kicking and doing all the funerals with the Marine Corps League so chances are good one of these guys will "know a guy who knows a guy" looking for something like this.

[@bruceabbott3941]

Up here in Maine, we used to burn blueberry ground to prune the bushes and kill weeds and pests. Our team was burning a field years ago and one of the drivers got stuck with his burner and John Deere 60hp FWD tractor. The local blueberry freezer crew was burning one field over, and drove their WC55 over, and pulled our stuck 6 ton 4-wheel drive tractor and attached burner out the mud. Totally impressed...

[@craigbowley6783]

Wow what an amazing piece of American history!🇺🇲 Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@92powerdiesel61]

Do a BFV next! It may not be a Mopar but it does have a Cummins V8 and is a lot cooler because instead of a gun behind you there's a gun in front of you.

[@travisbeavers-ti4ki]

As a American citizen I recommend that you educate yourself on firearms they're kinda like classic cars and trucks you have your favorites and non favorites

[@samhicks97]

DDG mascot has reincarnated as a Dodge WC55, were coming full circle!

[@donnatanner359]

my boy bought a carry all that had been a radio truck. 1942. it was 12v from the factory. looks like the one you have on the video

[@jamesashabranner2426]

Hi Jamie greetings from the Misty hills of Tennessee I hope you and your family is doing well 😁👍

[@OdySlim]

Fine job Jamie, Regards from Ody Slim

[@davidlefranc6240]

A 5.1 Detroit diesel engine in it would bring this thing to its max potential !Nice video.

[@r.hill.2369]

Just a super example of military history. Happy 4th!

[@Mopar_Red]

That sound reminds me of straight cut gears in the transfer case. Noisy! Lol

[@joshjesch6000]

Very awesome and nice shape too. Hope it finds a loving home.

[@musclecarmitch908]

Happy 4th!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@cambo1200]

Yea it drives rough, but it sure beats walking.

[@tonyb3864]

That thing is awesome. Thanks for sharing. 🇺🇲❤️

[@davidbrown4180]

Thank you to all the men and women who gave and keep are Independents

[@pcbullets8726]

Pretty awesome! Quite the piece of history!

[@mexicanspec]

I can see why this is a parade vehicle.

[@moparedtn]

Happy Independence Day everyone. Remember...

[@garytilley6510]

I agree with everything you said in the ending!

[@mraudio]

I'll bet you didn't have to worry about tailgaters while you were driving that beast on the road!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That’s right 🤣

[@barryrussell4106]

I need one of those no idea why but damm

[@Amoparman408]

Jamie, Google Donald Sutherland tank commander kelly's heroes 1970. You in that helmet looking over the turret. OMG!!😂😂

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Haaaahaha. Too real. That’s awesome, never seen that one

[@classicdude-mike8174]

this was one fun video ! also , happy 4th

[@michaelsullivan2361]

I’ve owned multiple MV’s & I love the Dodges above all else. M-37 (The replacement for the WC) is the best 4x4 ever to see military service. Chrysler took all the lessons learned from WWII and applied them when designing the M37. If you ever get a chance to drive one on your channel, you’ll be amazed at how much better it rides & drives compared to the WC or civilian Power Wagons!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I got one running and drove it way back! Given that I also had a civilian Power Wagon at the time, my impression of the M37 was indeed that it was *much* better.

[@jimbo5728]

Falling camera NEVER gets old. Please never stop it from doing that! 😂😂😂😂

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I wasn’t planning on it 🤣