Re: WC Gauges / WC Closed Cab evolution


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Posted by Paul Cook on August 22, 1999 at 15:04:05:

In Reply to: WC Gauges posted by vince on August 21, 1999 at 23:13:37:

Early WC 1/2 tons to include those sent to Europe under the "lend-lease" program before the USA entered WWII were built while asembly lines were being converted to war production. Chrysler was a leader in "parts-box" assembly lines. Don Bunn, in his book, DODGE TRUCKS, published by Motorbooks International, reports on page 104 in the caption accompanying a photo of the Closed Cab Pickup, model numbers WC-1, WC-5, WC-12, WC-14, and WC-40 that "Cab and cab interior, including instrument panel, was the same as the 1941 Dodge civilian cab."

Vince, having determined from the frame rails and the serial number that your truck is a WC-22 with the open cab replaced with a '41 through '47 civilian cab, it appears that the military instruments from the WC-22 cab were used. A test for those being military gauges is to see if there was any provision for internal lighting - back lighting or having a clear or translucent section in the gauge shell for illumination by a light behind the panel. Military gauges did not have that capability. By the way, thanks for the call.

My experience with 1/2 tons indicates that the evolution of the closed cab started with the T-211 series. It was the first to have windshield adjusting arms. A local collector has a WC-12 with those arms and a civilian style panel. Gordon's WC-36s and WC-38 are in the T-112 series. They have the civilian panel but he did not mention the windshield opening method.

We know that Bunn may have erred in saying the instrument panels in ALL closed cabs were the civilian style. Later series WC 1/2 tons have round gauges in a military style instrument panel. The faces of the instruments were illuminated by fixtures protruding from the panel. So the final evolution to the military instrument panel must have been with the T-115 Series. Can anyone with a WC-40 affirm this?

That military panel in a closed cab is shown in the Portrayal Press reproduction of "TM 10-1123/1443, Maintenance Manual for 1/2 ton 4x4 chassis Dodge Trucks" Page 2, Figure 1. The only reference I have which covers Gordon's 4x2 Dodges is the Brooklands Books "Dodge Military Vehicles, Collection 1" which was published in England and shows both instrument panels. Gordon, are your WC's left hand drive?

Bottom line: If you removed the heat gauge with the line and the sensor bulb (goes in the head) intact, it will probably be okay. Check it by putting the bulb in hot water and comparing to a cooking thermometer.(I won't tell you to not use the thermometer after being exposed to anti-freese - let some other Forum viewer start a thread.) The ammeter will probably work and you can use it with the 12v conversion (check polarity). We never could do serious charging diagnostics with them. At best they show moderate charge (battery about normal state of charge) high charge (low or bad battery sucking up some juice) or discharge meaining you are using more than you are getting from the gen/alt.

The original oil pressure is mechanical - works or doesn't and indications are close but not exact. You can check it with air IF YOU HAVE A REGULATOR ON THE AIR SUPPLY TO KEEP IT FROM BEING OVER EXTENDED. Try 40 psi. If it is close go for it.

Fuel gauge - if someone hooked it to 12v, even to jump start - Bye-Bye. I tink I told you about West Marine having boat fuel tank sending units and gauges, some of which are a close match for your gauges.

Speedo? What about it?

I'd try to make a replacement panel into which the gauges would fit neatly and use them. The option is to sell/trade them to someone doing an authentic restoration. Use that money for a set of aftermarket gauges fit in to your replacement instrument panel, and use the difference to take a sweet thing to dinner...



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