Posted by John Eickhof on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 at 10:45PM :
In Reply to: Why were FFPW's created? posted by Northern Calif Dave on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 at 12:10PM :
At the time..late 1930s, Dodge was the only manufacturer of light / medium duty 4x4s IN HOUSE! According to the history written by Col. A. Herrington (U.S. Army Quatermaster corps.) He and his partner Marmon had been trying to sell the Military 4x4 trucks from Ford with MH conversions, they did get some token contracts (mainly export) but Dodge won out due to price, the use of standard components, ability to mass produce in short notice and the trucks managed to out perform any competitor in Army testing. Dodge actually had contracted and furnished 4x4 trucks to the U.S. Army as early as 1936! These were medium duty 1.5 tons..they were readily accepted. Anyway, it is a much longer story, but thats the basics...my 'two cents' worth! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!