Terry's Dodge is a head-turner,...
Terry's Dodge is a head-turner, but he's not afraid to 'wheel it. We found him in some tough Colorado terrain using it for what he designed it for, rockcrawling. The '41 cab and front clip are original, but needed work to get in the shape they are today.
It's uncanny how some vehicles come together so perfectly. This incredibly cool-looking and functional '41 Dodge 1/2-ton WC truck was just a pile of parts not very long ago, but now it is our kind of hybrid. The frame was headed for the salvage yard, and most of the components were scattered across the country before they were transformed into this very capable trail machine. The collection of original and late-model parts was brought together by the truck's owner, Terry Ausley of Caldwell, Texas. He had a vision of building a classic military truck that would perform off-road with the agility of a small Jeep. He succeeded.
Terry was waiting for the right opportunity to build his next four-wheel machine. It just so happened that a rail car carrying a load of Dodge 1-ton truck frames derailed, and Terry was able to haul one away before it became scrap. The frame was purchased for an economical salvage price; and other parts, such as the truck cab and custom-made bed, just fell into place. The frame was bobbed, and a modern Dodge drivetrain was installed for dependable power and performance.
After a few months of cutting, welding, and meticulous work, the truck was ready for adventure, and Terry was hitting the trail with his buddies from the Rocky Mountain Power Wagon Club.
Everything has its place,...
Everything has its place, and an incredible amount of skill went into the build of the handmade custom truck bed. Below the bed is a 40-gallon custom aluminum fuel tank with a 4-gallon sump tank for reserve and long hauls into the unknown. After all, Texas is a big state.
We love the original 94hp...
We love the original 94hp flathead six-cylinder engine that resided under the hood of these old trucks, but there's nothing like the performance of a 5.7 L Hemi and a six-speed manual transmission to spice up the truck's performance on- and off-road. The WC was also fitted with an Atlas four-speed transfer case.
The cab of the truck is far...
The cab of the truck is far more comfortable than the original designer of the WC ever imagined. A Vintage Air system blows heat and frosty cold air to help kill the winter chill and summer humidity. Mastercraft seats replaced the old bench seat, and a custom roll cage was installed for safety. Auto Meter gauges keep tabs on the truck's vital functions.
Dynatrac Pro Rock 60 axles...
Dynatrac Pro Rock 60 axles were installed in the front and rear of the truck and fitted with ARB lockers and 5.13 gearsets. The front axle is filled with high-tech 300M 35-spline Longfield Super axles, and the rear with 35-spline chromoly axleshafts. The steering was converted to a crossover setup with hydraulic assist, tucked neatly over the Dodge 1-ton leaf springs with the overload leaf removed.
Tech Specs
1941 Dodge 1/2-ton WC
Drivetrain
Engine: Dodge 5.7L Hemi V-8
Transmission: Dodge 6-speed manual
Transfer case: Atlas 4-speed (1:1, 2.0:1, 2.7:1, 5.4:1)
Front Axle: Dynatrac Pro Rock 60, 5.13 gears, ARB locker, Longfield Super axles and CV joints
Rear Axle: Dynatrac Pro Rock 60, 5.13 gears, ARB locker, 35-spline chromoly axleshafts
Suspension
Tires & Wheels: 41x14.50 Iroks on 18x10 Jesse James custom beadlocks
Springs & Such: Custom Dodge 1-ton leaf springs front and rear, rear antiwrap bar, Pro Comp shocks
Steering: Custom high steer crossover
Other Stuff: Warn CEM 12,000-lb winch, custom aluminum radiator, Lizard Skin spray-on insulation and protector, electric windshield wipers, electric windows