advantages and disadvantages F15 / Dodge

[Marco C.]

Hello what are the advantages and what the disadvantages of a CMP Chevy or Ford Model F15 compared with the DODGE WC 52

[gordon]

Dodge is smaller, lighter, faster, easier to live with and MUCH easier to get spares for. It might even fit your garage and you could just about afford to drive it a little given European fuel prices.

C15/A or F15/A is much heavier built, more resistent to storing outdoors, and really nice examples are rarer than Dodges. They will move much heavier loads and are actually slightly better than ordinary Dodges cross-country, especially if you get one with a winch.

The prices for a good example of any of them wont be that different, but the Dodge would certainly easier to live with.

Gordon

[Marco C.]

Originally posted by gordon
Dodge is smaller, lighter, faster, easier to live with and MUCH easier to get spares for. It might even fit your garage and you could just about afford to drive it a little given European fuel prices.

C15/A or F15/A is much heavier built, more resistent to storing outdoors, and really nice examples are rarer than Dodges. They will move much heavier loads and are actually slightly better than ordinary Dodges cross-country, especially if you get one with a winch.

The prices for a good example of any of them wont be that different, but the Dodge would certainly easier to live with.

Gordon

Thanks Gordon

my body height amounts to 2.00 ms if I fitted in such a CMP C15 / F15 or I must alter there what

[Lynn Eades]

The Americans built drivers in only one size, consequently they built Dodges and Jeeps with no seat adjustments. If a CMP with a winch performs better than a Dodge without a winch, Then I would suggest a Dodge WITH a winch. The Dodge gives you a greater feel for whats going on ( you can put your thumbs inside the steering wheel without getting them cut off) The advantage of the CMP for you is that used "off road" it will rattle your vertibrae around a lot and eventually you will be shorter. Personally I think the best way to decide which way to go is to get one of each and when you pass away your kids can fight over which one they want.(after all it is a terminal disease)
To gain a bit off space in the dodge you could replace the back rest squab with a thin one

[sapper740]

Originally posted by DCLI
Hello what are the advantages and what the disadvantages of a CMP Chevy or Ford Model F15 compared with the DODGE WC 52

As a Canadian, there was no hesitation in my decision to buy a CMP....disadvantages be hanged! However, now that I'm in the middle of restoring my C15, I can honestly say that a Dodge would have been a whole lot easier!

Somethings to consider:

Your geographic location. CMP parts are difficult to find at the best of times, even for those who live in N.W. Europe, Australia, and Canada where many CMPs were left after the war. Here in Texas we're lousy with Dodges, but other than my CMP, "T'ain't none around these here parts!" I'm willing to bet there isn't another CMP within 1600 km. of here.

Tyres. Unless you find a vehicle with good, original tyres, you're going to have to run NDT's, which are fine for the Dodge, but not original to the CMP.

Having said all this, I get a real kick taking my C15 to shows and parades. It always generates huge interest and really stands out, especially since I painted it DTB.

[chris vickery]

You must remember that back in the 1940's, men were typically smaller in both height and breadth.
I have driven both, but as far as being user friendly to a larger fellow and generally more pleasant to service and drive, I think the Dodge is better. It depends on what you want. Cmps are certainly unique and I am partial to them especially being a Canadian.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by DCLI
my body height amounts to 2.00 ms if I fitted in such a CMP C15 / F15 or I must alter there what

Marco, I'm 1,96 m. tall and fit in a CMP just fine. A Dodge is much more problematic for tall guys like us because the seats do not adjust.

Apart from that a Dodge is not a Chevrolet - let alone a Ford!

If you are a fan of Commonwealth vehicles, buy a CMP. They were used to tow 6-pdr guns (as I read you're after one of those as well), not sure WC-52s were used to do the same.

Regards,
Hanno

[Pete Ashby]

Marco

I’ve had two Weapons Carries over the years, one a 1943 WC52 the other a late 1944 D3/4APT Canadian, out of the two I preferred the D3 it had the edge in terms of speed on the WC52. Both were excellent trucks to drive and rode well on good springs with dampers that seemed to do what they were supposed to do. Both seemed to tunnel the wind in to freeze your back and a cross wind seemed to want to suck you out of the cab loads of fun in the pouring rain on the motorway.
I did a few thousand miles in the D3 both in the UK and in Europe. Spares were, and by the look of the dealers stalls, still are not a problem.

Now the real question F15A or C15A vs Dodge........difficult......... I have restored and run a 12 Cab C15A for 12 years now and have extensively driven a friends 11 cab F15A.
Before I start I should say that I'm six foot tall with size ten boots why do I tell you this piece of personal trivia? Well it matters in a 11 or 12 cab CMP any bigger and you won't get in let alone drive it, actual thinking about it you may get in but you won’t get out without help and anaesthetic

In the 11 cab Ford there is only room for one foot at a time in the foot well this makes changing gear interesting until you master the flick of the knee and twist of the hip required to change feet and position during the double declutch process. Applying the hand brake is an art as your spare leg is usually wrapped around it, this is more true for the Chev. Trying to turn a corner and change gear is just out of the question because your left knee jams the steering wheel while operating the clutch. Having said that the F15A has bags of torque and pulls like a train, as long as you can put up with the bloody awful tractor gearbox and the screaming from the transfer box above 30 mph.
To try to do any roadside repair in the engine bay requires the patience of a saint, X ray vision, arms six feet long with double jointed fingers one foot long. It has a ride that can only be described as rough the crash pads in the roof are not just for show.
The Ford steering box which I think was a reject from one of Henry’s failed tractor projects will as Lynn notes break your thumbs even on a good road, oh and I nearly forgot it's as ugly as sin and the screen can’t be opened

Now the 12cab C15A has all of the above but with the following exceptions and additions. Foot room is just a fraction better but still not enough to get two boots in the well at one time, thanks to the revised seating in the 12 cab I don’t jam the steering wheel while operating the clutch. However that stove bolt even with engine bay insulation will after 30 minutes of running take the skin off your mates leg if he is foolish enough to be wearing shorts and lets his leg touch the engine covers. You on the other hand have another 15 minutes to enjoy his discomfort before the blood in your feet starts to boil, but hay luxury I can open my wind screen and funnel all manner of nasty insects into my eyes and teeth deep joy.
To ride in a Chev at anything more than walking pace requires concentration, keep your teeth clenched together for fear of biting your tongue off as soon as you hit the next bone jarring pot hole or ever so slightly raised drain. Keep all loose bits of your anatomy under control at all times or you will undoubtedly do one or all of the following smack you mate in the eye with left elbow, smash left knee into engine cover or your right elbow into door or right knee into inner door handle or how about your head into the windscreen wiper motor, I know I’ve done all of these and more!!.
The steering is tolerably good as it uses the GM recalculating ball system but you’re rarely on the ground long enough to appreciate this luxury. On more than one occasion I have been told that there was day light under all four wheels, not that I would know, going up and coming down is all the same when your head is stuck in the top of the cab roof hard against the crash pad. I’m sure this is a result of R/F tyres and springs that have no give in them unless loaded up to about five tons.
You can at least see into the engine bay but it will burn you to a crisp if you try to do anything for at least an hour after grinding to a halt. The gearbox is a dream to operate but the transfer case is the same unit as the Ford and just as noisy.
Oh did I mention that us tall chaps have to drive 12 cabs by sitting in a form of hunched crouch to enable you to see anything of the road ahead other than the top of the front cab support?......... No?........... Well never mind it’s the price you have to pay for an opening screen and the ability to change gear and steer.

Oh thank you nurse……… I feel better now.............do I love them?.........YES God knows why....would I have another Dodge WC? no I don't think so, not so much of a challenge....would I have a D15 or 60 yes I think they are classics and look the part. We still have a Dodge in the family but that’s a monster and another story and nursey is saying it’s time for another injection and a trial fitting for my new backwards fitting vest.

So to sum up this little tongue in cheek piece, go for want you want but make it CMP, 13 cabs are altogether more civilised be they Ford or Chev but for me they don't have the raw edge that makes 11 and 12's interesting both to restore and to operate, have fun but buy a Chev you know it makes sense

Toodle Pip

Pete

:dh:

[Marco C.]

Originally posted by Hanno Spoelstra
Marco, I'm 1,96 m. tall and fit in a CMP just fine. A Dodge is much more problematic for tall guys like us because the seats do not adjust.

Apart from that a Dodge is not a Chevrolet - let alone a Ford!

If you are a fan of Commonwealth vehicles, buy a CMP. They were used to tow 6-pdr guns (as I read you're after one of those as well), not sure WC-52s were used to do the same.

Regards,
Hanno

Yes Hanno there may be right you now has sat recently in a Dodge there I must move the driver seat to the back to can in it to seats and driving I would also become rather a buying CMP, however, has never sat in such a carriage never mind it with us in that sews somebody something like that would give has around sometimes test there to seats

[Marco C.]

@ Pete

Hello Pete many thanks for the history

[Marco C.]

so Like this one