Remembering the Dodge T-234

[kscarbel2]

Many of us are familiar with both the civilian and military Dodge trucks of the past. However one model that is often forgotten is the military issue model T-234.

During World War II, the 2-1/2 ton rated Dodge T-234 was used in the India Theatre for the construction of the Ledo Road* (1942-1944), a critical supply route after the Burma Road was cut off by the Japanese. The project was led by U.S. Army General Joeseph "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell**.

*  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ledo_Road

**  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Stilwell

Although built with the standard civilian Dodge cab and hood, the front fenders, grille and axle were different from U.S. models.

The T-234 was equipped with large 10.00-20 tires, and had a 170-inch wheelbase.

Dodge's 228 cubic inch L-head model T-203 engine, rated at 99 horsepower and 188 lb/ft (255 N.m) of torque, powered early models. Later, the 128 horsepower 331 cubic inch engine was fitted.

The T-234 was right-hand drive, as the British were responsible for India and Burma.

Related reading - http://imageevent.com/vc40wc41/burmadogetrucks;jsessionid=cywsk4orn1.camel_s?n=0&z=2&c=2&x=1&m=14&w=0&p=0

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[BillyT]

Cool looking truck kinda streamlined for that era!

[kscarbel2]

Remember, the lighter Dodge T203, many of which were supplied to the Soviet Union under Lend-Lease, was only rated at 1-1/2 tons.

This T234 variant was beefed up considerably to have a 2-1/2 ton rating alike the much more substantial Diamond T Model 614, International K6 and K7, Federal Model 2G and GMC ACX.

[Brocky]

I am not sure if this is the same 2 1/2 ton truck??? Pictures were taken at the 2015 ATHS chapter meeting  at Archie Baines shop in Victoria Australia

[kscarbel2]

Brocky, that certainly looks like one. Odd, given they were all used in China, built for the nationalist Chinese. The Australian army, deeply involved elsewhere, only had a small presence in India/Burma.

[Brocky]

KSC
I do not remember talking directly to the owner that afternoon, but I seem to recall hearing the word Burma tossed around in context with the truck. Too many conversations and a short memory!!

[mrsmackpaul]

I was watching some video of my grandfather logging back after WW2, my grandfather was in the airforce in New Guiniea at Port Morsby and he was only 26 when this film was made so it would have been the late 40's or maybe early 50's at a guess

My grandfather had what he always told me was a NR Mack as a log truck but in recent years I have come to believe it wasnt it was in fact a EH Mack

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.trucksplanet.com%2Fphoto%2Fmack%2Feh_eht_soft_top_cab%2Feh_eht_soft_top_cab_1.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.trucksplanet.com%2Fcatalog%2Fmodel.php%3Fid%3D480&tbnid=geASXsI45e61aM&vet=1&docid=uHSC96ZGn1gCnM&w=791&h=435&hl=en-AU&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim

And another of the log trucks shown in the film was a Burma Dodge

On reading about the Burma Dodge trucks in Australia it appears that Burma Dodges were rather rare in Australia 

They arrived after a ship was sinking off Australia and they were off loaded to Australia 

Dunno if you click on the photo it might take you to the information 

If not, theres the information bellow

Burma Dodge Truck

 

This beautifully restored Burma Dodge Truck sure has an interesting history.

Burma Dodge trucks were built by Dodge in the US, for the Chinese Army, The contract was for 15,000.

Production started in October 1944, and ran into early 1946. They were built right hand drive.

A ship carrying a load of Burma Dodges was sinking of Australia during World War 2, some of the trucks were off loaded to Australia. This is one of them.

At the Moora Working Draught Horse Muster.

When I work out how I will get some video of the logging operation 

My family only had this video given to them in recent months and my mum found it very interesting seeing her father at such a young age and in colour as well !!!

More to follow

 

Paul 

 

[carlotpilot]

sooner the better paul   

[Brocky]

Paul, that is the same truck I saw in person at Archie Baines place in 2015..

[kscarbel2]

Saved from a sinking ship.......you can't get much better than that.

[kscarbel2]

Dodge T-234 "China / Burma" truck

A special case in between stock commercial and dedicated military trucks, was the T-234 "China / Burma Road" truck, which was built as part of the Allied cooperation with China against Japan, in the war and just thereafter. From October 1944 through March 1946, Dodge built 15,000 trucks, that used a special order combination of their most heavy-duty off-the-shelf components, to overland supplies from India to China over the very rough Stilwell / Ledo Road, to an extent to specifications personally drawn up by Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, then commander of the Nationalist Chinese forces. Chiang Kai-shek asked Roosevelt himself for 15,000 two-and-a-half-ton trucks capable of handling the Burma Road, requiring them to have an engine of at least 300 cubic inches and a 5-speed transmission.

The trucks were built with a near standard civilian closed cab – right-hand drive because the British were in command of Burma – but fitted with a flat, military-style grille & brush guard, and wide open, almost flat fenders, to avoid mud build-up clogging the wheels rotating, and otherwise stood out by having a 60-gallon fuel tank. In order for the trucks to function on the grueling 4,700 mile journey over the Himalayas, Dodge fitted not only heavy-duty springs and steering gear, but went so far as to fit tri-metal aircraft grade bearings and aeroplane-type shock absorbers. Radiators were fitted with an overflow tank, to return the cooled water to the sealed cooling system. Ground clearance was 13 in (33 cm), with a 50° approach angle, and 28.5° departure. Front axles were widened to give wider tread. Nevertheless, the average life of the trucks was only about five trips.

It has been commented that the front sheet metal design of the T-234 Burma Dodge shows remarkable resemblance to that of the post-war Dodge Power Wagons, and may well have influenced it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_T-,_V-,_W-Series

 

 

[TS7]

Kscarbel did Dodge at that time build a 2-3 ton civilian model truck?

[kscarbel2]

37 minutes ago, TS7 said:

Kscarbel did Dodge at that time build a 2-3 ton civilian model truck?

During that era, I'm only familiar with Dodge's military trucks.

But it appears they did...............https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_T-,_V-,_W-Series

[TS7]

Kscarbel it seems the T-234 may have been the first heavy duty Dodge truck. The front end does look like the post-war Power Wagon. By the way, built at the Warren Truck Plant, a lot trucks that were a big part of history built there.

[kscarbel2]

1 hour ago, TS7 said:

Kscarbel it seems the T-234 may have been the first heavy duty Dodge truck. The front end does look like the post-war Power Wagon. By the way, built at the Warren Truck Plant, a lot trucks that were a big part of history built there.

Agreed. For my understanding, it wasn't until 1960-1961 with the LCF and D-Series that they had medium-heavy and heavy trucks, and that was the result of George Sztykiel.

https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55563-dodge-bighorn/?page=2&tab=comments#comment-416716

 

[kscarbel2]

I'm reading the rear axle of the T-234 was a Timken full-floating single-speed double reduction unit with an 8.4 ratio.

The transmission was a Clark direct drive five-speed with a 7.58 first gear, and 6.10 reverse gear.

Curb weight  9,910lb

GVW (GVM)  20,000lb      (I'm sure that was routinely exceeded)

http://imageevent.com/vc40wc41/burmadogetrucks?p=2&b=-1&m=14&c=2&w=1&s=1&n=1&l=0&z=9

[J.M.H.]

Hi guys,

this type of truck is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen for me. By the way, I'm writing about Hungary. You may know, the Soviet Union after the WW II. copying certain types of U.S. vehicles which given to him for use. As a child, in the ’70s, I occasionally saw the ZIL-157 truck among the Soviet troops occupying us, which impressed me. My father, who already lived as a child in WWII. in time he told about this ZIL that the Russians had used such U.S. trucks in the war, but he no longer remembered its manufacturer and we were locked away from all such information during the communism. And, of course, the Soviets did not advertise their copying. Now that I’ve been over 50 years old I found out through the internet that Dodge actually designed these magic vehicles. Well, that’s all I wanted to say.

[mrsmackpaul]

Russia copied all sorts of things from trucks to D7 Caterpillars to DC 3 aeroplanes to even the SuperFortress B 29 

If anyone is interested the Russian B29 story is a fascinating story the history channel made a movie on it, Steeling the SuperFortress

Dunno if the link will work or not

https://youtu.be/i3Tst3cm_A0

 

I guess all sides of the political world stole ideas and claimed them as their own

It is no surprise that the Burma Dodge was copied as the majority would of been in Russian hands at the end of WWII 

 

Paul 

[vc40wc41]

Kscarbel2 Where did you find the photo of the line of Burma Dodge trucks with the star on the door.  These have to be trucks the Commies captured from the Nationalist when the went to Taiwan.  Some were also in the military parade in Beijing in 1949 and 1950.  Seeing this line up of truck makes me think they were used by the Chinese Reds in the Korean War since there was not a lot of trucks in China at that time.

[mrsmackpaul]

20 hours ago, vc40wc41 said:

Kscarbel2 Where did you find the photo of the line of Burma Dodge trucks with the star on the door.  These have to be trucks the Commies captured from the Nationalist when the went to Taiwan.  Some were also in the military parade in Beijing in 1949 and 1950.  Seeing this line up of truck makes me think they were used by the Chinese Reds in the Korean War since there was not a lot of trucks in China at that time.

KS hasnt been on here for a while now

Thats a good pickup though and you probably are correct

 

Paul