Posted by Brian in Oregon on October 15, 2000 at 12:19:44:
In Reply to: What is an M-880? ntxt posted by Lost on October 15, 2000 at 09:42:54:
The M-880 is a 1970's era one ton Dodge pickup rated by the military as a 1 1/4 ton, with 318 2bbl engine and 727 automatic trans. This truck replaced the M715 Kaiser-Jeep, which replaced the M37.
There is a whole family of vehicles based on the M880. M881 through M885 have various signal shelters with electrical gear, and M886 is the ambulance version. It has a pickup cab, but the roofline similar to the M43. (Reminds me more of a U-Haul truck than an ambulance.)
At the time the Army decided to us these, the Gama Goat was to be the tactical vehicle and the M880 family was to be the rear area vehicle. Many units simply ignored that and used these trucks anywhere, due to limited quantities of Gama Goats being issued to them.
The USAF also used Dodge 1-ton trucks. A member in our club has an ex-USAF crew cab with cargo racks and troop seats. I don't know the designation for it. I haven't found evidence that the Army used crew cabs.