Posted by oscar on Sunday, March 10, 2002 at 0:26AM :
In Reply to: Value of a 1942 WC53 posted by Rob Wilson on Saturday, March 09, 2002 at 7:04PM :
If you are planning to dump a v10 or a v8 in it you need to measure FIRST. The v10 is too long without rebuilding the firewall. For both engines you may need to move the steering box. A radiator upgrade will be needed. If you plan to use it to tow at speed plan to change out the axles. The brakes are not sufficent for safe speed work with a load.You may be able to place disc on all four but the axles are not designed to hold with 400+ hp. Also the frame will need to be reenforced as well.
To really upgrade the truck for towing and load work you may want to conside swapping the cab and bed on to a late mode 1 ton dodge. The truck was not designed to do what you have described under conditions found today. The truck was designed for military service where speed was not all that important. The truck was designed to support troops and tanks - lots of idling, lots of slow up/down, lots of abuse but it is/was able to go good enough.
Sure you can rebuild the truck - It will never be as good as a truck designed and built to do what you need.
just my opinion.... It should be a great truck - but as a part of the 1940's ....
The 40's were a long time ago.
The wc53 is a great truck but it is not a 2002 Dodge 1 ton. Enough at $25000 it will not be as good.
good luck
oscar
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