Type 1 ⁄2-ton 4x4 truck Produced 1940–45 | Place of origin United States No. built 168,603 | |
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Manufacturer Pontiac West Assembly, Yellow Coach/GM Truck and Coach Weight 8,215 lb (3,726 kg) (empty) | ||
The Chevrolet G506 trucks were a series of 1 1⁄2-ton 4x4 trucks produced by Chevrolet and used by the U.S. Army during and after World War II. This series had cargo and many specialist type bodies.
Contents
History
The G506 was a U.S Army Ordnance Corps supply catalog designation for the 1 1⁄2-ton, 4X4, truck chassis built in large numbers by the Chevrolet Motor Division of GM.
During World War II, the USA sent 151,053 1 1⁄2-ton trucks of the G506 type to the Soviet Union as part of the Lend-Lease program. The Soviet Red Army's logistics/transport capabilities improved dramatically in the spring and summer of 1943 largely as a result of the steady supply of American-made trucks (such as Studebaker US6s and the Chevrolet G506s) for the USSR.
Engine and driveline
The G506 used a Chevrolet BV-1001-UP, a 235 cu in (3.9 L) overhead valve inline 6 cylinder gasoline engine developing 83 hp (62 kW) at 3100 rpm and 184 lbf·ft (249 N·m) of torque at 1,000 rpm. This is a smaller version of the engine used in the GMC CCKW.
All models had a 4 speed manual non-synchronized transmission and a two speed transfer case.
Chassis
The G506 had a ladder frame with two live beam axles on semi-elliptic leaf springs. GM banjo type axles were used, these axles were also used in later GMC CCKW 2 1⁄2 ton (2,268kg) trucks. There were three wheelbases, 125 in (318 cm) extra short wheelbase used only on the G7128 Bomb servicer, 145 in (368 cm) short wheelbase, and the 175 in (444 cm) long wheelbase. All models had hydraulic brakes with vacuum boost, 7.50-20” tires and dual rear tires.
Body
Almost all G506s had a closed Chevrolet cab, except for three models. A panel van version was built for the signal corps, an open cab was used on Bomb servicers and a cab over engine type was used for long bodied cargo trucks.