with
M45 Quadmount on M20 trailer in bed, loading ramps attached to side Initially, all versions used a modified commercial
AK series truck closed cab design having a metal roof and doors. By 1944, an open cab version, with a canvas roof and doors, was used. This was easier to build, and the roof could be removed to lower the shipping height. 1 in 4 of cabs had a machine gun mounting ring above the co-driver's position. The CCKW provided a platform for the widest range of bodies on any U.S. military vehicle, with the cargo version being the most common. As steel was more heavily rationed during the course of the war, the steel cargo bed was replaced by a wooden one. Wooden beds proved unsatisfactory and a 'composite' bed with steel sides, framing, and wooden bottom slats was developed. However, the composite bed was still unsatisfactory and the bed design returned to all steel. Standard cargo models had beds with fixed sides and a drop tailgate, as well as folding troop seats. A standard rectangular van configuration was used in communications, medical, workshop, and many other specialty roles. Special built vans were also used.
Specialized variants Many specialized variants of the basic 6×6 CCKW were made, some in small numbers, including some converted in the field. These include: • Air compressor • Bomb service • Chemical decontaminating • Chemical handling • Dental operating van • Dump truck • Fire engine • Fuel & gas tankers () • Fuel & oil handling (), () • High lift • K-53 radio equip. van • K-60 radio equip. van • Map reproduction van • Ordnance maintenance van • Pipeline equipment • Ponton bolster • Semi-trailer tractor • Shop equipment GP repair van • Surgical van • Water purification van • Water tanker () • Welder's truck
ACK-353 The ACK-353 (
A for 1939 design,
C for conventional cab, and
K for all wheel drive) -ton 4×4 truck was the smaller brother of the ACKWX, and a predecessor to the
Chevrolet G506, competing with the
Dodge / Fargo T-203 / VF-400 series, as GM was at that time also trying to clinch the lucrative contract for the standard World War II cargo trucks in the -ton 4×4 category. The ACK-353 was equipped with the new for 1939
GMC 248 engine, an overhead valve, low-deck inline-six with a bore and stroke, resulting in a displacement, producing (net). The transmission was a four-speed manual, combined with a two-speed transfer-case engaging the front axle for all-wheel drive operation. The truck rode on a wheelbase, measuring long, wide, and tall – or with the rear top bows taken down. Some were kept in service by the
Armistice Army ACKWX-353 The ACKWX-353 (
A for 1939 design,
C for conventional cab,
K for all wheel drive,
W for tandem rear axles, and
X for non-standard chassis) three-ton 6x6 truck was the direct predecessor from which the CCKW was developed. Some 1,000 of the 3-ton 6x6 trucks were originally contracted by France, butjust like the 4×4 ACK trucksafter the defeat of the French, diverted to Britain in 1940. The British however, deemed the trucks unfavorable for use in the war, due to their long wheelbase and lacking power, and diverted them to the USSR in turn, in 1941. A total of 2,466 ACKWX trucks were built — both according to GMC's serial numbers, as well as the U.S. Army's acceptance figures.
DUKW The DUKW (
D for 1942 design,
U for utility,
K for all wheel drive, and
W for tandem rear axles) — popularly the "Duck" – was an amphibious truck that shared the CCKW's driveline, but had a totally different body and structure than all the other trucks. First produced at Yellow's Pontiac plant, as demand increased production was added to Chevrolet's St. Louis plant. The hull, designed by an
America's Cup winner, gave the truck respectable sea-keeping capability. A very successful design, 21,147 were built. ==Gallery==