Canadian M880?

[Bob H]

Most of us have seen the old MV magazine article that claimed the Canadian Military used " heavier Dodge Power Wagons with manual transmissions" Not sure how that makes any sense unless he was referring to a W300 instead of the W200 Power Wagon M880
Sure would like to see some actual evidence of that.
The 1976 Chevy "five-quad' is the only civi style pickup that I can find any info on that was used by the Canadian Forces.

 

[msgjd]

cannot answer your question specific to the canadian trucks, or whether or not they had any M880's way up north..

However, as for standard tranny M880's I recall a few older 4-speed M880-types in the motor pool that were pre-1977 trucks with the older different style grille .. At the time, the new M880's coming into that unit were 1977's w/automatic, painted a base coat of Forest Green MERDC... Perhaps the older Dodge's I saw in OD paint were W200's sporting the M880-issue 900x16.5's of the time upon them .. I would have to revist my old pics in storage sometime..

Not too many years ago I came across discussion somewhere about some of the very-earliest M880s (pre-1977) having 4-speeds in them... I would have to look in my "Wheels" parts book to see if a standard tranny is listed for the earliest M880 year

I have proof of one 1977 M880 with 4-speed manual HD tranny, but I did the conversion myself

 

[m1010plowboy]

The White Knight. In a twist of irony an odd message was stenciled on the back of a M211 from the Penhold base. "Attach Stuck White Knight Here".



Research uncovered an ambulance that was stationed on the base the boys referred to as "The White Knight". It would get stuck a lot so the fellas saw the humour in a label. Otherwise this is the only Dodge, besides the wagons, that I have pics of.......so far. Dodge is an interesting topic so I'll see what else I can find in the pic section. One of the younger veterans remembers yellow, and green M880's so those pics will turn up as we hunt. https://www.facebook.com/groups/303413743192547



This page claims """"""""" A side note is that while the Canadian Armed Forces used militarized Dodge civilian trucks as ambulances, troop and cargo carriers, these vehicles were based on the heavier-built and more costly Dodge Power Wagon W200. The Canadian trucks had four-speed manual transmissions instead of the M880 series' automatics. The Canadian Dodges also sometimes had front brush guards. """"""""" https://www.militarytrader.com/military-vehicles/m880-a-tactical-mv-sort-of

I know it's not 880 info but here's an incredible link full of info and pictures on the Canadian M37 / M152. It's a newish site from 2020 and covers an impressive cross-section of gear. https://canadianarmsandarmour.ca/3-4-ton-smp-dodge-trucks/

The Dodge conversation really got kicked up here chatting about the WW11 Plymouth Dodge involvement in war time. Alex Blair/ RIP was a great contributor and provided a list of Dodge procurement back in the day. http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/showthread.php?t=14593

This big ol article covers the air transportable Dodge. https://canadianarmsandarmour.ca/3-4-ton-dodge-airportable-trucks/

 

[msgjd]

Research uncovered an ambulance that was stationed on the base the boys referred to as "The White Knight". It would get stuck a lot so the fellas saw the humour in a label..

I know it's not 880 .

Correct, that white ambulance is not a M886 (nor a M880 with shack on the back) ,, But it sure is a '74 or '75 W200 due to those obvious lockout hubs, and that's likely why it was "always" getting stuck, if not operator inexperience.

The full-time system that came afterwards was a far-better system.. I rarely got stuck with my trailduster or power wagon, and still to this day i rarely get stuck with my M880 regardless the mud or snow .. Being able to "Loc" in and out on the fly without losing momentum makes a huge difference

 

[Bob H]

This page claims """"""""" A side note is that while the Canadian Armed Forces used militarized Dodge civilian trucks as ambulances, troop and cargo carriers, these vehicles were based on the heavier-built and more costly Dodge Power Wagon W200. The Canadian trucks had four-speed manual transmissions instead of the M880 series' automatics. The Canadian Dodges also sometimes had front brush guards. """"""""" https://www.militarytrader.com/military-vehicles/m880-a-tactical-mv-sort-of

That is a version of the article I posted about. His alleged Canadian Forces trucks were built on the heavier built and more costly Power Wagon W200, LOL . That statement clearly indicates the author does not know what an M880 is.

 

[Bob H]

I did find on the internet a 1975 Dodge W200 with a manual trans, that was olive drab and used by the Canadian Forces. No M series designation had the civi badges on it.