[4] As a result, the 1939 to 1947 Dodge truck range was offered in a bewilderingly large number of available variants and model codes.

Six different payload classes, a wide range of bodies, and more than twenty different wheelbase lengths were manufactured, and fitted with different sized versions of the straight six-cylinder Chrysler "Flathead" side-valve engines – from the half-ton TC pickup truck on a 116-inch wheelbase to three-ton tractor cabs.

In May 1928, Power Wagon magazine already computed a "truly impressive" 1,842 possible configuration combinations, of available models, styles, payload ratings, wheelbase, and other options.

In the later 1930s, streamlined styling had become a virtual requirement for anything from appliances, cars, boats, planes – even trucks, trains, and architecture.

The all new, all-steel cabs featured a front-end design with a barrel-shaped base and a sharp V-shaped grille; long, sleek, crowned front and rear fenders, with embossed "speed lines" on the lower rears of each fender; and a new sloped, two-piece windshield, that could be opened for increased airflow.

[11] The grille design was slightly changed again in 1941, and this style continued through 1947, except for the lower chrome strips, which were omitted post war.

After World War II, several changes were made to production truck chassis parts, based on reliability experience gained during military service; for instance, stronger differentials and larger axle shafts were used in post-war trucks, and steering boxes were beefed up as well.

[11] All in all, Dodge advertised as many as 175 basic chassis models, and seven engine variants, as well as different "job-rated" choices of clutches, transmissions, axles, gear ratios, springs, tires and brakes.

Introduced as the T-series for the 1939 model year, the line evolved into the V-series for 1940, and W-series for 1941, but the "W" was retained until the end of sales in 1947.

Starting in 1942 (just before civilian production ended), the 201-cubic-inch engines were dropped from the range, and the 1⁄2-ton light-duty models received the larger 218-cubic-inch six, like the 3/4-ton pickups, going up to 95 hp (71 kW) gross after the war, while the one-ton trucks received a larger 230.2-cubic-inch (3,772 cc) unit (instead of the 218), with 102 hp (76 kW), until the lineup was replaced in 1947.

[15] Besides with the "Express" pick-up bodywork, the Job-Rated trucks were available in cab/chassis, cowl/chassis, or bare chassis (for third-party custom body) versions.

Dodge's 11⁄2-ton pick-up, offered from the Job-Rated trucks launch in 1939 until the 1942 switch to all-wartime production, consisted of the long-wheelbase one-ton model with 9-foot bed, but on bigger wheels and tires.

Aside from as pickups, the lightest models in the range, the 116 in (2.95 m) wheelbase TC/VC/WC half-tons, were also offered as a delivery truck, either with solid steel "panel" van body, or open canvas-covered canopy or screenside configuration.

[8] Post-war available equipment options included a larger clutch, four-speed transmission, oversize tires, electric driver's wiper, heater, chrome windshield frame, adjustable visor, driver's armrest, dome light, turn signals, "airfoam" seat with leather upholstery, and an AM radio.

Some 30 were modified as armored trucks by the French in Syria prior to WWII and known as the Automitrailleuse Dodge Tanake.

From October 1944 through March 1946, Dodge built 15,000 trucks, that used a special-order combination of its heaviest-duty off-the-shelf components, to overland supplies from India to China over the very rough Ledo Road (later renamed after Joseph Stilwell), to an extent to specifications personally drawn up by Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, then president and commander of the Nationalist Chinese forces.

[23] Chiang Kai-shek asked Roosevelt himself for 15,000 two-and-a-half-ton trucks capable of handling the Burma Road, requiring them to have an engine of at least 300 cubic inches and a 5-speed transmission.

[23] The trucks were built with a near-standard civilian closed cab – right-hand drive because Burma was under British rule – but fitted with a flat, military-style grille & brush guard, and wide open, almost flat fenders, to avoid mud build-up clogging the wheels rotating,[23] and otherwise stood out by having a 60-gallon fuel tank.