7/22/2014 Update: This Dodge has been sold.

From 7/16/2014:

This 1942 Dodge WC53 Carryall (chassis 42491550) served its original Minnesota gravel pit operator owner for 62 years before being purchased by the seller in 2008. Since then it’s received a full body-off restomod treatment and now features much improved running gear including a Hercules 3.7 liter turbodiesel, New Process 4-speed manual and dual range transfer case, power assisted four wheel discs, and a centered limited slip rear differential. We think it looks great sitting over powder coated Humvee wheels, and the seller adds that it offers a vastly improved driving experience over a stock example. It is now available in Cambridge, Massachusetts for $35,000.

​In part with meaty Goodyear radials, those sandblasted, powder coated military surplus beadlock H1 wheels make for a great stance. Drab beige suits the mil-spec vibe well and bodywork appears to be straight and solid, with equally good paint and trim. One exception is the running boards, which exhibit some moderate peeling and surface rust due to poor prep work. The seller adds that the boards themselves are heavy duty steel reproductions and require nothing but stripping and respray. Overall the truck appears clean and cared for but not overly so, displaying a light patina throughout—perfectly ideal for an old workhorse. Tinted glass is all new, and the original fabric roof opening has been closed with a neatly welded in sheet steel panel.

​Inside, new, good looking green and white faced Stewart Warner gauges sit beneath factory light pods, modern three point belts work in combination with Recaro style mid back seats upholstered in a complementary shade of light brown fabric, and the rear compartment is floored in fresh teak. Things look quite tidy, but in keeping with the exterior there are a few character-adding spots of worn paint like on the steering column and the metal pedestal on which the truck’s array of drivetrain operating levers sit. Check out the window winders for the rearmost set of side windows—all side glass retracts and additional handles are included.

​The truck presents similarly underneath with solid frame rails, floors and suspension mounting points—even the bottom side of the teak floor remains clean. Leaf springs are new, and diferentials have been rebuilt with 4.89:1 gear ratios. As mentioned above, the rear unit has been centered, curing the stock setup’s propensity to cook transfer cases. The rear pumpkin further benefits from limited slip internals, while lockout hubs are mounted in front. The New Process 4-speed transmission has been rebuilt and is fully synchronized, making for easier progress compared to the factory original crashbox.

​Rebuilt by Hercules, the turbodiesel looks at home underneath the the wide coffin nosed hood and should provide ample torque and flexibility for modern day traffic—up to a certain point of course, as final gearing will restrict top speed to a largely noise-tolerance limited 55 MPH. Exhaust is full stainless steel, and recent work includes rebuilding of the Bosch injection pump as well as refurbishment of the diffs and transfer case.

​A Braden MU2, 10,000 lb. PTO driven winch looks cool with its canvas cable cover, a Saginaw built system provides power steering assistance, wiring is all new, vacuum operated wipers have been rebuilt, and the truck is fully POR-15 rust treated following restoration. Parts availability remains surprisingly good even today due to what the seller calls extensive—if not excessive—parts stockpiling under US government contract.

Check out the additional photos here in the Flickr album and slideshow below.