Production period:	1964 to 1977
Class :	Commercial vehicles
Body versions :	Truck
Engines:	various
Length:	various
Payload	11 to 30 t

The Dodge 500 was a medium-weight truck that was introduced in 1964 and built in the UK by Dodge .

History

The Dodge 500 was developed in the early 1960s; The design came from Ghia , the development of mechanical components from the Rootes Group in Kew . All wheels were hung on leaf springs, on request, there were additional auxiliary springs behind. The cab driver had a diesel engine that sat under the far forward cab. This was known for its design, its space and comfort. It offered large windows with a good road overview and the engine took up little space under the cab. It was released in December 1964. The customers got the car only primed and let them paint to their own wishes and provided with bodies.

The Dodge 500 was popular in the UK and was also exported. In some cases The truck wore trademarks of Commer , DeSoto or Fargo . The vehicles were sold as chassis with cabin and the customers then took care of the superstructures etc.

The load capacity started at 11 t at the two-axle vehicle and reached over the three-axle with 16 t to the truck with 30 t. Who wanted less payload, was referred to the Dodge 100 .

With the help of suppliers, a special aluminum-steel alloy was developed to keep the weight of the chassis as low as possible. Full air brakes and two speed rear axel .Cross members made of tube and U-profile were bolted to the side rails. The leaf spring shots were screwed, where possible, to the cross members. Diesel engines from Cummins and Perkins were installed.

Buyers could choose between Cummins V6 and V8 diesel engines delivering 130-170 bhp (96-125 kW) and the British Perkins 6-354 inline diesel 120 bhp (88 kW). All these engines were very reliable. The gearbox was manual.