12 BADASS PICKUPS AND SUVS WITH A MILITARY HISTORY

At some point in the century-long history of the automobile, every automaker has contributed to their country’s success on the battlefield with a supply of special vehicles. Whether that’s a light- or heavy-duty pickup truck, they can all help in troop deployment, equipment transfers, or simply as support vehicles.

Some have very specific skills, such as SUVs that can traverse roads less traveled to avoid detection or venture off the beaten path to remove personnel and equipment from the line of fire. What follows is a list of battle-tested military vehicles that are derived from, or afterward became, production vehicles available to the public.

Chevy Colorado ZR2 (As GM M1301 Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV))

With the base of a 2020 Chevy Colorado ZR2, the M1301 Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) was created as a light utility vehicle that can carry nine people and be air-lifted. With a gun turret, it can still carry five infantry personnel as a combat vehicle. GM Defense created the vehicle in consultation with Ricardo plc and has since created an all-electric version.

Chevy Colorado ZR2 vs GM M1301 ISV Specs

(Sources: Chevrolet, GM Authority)

Introduced in 2017, the Colorado ZR2 came in extended- and crew-cab configurations, with appropriately tailored bed length to maintain an overall length of 212 inches. With power from either a 3.6-liter V6 or a 2.8 Duramax Turbodiesel 4-cylinder, it is equipped to handle the rigors of off-roading. This is helped by a wider track, two extra inches of ground clearance, and underbody skid plates.

Dodge Power Wagon

The 1947 version of the iconic Dodge Power Wagon was sometimes called the Military-Type because it closely resembled the Dodge three-quarter-ton WC military trucks of the Second World War, mainly because that’s what they were derived from. In civilian mode, the Power Wagon rating was increased to one ton, and it’s distinct as the first 4x4 truck.

Power Wagon vs WC Specs

(Source: The Texas Power Wagon)

Dodge was the US Army’s main supplier of half-ton and three-quarter-ton army trucks through WW II, initially as the VC-Series and then the WC that laid the groundwork for the Power Wagon. The WC was combat-ready, with a squarish wide track, short wheelbase, and low center of gravity. They came in 4x4 and 6x6 drive configurations.

Hummer H1

They probably don’t come more badass than the Hummer H1. AM General made the Hummer based on the military-spec HMMWV it had created for the US Army. When GM bought the rights to the Hummer name, and following a decision to make a more luxurious vehicle called the Hummer H2, the original became the Hummer H1 (still produced by AM General).

Hummer H1 vs HMMWV Specs

(Source: AM General)

AM General created a series of light-duty, 4WD vehicles to replace all other military vehicles up to that point. The Humvee (short for HMMWV, which stands for High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle) was created in 1983 from 1979 US Army specifications.

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Development on the Geländewagen began in 1972, at the request of the Shah of Iran, who was looking for a military-grade off-roader. Prototype testing began in 1974 in extreme climate locations like the Sahara Desert and the Arctic Circle. Production started in 1975 at the Magna-Steyr facility in Graz, Austria, where the vehicle is still built today.

Mercedes-Benz G-Class Specs

(Source: Mercedes-Benz)

Unlike others on this list, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class started life as a purpose-built military vehicle, which isn’t uncommon, but unlike others, it pretty much stayed that way while also adapting to civilian life. In fact, the civilian G-Class is built in limited quantities, alongside the military model.

Ford Model T

It’s probably no surprise that the Ford Model T also served the war effort, in so much as the Model T pretty well begat all other vehicles at Ford in the early days of the automotive industry.

Ford Model T Specs

(Source: The Henry Ford Museum)

Model Ts serving military duty were soft-skinned vehicles (vehicles without armor) and most performed supporting roles, such as ambulances, transporting supplies, or by commissioned officers to get around quickly. Some were fitted with gun turrets, for use as patrol vehicles.

Dodge D-Series

Dodge trucks have a long history, and an equally long heritage of military service, dating back to the early days of the Dodge Brothers, In 1976 and 1977, Dodge supplied D-Series pickups for light-duty work in the military, with a CCUV (Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle) version that started life as a three-quarter-ton Dodge W200 before being designated M880. There were several iterations, up to M889.

Dodge W-200 Specs

(Source: Dodge)

The pickups used were logistics vehicles, configured to move equipment or personnel, and were available in matte green or camouflage paint. The army also bolstered the suspension for the Dodge pickup to handle heavier loads, in essence turning a 3/4-ton pickup into a ton-and-a-quarter pickup.

Land Rover Defender 110 RSOV

The US Army Rangers called on Land Rover in 1992, looking for a Ranger Special Operations Vehicle (RSOV) to replace the aging fleet of Jeeps. Ranger units were reportedly impressed by the maneuverability of the vehicle in comparison to the US Army’s Humvees during the Gulf War. Defender RSOVs are used as quick response and support vehicles, not for battle, and their compact dimensions also make them easier to airlift.

Defender 110 vs RSOV Specs

(Source: Land Rover)

The original Land Rover had a run of nearly 70 years, starting production just after the end of the Second World War, and since then, it has pretty much run everywhere in the world.

Inspired by the Willys MB, it was the first civilian four-wheel drive vehicle with doors. In 1983, with Land Rover’s model range expanding, it was restyled as the Defender One Ten in reference to its 110-inch. wheelbase.

Toyota Mega Cruiser

The heavy-duty Mega Cruiser was first shown in prototype form at the 1993 Tokyo Motor Show and went into production in 1995. The civilian version (codenamed BXD20) comes in two body styles, with the same basic footprint but with either a standard or high roof. Just 133 civilian versions of the vehicle (of the 3,000 total run) were built before it ceased production just five years after its introduction.

Toyota Mega Cruiser Specs

(Source: Toyota)

Like the Humvee, the Mega Cruiser was intended solely for military use and saw duty primarily as a transport vehicle for the Japanese Armed Forces. The Japanese Domestic Market vehicles are also used by regional and local police forces and fire/rescue operations, as well as by the Japan Auto Federation.

Jeep Gladiator

The Jeep Gladiator was launched in 1962, taking over from the Willys-Overlander series of pickups that had been around since the end of World War II. Unlike today’s Gladiator, the SJ Gladiator was a full-sized pickup based on the Wagoneer platform. Available in RWD and 4WD, they survived until 1988 (the last 17 years without the Gladiator name).

Gladiator vs Kaiser Jeep M175 Specs

(Source: Jeep)

Like other production pickups converted to military use, the Kaiser Jeep M715 and M725 were not meant for tactical use, but rather for logistical support. The M715 was intended to replace the three-quarter-ton Dodge M37, performing duties as ambulances, troop carriers, and maintenance vehicles.

Chevrolet C/K Pickup

The Special Services Vehicle is an order package to get the Silverado ready for service, whether that be in local security or military support. Military service pickups from 1984-1987 came in four configurations – utility, pickup, ambulance, and chassis cab – all powered by GM’s 6.2-liter diesel V8 from partner Detroit Diesel.

Chevrolet C/K vs GM M1008 CCUV Specs

(Source: Chevrolet, GM Authority)

The third-generation C/K Pickup (modern-day Silverado) is one of the mainstays of passenger and service pickups. It's available in a wide variety of configurations, from simple WT (work truck) to heavy-duty hauling, and in a variety of sizes, with room for up to five passengers.

Chevrolet K5 Blazer

The iconic half-ton Blazer was always developed parallel to the corresponding Chevy C/K pickup but didn’t really adhere to the C (2WD) designation. Most Blazers were marketed as K (4x4) vehicles, except for the late ’80s when Chevrolet briefly changed the designations to R and V, respectively. Power for Blazers was provided by a variety of straight-six and V8 engines.

K5 Blazer vs M1009 CCUV Specs

(Source: Chevrolet, GM Authority)

Used for command and control, as well as officer transport, the M1009 utility vehicle started life as a K5 Blazer. It is a utility rig that could be used for command and control, as well as officer transport. Equipped with the heaviest GM springs available, it rolled on 10.00-15 tires, and was often used as the communications support vehicle.

Willys MB

The Willys MB is by far the most famous, and most decorated, of military vehicles, and has infused the Jeep name into our vocabulary. The name was reportedly used to quickly identify the vehicle – rather than say Gee-Pee, service personnel just said GeeP - where G stands for Government and P for the wheelbase spec of 80 inches. The vehicle was designed by Bantam and built by both Willys-Overland and Ford.

Jeep CJ2 vs Willys MB Specs

(Source: Jeep)

When the Willys MB came home from WW II, it adapted to civilian life with a line of compact on- and off-road vehicles, as Willys abandoned its car business in favor of the Jeep CJ2. The Jeep brand quickly followed in 1946, and Jeep became its own company in 1963. Through the years, the Jeep Wrangler has gone through various iterations but always retained the overall look of the original Willys MB.

Sources: AM General, Chevrolet, Dodge, GM Authority, Mercedes-Benz, Henry Ford Museum, Jeep, Land Rover, The Texas Power Wagon, Toyota

2024-06-22T09:11:03Z dg43tfdfdgfd