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Manufacturer |
Chrysler Europe Renault |
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Also called | Renault Commando |
Assembly | United Kingdom |
Predecessor |
Commer VC Commer VE |
The Dodge 100 "Commando" trucks were 7.5–28 short tons (6.8–25.4 t) trucks built by Dodge in Britain, primarily in the 1970s and 1980s. A previous Dodge 100, known informally as the "parrot-nose" had been produced in the 1950s.
History and development[]
Originally developed by Commer, the range was first built as a concept in 1965-66, to replace the Commer VC and VE range with 8–24 short tons (7.3–22 t) gross vehicle weight (GVW). As Chrysler Europe acquired a controlling interest in Commer's owner, the Rootes Group, the truck design and name were changed to complement the Dodge 500 trucks.
Drivetrains[]
The Dodge 100 was intended to use a Rootes diesel engine, but noise regulations ruled out the reliable but noisy Rootes units. In the end, naturally aspirated and turbocharged four- and six-cylinder Perkins diesel engines (locally made in the UK) were used for lighter weights, with the Mercedes-Benz OMO352 offered as a premium engine (due largely to the reputation of Mercedes in Europe, where Perkins was relatively unknown). Also Valmet DSA diesels were installed for some limited market areas. Four-, five-, and six-speed synchronized manual transmissions from Rootes were used, while rear axles were a mixture of Rootes Groups' own hypoid design and Eaton Corporation's single- and two-speed axles. The chassis used a special alloy for greater strength and lighter weight.
Final capacity ranged from 7.5–16 short tons (6.8–14.5 t) GVW for full vehicles and 24/28 tons GCW for tractors.
Renault[]

Dodge-Renault 100 Mk 2
Note the double badging
The 100 Series was in production for around 15 years in most areas of the world (though not in the United States, due to the costs that would be involved in meeting local regulations). It was sold as a Commer, Dodge, DeSoto, Fargo, and Renault (by Renault Trucks). A Mark 2 version upgraded the engine and made other minor refinements. Eventually the Dodge 100 was eliminated by Renault, which had acquired the former Rootes Group truck operations after the car operations were purchased by Peugeot, though a Renault version of the Dodge 100 was built for a time; by 1987, it was being marketed as simply the Renault Commando. Renault later switched production at the former Rootes factory to Renault's own bus and truck engines.
See also[]
References[]
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This page uses some content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Dodge 100 "Commando". The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki, the text of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons by Attribution License and/or GNU Free Documentation License. Please check page history for when the original article was copied to Wikia |
External links[]
Images[]
- Dodge 100/Commando fire engine (on flickr)
- Two Dodge 100/Commando cabs (on flickr)
- Dodge Commando Horse Box (on flickr)
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