Roadless Traction 4wd Dexta

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The sandwich box, and front axle were made by Selene in Italy and sold in Britain by Roadless Traction under licence.

The front axle was modified WW2 Dodge WC1 Weapons carrier bought as surplus parts from Countries like Holland & France who used ex-WW2 vehicles like Jeep, WC & GMC 6x6 trucks into the 1960's.

Hi David, like your picture of the Roadless Dexta, we have a few of them over here in Notts and Lincs. Like the picture of the Diesel Major next to it. I have one just like it with the big Diesel badge that my Uncle owned. He retired in 1993 at the age of 92 and I bought it in his sale and I keep it totaly original un painted. You may have seen it in the tractor books (shiney comics) registration number VRR 19. MJ

KFD68
I would like one, very nice!
Brian

Hello KFD68 , This Roadless Dexta kit uses an Early GMC CCKW split banjo front axle (it is a smaller and earlier version of the same GMC Axle used in the Major Roadless kits ) not a Dodge WC series weapons carrier axle , I use the Dodge Axle in my Ford 4X4 conversions . Thanks Tony

Tony;

I would like to recomend two excellent books written by Stuart Gibbard in England which cover the Roadless tractors and the other conversions by County, Doe, Chaseside, Northrop, Muir Hill, Matbro and Bray. Hard backed books containing hundreds of period official company photographs, tables of production & specifications, and very informative text.

1 - Ford Tractor Conversions by Stuart Gibbard
&
2 - Roadless by Stuart Gibbard

Both distributed in USA by:-
Diamond Farm Enterprises
Box 537
Alexandria Bay
NY 13607. USA

(quoted from post at 02:50:49 10/16/12) Hello KFD68 , This Roadless Dexta kit uses an Early GMC CCKW split banjo front axle (it is a smaller and earlier version of the same GMC Axle used in the Major Roadless kits ) not a Dodge WC series weapons carrier axle , I use the Dodge Axle in my Ford 4X4 conversions . Thanks Tony

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Hi Tony;

Stuart Gibbard's definitive book ROADLESS written in conjuction with Ven Dodge the Roadless Traction's Sales Director and Vic Crockford, intially Chief Designer and later the Managing Director who both joined the company in the 1960's and were there until the company's demise.

On page 101 Stuart writes :-

the Dexta 4wd " a split axle casing from a Dodge truck"

On page 117 Stuart writes :-

"the Ploughmaster 46 [based on the Ford 3000] fitted with a version of the system used on the Dexta but using different ratios"

The above facts have been confirmed by Mervyn Ford who joined Roadless in 1969 as demonstrator and later as salesman; he also was with the company until its demise. Mervyn and I have been friends since 1970 and are in regular contact with each other to-day.

I did not work for Roadless Traction, I am only reiterating what I have heard & read and are accepted by tractor enthusiasts in Britain.

By sharing information about these obsolete makes and models, we are able to inform the future generations about the facinating story of the agricultural tractor. Its great that you are giving your information as a supplier & builder of 4wd systems in the USA.

Hello KFD68 , I have all of Stuart's book's , tapes and DVD'S that he has written about Ford's and the 4X4 Conversions for the Fords . Somewhere along the line someone got the Information wrong that's all . Dodge Entered the Military Market in late 1940 after building experimental trucks and drives in 1939 and 1940 . Dodge has NEVER built a Split Housing Axle, and from 1939 - 1977 EVERY Military Dodge has had FIVE LUG WHEELS not six lug like GMC / CHEVROLET MILITARY . Dodge also ONLY USED TWO GEAR RATIO'S 4.89-1 and 5.83-1 . I have owned and worked on every variation of the Dodge Military axle . If you look up ELENCO on the Internet you will see my 4x4 Conversion for the Fords and you will see the difference in the Axles . If you look closely at the pictures you posted you will see the drive hubs sticking through the front wheels are EXACTLY like the Bigger Roadless conversions and the six lug wheel pattern is the same and the Complete Steering Knuckle assemblies are also the same because they are all GMC axles not Dodge . All of the early WW2 GMC/CHEVROLET MILITARY CCKW trucks used the split housing axles front and rear then the later trucks were changed to the later design that Selene first used in their conversions because they were stronger and all Korean war and Vietnam war GMC MILITARY trucks used the same axle with different gear ratio's and fine spline axle shafts as the earlier one were coarse splined . I have no problem sharing the info. for future generations but you have to get it correct that's all . I am glad you can still speak with Mervyn Ford as I have read about him winning all of those plowing contests with Roadless 120's I believe and seen him on the old tapes that have been reproduced also plowing with the Roadless's . I would like to talk with him myself sometime about the Roadless Convesions . Thanks Tony

Hello KFD68 , I just took a moment to look at the pictures of the 45 or so 3000 Ford Roadless tractors built and it is the same as the Dexta kit and both were built by Selene in Italy and exported to Roadless and both look exactly alike so both are built with GMC CCKW axle parts not Dodge . Selene MAY HAVE even cast their own Split Housing copying the GMC design and made it smaller for the smaller tractors we may never know but I do know it is not a Dodge axle . Thanks Tony