| Identification IV VEP jeeps |
| These are some differences between Very Early Production and standard production MBs. Of the 630.000+ jeeps produced 25.808 were so called Early's. The overall appearance is the same, although there are many differences in details. I will only give the major ones here. |
| Early production MB Body The grille is of a totally different model. It is constructed of welded iron bars and looks like some sort of garden fence. It is commonly known as the 'slat grill' (see pic) Both Early Willys and Fords have their manufacturer's name stamped in the rear panel (see pic) The first 3500 Early's had a lower windshieldframe. The glass itself had the same size, but the metal strip below it was smaller No glove compartment (see pic) Frame Early MB's have a different model batterytray, constructed of two pieces (see pic) Early's were fitted with an AC aircleaner, commonly known as "pancake filter" (see pic) The rear brakehose went from the middle crossmember (under the mountplate)to the rear axle with a special bracket Other Orginally not equipped with a jerrycan and holder, but often added later in the field. Different model and placing of rear reflectors. The hoodnumber was prefixed with a "W" on the first 7000 or so early's Originally not equipped with a blackoutlight on the left frontfender (later often added as fieldmodification) If a main blackoutlight was fitted, a "U" shaped bracket was used (see pic) The "Caution" nomenclatureplate stated 65 mph as max. speed in the 3th gear (see pic) Fitted with 3 bolt sparewheelcarrier. Fitted with solid wheels until framenumber 120700 (see pic) Fitted with solid Sheller steeringwheel (see pic) Standard production MB Frame The grille has the familiar model, with nine slits. All the later grills were derived from this design. Ford started producing the GPW according to Willys blueprints, but with their own grille-design. Very soon after Willys dropped the slattgrille in favour of Ford's stamped grille which was much easier and cheaper (US$8.00 instead of US$26.00 for the slatt-grill) to produce. Fitted from chassisnumber 125809 (march 1942). Body No stamping whatsoever. Standard split-window. Standard glove compartment. Fitted from chassisnumber 120698 (feb. 1942) (see pic) Standard batterytray. Standard Oakes airfilter. There are 3 variations of this filter used on WWII jeeps (see pic) The rear brakehose went from the left chassisbeam to the rear axle. Other Fitted with jerrycanholder from framenumber 217309 (april 1943) Blackout-light on left frontfender standard from chassisnumber 163750 (aug. 1942). A more "horseshoe" model bracket was used (see pic) Pic Rod Walker The stated max. speed changed to 60 mph. Fitted with 2 bolt sparewheelcarrier from chassisnumber 200741 (feb. 1943). Fitted with 2 piece "combatwheels" from chassisnumber 120701 (feb. 1942). Fitted with standard "slim" steeringwheel. |
