| Jeep facts |
| This is a collection of random WWII jeep facts. Read and enjoy! |
| Bantam BRC Ford GP MA MB GPW GPA |
| Wheelbase (in.) Lenght (in.) Width (in.) Weight (lb.) Engine, make type cyl. cid. output (bhp) Transmission Axle ratio (:1) Tyres Production (approx.) 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 Total: |
| Willys Ford |
| 79,5 126 54 2100 Continental L-head 4 111.7 45 3F1Rx2 4.88 6.00x16 2.600 - - - - 2600 |
| 80 129 62 2150 own L-head 4 119,5 45 3F1Rx2 4.88 6.00x16 4458 - - - - 4458 |
| 80 133 62 2160 own L-head 4 134.2 54 3F1Rx2 4.88 6.00x16 1.550 - - - - 1550 |
| 80 132 62 2450 own L-head 4 134.2 54 3F1Rx2 4.88 6.00x16 |
| 8.598 91.421 93.210 109.102 57.517 359.848 |
| - 91.000 80.000 74.000 32.896 277.896 |
| 84 182 64 3660 own L-head 4 134.2 54 3F1Rx2 4.88 6.00x16 - 5.179 7.600 - - 12.779 |
| The name "jeep" There are a number of stories how the name "jeep" became connected to the 4x4 1/4 ton truck General Purpose. Two of them are best known. The first one claims it is slang for the letters GP, but I think this is doubtful because it would have been "geep" instead of "jeep". The second one claims that is was named after a cartoon figure that was introduced in the cartoon series of Popeye the Sailorman in 1940: Eugene the Jeep. Eugene was a creature that could travel through the 4th dimension, and it could well have been that a GI was remembered by this little creature when he saw the jeep going trough rough terrain. I consider this the most plausible explanation, but whatever one was right, the Truck, 1/4 ton 4x4 General Purpose was soon know as the "jeep" thoughout the Allied and even Axis armed forces. It is however enjoyable to see that the high brass refused to accept the name "jeep" and kept referring to it as Truck, 1/4 ton 4x4 GP in their (un)official documents till the bitter end. There are however some other versions of what "jeep" stood for: - Just Enough Essential Parts - Justify Every Expense Please (wife's version) - Jeneraly Easy Except Paint (colour) - Just Empty Every Pocket |
| Casting numbers: Block# Head# MB 1941-45 638632 639660 GPW 1942-45 GPW6015 6050 CJ2A 1946-49 641145 640161 CJ3A 1950-53 641145 640161 M38 1950-52 641087 800376, 804392 (this engine was used till # 74419) M201 1957-66 80101 ? Willys 77 1937 630282 ? (pre-war Willys car engine) These numbers were casted in raised or recessed characters (not stamped) on the parts and have nothing to do with (stamped) serialnumbers. Location: block# : on the right side, between the distributor and the oilpan; head# : on the top, right front corner. Info courtesy of Ren Bernier, Joe Potter, Alisdair Brass and Jon Rogers. To view an excellent article about MB (no GPW) engines and their castingdates etc. click here. Note: M201 Hotchkiss blocks are almost identical to WW2 Willys blocks except for the castingnumber and some differences in the casting of the rear end, near the bellhousing. |
| Chassisnumber to year (Willys): Model Year Chassisnumber range Production MA: 1941 78401 - 79900 1.500 1941 85501 - 85550 50 MB: 1941 100001 - 108598 8.598 1942 108599 - 200022 91.424 1943 200023 - 293232 93.210 1944 293233 - 402334 109.102 1945 402335 - 459851 57.517 |