42FordGPW's Weblog

Bantam, Ford and Willlys – 1/4-ton Reconnaissance Cars

42FordGPW — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:31:24 +0000

Check out BANTAM, FORD AND WILLYS—1/4-TON RECONNAISSANCE CARS

This book covers the Bantam BRC, Ford GP and the Willys MA. There are many pages of original documents that have not been published before (as far as I know, anyway).

Lots of detailed photos of all three jeeps!

These jeeps are on display at the Veterans Memorial Museum of Huntsville, AL.

Description:
The 1/4-ton, 4×4, truck of World War Two started out in the hands of the Infantry and a little company called American Bantam Car Company. Bantam worked with the Army’s Quartermaster Corps to produce the pilot model that was accepted and then fulfilled their initial contract for 70 trucks. During testing of the pilot both Ford and Willys-Overland were invited to check out this new vehicle. The vehicles were studied in great detail. Soon, at their own expense, Ford and Willys-Overland submitted pilots for testing too. This book covers the production prototypes–Bantam BRC-40, Ford GP and the Willys MA.
For more information, see BANTAM, FORD AND WILLYS—1/4-TON RECONNAISSANCE CARS.

(Front Cover)lulu.com, also available from Amazon.com and other fine booksellers!

Product Details:
Printed: 170 pages, 8.50″ x 11.00″, perfect binding, 60# white interior paper, black and white interior ink , 100# exterior paper, full-color exterior ink
ISBN: 978-1-84728-188-3
Publisher: Robert Notman
Copyright: © 2006 by Robert Notman Standard Copyright License
Language: English

Cost: $24.95 plus shipping. Shipped worldwide!

Visit http://www.42fordgpw.com/

All you need to know about the WW2 jeep to begin working on it

42FordGPW — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:29:46 +0000

The Complete WW2 Military Jeep Manual can help you with just about everything except mud!!!

If you own a WW2 jeep or are interested in purchasing one, you need The Complete WW2 Military Jeep Manual. This is a reprint of several jeep manuals you will need to operate and repair your jeep. They won’t be especially helpful in restoring your jeep but they do contain a ton of information on how to operate your “new” jeep as well as steps on how to repair it. Need to rebuild your front or rear axle? That’s covered. Want to rebuild your transmission? Covered as well.

It’s a good collection and well worth the price while you look to collect the originals!

How about a good WW2 jeep book?

42FordGPW — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:28:15 +0000

I just love a good book…Don’t you?

A book that has been in my collection for a very long time and is still in print, WW2 Jeep Military Portfolio 1941-1945, is a book worthy of your consideration. It has a number of period articles and even some from years after the introduction of the jeep to the world. It isn’t a book that will help you with your restoration but adds a bit of knowledge to your kit of facts to help you understand the jeep.

Valetines’ Day Gift for WW2 Jeep Loved One’s

42FordGPW — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:26:39 +0000

A Sterling Silver jeep? I would love that!

It’s not too soon to start thinking about getting a unique gift for that certain someone in our life. If they like jeeps then may you should consider the Sterling Silver Oxidized Jeep Pendant, 9/16″ (14mm) tall. It’s a small replica of a WW2 jeep. Very inexpensive and pretty cool looking.

How about your WW2 jeep with tracks?

42FordGPW — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:25:14 +0000

You can drive your WW2 jeep in style!

During the war it seems as if just about everything was tried or tested. This includes a jeep with complete tracks. In the picture above the jeep sports eight tires plus tracks. You can find out more about rare jeeps from WW2 in the following book:

The first book entitled Rare WW2 Jeep Photo Archive, 1940-1945 includes a ton of photos of specialized jeeps. The second book entitled Rare WW2 Jeep: Following On No. 1. Both books are by Mark Askew and are excellent resources. Consider adding them to your collection of books today.

Ya Say You Got WW2 Jeep Engine Woes?

42FordGPW — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:24:05 +0000

Some time ago I posted the “6 step” process to help you figure out what is wrong with your engine. It is actually a tune up process as well but very handy as a trouble shooting solution.

It all starts here, Trouble Shooting – Engine. Click on the circles or just click next to step through each one. It all starts with the sparkplugs. These instructions are useful to any wheeled World War Two vehicle, like the jeep, 1/2-ton Dodge, etc.

This process will make you an “expert” in no time…

Transmission Slips Out of Gear?

42FordGPW — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 23:32:57 +0000

Do you have problems with your transmission?

The WW2 jeep has many great features and many were first used in the diminutive vehicle. Not all of the features were all that great. This include the T-84 which was a marginal transmission to use with the 60hp engine and was dumped after the war. Still it is a testimony of sorts to realize that all of the WW2 jeeps had a T-84 transmission and it managed to help win the war.

Does it slip out of gear? This condition may be caused by weak or broken shift-rod poppet springs, a bent shifting fork, or excessive wear of the gears. The transmission must be replaced or repaired.

If you have a WW2 jeep with a T-84J transmission then you might want to purchase my book, Trouble Shooting And Rebuilding The T-84J.

Don’t make your girl wait, get that transmission fixed today!

The Standardised War-Time Jeep, 1941-45

42FordGPW — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:31:04 +0000

The Standardised War-Time Jeep, 1941-45 by John Farley. This is an excellent reference book that tries to show all of the variations of the MB and GPW throughout the war-time period. Mr. Farley does a pretty good job and the book is well worth owning. You can purchase the book through Amazon.com (through the link provided above) or by ordering through any major book store.

ISBN-10: 0953447030
ISBN-13: 978-0953447039

Should WW2 jeep tire chains be painted?

42FordGPW — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 23:29:09 +0000

Don’t paint those tire chains…use varnish!

Back in WW2 Grandpa Half-mast provided great advice to the GIs about their jeeps and other vehicles. So you want to know if tire chains should be painted is a question that comes up now and again. Even in WW2 people wanted to know! As always Half-Mast had the answer…

Dear Half-Mast,
Is there any objection to painting truck tire-chains with lusterless olive drab paint and storing them in this manner?
Sgt. A.F.R.

Dear Sergeant,
I don’t know if there are any objections to doing the job this way, but I know a better and recommended way.

Clean the tire-chains thorough with Phosphoric Metal Conditioner (Federal Stock Nos. 51-A-1302, 1-gal., and 51-A-1303, 5 gal.). Let them dry. Take Gloss, Clear Varnish (Federal Stock Nos. 52-V-2770, 1-gal., and 52-V-2780, 5 gal.) and cut it in half – with Thinner (Federal Stock Nos. 52-T-445, 1-gal., and 52-T-450, 5-gal.). Dip your chains in the thinned varnish and that’s all there is to it. Be careful, though, not to varnish the clips; varnish will keep them from opening and closing.

It takes, about a week for the varnish to be thoroughly dry and hard.

Try my way, Sergeant.

Half-Mast

From Military Maitenance for MB/GPW Jeeps 1941-45, pages 319 and 320, you can search the book through Google Books if you don’t own a copy.

Research website to check out

42FordGPW — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:27:40 +0000

Those of you interested in early jeep documents would be wise to take a look at

http://www.willys-overland.com/documents/index.htm. This website has a collection of documents, found and donated by a number jeep researchers. Perhaps you have documents you too would care to donate?

Don’t forget to check out www.42FordGPW.com and look around for interesting pictures and bits of information.