How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Quarter-ton trailer series, Wanted, USED PARTS FOR SALE NO EBAY or COMMERCIAL SALES., and Knowledge Base
JeyParis
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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by JeyParis » Wed Feb 24, 2021 8:38 am

sjalbert wrote:
Wed Feb 24, 2021 6:32 am
JeyParis wrote:
Mon Feb 22, 2021 11:07 am
Dear All,
I have a trailer who looks like Philippe's one (lauvergnat) and I want to know if it's Willys or Bantam.
Here the details:
1/ the plate is not the original one, so no information
2/ the trailer was repainted so I haven't the USA number
3/ ACM number : 12579W
4/ upper shock mount : bolted, it seems
5/ the axel is a straight tube with a welded seam in the middle
6/ springs : I had the surprise to see that I have 8 leaves on a side and 10 on the other side
7/ the reflectors are not the original ones... Taillight Mounts: Standard brackets are bolted to the tub
8/ i forgot to look for all the numbers but I have one on the side of the drawbar : 10349
9/ bolts : nothing particular
10/ no unit numbers
Your pictures didn't show (and didn't appear as links to me)

Your trailer is just a little older then mine viewtopic.php?f=18&t=149552

My ACM number is 13092 and my serial number is 10968. The number stamped into the side of your drawbar is probably the serial number. If it were my trailer I would order a reproduction data plate from dataplates4u.com and have Robert stamp 10 42 for the date of delivery and 10349 for the serial number.

You've got a Bantam axle (mine had one as well).

Chuck suggested that I use "USA 0168533" as my USA number. Based on that yours would be on the order of "USA 0167914"
Thanks Seth, it helps me a lot.
I try to send the pictures again

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Jeremy
Willys MB 02/1944
Willys MBT 10/1942


sjalbert
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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by sjalbert » Wed Feb 24, 2021 10:06 am

Still no joy on the photo's are you trying to load them in line or link to an external site? Mine are hosted on http://www.surfacezero.com/
Seth
******
1944 MB 349858, 20620361
1942 MBT 10968 viewtopic.php?f=18&t=149552
1942 MBT 15799, USA 0217497 viewtopic.php?f=18&t=225199
MVPA # 8587
Com / Inst. SMEL
CFII - ASEL
KI5LYB

Collecting Willys Engine Info. Please send me Engine #, Casting Date & Machining Date if known

JeyParis
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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by JeyParis » Wed Feb 24, 2021 10:36 pm

sjalbert wrote:
Wed Feb 24, 2021 10:06 am
Still no joy on the photo's are you trying to load them in line or link to an external site? Mine are hosted on http://www.surfacezero.com/
Ok it works ;) here the link : http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/member. ... e=jeyparis
Image
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Willys MB 02/1944
Willys MBT 10/1942

sjalbert
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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by sjalbert » Thu Feb 25, 2021 6:52 am

Great, I can see the pictures now.

I would have expected 10349 to have welded tail light brackets. Your tail light brackets don't look original to me.

My Oct '42 Trailer brackets look like this:
10968 Tail LIght Bracket.jpeg
My Dec '42 Trailer brackets look like this:
15799 Tail LIght Bracket.jpeg
Yours look like this: Image
Seth
******
1944 MB 349858, 20620361
1942 MBT 10968 viewtopic.php?f=18&t=149552
1942 MBT 15799, USA 0217497 viewtopic.php?f=18&t=225199
MVPA # 8587
Com / Inst. SMEL
CFII - ASEL
KI5LYB

Collecting Willys Engine Info. Please send me Engine #, Casting Date & Machining Date if known

JeyParis
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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by JeyParis » Thu Feb 25, 2021 7:11 am

As you know, in France, we had a lot of modifications after the war. Maybe this trailer was used by the French army, so they changed lights and tail lights brackets...
Willys MB 02/1944
Willys MBT 10/1942

sjalbert
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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by sjalbert » Thu Feb 25, 2021 10:30 am

Mounting hardware looks modern and the paint on the brackets doesn't look the same as the rest of the trailer. They were probably installed by the last civilian owner after the trailer was painted.
Seth
******
1944 MB 349858, 20620361
1942 MBT 10968 viewtopic.php?f=18&t=149552
1942 MBT 15799, USA 0217497 viewtopic.php?f=18&t=225199
MVPA # 8587
Com / Inst. SMEL
CFII - ASEL
KI5LYB

Collecting Willys Engine Info. Please send me Engine #, Casting Date & Machining Date if known

Yiannis13
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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by Yiannis13 » Thu Feb 25, 2021 10:47 am

You should email Chuck Lutz directly for information on this trailer. The estimated USA posted above is LOWER than what Seth has posted.

sjalbert
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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by sjalbert » Thu Feb 25, 2021 12:29 pm

I believe that ************* is still a good e-mail address for Chuck
Seth
******
1944 MB 349858, 20620361
1942 MBT 10968 viewtopic.php?f=18&t=149552
1942 MBT 15799, USA 0217497 viewtopic.php?f=18&t=225199
MVPA # 8587
Com / Inst. SMEL
CFII - ASEL
KI5LYB

Collecting Willys Engine Info. Please send me Engine #, Casting Date & Machining Date if known

JeyParis
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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by JeyParis » Thu Feb 25, 2021 10:32 pm

thank you guys, I just emailed him. I thought he would answer directly on the forum... :roll:
Willys MB 02/1944
Willys MBT 10/1942

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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by LJBrzozka » Tue Jun 15, 2021 8:28 am

Hi Chuck

I have just acquired what appears to be a Willys MBT trailer (based on your excellent write-up!). I am hoping to get a rough date and serial number to make up a new data plate. Having scrolled through this thread I have seen a few ACM numbers close to what I have. My guess is 4th Quarter of 1943 but any further insight would be ace!

1) No data plate. Looks like the original holes are there
2) USA 0475644 (some white paint over pale blue numbers)
3) 98771 (no letters)
4) Originally would have been a cotter pin but now has a treaded bolt. Mount is bolted to the frame. Lower is also threaded but there is a hole where it looks like a pin could go through
5) Welded centre axle
6) 8 leaves with spring closures underneath
7) No lights or reflectors present
8) Two holes either side for bolting the arms on
9) Can't find any numbers on the frame
10) Some bolts marked BO (may be BC)
11) There is something but it's too badly degraded to make out! There are several original-looking stars under the post war paint as well as some other white markings.

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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by Joel90 » Wed Jul 21, 2021 12:44 am

Hi Chuck,

I have recently started restoring what I believe to be an early bantam trailer. I am chasing a possible serial #, DOD and also a bit more clarity on the U.S.A number. Photos show what is legible of the number. In one photo I have chalked out what I think it might be but is still not complete.

1) Data Plate: Missing
2) USA Number: U.S.A visible. Partial number is visible
3) ACM Number: 14854 B
4) Upper Shock Mount Is threaded and Is RIVETED to the frame.
5) Axle is Missing
6) Springs: Springs Missing
7) Taillights & Reflectors: No taillights. Reflector bezels marked ARROW, Reflector Lens is Grotelite. Reflector screw heads inside the tub.
Taillight Mounts: Standard "L" brackets bolted welded on
9) Numbers: None
10) Bolts: Majority are marked AA
11) Unit Numbers: None
Attachments
20210717_145349.jpg
20210717_145321.jpg
20210717_145304.jpg

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seacon
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need help to ID a WWII G529 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by seacon » Sun Oct 24, 2021 11:53 am

Hello there

After about 10 years I resumed work on this trailer. I will put up a full restoration thread but would like an insight on what I am dealing with.

Trailer was used and abused by the Italian Army and a road construction company. Dented, bent and full of extra holes, looks like it went through some pretty extensive repair but retained a rather undisturbed tub/lower frame.
1 ) NO Data Plate.
2 ) NO USA Number.
3 ) ACM Number 102545.
4 ) Upper Shock Mount: cotter-pin type. RIVETED and tack WELDED to the frame. LOWER shock mount cotter-pin type;
5 ) Straight tube axle;
6 ) Springs: Eight leaves. Standard FLAT Willys type spring clips, bottom closure.
7 ) Taillights & Reflectors: two side reflectors, one oval, one clipped oval bezel, on the sides. The rear reflectors were missing. Round head screws inside tub, lead washers present on the oval reflector.
8 ) Taillight Mounts: Standard "L" brackets bolted to the tub.
9 ) Numbers: 1795 ontop of the RH drawbar, no other number visible on frame. Lunette casting may not be original to the trailer, has a '14' stamped on top of the ring.
10 ) Bolts: most are BC, some odd EC, AA or nothing on the fenders could be replacements. All the PAL nuts but one are in place. One screw of the brake lever bracket is longer and was definitely replaced as is the only non-spec hex head screw present.
11 ) NO Unit Numbers.

I think I may have a 44ish or later trailer or something like that.

Please let me know
ciao
M

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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by MAXMASO » Sun Dec 12, 2021 11:50 am

Hello,
My name is Max, I'm from Italy, few time ago l bought , from a farmer, a ww2 willys mbt trailer late production, almost complete but without its data plate .I started to restore it, the serial number is:
87403 and on the rear part of the trailer is possible read part of the registration number in Blue drab, It appears like:
U.S.A.
0401879
But l beleive that this registration number is not compatible with serial number,
Please can You help me?
Best Regards
Max

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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by vargento » Thu Feb 03, 2022 10:54 am

Hi everybody,
like the two previous members I write from Italy. I've a Bantam trailer ex Italian Army. The conditions are unbelievably good but the trailer has been largely abused by the Italian Army. The most relevant modifications are the shock absorbers. They cut off the original upper mounts in order to place a lever type, possibly from a GMC truck. The lower mounts have cotter pin.

1) Data Plate: Missing
2) USA Number: None
3) ACM Number: 15307 B
4) Upper Shock Mount missing. This trailer has been modified with lever dampers
5) Axle one piece
6) Springs: 7 leafs
7) Taillights & Reflectors: Missing.
8) Taillight Mounts: Missing
9) Numbers: None
10) Bolts: No marks, AA, BC.
11) Unit Numbers: None

Any idea about DOD (end of March 1943?), serial number and registration number?

Thanks
Vittorio


Image

Inviato dal mio Armor_3W utilizzando Tapatalk

Vittorio Argento
1943 MB Willys
sn 238476
dod 3 June 1943
1944 MB Willys
sn 351501
dod 15 July 1944

Hal Joyce
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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by Hal Joyce » Sat Feb 19, 2022 9:18 am

Here is my MBT trailer info, my trailer is completely disassembled, stalled out temporarily on restoration and working on MB. Any registration number help you can add would be deeply appreciated, Thanks Hal Joyce

A. MBT Willys
B. 11539
C. 11/42
2. S/N02213__(23?)
3. S/N02213__(23?)
4. 16748W
5. Came off of New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell New Mexico s/n stamped on left draw bar NMM260000157
6. Cast center axle
7. Drilled shaft for cotter pin, yes.
8. Leaf count is 8 both sides
9. Original, Bubba cut off ring & welded a ball hitch on, but I purchased a supposed original for replacement.
10. Draw bar casting numbers “v”type “u” channel A6368 leg support
11. How is draw bar crossmember attached? Bolted on!
12. Safety chains 9 short 5/16x1-19/32, links, 2 long 5/16x2” links for each chain. Numbers on cast end attachments hooks, one hook broken other missing, Tp-2 on bolted attachments.
13. Landing leg casting 3 holes on stop pin. Any numbers G inside a square box then a large A!
14. B/o switch identity and how many?
15. Identify reflectors Do-ray Oblong and lens missing, I removed them years ago, and lead washers were installed, at one time, but not now!
16. Identify tail lights by C-B mfg & mount bolted.
17. One solid and one combat rim
18. Bolt head markings, none!
19. No noticeable modifications other than tailgate fold down installed and unknown if done by bubba or Military school?
MB SG 110169 body 13869 Engine 590935
GPW 108703 s/n all matching 3/31/43
Willy’s MBT 11539 11/42 16748w s/n 0213230
1947 CJ2A s/n 87325 engine MC62311 GPW head
:D


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