Studebaker US6 NO WINCH: 2 different bumpers?

Military Trucks 2 1/2 ton and greater, Wanted, For Sale (NO AUCTION or EBAY), and Knowledge Base

Moderator: kw573

Post Reply
Anthonyquinn
G-Corporal
G-Corporal
Posts: 15
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2015 1:52 pm
Location:

Studebaker US6 NO WINCH: 2 different bumpers?

Post by Anthonyquinn » Sat Aug 22, 2020 9:27 am

Hi,

who can help:

I noticed that there are two types of bumper-to-frame versions: a long and a short one.

PLEASE MIND I AM ONLY TALKING ABOUT THE NO WINCH VERSION of the US6. (I am well aware that the winch version has a different frame mounting of the bumper>>not topic here)
You can easily tell the difference when looking at the more aft bolt of the hook: the longer version is clearly distant from the mudguard, the shorter one in line with the forward edge of the latter.

Questions:
- Which Stude model has which?
- Does the U6 (tractor) have both versions or just the shorter (=closer to the grill)?

Thanks,
Erwin
PS: Again: We are only talking about NO WINCH trucks here;-)
PPS: DISREGARD THE READ ARROW IN THE FIRST PIC PLEASE: it means nothing.
Attachments
studer cabin 2.jpg
Stude_bumper_short3.png
Stude_bumper_short2.png
Stude_bumper_short2.png (40.96 KiB) Viewed 2217 times
Stude_bumper_short.png
Stude_bumper_short.png (29.05 KiB) Viewed 2217 times
Stude_bumper_long.png


motto
G-Lieutenant Colonel
G-Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 1002
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:24 pm
Location: 70 km outside of Melbourne Australia

Re: Studebaker US6 NO WINCH: 2 different bumpers?

Post by motto » Mon Aug 24, 2020 4:32 pm

I have noticed the two different bumper positions on trucks here in Australia. I have no idea of the reason for the difference. The parts interchange so the difference is only bolt on. As far as I know we only had cargo trucks here ex factory. The 'Teaspoon Tippers' were an Australian concoction.

David

Anthonyquinn
G-Corporal
G-Corporal
Posts: 15
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2015 1:52 pm
Location:

Re: Studebaker US6 NO WINCH: 2 different bumpers?

Post by Anthonyquinn » Sat Aug 29, 2020 2:59 pm

Thanks David.

I searched for a hint - the only possible explanation I could think of was:

The more "distant" bumper version is a later one.
As all original Studebaker documentation is only portraying the "closer" version.
Factory pictures were taken very early and most likely not changed during the war. They appear always to remain the same ones.

See the factory overview of all 13 U6 types below - all NON winch trucks show the SHORTER/CLOSER version of the bumper.

Just a GUESS though... :roll:

Any con - opinions? Would love to be disproven :P

Cheers
Erwin
Attachments
48882922972_0f904a93bc_b.jpg
48882734281_c3eb71ab1e_b.jpg

User avatar
gerrykan
G-General
G-General
Posts: 9303
Joined: Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:37 am
Location: Ozark Mountains, USA

Re: Studebaker US6 NO WINCH: 2 different bumpers?

Post by gerrykan » Thu Sep 03, 2020 4:08 pm

I first confess my ignorance on this subject, as living near the center of the USA, I have seen very few of these trucks in person.

I remember that REO also built a copy of this design, and was wondering how the frame and bumper compare to the Studebaker?
Roy

Anthonyquinn
G-Corporal
G-Corporal
Posts: 15
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2015 1:52 pm
Location:

Re: Studebaker US6 NO WINCH: 2 different bumpers?

Post by Anthonyquinn » Sat Sep 05, 2020 10:19 am

Nice idea. But I guess this is not the clue:

1. REO only built the U3 version of the US6. But the TWO versions of bumper mounting show on ALL versions of trucks.

2. I now even found BOTH bumper versions on the US6x4 U6 tractor. And the latter were for sure only built by Studebaker.
See the pictures below. The one with "distant" bumper (number 243 on bumper) is copyright David Doyle, in "RED BALL EXPRESS, Pat Ware, London 2007
So this even answers my second question in the opening of the thread: tractors indeed had both variants of bumper-to-frame fixing.

Can any one prove/disprove that the "early/late" version is right/wrong?
Attachments
US6_Stosstange_12.jpeg
US6_Stosstange_4.jpg

Anthonyquinn
G-Corporal
G-Corporal
Posts: 15
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2015 1:52 pm
Location:

Re: Studebaker US6 NO WINCH: 2 different bumpers?

Post by Anthonyquinn » Wed Oct 28, 2020 9:03 am

As suspected:

There is an

EARLY version of the bumper (shorter distance to the frame) and a
LATE version (bumper moves 7 inches forward).

"On 31 December 1943 approval was given to the front bumper of non-winch trucks SEVEN INCHES FORWARD, making the overall length 21 feet 5 5/8 inches. This was done to prevent damage to the radiator (!) when pushing another vehicle." (Allied-Axis 23, The Photo Journal, page 23, Ampersand, USA, 2008)

...pretty smart :P ...

This applies also for U6 models (tractor).

See the difference below:

BUMPER EARLY
Bump short.jpg
BUMPER LATE
Bump long.jpg

motto
G-Lieutenant Colonel
G-Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 1002
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:24 pm
Location: 70 km outside of Melbourne Australia

Re: Studebaker US6 NO WINCH: 2 different bumpers?

Post by motto » Wed Oct 28, 2020 11:22 pm

Thanks for finding an answer to the mystery. I had always wondered what the cause was for the variation.

David

Anthonyquinn
G-Corporal
G-Corporal
Posts: 15
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2015 1:52 pm
Location:

Re: Studebaker US6 NO WINCH: 2 different bumpers?

Post by Anthonyquinn » Fri Oct 30, 2020 4:09 am

My pleasure David :)

I have been wondering too for years...

BTW: The tractor in the retro colors In the upper pic in Soviet marking is mine-last weekend;)

Cheers
Erwin :D

User avatar
Lowrdrbird
G-First Lieutenant
G-First Lieutenant
Posts: 684
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2007 6:15 am
Location: Western Ohio
Contact:

Re: Studebaker US6 NO WINCH: 2 different bumpers?

Post by Lowrdrbird » Wed Jan 06, 2021 4:31 am

Ok gang here is my thoughts on this

The short extensions were on the trucks till early to mid 43 and then they were changed to the longer extensions when the redesign of the truck came out. Meaning changing the Carb and windshield wiper placement and Dismountable brake drums. My 42 has the short extensions on her.
The reason for the longer extensions from what i was told was to protect the Grill from being damaged when it was pushing another truck. Now i could be wrong on this but thats how it was explained to me by 2 different sources.

Ken
Keeping the History Alive
If you are reading this Thank a teacher, If you are reading it in English Thank a Vet.
1942 Chevy G506 " Allie Kat"
1942 US6 Studebaker 21645 "Phantom"
1944 US6 Studebaker Tractor "Carmen"
1945 US6 Studebaker "Dakota"
1945 US6 Studebaker "Spirit"
1943 1 Ton Trailer
ALWAYS LOOKING FOR US6 Studebaker Parts

Anthonyquinn
G-Corporal
G-Corporal
Posts: 15
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2015 1:52 pm
Location:

Re: Studebaker US6 NO WINCH: 2 different bumpers?

Post by Anthonyquinn » Thu Jan 07, 2021 6:21 am

The reason for the longer extensions from what i was told was to protect the Grill from being damaged when it was pushing another truck.
Thanks Ken.
Seems to be in line with what I ´ve posted earlier. So this seems to be solved... :D
Happy New Year!

Erwin

supply
G-Private First Class
G-Private First Class
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2015 5:46 pm
Location: Alice Springs

Re: Studebaker US6 NO WINCH: 2 different bumpers?

Post by supply » Fri Mar 19, 2021 5:18 pm

To make this even more confusing my us6 is a 1945 has the short extension and the winch.

motto
G-Lieutenant Colonel
G-Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 1002
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:24 pm
Location: 70 km outside of Melbourne Australia

Re: Studebaker US6 NO WINCH: 2 different bumpers?

Post by motto » Sat Mar 20, 2021 2:11 am

supply wrote:
Fri Mar 19, 2021 5:18 pm
To make this even more confusing my us6 is a 1945 has the short extension and the winch.
I must be missing something.
How can the truck mount a winch and have short bumper extensions at the same time?

David

kw573
G-Colonel
G-Colonel
Posts: 1232
Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:48 pm
Location: Near Bundaberg, Australia.

Re: Studebaker US6 NO WINCH: 2 different bumpers?

Post by kw573 » Sat Mar 20, 2021 1:49 pm

Good Question!
1942 Script GPW (Daily driver).
MB-T trailer.
Diamond T 969. ('The Glorifier')
Diamond T 969, rusty, complete, for sale.
Kenworth M1A1 Heavy Wrecker x 2.
M2A1 white HT. ('Clarrie')
Light Recovery Trailer (Ford?).
3ton GS (Blitz) Trailer.
150gal water tanker trailer.
Air compressor trailer, 100c.f.m.

supply
G-Private First Class
G-Private First Class
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2015 5:46 pm
Location: Alice Springs

Re: Studebaker US6 NO WINCH: 2 different bumpers?

Post by supply » Tue Mar 30, 2021 2:24 am

Yes I'm puzzled by this also if anyone out there has the answer please feel free to share.

supply
G-Private First Class
G-Private First Class
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2015 5:46 pm
Location: Alice Springs

Re: Studebaker US6 NO WINCH: 2 different bumpers?

Post by supply » Wed Mar 31, 2021 2:44 pm

Okay mystery of my winch solved is not original but is a Braden probably fitted for farm use.


Post Reply

Return to “Trucks 2 1/2 ton +”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 45 guests