DUKW Tool Kit Update

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DUKW Tool Kit Update

Post by pjones » Tue Apr 19, 2016 4:17 pm

The tool forum has broadened its topics of discussion exponentially over the last several years and discussions well beyond jeep and pioneer tools are the norm. Along those lines I wanted to share a DUKW tool kit I am attempting to put together. Hopefully by presenting it here this will also allow me to locate some of the missing pieces and learn something at the same time.

Its kinda funny where you start and where you end up sometimes. For example my first car was a jeep. Brand new '82 grey and blue chromed 4 cylinder jeep. Yes, 4 cylinder. Not sure what dad was thinking but I assume he thought that would make the jeep "safer". As my son grew up and began to show interest in WW2 it was only natural that "we" bought a '42 jeep. As he often told me to get things he wanted "Dad, we need that" except this time it was "Son, we need that!". This subsequently led to an onboard tool kit and then a GMTK and so on. And along those lines it was only natural that I put together a DUKW toolkit. Not exactly, but some DUKW owners down under needed some and I was more than eager to help out. I haven't been able to find much information on this toolkit even under the DUKW forum and I hope you guys can help.

First a little background that I found very interesting. The DUKW was intially rejected by the Armed forces but eventually supplied to the US Army, US Marines and Allied Forces via the Lend-Lease program. Approximately 20K were produced beween 1942-45 and they were utilized for the transport of troops and supplies over land and water. The tool kit was stowed under the passengers seat. It was by no stretch of the imagination waterproofed in any way. I am sure the crescent was quickly rendered useless as it locked up from rust. It is a simple two hinged wooden box 19 3/4" x 17 3/8" x 2" with a rope handle. Currently I have no way of knowing if or how the kit changed over production from '42-45.
I do have a list of tools included in the kit.

GM-2188101 Box

41-W-991 723 WRENCH, eng 3/8 x 7/16
41-W-1003 25 WRENCH, eng ½ x 19/32
41-W-1005-5 27C WRENCH, eng 9/16 x 11/16
41-W-1008-10 28S WRENCH, eng 5/8 x 25/32
41-W-1012-5 731A WRENCH, eng ¾ x 7/8
41-W-450 WRENCH, adjustable, auto 15in
41-W-523 HAMMER, ball peen, 16oz
41-S-1642 SCREWDRIVER, recess no. 4
41-S-1640 SCREWDRIVER, recess no. 3
41-S-1638 SCREWDRIVER, recess no. 2
41-S-1636 SCREWDRIVER, recess no. 1
41-S-1076 SCREWDRIVER, common, hv duty 6in
41-W-2454 WRENCH, set or cap screw 1/2in set screw, long arm series
41-W-2452 WRENCH, set or cap screw 3/8in set screw, short arm series
41-W-2451 WRENCH, set or cap screw 5/16in set screw, long arm series
41-W-2450 WRENCH, set or cap screw 1/4in set screw, short arm series
41-P-1650 PLIERS, combination, 6in
41-W-3335-50 WRENCH, spark plug
41-W-488 WRENCH, adj. Crescent 12in
41-S-1101 SCREWDRIVER, carburetor adj. 3x 3/16in blade
8-G-345 GAUGE, tire pressure
2184263 CHUCK, tire
G501-01-01804 ADAPTER, hull plug wrench
ADAPTER, prop shaft housing plug

Here are some pictures of the tool kit. Let me know what you think.

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(Thanks to Don, Jason, Luca and Steve for helping source some of the pieces and Lordsandy for the box)

phil
Last edited by pjones on Tue Apr 26, 2016 2:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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lucas
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Re: DUKW Tool Kit

Post by lucas » Tue Apr 19, 2016 5:42 pm

PM to Phil
45 MB 428129
3-15-45
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Re: DUKW Tool Kit

Post by pjones » Wed Apr 20, 2016 3:23 am

I was hoping someone would question the choice of Barcalos for this tool kit. The DUKW was manufactured by the GMC division of GM and because of that a set of Vlchek wrenches may have been the best choice. Other Brands mentioned in the SNL G506 15 OCT 1943 G506 include BHM and Fairmount.
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Re: DUKW Tool Kit

Post by lucakiki » Wed Apr 20, 2016 4:15 am

Phil, I wonder if rather than the G-506 truck you shouldn't follow a GMC big truck tool kit list.
I did once help out Alberto assembling his toolkit for his Chevrolet truck, whose list seems to include a mix of brands, one of which was Master Quality BHM.

I am sure some expert will tell you which are the accepted brands for GMC. I had a list, but I misplaced it.


Have a look here, though!

viewtopic.php?f=48&t=250087
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Re: DUKW Tool Kit

Post by pjones » Wed Apr 20, 2016 4:36 am

lucakiki wrote:Phil, I wonder if rather than the G-506 truck you shouldn't follow a GMC big truck tool kit list.
Luca,
From what I understand they have very similar tool kits but yes a tool kit list with manufacturer's abbreviations from a Deuce and a half would be most helpful.

phil
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Re: DUKW Tool Kit

Post by Gordon_M » Fri Apr 22, 2016 7:12 am

Afternoon Phil.

Been there, done that. I put this kit together for Dusty, hull 14962, which is now back in the US. A few comments to add;

The toolbox is the easy bit - there are many other tools stowed in various nooks and crannies in the engine compartment, rear compartment, even the bilges.
There are variations, early / late not sure which yours is, but it might not match the expected tools from your list due to changes.
Your box wasn't issued with a DUKW, it was a spare. When a DUKW was issued the USA number was stencilled under the USA on the box ( where 325th is on yours ) so it was uniqued to the vehicle - though in use that probably lasted five minutes. Manuals and Parts Lists were sometimes ink-stamped with USA numbers per the vehicle USA number too.
If you do run across any of the tools that weren't stowed in the box, and the price is right, get them too, particularly things like the hull plug and shaft tube plug wrench, snatch block, A-Frame pulley, winch shear pins, hull plugs, tyre inflator chuck and hose, etc, etc ( and DUKWs have a LOT of etc ... )

I do have the DUKW ORD 7-8-9 and the GMC one, but haven't looked at either for a while. They do have manufacturers codes and parts, not sure about tool manufacturers though. Unfortunately everything is at the other house.
Gordon

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Re: DUKW Tool Kit

Post by pjones » Fri Apr 22, 2016 1:27 pm

Gordon_M wrote:Afternoon Phil.

Been there, done that. I put this kit together for Dusty, hull 14962, which is now back in the US. A few comments to add;

The toolbox is the easy bit - there are many other tools stowed in various nooks and crannies in the engine compartment, rear compartment, even the bilges.
There are variations, early / late not sure which yours is, but it might not match the expected tools from your list due to changes.
Your box wasn't issued with a DUKW, it was a spare. When a DUKW was issued the USA number was stencilled under the USA on the box ( where 325th is on yours ) so it was uniqued to the vehicle - though in use that probably lasted five minutes. Manuals and Parts Lists were sometimes ink-stamped with USA numbers per the vehicle USA number too.
If you do run across any of the tools that weren't stowed in the box, and the price is right, get them too, particularly things like the hull plug and shaft tube plug wrench, snatch block, A-Frame pulley, winch shear pins, hull plugs, tyre inflator chuck and hose, etc, etc ( and DUKWs have a LOT of etc ... )

I do have the DUKW ORD 7-8-9 and the GMC one, but haven't looked at either for a while. They do have manufacturers codes and parts, not sure about tool manufacturers though. Unfortunately everything is at the other house.
Thanks for putting some wind back in my sails Gordon!!
Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. I will be putting three of these tool kits together and will not have to source all the other tools you mention located elsewhere in the DUKW. I have acquired 2 boxes and the second one arrived today (photos below). As you can see from the layout painted on the boxes there are differences. I had suspected these boxes were surplus but thanks for the history on their markings. Any info you can share from your DUKW 7-8-9 and GMC would be awesome.

Image

Image

Robin thanks for the box!

phil
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Re: DUKW Tool Kit

Post by Gordon_M » Fri Apr 22, 2016 2:00 pm

You're very welcome Phil. I do have all that info, just not to hand.

I think the box differences were in the spacing / marking for the DUKW-specific tools like the hull plug wrenches and adapters, mostly.
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Re: DUKW Tool Kit

Post by pjones » Tue Apr 26, 2016 2:59 pm

After receiving some great advice I have made some changes and progress on the first 2 DUKW tool kits. I have replaced the BB wrench sets with Vlchek sets after strongly considering BHM. I have taken set one as far as I am going to take it. It still lacks the 8-G-345 TPG and a few other items that the new owner can search for. The second set still lacks a carb adj screwdriver and a few other items..

SET 1:

Image

SET 2:

Image

Here is what I believe to be a carb adj screwdriver. I found it in the repacks and it meets specs exactly. It is 3" long with a 3/16" tip.

Image

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Re: DUKW Tool Kit Update

Post by pjones » Tue Apr 26, 2016 3:18 pm

If anyone has an identical screwdriver to this one please let me know. I'd love to have it.

phil
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Re: DUKW Tool Kit Update

Post by Gordon_M » Tue Apr 26, 2016 11:03 pm

I can tell you how to fill up one more space Phil.

Set one, bottom right, one box in. The white rectangle is for the shaft tube plug key adapter. As I remember it this is just 1" square stock about 3" long with edges and corners broken and the GMC part number.
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Re: DUKW Tool Kit Update

Post by hell-fire » Fri Apr 29, 2016 2:15 am

Great work on these Phil, I knew you would get the job done.
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Re: DUKW Tool Kit Update

Post by pjones » Sun May 01, 2016 1:43 pm

Thanks John!

After some time searching the net I found a picture of the toolkit.

Image

My assumptions about the adj wrench quickly locking up with rust may have been premature. It appears there was a tool bag that held the 15" and 12" wrench. It also appears the DOEs were protected as well.

Does anyone have any idea why the drilled out circle is on the lid? It is present on everyone I have seen.
Phil
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Re: DUKW Tool Kit Update

Post by Tin Medic » Sun May 01, 2016 1:57 pm

Phil, I would guess that its not a regular bag but maybe one that is water proof/resistant.
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Re: DUKW Tool Kit Update

Post by Hartofoak » Sun May 01, 2016 2:03 pm

Great work Phil. Looks like one of the adaptors (?) is proud of the wooden box dividers, so may require the circular cut-out in the lid in order to fully close the box?
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