FORD TUB DATING FEATURE

[David Neale]

I just got the chance to check my GPW for the listed questions

My jeep is a 1942 GPW, 30337, built in Louisville KY, U.S.A. 20105846, and excepted by the government on 6/1/42.
The serial number is stamped on the drivers side engine mount, not the frame rail. Brass data plate, top area stamped 1/4 Ton
Ford built tub
1) Flat floor in the glove box, no latch tab, locking door
2) No gas can strengthening plate on the rear panel
3) I have a FORD script tub
4) No trailer socket installed
5) Reflectors not off-set
6) My tub has the flat area behind the tool box lid, no rib.
7) Oh, and the angled plate under the floor, drivers side is like the April example.

[JAB]

..........

My jeep is a 1942 GPW, 30337, built in Louisville KY, U.S.A. 20105846, and excepted by the government on 6/1/42.
The serial number is stamped on the drivers side engine mount, not the frame rail. Brass data plate, top area stamped 1/4 Ton
Ford built tub
........

Interesting. My 6-18-42 37718 is stamped on the rail and I was told it was also from the Louisville plant. Different person on the line?

[David Neale]

Probably someone thought he would be different, and stamp them where they wanted too. I know Tom W. has told me that he has seen a few GPWs from Louisville with the serial number stamped on the left engine mount.

[Klaas]

Hello Chuck,

My GPW17331, delivered 21st april 1942, with original brass data plates fitted, has its original tub with these features:
-plate with cut off corner welded perpendicular to gas tank well
-flat glove box floor, glovebox door is 2nd version (non keyed)
-no gas can plate
-script body
-originally no trailer socket fitted, added later in the field
-rear reflectors are now offset to lower position by rotating them around the bottom hole (see photo)
-no rib behind toolboxes

Klaas

[Ratpatroller]

Hello, new to the forum, thought I'd relate the features of my '42 GPW in response to the questions:

1) Does the glove box have a FLAT floor? Yes
2) Is there a gas can strengthening plate spot-welded to the rear panel of the tub? (PS....the plate came before the carrier was added!) No plate
3) Is it a "script" FORD tub? Yes, it's a Script Ford tub
4) Is there a trailer socket in the tub? (original, not a hack job) Non-original socket added at some point post-production
5) Are the reflectors on the rear panel off-set like later tubs that DID have a socket or not? (PS...the off-set mountings came before the socket was added) The reflector on socket (drivers) side was rotated to accommodate socket, passenger side has higher upright, unrotated original mount
6) Can you confirm if your tub has the "raised rib" behind the tool box lid? Tub has raised rib behind tool box

This Jeep also has capture nut plate with cut off corner mounted perpendicular to tank box. Jeep is a late script GPW, No. 48825 with a DoD of 7-15-1942. Hope this helps !

[Chuck Lutz]

Yes it does, I know somewhere In a snowbank in Ohio, a researcher is tabulating all these features into a spreadsheet with an eye to understanding the "GPW" story and to help GPW owners try to identify and date the various components of their jeeps as well. Not all of us are blessed with having original Data Plates and matching numbered frames.

Thanks!