6.0.5 Body Tub
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6.0.5 Body Tub
Script GPW of approx. 4/42 production. Note 3-stud spare wheel carrier, rubber ring surrounding tail lights, lack of liquid container bracket, round reflector housings and light colored binding tape on canvas top.
Ford manufactured their own body assemblies from start of production thru Sept. ‘43*. Ford manufactured bodies are easily recognizable by the rectangular recess around the tool box locks.
The early American Central body was introduced around October 1943 and was used until Jan. ‘44. Composite bodies were introduced between Nov ‘43 and Jan ‘44 and were utilized exclusively after Jan. 1944.
Note: When the American Central Body Company, manufacturers of the jeep bodies for Willys-Overland reached volume production, Ford decided that it would cease production of the Ford designed body which were all built at the lincoln plant. Supposedly, Ford was not completely satisfied with the Willys designed body, so Ford met with Willys-Overland and the Ordinance Department to discuss building a composite body, which would incorporate the best features of each body design. As a result, it was decided that the Ford design would be adopted for the following sub-assemblies: Complete hood, cowl, dash, rear panel tire carrier and front floor reinforcement. The remainder of the body was to use the Willys design.**
The “Ford” script rear panel was used from start of production thru late July ‘42. Factory documentation shows that the liquid container carrier hardware was incorporated in the rear panel production the week of 1/25 1943***. Removal the registration number from the rear panel was probably concurrent with the introduction of the liquid container carrier.
On 2/8/43 the rear panel to wheelhouse reinforcement plates were incorporated in factory production.****
* Jim Gilmore’s archival research shows that the first Ford GPW body was assembled 12/17/1941, The last was shipped 9/16/1943. ** Ford archive research, Lloyd White. *** “Ord. Dept Report” AAW#2, p223 shows this date as 3/9/43 **** Information provided by Jim Gilmore based on archival research.
Updates to this info below this line
Andrew Cranfield - A characteristic of the Ford tubs that was carried through to the ACM1 and ACM2 bodies was the indent in the front passenger floor in line with the channel that runs from the front out towards the back and side. This was where the exhaust bracket was mounted.
