Seat Back Pouches an Authorized Mod?

1941 - 1945, MB, GPW modifications, sugestions, and ideas, official MWO's and unofficial WWII field mods NO EBAY or COMMERCIAL SALES.
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Chance
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Seat Back Pouches an Authorized Mod?

Post by Chance » Tue Sep 29, 2015 10:30 am

I thought I had read somewhere that these http://www.showroom.milweb.net/catalog/ ... g6838s.jpg, produced by Canvasco were a legitimate war-time mod. Can anyone confirm this? Or is this just a nice-to-have but was not an Army modification during World War Two. I wanted to get some feedback on this before I purchased.

Thanks guys.
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Re: Seat Back Pouches an Authorized Mod?

Post by Chuck Lutz » Wed Sep 30, 2015 8:23 am

I don't believe anyone has posted a pic of that exact item from WWII. Certainly anyone could fabricate something like that in the field but AFASK it's a fantasy item. A nice one, but not verified as a wartime modification I am aware of.
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Re: Seat Back Pouches an Authorized Mod?

Post by Joe Gopan » Wed Sep 30, 2015 2:03 pm

There are some dress up accessories that one should count to 100 on before deciding to purchase.
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Re: Seat Back Pouches an Authorized Mod?

Post by Chuck Lutz » Wed Sep 30, 2015 5:51 pm

Yup...like the canvas mirror cover for instance.....or some tire or gas can cover?
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Re: Seat Back Pouches an Authorized Mod?

Post by Chance » Wed Sep 30, 2015 6:30 pm

Thanks guys for the advice. I thought I had seen these listed as a field mod but may have been dealing with information overload after six or so hours of reading on different things. I'll pass on it then based on your information.

Another question: did the military ever publish anything that listed out all field mods known\recommended at various times?
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Re: Seat Back Pouches an Authorized Mod?

Post by Chuck Lutz » Sat Oct 03, 2015 2:12 pm

There are authorized field mods and then there are expedient field mods...

While a "kit" to add a gas can carrier or a fender B/O light would be "authorized field mods" and cdome with instructions....

A bustle basket, mud flaps up front or armored windshields would be "expedient" and not "officially authorized" and the components not available at the parts counter back in the Rear with the Gear.
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Re: Seat Back Pouches an Authorized Mod?

Post by Chance » Mon Oct 05, 2015 2:51 am

Thanks Chuck for that info. Am I correct in saying that Army Motors would publish field mods as referenced here: http://42fordgpw.com/fieldmod.html.

I do understand that disc brakes, electronic ignition etc. were NOT period correct field mods, so-to-speak. For instance this page, citing Army Motors: http://42fordgpw.com/seatmod.html. So, do you know of a consolidated listing of Army Motors field mods? Or is this a matter of finding them all, reading them all? This may be wishful thinking but I won't know unless I ask.
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Re: Seat Back Pouches an Authorized Mod?

Post by Joe Gopan » Tue Oct 06, 2015 5:09 am

GI's do funny things with idle hands and minds. The Airmen at the Base Fabric Shop at Dow Field had custom coveralls and fatigues with pencil pockets, zipper pockets, cigarrette pockets and grommets to hang tools on. At the time, mid-50's Dow still had T-6, C-45, C-47, B-25 and KB-29 aircraft that had fabric control surfaces.
Seat back pockets? Go for it. :wink:
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Re: Seat Back Pouches an Authorized Mod?

Post by Chuck Lutz » Thu Oct 08, 2015 4:52 pm

Chance....AFAIK, there is no comprehensive directory of all the Army Motors listed authorized field mods. In addition, I don't know of a such a list of mods in the Sgt. Half-Mast articles...

Maybe some G503'er has taken the time to go through all the AM issues to come up with such lists but I am unaware of them if they do indeed exist.
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Re: Seat Back Pouches an Authorized Mod?

Post by signsup » Tue Oct 20, 2015 7:46 am

I'd considered using the seat backs as a source to either hang a gear bag or mount a first aid kit or something else, but owning a GPW and explaining the F marks to interested onlookers, the nice large F script on the seat backs and I'd hate to cover it up. So, even if we have some field jackets or uniforms laid out on the jeep, we leave the seat backs exposed.
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Re: Seat Back Pouches an Authorized Mod?

Post by tamnalan » Mon Nov 02, 2015 4:51 pm

I am lucky enough to have split-back seat frames in my MB, but I still covered up those seams with the canvas pouches. The passenger side pouch holds my road-side tools, and the driver side pouch holds the printed information I display at shows.

Those pouches are REALLY useful to have, and probably only 0.0001% of people seeing my MB would know they're not supposed to be there. Those pouches are a matched set with my overdrive shifter. :D
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Re: Seat Back Pouches an Authorized Mod?

Post by Rod Rushton » Wed Nov 11, 2015 11:04 am

I bought my set from Canvasco (John and Mary Worthing). as stowage space in a Jeep is almost non existent, apart from the glove box - which had a fair amount to carry anyway, I find them so convenient for carrying entry passes to shows, maps and other assorted paperwork, and as Tamnalan has said, most people comment that they are a good idea even if they aren't original. Certainly more people ask what the additional gear stick is for on the transfer case. I have also had a set adapted to go on the back of the front seat in the Piper Cub as there is nowhere to put maps and airfield info books - not original - but jolly handy!

Canvasco also do a tonneau cover for the back of the Jeep, (MB/GPW/Hotchkiss tonneau cover (cover for the rear body) which both keeps things dry, and discourages opportunistic pilfering when you are parked - again, not original, but very useful.

Regarding "field mods" you only have to look at the number of Jeeps having had made up hard tops and cabs fitted, again not original but useful for staying dry in bad weather, or front fender splash guards - I guess good old GI ingenuity was hard at work.
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Re: Seat Back Pouches an Authorized Mod?

Post by signsup » Wed Nov 11, 2015 12:32 pm

Or, you could make your own rear tub cover. great for parades, like today, or sitting out in the hot sun keeping the rear tub cool and some storage space for personal items like coolers and lawn chairs out of sight.

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Re: Seat Back Pouches an Authorized Mod?

Post by tamnalan » Wed Nov 11, 2015 2:26 pm

Neat idea, Robert!
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Re: Seat Back Pouches an Authorized Mod?

Post by Rod Rushton » Mon Jan 25, 2016 8:54 am

I just use a piece of canvas with 6 grommets in it to cover the whole compartment overnight, and fold it halfway back as required. I also use this as additional protection during the Winter Layup in the garage.
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FORD GPW 202055 DoD 5 - 22 - 44 Serial# 20534360
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