Hood number guess worksheet

[DaveJ]

Hello all,

Since my first restoration was "completed" I have had several other Jeep enthusiasts ask for my help. Among the many questions I get is "what should my hood number be?" or the flip of it "I have the hood number but my serial numbers are illegible." Sometimes when looking at original pictures you clearly see a Jeep's hood number and wonder about the time frame the picture was taken.

Like many here, I'm sure, we have seen and referred to John Farley's "Standardized Wartime Jeep" volumes 1 or 2 for very valuable information regarding our own unique restoration projects.

Where am I going with all this blabber? Using Mr. Farley's volume 2 book, I have created an Excel worksheet that allows the user to enter either the serial number or hood number and come up with a "best guess" for what the opposite number could be. It's not the most scientific method but a quick down and dirty method. If someone believes that either A) Mr. Farley's book is erroneous or B) My spreadsheet is erroneous, I would appreciate constructive feedback that could help everyone.

Here's my question: I'd like to share this file with everyone but am unable to find a way to attach it to this post. Is there a repository on this website that allows folks to upload an Excel worksheet?

Thanks.
Dave

[GUNNUT in Iowa]

Maybe for a BETA test version the best bet would be to PM (and then email as an attachment) to folks that would like to take it for a "test drive"?

[DaveJ]

Sounds great. Any takers?

[Mark Tombleson]

Just be aware that Farley does not take into account the USMC MB-NAVY- MZ-2 radio jeeps in that time frame.

Frame: MB 367418........Body: 115277...........DoD: N/A...................S.N.: N/A........................Tag No. N/A - J. Hinton
Frame: MB 367484.......Body: N/A.................DoD: N/A..................S.N.: N/A........................Tag No. N/A - added 10-25-16 B. Smardo
Frame: MB 367485........Body: N/A.................DoD: N/A..................S.N.: N/A........................Tag No. N/A - added 10-25-16 B. Smardo
Frame: MB 367486........Body: N/A..........Est.DoD: Sept. 1944...........S.N.: N/A........................Tag No. N/A
Frame: MB 376451........Body: 150267 ..........DoD: N/A...................S.N.: N/A........................Tag No. 1850 - M . DeJoode added 2-12-16
Photo:...............................................................................S.N.: U.S.M.C. 101724.........Tag No. N/A
Photo:...............................................................................S.N.: U.S.M.C. 101796.........Tag No. N/A
Frame: MB 376934........Body: N/A...............DoD: N/A...................S.N.: N/A........................Tag No. 3181 - T. Ashford Updated 2-12-16
Frame: MB 377000........Body: 124411...........DoD: N/A...................S.N.: N/A........................Tag No. N/A - L. Sandlin added 3-8-2016
Parted out MZ-2...........(Loren Jones).........................................S.N.: U.S.M.C. 101825.........Tag No. 951
Frame: MB 380901........Body: 124380.......... DoD: N/A....................S.N.: N/A .......................Tag No. N/A
Frame: N/A................Body: 124391.......... DoD: N/A....................S.N.: U.S.M.C. 101993.........Tag No. 3418 - C. Weatherford
Frame: MB 380914........Body: 124435.......... DoD: Oct. 26, 1944.........S.N.: N/A........................Tag No. 3390 - L. White
Frame: MB 380918....... Body: 124380...........DoD: N/A....................S.N.: U.S.M.C. 101990.........Tag No. N/A H. du Plassis Updated 2-12-16
Frame: MB 380963........Body: 123682...........DoD: N/A....................S.N.: N/A........................Tag No. 6479 - D. Golmore Added 2-12-16
Frame: MB 383427....... Body: 124346 .....Est. DoD: Nov. 11, 1944........S.N.: N/A........................Tag No. N/A - J. Libster
Frame: MB 383459........Body: 138643...........DoD: N/A....................S.N.: N/A........................Tag No. N/A - S. Crossley
Frame: MB 383469........Body: 138641...........DoD: N/A....................S.N.: N/A........................Tag No. 1881 - Tom Updated 2-12-16
Frame: N/A................Body: 138642...........DoD: N/A....................S.N.: N/A........................Tag No. N/A - B. Clark Added 2-12-16
Frame: MB 383471........Body: N/A...............DoD: N/A....................S.N.: N/A........................Tag No. N/A - M. Stepforth Added 2-12-16
Frame: MB 383474........Body: N/A. .............DoD: N/A....................S.N.: N/A........................Tag No. N/A - L. Aspelin Added 2-12-16
Frame: MB 383496........Body: N/A...............DoD: Nov. 24, 1944........S.N.: N/A........................Tag No. N/A - T. Ashford Added 2-12-16

viewtopic.php?f=84&t=268897

How many... not that many and they were made in small runs... but you can see the issue.

[DaveJ]

I do understand what you mean. Thank you for that chart and i'll try to incorporate it into my worksheet.

Regards,
Dave

[GUNNUT in Iowa]

Sounds great. Any takers?

I would, but my MB has a state assigned VIN number, no hood number, no data plate, and no frame tag.

It really is a Jeep without a past.

[2/14Marine]

Here's a link to a hood number calculator. I'm not sure how accurate it is.

Javier


http://wwiijeepparts.com/Tools/WWIIJeep ... mator.html

[Chuck Lutz]

The Farley book I have is not used as a reference for information, merely as a "coffee table book" so people can look at the pictures. I would never begin to use it to restore to "factory" any jeep as the information is not well documented.

However if you need info for a GPW, then Tom W. actually HAS a spreadsheet with the exact kind of information you are referring to and if you provide him with pertinent data about YOUR jeep, he can help. It is based on Ford documentation and the contribution of info on individual jeeps by their owners.

[DaveJ]

Javier: I've seen that "calculator" before and it doesn't work. That's why I started my worksheet.

Chuck, I realize that Mr. Farley's book may not be the BEST source, but it IS a published source that others can easily acquire and read themselves and challenge for reliability. I've heard others say similarly that his book isn't the best source. Unfortunately, until these other "better" sources are published somewhere no one has any way to authenticate/validate or challenge their data. Tom W.'s GPW data may be spot on. Not questioning that. But what about the MB numbers? Are his data available somewhere "out there" that can be easily accessed - like in a book? If so, I'd like to adopt that data and make it as accurate as possible. This is why I specifically stated in my initial post that this worksheet is solely to be used as a "best guess". Nothing more. Nothing less. Take it for what it's worth.

I appreciate the feedback.

[Scrumps]

Dave,

I've just bought a '44 MB so the calculator above doesn't work for me as it stops @ '42.

I'll test your spreadsheet, or please tell me what it comes up with for MB 364483 DoD of 8-24-44 as I've failed miserably to uncover tho hood number (so far).

Scrumps

[Chuck Lutz]

There is the problem....if a published source is not altogether reliable it only lets other guys piggy-back on the questionable information some restored jeeps have (like USA numbers) and then the mistakes are perpetuated.

Tom W. is accumulating info from two sources; the Ford Benson Archives when he can get up there and, but getting actual reported data from jeep owners and creating a spreadsheet. That often weeds out incorrect info from owners whose jeeps were messed with previously and at the same time generally supports that Ford data. The problem is if you continually are researching and discovering new data that changes or augments what you currently have available it is hard to go to print and know that by the time you are proofreading it that some may be out of date. Tom graciously shares his information if you are willing to share what you have with him on your jeep to build his data base.

Those wishing to support Tom's research can donate a few bucks to offset the gas/hotel expenses for him to travel there and the cost of document copying that the Benson Archives requires. Paypal works for him just fine....I don't know what it is worth to anyone to get what is probably a very close USA number or the exact day or exact plant their GPW was built at but It would be nice to chip in if you can...

I think his research is now expanding into the world of MBs as well and a spreadsheet based data base is, I believe, in the works for the MB as well.

[DaveJ]

Dave,

I've just bought a '44 MB so the calculator above doesn't work for me as it stops @ '42.

I'll test your spreadsheet, or please tell me what it comes up with for MB 364483 DoD of 8-24-44 as I've failed miserably to uncover tho hood number (so far).

Scrumps

Best guess: 20627007

BTW, Chuck and Tom, and anyone else that cares, relax. I'm not criticizing anyone else's work. Not Farleys, not TomW's no ones. It was the only book i had to use as reference. Sorry i didn't have Tom's DB but i didn't know anything about it so how could i have used it?

So, in the interest of keeping the peace, i withdraw my offer to send this to anyone and will promptly delete my file as it appears to be worthless.

Good luck to all those that wish to get a number, look up a number, etc..Tom will have your answer and most likely more accurately than i could do.

[Mark Tombleson]

Take a look at the serial number base on this site.

I have used this for years but you have to look and see if they have the original data plate.

http://g503.com/oldsite/serial-numbers/ ... ASC&o4=ASC

Willys MB
Serial Number:
379871
Mil. Reg. (Hood) Number:
20696026
Frame Number:
379871
Engine Number:
189054
Body Number:
Body Type:
ACM Type 2
Factory Mystery Code:
Gross Weight:
3125 lbs
Data Plate Origin:
Original
Data Plate Material:
Aluminum
Date of Delivery:
Friday October 13th, 1944

379904-379871= 33 jeeps or 2069659.

[Chuck Lutz]

Hey...sharing what info we have is the way to assemble more good intel for the next guy. I do know that Tom's focus is the GPW which he works on all the time but his MB data may be a couple years old.... but what the heck...the more sources you check on, the better. There just isn't anywhere you can easily check.