Hotchkiss VS MB body tub differences?

1956-1966, Hotchkiss, Quarter-ton jeep® series, Wanted, For Sale, and Knowledge Base
Post Reply
wc56daveyboy
G-Major General
G-Major General
Posts: 2570
Joined: Thu Mar 09, 2006 10:54 am
Location: Colorado
Contact:

Hotchkiss VS MB body tub differences?

Post by wc56daveyboy » Wed Feb 07, 2007 12:33 pm

Can someone tell me (roughly) the differences in a M201 tub and a true WW2 MB tub?

I mean, the obviuos difference I have read were the cowl to dash "lip" is narrower on the Hotch and NO notch. I can see this diffence comparing close up dash photographs.

what about the toe board supports on the inside?

Is there a difference with the supports with like 2-3" diameter holes in them on the U.S. made trucks vs the Hotchkiss has NO holes?

Anything else to look for?

i am asking because I was told some imported Hotchkiss jeeps were actually a combination of, or even mostly U.S. jeep parts, including the body tubs.

Anything else I could look for to distiquish the bodies apart?

I know the Hotch bodies (or at least some) had a serial number stamped on the firewall above the fuel filter.

Were all Hotch jeep tubs stamped here?

thanks all!!


User avatar
lucakiki
G-General
G-General
Posts: 17578
Joined: Sat Feb 15, 2003 7:18 am
Location: Torino, ITALY

Post by lucakiki » Sat Feb 24, 2007 2:48 pm

A super quick one: no sidescreen/half door buttons sing a French sounding bell.

As for toeboard gussets, the French ones are very different both from Early Willys and from Composite bodied tubs. All have holes, but the french have a peculiar pattern.

Have a look here: http://www.nserv.it/imvcc/viewtopic.php?t=337

It is in Italian, but the red arrows on the pictures are in english.
Luca

WillysMB#344142 6-19-44 Navy N.S.Blue Grey
45 Bantam T-3 #57248 1-10-45
42 Willys MB-T #13560 11-42
43 Willys MB-T # 25417 4-43
Way too many WWII military tools,hopefully thinning down,and way too many posts...

__________________________________________
_____________________________________________
__________________________________________

User avatar
Mr_Flibble
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 407
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 11:44 am
Location: The Lowlands
Contact:

Post by Mr_Flibble » Sat Mar 10, 2007 5:08 am

Here's site with some pictures that might help:

http://carrsite2.mysite.wanadoo-members ... 201mb1.htm
Rick

1943 - Willys MB - #221863 1A-165SPC * PHOTO-3

wc56daveyboy
G-Major General
G-Major General
Posts: 2570
Joined: Thu Mar 09, 2006 10:54 am
Location: Colorado
Contact:

thanks...

Post by wc56daveyboy » Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:10 am

Thanks Mr. Fribble for that web site!

Outstanding.

I am learning more about my newly purchased Hotchkiss

Seems it was built on a true WW2 wartime MB chassis though, as it has the MB date plate riveted to the frame where it should be.

Funny thing , though, it has the added stiffening "U" channels near the front frame horn like a Hotchkiss frame does.

An upgrade during a rebuild perhaps?

wc56daveyboy
G-Major General
G-Major General
Posts: 2570
Joined: Thu Mar 09, 2006 10:54 am
Location: Colorado
Contact:

thanks...

Post by wc56daveyboy » Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:10 am

Thanks Mr. Fribble for that web site!

Outstanding.

I am learning more about my newly purchased Hotchkiss

Seems it was built on a true WW2 wartime MB chassis though, as it has the MB date plate riveted to the frame where it should be.

Funny thing , though, it has the added stiffening "U" channels near the front frame horn like a Hotchkiss frame does.

An upgrade during a rebuild perhaps?

User avatar
Mr_Flibble
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 407
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 11:44 am
Location: The Lowlands
Contact:

Post by Mr_Flibble » Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:08 pm

The guy who sold mine to me said the chassis was original WW2 too, but I think he removed the U-channels himself and welded a couple of tow-rings on the front horns, right over the spot where the Hotchkiss chassis number would be and then hammered in his own chassis number on the front right ...he forgot to change the other chassis number on the driverside of the frame, in the engine compartment...
I can't find any other French army markings on the chassis though.

Not that it mattered to me at that point, the price was still right.
Rick

1943 - Willys MB - #221863 1A-165SPC * PHOTO-3

wc56daveyboy
G-Major General
G-Major General
Posts: 2570
Joined: Thu Mar 09, 2006 10:54 am
Location: Colorado
Contact:

well.

Post by wc56daveyboy » Wed Mar 14, 2007 5:02 am

Hi again,

well, the data plate is rivited as original where a MB oval frame plate ought to be.

Looks likes its been there for a very long time!

I cant read the numbers however. ???

I cant find any indication of ground down, welded over, hammered or any other sign of French seril numbers being removed from locations where French frames had them.. anywhere, so I assume this frame is a true WW2 MB.

Unless someone can tell me another way to distiguish the frames apart?

Like I said it does have the "U" channel welded in, but couldnt this have been added to an origianl frame?

Well, like yourself, the price was right, the jeep is very very nice all around, and I am happy with it. I could care less if its part U.S. jeep, part Hotch, 100% either or whatever!

I like it so far!!


Like

wc56daveyboy
G-Major General
G-Major General
Posts: 2570
Joined: Thu Mar 09, 2006 10:54 am
Location: Colorado
Contact:

well.

Post by wc56daveyboy » Wed Mar 14, 2007 5:02 am

Hi again,

well, the data plate is rivited as original where a MB oval frame plate ought to be.

Looks likes its been there for a very long time!

I cant read the numbers however. ???

I cant find any indication of ground down, welded over, hammered or any other sign of French seril numbers being removed from locations where French frames had them.. anywhere, so I assume this frame is a true WW2 MB.

Unless someone can tell me another way to distiguish the frames apart?

Like I said it does have the "U" channel welded in, but couldnt this have been added to an origianl frame?

Well, like yourself, the price was right, the jeep is very very nice all around, and I am happy with it. I could care less if its part U.S. jeep, part Hotch, 100% either or whatever!

I like it so far!!


Like

User avatar
lucakiki
G-General
G-General
Posts: 17578
Joined: Sat Feb 15, 2003 7:18 am
Location: Torino, ITALY

No kidding

Post by lucakiki » Sat Mar 17, 2007 1:56 am

wc56daveyboy wrote: Unless someone can tell me another way to distiguish the frames apart?

There is a way, but not exactly easy : strip the whole jeep, and put the frame on a scale. Then get hold of an original U.S. made frame. If the weigh is roughly the same, your frame is also american. If your frame is noticeably heavier, it is French.
Luca

WillysMB#344142 6-19-44 Navy N.S.Blue Grey
45 Bantam T-3 #57248 1-10-45
42 Willys MB-T #13560 11-42
43 Willys MB-T # 25417 4-43
Way too many WWII military tools,hopefully thinning down,and way too many posts...

__________________________________________
_____________________________________________
__________________________________________

User avatar
MB MAGIC
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 317
Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2003 1:56 pm
Location: EIRE & ENGLAND & TEXAS USA

Hotchkiss Toeboard Gusset Photos

Post by MB MAGIC » Mon Mar 19, 2007 6:27 am

Hello Gang,
wc56daveyboy,
Here are a couple of photos of the toeboard gussets from a Hotchkiss Jeep tub i am selling at this time, i thought
i would show them here before the tub is sold, Luca is correct (as usual :) ) they are completely different from the
Willys MB and Ford GPW body tub Gussets, as can be clearly seen.
It's MAGIC 8)

Image Image
Image Image
Image

wc56daveyboy
G-Major General
G-Major General
Posts: 2570
Joined: Thu Mar 09, 2006 10:54 am
Location: Colorado
Contact:

Post by wc56daveyboy » Tue Mar 20, 2007 8:54 am

thanks Luca and MB Magic for the posts.

MB MAGIC: your name says you have several locations, Texas being one of them?

Where do you live in Texas? I am in Plano, TX


Post Reply

Return to “M201, Hotchkiss, Quarter-ton jeep®”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 39 guests