Torque reaction spring on 4/42 GPW

[Old Pal]

GPW 13551 has a hole in the frame where a torque reaction bolt would go. I assumed that this was added as a field modification until I removed all of the rivets and the inner frame channel. There is not only a hole in the inner frame channel, but also the 3-loop support brace that is mounted to the inside of the frame and supports the torque reaction bolt It looks as if this would not be a possible field mod and was installed at the factory.

Also, after bead blasting the body, I haven't found any holes (or patched holes) where a b/o light was mounted or a trailer socket.

My question is, was my GPW and leftover frame that was used in the second contract or a late change in the first contract? And was the TRS a field mod? If so, how?

I'll try to add pictures of the inner bracket.

[Michael O.]

I'm sure Tom W would appreciate a photo of your frame serial number stampings. As far as your GPW, depending on the DoD it could either be the end of the first or beginning of the second contract. Remember, GPW's did not roll out in any particular serial number order, so it is feasible that GPW 13551 could have been accepted as a second contract vehicle...again depending on the actual day in April '42 on which your jeep was accepted.

Your torque reaction spring is most certainly a post factory modification...a field mod but not necessarily having been done "in the field"...as GPW's didn't start having the TRS installed at the factory until sometime in May 1942. A photo would be great to see also.

Your jeep is fortunate not to have had the modifications for the fender B/O light or the trailer socket!

[1942ford]

Hi Old-Pal,

If its of any help - my Dearborn-plant made, late-June '42 built Second-Contract 'Script' GPW (45259) wasn't built with, or modified/ fitted with a TRS - or a trailer-socket, B.O light or even rear-panel 'diamond' supports etc...

As far as I was aware, the TRS didn't appear until the end of July '42?

I'm sure someone will give you the definative answer soon though!

Regards - Guy.

[Michael O.]

I should restate that according to some of my sources the change for the TRS was approved by Ford corporate in May '42 so you wouldn't expect to see the changes take effect right away. One would expect the changes as being part of production a month or so later?

[Mark Tombleson]

It was May of 1942 for the MB.

Welcome to G503 if I have not told you before.

viewtopic.php?f=69&t=229123

There was a Torque Reaction Spring Kit A-6157 with documentation dated September 1, 1942 that is reproduced in Lloyd's Book, Volume 2 starting on page 45.

As for your question...

"I haven't found any holes (or patched holes) where a b/o light was mounted or a trailer socket."

B/O was 8/42 for the MB and 1/43 for the trailer socket and accessories. This information in Lloyd's Book Volume 1 pages 254-256.

[Beers]

For those that haven't seen it, here's a copy from Jon's outstanding JeepDraw site of the Sept. 1, 1942 Quartermaster TSB memo for the TRS field modification...

http://www.jeepdraw.com/images/Torque%2 ... Spring.pdf

[fiveftsix]

Am I missing something Here ??
A torque reaction spring bolt hole !!!!!
The only bolt I`m aware of is for the spring Pin lock
Which used a longer bolt to also attach the steering box
The wavy reinforcement was to stop crushing the chassis together I thought when bolting up the steering box ??

[Old Pal]

Am I missing something Here ??
A torque reaction spring bolt hole !!!!!
The only bolt I`m aware of is for the spring Pin lock
Which used a longer bolt to also attach the steering box
The wavy reinforcement was to stop crushing the chassis together I thought when bolting up the steering box ??

I believe that you are correct.

[FUBAR]

A related question:

My 8/42 GPW has a torque reaction spring, but I have reason to believe that it may have left the factory without the "GPW-5601 LOCK, assembly".

My GPW has three identical F marked steering gear retaining bolts, all too short for the LOCK. Careful examination of the remaining paint (pretty sure I am looking at the original first coat) looks identical on all three bolts.

I have three original take-off LOCKs, and interestingly none of them will fit unless I open up the slotted hole in the LOCK by an additional 1/8" or so.

I am wondering if the initial factory run of TRS equipped GPWs might not have included the LOCK.

Does anyone have any Ford data on this or observations that might confirm this theory?

-=BK

[Chuck Lutz]

Mark...can you check Lloyd's book again for the date of the Trailer Socket & Accessories (January 1943?) and the B/O Light (August 1942?)?
Nabholtz lists:
July 1942 - MB 158372 - Added Trailer Cable Socket.

Just a guess here but perhaps the 1/43 date concerned the GUARD that is bolted in the tool box to keep stuff off the Trailer Socket wiring and from shorting out the harness...

You also quoted Lloyd as dating the B/O light to "8/42"....
again...for some strange reason Nabholtz lists it as:
July 1942 - MB 163750 - Added blackout driving light.

Which is correct here....????