JEEP Serial Numbers, ProductionFigures, & Models
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Lookin Body Basic Serial Numbers. Convert Lookin Body Basic trail version to full software. 200 serials lookin body basic. Date Name Success Rate; 2009-10.
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Quick Army & CivilianJeep History Timeline
Master List of All Traditional Size Jeep ModelsProduced
World War Two Jeep Specifications
WWII Jeep Production & Jeep SerialNumber statistics
How To Find WWII Jeep Serial Numbers- 3 Locations
HowTo Find WWII Jeep Trailer Serial Numbers - 2 Locations
HowTo Determine your WWII Jeeps Day of Date of Delivery - calculator
What are WWII Army JeepHood Registration Numbers?
Where & How do I findHood Registration Numbers on WW2 Jeeps?
Can you estimate my WWIIArmy Jeep's Hood Registration Numbers?
1946, 1947, etc Military Jeeps
Serial Numbers on Military and WillysOverland Civilian Jeep Engines
SerialNumbers on Civilian Willys Jeep Bodies
Willys Overland Civilian JeepProduction Figures 1945-1961
How To Find M38A1 FenderData Plate Location
WillysHotchkiss French Military M201 Jeep Production Figures 1955 - 1966
AMCJeep CJ Serial # / VIN & Production Figures 1975 - 1986
HowTo Locate Serial / VIN Numbers on Kaiser & AMC Jeep CJs
DecodingAMC Jeep CJ Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) for 1975 - 1986
Quick Army & CivilianJeep History Timeline
1908: John North Willys buys the Overland Automotive Division of StandardWheel Company.
1912: John North Willys renames it Willys-Overland Motor Company.
1936: Willys-Overland Motors Inc. is created after coming out of bankruptcyfollowing the Great Depression.
1940: First prototypes jeeps are produced by Bantam, Willys, Ford forthe military.
1941: The Willys MA, Ford GP, Bantam BRC-40 pre standardized (prototype)jeeps are in production..
1941: Bantam jeep production ends.
1941: Willys MB military jeep production starts.
1942: Ford GPW military jeep production starts.
1942: Bantam military jeep trailer (T-3) production starts.
1945: Ford GPW military jeep production ends.
1945: Willys MB military jeep production ends.
1944: Willys-Overland experiments with its 1st Civilian Jeep by modifyinga few military MB jeeps. Willys labels them as CJ-2 (These are not CJ-2A's).
1945: Willys-Overland begins producing the Civilian Jeep (CJ) line,when it introduces the CJ2A model, and ceases MB military jeep production.
1946: Willys Jeep Wagon production starts.
1946: Bantam civilian jeep trailer (TC-3) production starts.
1947: Willys Jeep Truck Production starts.
1948: Willys Jeepster production starts.
1949: CJ3A civilian jeep production starts.
1950: Willys M-38 military jeep production starts.
1952: Willys M-38A1 military jeep production starts.
1952: Willys CJ3B civilian jeep production starts.
1953: Bantam civilian jeep trailer production ends. Bantam goes outof business.
1953: Willys-Overland bought by Henry J. Kaiser and is renamed WillysMotors Inc.
1954: CJ5 civilian jeep production starts.
1960: M-151 military jeep production starts.
1963: Willys becomes Kaiser-Jeep Corporation
1965: Kaiser-Jeep discontinues production of Willys wagons & trucks,retiring the Willys name with the line.
1970: Kaiser (Kaiser-Jeep) is bought by American Motors Corp. (AMC)and becomes Jeep Corporation.
1971: Jeep Corp.'s General Products Division spins off to become AMGeneral Corp.
1983: AM General sold to LVT Corp.
1987: AMC bought by Chrysler Corporation.
1998: Chrysler purchased by German Co. Daimler-Benz AG. becoming DaimlerChryslerCorp.
(moments later, thousands of WWII US Dead rolledover in their graves).
2008: German Company Daimler-Benz AG. splits up DaimlerChrysler Corp.,and sells Chrysler off. Jeep is again owned by Americans.
| Pigmy (2): | 2 of a kind Ford hand built prototypes. |
| Quad (2): | 2 of a kind Willys hand built prototypes. |
| BRC-60: | Bantam Pilot Model, Round Grill - 70 Built. aka Mark II, Mk II |
| BRC-40: | American Bantam Jeep. |
| BRC-40-4WS: | American Bantam Jeep, 4 Wheel Steering - 50 built. |
| BRC-40 Checker: | Checker Cab Co, Built 2-3 Jeeps based on Bantam BRC-40. |
| CPJ: | Chevrolet Prototype Jeep - 2 built in WWII. |
| MA: | Willys Military model A, first of Willys production line jeeps. |
| MA-4WS: | Willys Military model A with 4 Wheel Steering - 50 built. |
| MB: | Willys Military model B, mass produced jeep of WWII. Flat fenders;no tailgate; rear mounted spare tire; split windshield with windshieldwipers at top. |
| 1941-42 MB Slat Grill: | 'Willys' stamped on left rear body panel, Most, but not all, do nothave a glove box; no gas can. |
| Stamped Steel grille has 9 slots. | |
| MZ: | very end of WWII production jeeps, 24volt transfer case mounted generators. |
| GP: | Ford First model Military. |
| GP-4WS: | Ford First model Military with 4 Wheel Steering - 50 built. |
| GPW: | Ford Military 80' wheelbase, Willys design. Mass produced during WWII.grille has 9 slots. |
| tailgate area of early Ford GPW models were embossed with 'Ford' inscript; no gas can. | |
| Flat fenders; no tailgate; rear mounted spare tire; split windshieldwith windshield wipers at top; grille has 9 slots. | |
| GPW-4WS: | Ford Military 80' wheelbase, Willys design with 4 Wheel Steering -50 built. |
| GPA: | WWII Ford GPW Jeep with Hull Body (amphibious). |
| CJ-1: | Modified 1944 MB's aka 'AGRI-JEEP' - no known survivors. |
| CJ-2: | Pre-Production using many WWII MB parts, less than 25 known. |
| CJ-2A: | 1st mass-produced civilian jeep. 1945-49 CJ2A - flat fenders, low hood,side mounted spare; 7 slot grille; split windshield with windshield wipersat top; has tailgate. |
| CJ-3A: | 2nd mass-produced civilian jeep. 1949-53 CJ3A - flat fenders, low hood,1-piece windshield frame with bottom wipers. More than 132,000 are madebefore the production ends in 1953. |
| CJ-3B: | High-hood mass-produced civilian jeep. 1953-64 CJ-3B - flat fenders,tall body grille & hood to accommodate the Hurricane F-Head 4 cylinderengine; has tailgate and side mounted tire carrier. |
| CJ-V35: | Military custom order. Cross between MB, M38, CJ-3A. In 1950,1000 modified CJ-3A's were produced for the U.S. Navy as the underwaterCJ-V35/U. |
| M-606: | Military High-hood, flat fenders, based on the CJ-3B, built in quantityalongside the CJ-3B, but for export only. |
| M-606A1 / M-606A2 | round fender militarized CJ5's. M606A1 (12v) and M606A2 (24v), bothfor US Armed Forces and Export from 1965 thru 1972 |
| X-98 + | 1949-50 - a flatfendered jeep with rounded CJ5style hood & grill. Another 'MissingLink' jeep. Flatfenders with no apron. |
| 1950 - experimental- less than 5 known. CJ-4's have Flat Fenders that WITH a short lowerapron on them. | |
| M-38: | Military 3rd or 'C' model. 1950-52 M38 - 1-piece windshield; tailgatewith rear mounted spare. |
| M-38E1: | 1950-51 Experimentalpredecessor to the M38A1. It was based on the CJ-4 experimental Jeep.Flat Fenders with apron skirts. |
| M-38A1: | Military 4th or 'D' model. 1952-57 M38A1 - first appearance of roundfenders on a jeep (looks similar to CJ-5). 24volt deep water fording. |
| CJ-5: | 1st mass-produced civilian jeep with round fenders. |
| 1954-69 CJ5 | 1st V-8 in short wheel base utility vehicle; 1 piece windshield; roundfenders; curved door opening |
| 1970-83 CJ5 | low mounted wipers |
| XM-170: | Experimental cousinof the CJ-4. A 'Stretched' or 'Long Wheel Base Jeep' deigned for ambulanceduties. |
| M-170: | Long wheelbase Military Ambulance (similar to CJ-6). |
| CJ-6: | stretched Jeep. 1955-81 CJ-6 - same basic features as early model CJ5'swith 20' stretched wheelbase. |
| DJ: | Dispatch Jeep - Mail / Post Office Jeep : 2wd - Many Models & sizesmade. |
| M-422: | Mitey Mite. Aluminum Marine Corps Jeep, built by AMC. |
| M-422A1: | Mighty Mite. Longer version of M-422. almost 4,000 built. |
| M-151: | Prototype by Willys, built by Ford, AMC. MUTT (Mobile Utility TacticalTruck). |
| M-151-A1: | Vietnam Military Jeep Built by Ford, AMC, AM General. |
| M-151-A2: | post-Vietnam to Pre-Hummer Military Jeep Built by Ford, AMC, AM General. |
| M-718: | Ambulance version of the M-151 |
| CJ-7: | 1976-86 CJ7 - full squared door openings; factory roll bar. |
| CJ-8: | Scrambler - 1981-85 CJ8 - pick-up truck version of CJ; spare tire mountedin cargo bed. |
| CJ-10: | |
| YJ: | Wrangler - 1987-96 - square headlights; leaf springs & swing outtail gate; sport bar extended starting in 1992. |
| TJ: | Wrangler - 1996+ - round headlights; coil suspension front & rear;gas filler spout on side. |
| Rubicon Wrangler: | 2003+ - Dana model 44 axles front & rear, and Rock-Trac 4:1 lowrange transfer case, trail ready right from the factory. |
| Icon Uniframe body: | 2002+ - with integrated aluminum roll cage |
| Willys II Concept Car: | 1-piece carbon fiber body on an aluminum frame; Suspension Front Independentshort-and-long-arm (SLA) with coil-over-shock setup Rear: Multi-link solidrear axle with coil-over-shock setup |
| Willys Jeep Wagon: | Over 300,000 are manufactured between 1946 and 1965. |
| SJ: | Wagoneer - 1963-83 - Station Wagon; vertical grille |
| Cherokee: | 1974-83 |
| XJ: | Cherokee - 1984+ - UniFrame Body, front coil springs & rear leaves |
| Grand Wagoneer: | 1984-91 - horizontal grille & leaf springs |
| ZJ: | Grand Cherokee - 1993-98 - UniFrame Body, Quad coil spring suspension |
| WJ | Grand Cherokee - 1999+ - sleeker body contour than ZJ |
| KJ: | Liberty - 2002+ - replaces the Cherokee; UniFrame Body; firstJeep with side air bags. |
| Jeepster: | Willys Jeepster. From 1948 to 1950 only 19,000 vehicles are manufactured. |
| Jeepster Commando: | |
| Willys Jeep Truck: | 1947 to 1965 - more than 200,000 are manufactured. |
| MJ: | Comanche - 1984-91 - compact pick-up |
| FC: | Forward Control Jeep Van Trucks |
| FJ: | Eagle Talon |
Tuxedo Junction Models
Hurst Jeeps
Surrey Jeeps
Mules:1/2ton M274 MechanicalMule: Willys built the first MechanicalMule prototype in 1953 under a development contract with the U.S. Army.Production began in 1957, with vehicles going to the US Army and to theUS Marines. By 1960, Willys had built 2,452 mules, and an additional 1,905more mules between 1962 and 1964. From 1964 to 1970 several other manufacturersalso built the Mule with similar but different engines because U.S. Governmentcontracts stipulated blueprint sharing between competing manufacturers. The M274A1 Army Mule was produced from 1962-1964 by Willys Motors, Inc.In March of 1963, Willys Motors, Inc. was renamed the Kaiser-Jeep Corporation.Any mules built after the name change would have 'Kaiser-Jeep' data plates.Prior to that, they would be 'Willys Motors, Inc.' data plates. Iwill assume that A3's & A4's were not stamped as being built in theyear they were converted, but retained the original year of manufacture.
Re: 4WS = Four Wheel Steering
Standard: Grill, Hood, Front Fenders, Windshield, Seats, Motor, Trans.
Different: FRAME, BODY TUB, SHOCKS, STEERING BOX, STEERING LINKAGE,AXLES, And All sorts of extra parts need to have all 4 wheels steer.
How do i know? I own 1 of the 50 made Ford GP 4 Wheel Steering Jeeps(approx. 12 known survivors).
World War Two Jeep Specifications
Wheelbase: 80 inches (2.032 m).
Width: 62 inches (1.5748 m).
Height:
Top Up:
Lookin Body Serial Number
69.75 inches (1.77165 m).To top of steering Wheel with Top Down: 51.25inches (1.30175 m).
Weight (gross): 3125 lb. (1,417.4761563kg).
Engine: 4 cylinder (Willys L-head), 134 cubic inches (2.200cm3)displacement, carburetor, liquid cooled.
Horsepower: 60 at 4.000 rpm.
Transmission: 3 speed, type Warner T-84J.
Transfer case: 2 speed, type Spicer 18.
Electrical system: 6 volt, negative ground.
Brakes: Hydraulic (Bendix).
Tires: 6.00 - 16 (4 + 1).
Fording depth:
without preparation: 18 inches (0.45 m).
with deep water fording kit:
Fuel type: Gasoline (Petrol).
Fuel capacity: 15 gallons (56.78 liters).
Range: 375 miles (600 km).
Crew: 1 + 3.
The Go Devil 134.2 Jeep Engine
The power and torque of the L-Head engine is one of the main reasonswhy Willys won the contract with the War Department beating out the BantamBRC40 and the Ford GP. The Willys GO Devil engine out-performed the enginesused in the Ford and Bantam prototype jeeps. The L-Head engines uses acast iron block and cylinder head with 3 main bearings and mechanical lifters.The engine is called an L-Head is because the valves for the intake andexhaust are in the block. (Most engines have the valves in the head). Thisdesign gave Willys the advantage of having a relatively lower profile thanother engines. Part of the War Dept.'s specifications called for the vehicleto have a low silhouette to avoid detection by the enemy. The 'Go Devil'engine earned its fame in the WWII ARMY MB. The L-Head continued to beused by Willys Overland in the post World War Two jeeps: CJ-2A, WillysWagon, Willys Pickup, CJ-3A, M38, and DJ-3A The MB used a Carter W-O carburetor,while the civilian models used the Carter YF carb. they are very similarto each other. The military engines used a roughly cast crankshaft,(since it's official life expectancy in combat was only 3 months, why expendthe extra time, materials, and machining), while post war engines had nicelybalanced crankshafts with bolt on counter weights. The performance specificationsare slightly different between civilian and military motors presumablydue to carburetor, crankshafts, and compression differences between theengines. The L-Head used in 1945-1950 CJ-2A's and the 1949-1950 CJ-3A'sare rated the same
The Jeep Drive Train
The MA, MB, and GPW used the L-head 134.2 cubic inch Inline 4 cylinder'Go Devil' engine, T-84 3 Speed manual transmission, Dana 18 two speedtransfer case, Dana 25 front axle, and Dana 23-2 rear axle turning 6:00x 16 tube tires mounted on 16 inch rims.
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WAR-TIME JEEP SERIAL NUMBERS & PRODUCTION.
| Model | Year | Starting Serial Number | Ending Serial Number | Total Production | Notes |
| 1940 | 01 | 70 | 70 | The BRC was Bantam's prototypeJeep that went up against the Willys MA and the Ford GP to try to win thecontract with the U.S. Government for the best designed jeep. It lost toWillys. The BRCs were produced in 3 batches, The first 70 (BRC60 aka MarkII, Mk II) had rounded noses. The more common BRC40s were produced in 2production runs. The first batch of 1,175, and the 2nd batch of 1,430. Bantam built approx. 2,675 of them, from 1940 to 1941.Most were given to our allies. Serial #'s shown in red are based solely on survivingdata plates, and not from company records. This indicates the highest knownSerial No. at years end. | |
| 1941 | 2651 | 2,605 | |||
| 1941 | (50) | ||||
| 2,675 | |||||
| Model | Year | Starting Serial Number | Ending Serial Number | Total Production | Notes |
| Quad | 1940 | 2 | The Quad was Willys hand builttest prototype. The MA was Willys prototype Jeep. It won Willys the contractwith the U.S. Government by besting the Bantam BRC-40 and the Ford GP Prototypes.Willys built approx. 1,550 of them, all in 1941. | ||
| MA | 1941 | 78401 | 79900 | 1,555 | |
| 1941 | 85501 | 85550 | 50 | ||
| MB | 1941 | 100001 | 108598 | 8,598 | Willys built approx. 361,339 MB'sfrom late Oct. 1941 through late 1945. The first 25,808 MB's manufactured by Willys used a differentgrill than the stamped, pressed sheet metal grill one most people are familiarwith. This 'slat grill' grill was made out of flat steel stock weldedtogether. The remaining stamped grill MB jeeps totaled 335,531 units. |
| MB | 1942 | 108599 | 200022 | 91,424 | |
| MB | 1943 | 200023 | 293232 | 93,210 | |
| MB | 1944 | 293233 | 402334 | 109,102 | |
| MB | 1945 | 402335 | 459851 | 57,517 | |
| 362,841 | |||||
| Model | Year | Starting Serial Number | Ending Serial Number | Total Production | Notes |
| Pigmy | 1940 | 2 | The Pygmy was Ford's hand builttest prototype. The GP was Ford's Jeep prototype that went up againstthe Willys MA and the Bantam BRC40 to try to win the contract with theU.S. Government for the best designed jeep. Ford built 4,458of themin 1941. | ||
| GP | 1941 | 8524 | 16603 | 4,458 | |
| 1941 | (50) | ||||
| GPW | 1941 | None | None | 0 | Serial #'sshown in red are based solely on surviving data plates, and not from companyrecords. This chart indicates the highest known serial number at yearsend. Ford numbered their jeeps based on the serial number of the enginethat was installed in them. However, engines were issued out of order,so there will be overlaps were lower serial numbers were issued after higherserial number GPWs had already left the plant. Ford built 277,896 GPW's from late Feb. 1942 through 15Aug.1945. |
| GPW | 1942 | 1 | 90837 | ||
| GPW | 1943 | 90216 | 170336 | ||
| GPW | 1944 | 170660 | 246405 | ||
| GPW | 1945 | 247172 | 277825 | ||
| 281,448 | |||||
Checker Cab company built 2-3 Jeeps based on the Bantam BRC40
Chevrolet built 2 prototype jeeps in WWII.
Total Jeeps Producedfor WWII = 647,870
Wheredo I find my WW2 Jeeps Serial Numbers?
All MB's and GPW's had serial #'s in 3 places. SeeAlso The History of the Jeep Name Webpage.
- THE DATA PLATES ON THE GLOVE BOX DOOR
- The middle of the 3 plates on the glove box door (or dashboard on the earlyslat grill MB's, since Slatgrill MB's didn't have glove boxes) in frontof the passenger is the plate with the serial number on it. These platesare often missing. The Nomenclature (center) plate has the vehicle identificationinformation including; the Manufacturer (Willys or Ford), the Model (MBor GPW), the Serial Number, and the Date of Delivery (Date of Manufacture).These Data Plates were made out of Brass, Pot Metal, Steel, and Aluminum.Be very careful removing paint or straightening dents on your data platesbecause valuable information about your Jeep can easily be destroyed inthe process.
- Early plates were Brass, were 3 pc. set, and were marked QuartermasterCorps.
- The data plates of some of the early quartermaster procured Willys MB jeepshave 'QMC' stamped on the pad immediately after 'Make and Model: WillysMB'.
- Mid-war Jeeps were made of any combination of metals; Brass, Aluminum,Steel, Pot Metal in a 3 pc. set, marked Ordnance Department.
- Sometime in 1944, a 4th data plate was added to the set. The new platewas called the 'Shipping Plate' because it contained information neededto help boat & aircraft loaders plan for shipping jeeps and landingjeeps on beach head battlefronts. They were still made of any combinationof metals; Brass, Aluminum, Steel, Pot Metal and marked Ordnance Dept.
- The data plates of some of the later ordnance department procured WillysMB jeeps have 'ORD' stamped on the pad immediately after 'Make and ModelWillys MB'.
- Some later Willys MB data plates are also stamped with an ordnance dept.'Crossed Canons' stamp.
- No Ford GPW data plates are stamped with an ordnance dept. 'CrossedCanons' stamp, only Willys were.
- Photoof Early (1942) Ford GPW Jeep Quartermaster Corps 3 pc Brass Data Plateset.
- Photoshowing faded original Early Ford GPW Brass Data Plates.
- Photoof Late Ford GPW Jeep Ordnance Department 3 pc Data Plate set on glovebox door.
- Photoof Late Willys MB Ordnance Dept. 3 piece Aluminum Data Plate set.
- Photoof Late (1945) Ford GPW Ordnance Department 4 pc Steel Data Plate set.
- THE LEFT FRONT FRAME RAIL
- The Willys MB JEEP
- The Ford GPW JEEP
- THE JEEP ENGINE BLOCK
- The Ford GPW JEEP Engine Serial Number
- The Willys MB JEEP Engine Serial Number
- BODY TUB SERIAL NUMBERS
- The Willys MB JEEP
- The Ford GPW JEEP
- All World War Two Military Jeeps had their Serial Number stamped onthe front of the jeep on the left-side frame rail behind the front bumperon driver’s side. The exact manner & location differed between a WillysOverland MB's and Ford's GPW Jeep.
- The Willys MB jeep used a small aluminum or pot metal tag that wasriveted with 2 rivets to the inside frame horn on the frame box reinforcementwhere the front most leaf spring shackle mounts. Ford jeeps did not havethis 'box'. Photographof Early Willys MB Small Frame Data Plate and same area on a Ford GPW. The Willys Frame Tags came in two sizes. The Early style was smalland only contained the serial #. The Late style was larger and containedtext as well as the serial #. The later tags had 'Jeep' stamped on themin addition to the serial number. Photographof Late Willys MB Large Frame Data Plate. This tag is stamped withthe serial number as 'M B # # # # # #' (always6 digits total after the MB). To locate the Willys tag, look on the insideof the left (driver's side) frame rail (frame horn) just behind the bumper,on the frame box reinforcement where the front leaf spring shackle mountsto the front frame horn - you almost have to stick your head in betweenthe radiator grill and the bumper and then turn your head to driver's sideto see the small tag riveted to the reinforcement plate that the leaf springshackle attaches to. There, should be found the little metal (zinc) tagheld in place with two small twist rivets. The serial number on this tagshould match the serial number on your jeeps glove box data plates, butit will not match the Willys MB engine serial number on toe board gussetbody number.
- The Ford GPW jeep had it's serial number stamped into the frame itself,on the top of the left frame rail. The numbers can be from 1 to 6 digitslong and the sequence starts and ends with a 5 pointed star stamped intothe frame. The format used on GPWs can run from
- WWII Jeep engines also had a serial number stamped into a rounded bosson the passenger side of the engine block, behind the oil filter canister.It is on the right side of the engine, near the front of the block, justbelow the cylinder head, on a machined pad that is directly behind theoil filter and it is usually covered with grease, grime, and dirt.
- The Ford engine serial number is the jeep serial #, (as long as theengine hasn’t been replaced). The numbers can be from 1 to 6 digits longand the sequence usually starts and ends with a 5 pointed star that isstamped into the boss. The format used on GPWs can run from
Photographof Ford GPW Jeep Engine Serial Number. (Oil Filter housing has beenremoved).
- Willys jeep engine serial numbers are of marginal help. The Willysengine serial numbers do NOT match the jeep's data plate serial numbers,nor the frame serial numbers, even if it is the original factory installedengine that is still in the vehicle. This is because Willys engines weretaken out of the production line as needed and put into portable powergenerators, searchlight units, and welders. This meant that gap betweenthe serial number of the engines and the serial number of the jeeps theywent into got farther and farther apart as time progressed because moreand more engines were taken off the jeep line and put into something elseother than a jeep. The engine boss or pad is stamped with the serial numberas 'M B # # # # # #' (always 6 digits totalafter the MB).
Photographof Willys MB Jeep Engine Serial Number. (Oil Filter housing in place).
- Willys MB body tubs are stamped with a serial number on the driver'sside toe board gusset. This large triangular brace is welded on the bodytub inside the engine compartment on the lower portion of the firewall.The body tub serial number stamping is in a 6 digit format in rather largesize characters. The Body Tub Serial Number does not match the data plateserial number, the frame serial number, or the engine serial number. Itis so far of little to no use in determining your jeeps real serial number.
- The GPW bodies built by Ford in house did not have a body tub serialnumber stamped into the toe board gusset.
The GPW bodies built by American Central Manufacturing (ACM Type 2body) for Ford starting at the end of 1943 did have a body tub serial numberstamped into them. These ACM bodies built for Ford are stamped with a serialnumber on the driver's side toe board gusset. This large triangular braceis welded on the body tub inside the engine compartment on the lower portionof the firewall. The body tub serial number stamping is in a 6 digit formatin rather large size characters. The Body Tub Serial Number does not matchthe data plate serial number, the frame serial number, or the engine serialnumber. It is so far of little to no use in determining your jeeps realserial number. (See similar informationon the willys civilian jeeps)
How To Find your WW2 Jeep's Date of Delivery Day
Have you ever wondered about your Jeep's Birthday? What day of theweek was it made on? If you are lucky enough to have your original Jeepdata plates still on your jeep after all these years then you are in luck.Here's a link to my online Dateof Delivery Day Calculator as well as a interactive perpetual calendarfor determining which day of the week your Willys MB or Ford GPW Jeep orJeep Trailer was built on. No, knowing what day of the week your Bantam,Ford, or Willys was built on doesn't really provide you with any new insightinto your jeep, but there was always talk about 'Monday' built vehiclesbeing of lesser quality because of worker's hangovers, and 'Friday' vehiclesbeing of lesser quality because builders were tired after a long work weekand wanted to go home. So I guess 'Wednesday Jeeps' were the best! ;-)
Whatare WWII Army Jeep Hood Registration Numbers? Where & How do I findHood Registration Numbers on WW2 Jeeps? Can you estimate my WWII Army Jeep'sHood Registration Numbers?
Get the answers to these questions by going toTheWWII Jeep Hood Number Estimator / Generator for estimating andgenerating WW2 Registration Numbers found on Willys & Ford MB/GPW,MA, GP, BRC Jeeps.
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1946, 1947, etc. Military Jeeps
Willys stopped making WWII MB military jeeps in 1945. They didn't evenfinish filling the contract as the Government canceled it after the warended. In short order Willys went right into producing a civilian jeep,the CJ-2A, for farms, construction, and other civilian uses.
There has always been a desire by some to own an army jeep. Thisdemand has often been unable to be met by the number of real military jeepsavailable for purchase. The impatient types have often resorted togetting an early civilian Willys jeep and militarizing it with army surplusjeep parts. These cobble jobs, as they are sometimes referred to, whileperhaps ending the waiting process actually does a disservice to two hobbies.The Civilian Jeep collectors, and the Military jeep collectors. Ittakes a good CJ jeep and ruins it by drilling 100's of holes in the bodythat don't belong there. It removes one CJ jeep from the market of restorableones. In addition, it consumes dozens & dozens of military MB/GPW partsthat would otherwise be available for true military jeep restorations.
It's also a horrible investment of money. It's a horrible investmentof your time as well. The time it takes to locate, mark, and drillall those holes could have been better spent restoring the jeep body tub,or locating a real military jeep or parts. $$$ investment wise itis a bad idea as well. It will cost you a ton of money to buy all thosemilitary parts, but you won't be able to sell it for what a real militaryjeep is worth. So you end up spending about the same to acquire thejeep, spend a lot more time locating where to drill, and locating &buying the parts, and paying to have the parts shipped to you, and whenyou go to sell it years later, very few people are interested in buyinga fake army jeep. Why waste the time, labor, and spend the $, and thennot have something that is an investment or worth anything for your heirs?
Is someone trying to sell you a restored 1946 MilitaryJeep?
There were no military jeeps produced between the end of 1945-1949.
If any one of the data plates on the dash or the firewall or framesay CJ-2a (or CJ at all) than it is civilian - the C = Civilian, the J= Jeep. To this day some people take civilian jeeps and drillholes and add all the military grab handles & parts, paint it OD greenw/stars and then try to pass it off as a military jeep. ebay is fullof them. They are not actually worth much. They are worth less thana civilian jeep restored as a civilian jeep, and a lot less than a truemilitary jeep correctly restored.
The military jeep collectors don't want it because it is not reallya military jeep. I don't recommend investing in one because they won'tbuy it from you down the road. The civilian jeep collectors don't wantit either because it is now a Swiss cheese jeep body tub with all the holesdrilled in it that do not belong there - so they won't buy it. Theonly buyers for such a jeep in the future are the people who just don'tcare... True jeep collectors (both military & civilian)are willing to pay more to get the right jeep done right. They will bewilling to pay more than someone who just wants any old jeep and wouldsettle for a bastardized one.
I like both military & civilian jeeps, but I'm not so big on themixed up ones.
Serial Numbers onMilitary and Willys Overland Civilian Jeep Engines
The quickest way to tell the difference between a civilian engine blockand a military engine block I have found is the water pump boss on theblock.
First what are the dimensions of the machined boss ABOVE the waterpump? Are there any #'s stamped there?
If it looks like the boss is about 2' across then it is probably aWWII military block. (Many times it has a single letter stamped on it)
WWII Military: flat spot is about 1/2' x 2' across.
Civilian: flat spot is about 1/2' x 4' across.
This long flat spot is also where they usually stamped the engine serial# on civilian motors.
This is the sure fire way to tell it is a WWII block even when #'sare ground off.
Military Engine Blocks: The engine serial number was locatedon the top front passenger side of the engine block behind the oil filteron a machined boss.
Civilian Engine Blocks: The engine serial number was locatedat the front of the engine block on the water pump boss. SeePic.
Cast Numbers on engine;
Engine block #638632 is the correct number for a MB engine block.
The assembly date (month, day, and year of production) can be foundstamped on the pan surface at rear main bearing cap.
Cylinder head #639660 would be the head number for a MB engine.
It appears that WILLYS in raised letters was added to cylinder headsin mid 1943, and JEEP was added in mid 1944.
At engine # MB288835 the cylinder head bolts/cap screws were changedto studs and nuts.
Lookin Body Basic Serial Numbers
Engines with Numbers Stamped in BOTH Places.
I have seen where many of the Post war engines have had the WWII Bosstab location machined smooth, as if to allow it to be stamped there ifneed be. Perhaps it was in case the engine would be sold to the US, Canadian,or French Military as a replacement engine, or exported to India or elsewhere. Or in case it was used as a power plant engine in a welding, water pumping,electrical generator trailer rig set up.
Sometime you will come across an engine that has numbers/charactersstamped both on the boss above the water pump, AND the boss behind theoil filter.
One or the other should be the serial number of the engine. I haveheard 2 possible explanations as to what the other numbers/characters stampedin the block on the OTHER tab mean. I haven’t spent any time verifyingthe 1st one. The 2nd one I can verify.
1) Sometimes at the factory, an inspector would stamp his inspection#/ID in that spot.
2) Post war engine rebuilders would stamp the invoice/PO # there forguarantee / warranty reference, in case the engine came back in the future.
You have to use some common sense here. If the #'s on the Oil FilterSide boss start with 'MB' or 'GPW', then that is the serial # and the otheris an inspection stamp. If the #'s on the Oil Filter boss are long anddon't make any sense, then it is a PO/Work Order #, and the real serial# has either been ground off by the rebuilder (and then over-stamped withthe rebuilders own work order number), OR the real serial number is outthere on the water pump boss because the block is a CJ block.
SerialNumbers on Civilian Willys Jeep Bodies
The following is info I have written down form other sources, buthave not verified with my own eyes.
Early Willys Jeeps - CJ-2As:
There are 2 Vehicle Identification plates;
Number one in the left front part of the chassis frame the same asthe WWII MB jeeps, and
Number two under the hood in the right side of the firewall where theFuel Filters went on MB/GPW jeeps in WW2.
Both should have the same serial number. You should be able to datethe jeep by these serial #'s using the charts inserted below on this webpage.
There is also a toe board gusset serial number, or body number, thesame as on W.W.II MB's and later GPW's, stamped in the left toe board gusset'triangle' located in front of the drivers side toe board. It is visibleby opening the hood. The number on the toeboard gusset is a number assignedby the body manufacturer (ACM, I believe). Just as in WWII, there is somecorrelation to the Willys frame serial number, however, Willys inventoryrotation practices and bare chassis sales don't allow for an exact matchor even a consistent correlation in numbers. Willys also started theirserial numbers at 10,000 and I don't think ACM did.
So just as in World War Two, the fact that the Willys VIN and ACM bodynumbers differ is correct. It would be a strange coincidence if theymatched.
POST-WARJEEP SERIAL NUMBERS & PRODUCTION
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Willys Overland Civilian Jeep Production Figures
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M38A1 Fender Data Plate Location
Hereis a website that clearly shows where the Willys M38-A1 Fender VIN# DataPlate is located. The Willys factory vehicle serial number plate (VIN numberplate) is located on the rear fenderwell on the M-38 and M-38-A1. Thenumber stamped on it is the actual VIN # of the vehicle. This is the numberthat should be used when titling the vehicle.
Willys Hotchkiss French Military M201 Jeep ChassisNumbers
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For more information on the French Military Hotchkiss M201 Jeeps, visithis website.
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AMCJeep CJ Serial # / VIN & Production Figures
How ToLocate Serial / VIN Numbers on Kaiser & AMC Jeep CJs
There are several places to look when trying to find the serial number/ Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on a Jeep CJ. The exact locationthat the VIN number was stamped was moved over the years.
- Look for a nice large data plate located on the dashboardto the left of the steering column.
- Look for a small strip of metal riveted to the backsidetop of the Windshield Wiper Motor Cover. It can be seen by standing outsidethe driver's side of the jeep, looking through the windshield glass atthe wiper motor cover.
- Look for a data plate attached to the firewall, insidethe engine compartment. Look on the firewall in front of both the driveras well as the passenger side.
- Look on the side wall of the vehicle's frame right behind the Right FrontWheel Arch. Approximately just above the leaf spring mount.
- Look on the top wall of the vehicle's frameat the top of the Right Rear Wheel Arch. Approximately top dead centerof wheel arch.
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