Introducing Willys MB.T 10968 D.O.D. 10 42

[sjalbert]

This is the “Wlliys MBT/Bantam T-3 trailer in SF Bay Area” posted by tipdog http://forums.g503.com/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=148255" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Detail photos are posted at http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/showgal ... p?cat=2132" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Good,
Original Data Plate, Intact Frame, Original Suspension (welded axle), Combat Wheels, Brake Hardware, Original Reflectors, Welded "L" Brackets for Lights, No Serious Rust Through

The Bad
Back Panel cut for tailgate, Lunette Eye cut off, Landing Leg Cut Off, Extra Structure welded to front frame, Extensive Surface Rust

The short term plan
Repair/Replace Lunette & Landing Leg, Strip Paint (There is military green paint showing along the sides. I don't expect to be able to recover any numbers from the rear panel, where else should I look?) and Paint for preservation

Data Plate, Chuck can you estimate a a USA Number from this?


Front Frame, needs the extra structure cut off, the lunette and landing leg repaired/replaced

,

Front Panel

Right Side & Left Side, Are the fenders original?

,


Bed, Spare Tire on Solid Wheel stamped with script "FOMOCO"


Underside photos are posted at http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/showgal ... p?cat=2132" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Chuck Lutz]

Seth....you got a winner there....some good welding will fix the tailgate and a trip to the sandblasters will clean up everything after you have dismantled her...

Send me what is in the "How To ID..." stickey, but from the pics..
1) Remove the "axel bumpers" bubba installed when he "remodeled" it
2) Replace the original axel bumpers (the thin ones not the jeep ones)
3) I see it appears to have COTTER PIN upper and BOLTED lower shock mounts? That will explain why the axel is not the "Cast Center" section one an MBT this early would have.....this is a Bantam Axel with the SEAM and the mounts are THREADED. You might look around and find another Bantam guy with the axel yours would have come with who wants to trade, but that's up to you if a "factory resto" is your goal.
4) The Lunette has "PSC BU-42" which might be a Bantam feature or it might be a replacement feature as I have seen MBTs with a WO part number on some trailers....don't know how ALL MBT/Bantams from the factory had theirs marked or even if thdy did...
5) The welded-on taillight brackets are correct for this serial number.
6) The chain links in the pics look original, can you post a pic of them extended...and check the chain wedge and hooks for cast-in numbers/letters.
7) What are the mfger of the taillight bezels and inserts? They appear to have the hexnuts OUTSIDE, can you see any lead washers on the inside between RH screw and tub?

If you send me the info....PLEASE drop the left front Spring Hanger from the gusset plate and look for an ACM number and the letter "W"...it could be around 10,000 +/- and the W can be above, below, to the right or left of the number...

From this I can work up a DECENT estimate of a USA number for you....

[sjalbert]

Thanks Chuck,

I called the seller less then an hour after tipdog posted it and committed to buy it the moment I knew it had it's data plate.

My Jeep is definitely "motor pool" so I don't see a factory restoration in the cards for this trailer. For the time being I'm going to keep the "tailgate". How much do I need to dismantle it before sandblasting? I'll look at the chain links and for the ACM number when I can. The reflectors have Grotelight 100 inserts. I didn't consider the possibility that the taillight bezels might be original. I'll have to look.

[Chuck Lutz]

On mine the fenders came off, lunette, drawbar casting, drawbars, landing leg pivot, landing leg, reflectors, chains, axel, shocks, springs, drain plug mount, lights and mounts, handbrake and cable (clean and lube), tires, rims....the brakes are often hardly worn and if clean then mask them off....new bearings and seals...

Check out the brake drums as they are almost always with 99% NO WEAR...so consider buying some crappy ones that are too far worn for a reputable brake shop to turn LEGALLY and putting them on the trailer and saving those perfect drums for the next brake job on the front end of your jeep where brakes mean life or death....they can be turned and have plenty of meat on them!

[sjalbert]

Where should I look for numbers on the wedge? There are no hooks on the chains. The taillght assys are not original. They are both plastic. One looks fairly recent. The other one is older. I haven't had chance to remove the fender hanger.

[Chuck Lutz]

Picture = 1,000 wds....

Chains Bantam MBT.jpg (96.91 KiB) Viewed 8465 times

I am not sure that ALL Bantams or MBTs or other WWII 1/4 Tons had the wedges and hooks stamped in this way....but if yuo find them that ARE marked like this I think you are good to go....

PS....note that the hook and wedge have a LARGER link on them than those in between....COUNT the number of links as Ben-Hur chains are longer.

Chains MBT and Ben Hur 2.jpg (160.27 KiB) Viewed 8464 times

[sjalbert]

Thanks.

One wedge is stamped "TP 2" other has a stamping that is obscured. The 11th link on each side has been cut (to remove the hooks and add additional links).

[Chuck Lutz]

It's getting to be a better deal all the time....now what about the ACM number on the gusset plate where the left front spring hanger is bolted? You only need to lift the left side of the tub up front and rear on safety stands or something so you can remove the bolts and pull the hanger DOWN enough to get a wire brush in there to remove any paint/rust to reveal the ACM number.....maybe around 15000-17000?

[sjalbert]

The ACM number's going to have to wait It's raining this weekend and if I don't get the Jeep running next weekend I'm not going to be able to bring it to the 5th Bomb Group (Heavy) reunion at the end of the month.

[sjalbert]

I finally got a chance to look for the ACM number. It's 13092. I was not able to get a photo. (There was not enough contrast.). I did not see a "W".

[Chuck Lutz]

Seth....this a fairly close estimate, I really don't have anything near it that has the ACM/Serial Number/USA Number that would make it any closer.

I would suggest the USA number you use is "USA 0168533"...

Riveted on Upper Shock mounts? (to the frame?)
When you get 'er cleaned up some more, see if you can find the ACM "W" stamped infront, behind below the "13092" you found pn the gusset where the left front spring hanger was bolted.

Look on the edge of the tub where the ebrake handle is bolted....all across that for a hand stamped in number....you ight find the USA number or the Serial Number there....

Wet sand carefully and use tracing paper on the rear panel and on both sides of the tub in front and behind the fender....the frame rail beneath the rear panel is where many unit markings were applied....you never know....