GPW Shift Cane Question - F marks on Willys parts...

[combatmatt]

I have 2 transmissions, a Willys APR 45 (brown/rusty cane and plate), and a XXX 44 Ford (Grey/Silver). Im taking the top plates apart and I find F marks on both shift canes. The cane off of the Willys case doesnt have the Ford taper like the Ford cane does yet still has an F mark. I was always under the impression that the ford shift cane tips had the noticable taper at the tip vs the willys gradual taper. Can anyone fill me in?

[Tom Wolboldt]

Very Interesting !

[podski]

They both look so old that it is unlikely that the "incorrectly" tapered Ford shift cane is an inaccurate reproduction. Looks like a good example of "never say never" and "never say always"; in this case regarding Ford shift cane taper. I suspect the one "incorrectly" tapered shift cane might prompt some who look at a jeep that has it to say, "Nice GPW, but too bad that's an MB shift cane." or "Nice MB, and it has the correct shift cane." Now which one would be right

There is not doubt a very interesting story behind it that likely has long since passed into history.

What is also interesting is the difference in the dimensions of the flat where the F stamp is as well as the orientation of the F stamp itself.

[W. Winget]

Likely answer is two different manufacturing plants and rushing to get production done. The lack of the sharp taper would tend to save time I'd think and Ford was all about saving time (money)
Just a thought.
W Winget

[lt.luke]

That brown one is VEP. Gpw12078 has one just like it

[Chuck Lutz]

Taking a clue from the Ford Transfer Case shift canes:
VERY EARLY = THIN
EARLY = coke bottle shaped ends
LATE = tapered ends

I have never seen one of the T84 shift canes with a 'coke bottle' shaped end on it before. I would agree the coke-bottle shaped end types are VEP.