Ross Steering Boxes On VEPs

[OldGPW]

How many of you have found "Ross" steering boxes on your VEPs?

If so, do you know the Casting Numbers of the box?

The Frame type (Midland or Murray)? Date of Delivery?

Does your Ross Box have a block "F" on it?

Thanks

[Schultzd]

14944 had a Ross box, no "F"s.

Dan

[Chuck Lutz]

Shouldn't the question be concerned if an early/VEP GPW has a WILLYS style frame or a Ford style frame and THEN did you find a ROSS steering box on it? This will give you a better view as to how/why a ROSS would/could/should be found on a FACTORY assembled frame I think.

[OldGPW]

Thanks Dan!
In light of the revised post, could you confirm you have a Murray frame? With a Date of Delivery? Thanks.


Chuck, That would be ideal, but it is difficult to know just when all the assembly plants were using the Ross boxes, as with everything GPW there are anomalies. I will add the question of Frame type to my original post, unfortunately we will never know if those boxes have been replaced.

I have seen one box so far, that does have a block "F", is this evidence it is Ford used? No, but it would be strange for that letter and only that letter to appear on a Ross box. So I thought I would see if anyone else has found Ross boxes on there VEPs, and if so if they have an "F" on it.

Thanks.

[Schultzd]

My jeep is a bit of an anomaly. It is numbered (GPW 14944) as very early production but has a Ford style frame. DOD is 4-10-42. You are right tho, there is no way to tell if this box is a replacement. It was very worn out tho.

Dan

[OldGPW]

Thanks for the reply Dan, maybe if we can get enough response to this we may see some patterns emerge about the Ross boxes and their use on both frame and Date of delivery.

[lt.luke]

My jeep is a bit of an anomaly. It is numbered (GPW 14944) as very early production but has a Ford style frame. DOD is 4-10-42. You are right tho, there is no way to tell if this box is a replacement. It was very worn out tho.

Dan

No it's not. That late in production, GPWs were pure Ford. My 12078 (4APR42) is Ford frame, tub and block. I don't recall what the markings are on the box that is in it, but I have another Ross "F" marked box that came out of another early script jeep. I do not know any data about it. It came with the extras when I bought 12078.

Contrary to what's been posted earlier, the script "F" does indeed indicate use by Ford, and production for or by Ford.

[OldGPW]

I assume both of your's has the script "F"?

I'm looking for information on block "F" marked Ross boxes, I have seen one, that was removed from a VEP Midland frame GPW.

[lt.luke]

I assume both of your's has the script "F"?

I'm looking for information on block "F" marked Ross boxes, I have seen one, that was removed from a VEP Midland frame GPW.

Both "F" script. I'll have to look this weekend to verify. I'm not sure if either are block F or not.