g503 - Tools for the WWII jeep, Ford GPW, Willys MB

LET'S DEFINE TOOLS, EQUIPMENT and SPARE PARTS

The Tools, Equipment, and Spare Parts to be investigated are THOSE ACTUALLY FOUND IN OR ON THE JEEP. A number of different tools were used by mechanics to maintain the Jeep. A number of different accessories were used in special tactical situations. These specialty items are not discussed. Likewise, armament and related equipment are not discussed.

The component pieces of both the TOOL KIT and SPARE PARTS bag are listed in a number of World War II dated, US Army documents. Unfortunately, these documents sometimes contain conflicting information in content and terminology. The following table compares information found in three WWII period documents. As a starting point, I will use the list found in ORD 7 SNL G-503 dated 11 Oct 1944. I compare that list with information found in ORD 8 (5 AUG 1944)and TM 9-803 (22 FEB 1944). This comparison is interesting because these three closely dated documents provide slightly different information.

Some of these items came in the vehicle when it was delivered to the US Army. Some of the items were added to the vehicle after the Army had taken possession, the ax, shovel, and first aid kit for example. The items supplied with each new vehicle by Willys or Ford came from a variety of sources. These items would have been assembled into various kits by Willys or Ford, boxed, and stowed with each new vehicle to be delivered for US Army acceptance. Once the US Army had taken possession of the vehicle, this package would have been broken down and the tools and equipment stowed in their proper places. See section 4 for an example of the only remaining WILLYS box of tools and equipment.

VEHICULAR TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

Common Tools
		From ORD 7	From ORD 8	TM 9-803
2-AD	ADAPTER, Grease gun.	Common Tools	Veh Com Tool	Veh Equip
2-J	BAG, Tool.	Common Tools	Veh Com Tool	Veh Equip
2-P	EXTINGUISHER, Fire.	Common Tools	Veh Equip Acssy	Veh Equip
2-Y	GAGE, Tire pressure.	Common Tools	Veh Com Tool	Veh Equip
	GUN, Grease.	Common Tools	Veh Com Tool	Veh Equip
2-E	HAMMER, 1lb ball peen.	Common Tools	Veh Com Tool	Veh Tools
2-H	JACK, Screw type, 1 ˝ ton.	Common Tools	Veh Com Tool	Veh Tools
2-G	OILER, ˝ pint push bottom.	Common Tools	Veh Com Tool	Veh Equip
2-C	PLIERS, Combination, 6 in.	Common Tools	Veh Com Tool	Veh Tools
2-N	PUMP, Tire, with air chuck.	Common Tools	Veh Com Tool	Veh Equip
2-F	SCREWDRIVER, Com, hvy duty.	Common Tools	Veh Com Tool	Not Listed
2-A	WRENCH, Adj, auto type, 11 inch.	Common Tools	Veh Com Tool	Veh Tools
2-Q	WRENCH, Open end, 3/8 & 7/16.	Common Tools	Veh Com Tool	Veh Tools
2-R	WRENCH, Open end, ˝ & 19/32.	Common Tools	Veh Com Tool	Veh Tools
2-S	WRENCH, Open end, 9/16 & 11/16.	Common Tools	Veh Com Tool	Veh Tools
2-T	WRENCH, Open end, 5/8 & 25/32.	Common Tools	Veh Com Tool	Veh Tools
2-U	WRENCH, Open end, ž & 7/8.	Common Tools	Veh Com Tool	Veh Tools
2-K	WRENCH, Set screw, bristol.	Common Tools	Veh Com Tool	Veh Tools
2-W	WRENCH, Spark plug, with handle.	Common Tools	Veh Com Tool	Veh Tools
2-Z	WRENCH, Lug nut.	Mistake wrong*	Veh Com Tool	Veh Tools
	WRENCH, Crescent, 8 inch	Not Listed	Not Listed	Not Listed
Provisions are made for the stowage of the following equipment which was installed on the vehicle by the using troops, and is not included in the initial issue by the Ordnance Department.
	AX, Single bit	Common Tools	Not Listed	Veh Equip
	SHOVEL, General purpose, D handle	Common Tools	Not Listed	Veh Equip
Notes: Items called "Common Tools" in ORD 7 are called "Vehicular Common Tools" in ORD 8. TM 9-803 calls some of the items "Vehicle Tools" while some others are called "Vehicle Equipment". TM 9-803 does not list a screwdriver as part of the tool kit. ORD 8 lists the fire extinguisher as "Vehicular Equipment and Accessories". In this section, according to ORD 7, we learn that the ax and shovel are added by the using troops. This can help explain the wide variety of types used. A "Crescent Wrench, 8 inch" was listed in earlier dated documents. It is listed here for completeness. * Ord 7 lists the wrong lug wrench! Instead of listing 41-W-3837-55 with a hex opening of 49/64, it lists Number 41-W-3837-25 which is a "Double end, hex and square opening of 1 33/64 hex & 0.817 sq. that is 11 13/16" long! The lug wrench must also serve as the jack handle, a double end wrench would not work!

Special Tools
		From ORD 7	From ORD 8	TM 9-803
2-AB	PULLER, Wheel hub	Special Tools	Veh Com Tool	Veh Tools
2-L	WRENCH, Open end single head ź.	Special Tools	Veh Com Tool	Veh Tools
2-AA	WRENCH, Plug, square, 3/8.	Special Tools	Veh Com Tool	Veh Tools
2-AC	WRENCH, Wheel hub	Special Tools	Veh Com Tool	Veh Tools
Note: Other than a minor difference in terminology, all the documents are in agreement in this section.

Equipment and Accessories
		From ORD 7	From ORD 8	TM 9-803
	BAG, Spare parts container	Equip & Accsy	Veh Com Tool	Veh Spare Pr
	BOOK, ORD 7 SNL G-503	Equip & Accsy	Not Listed	Veh Equip
	BOOK, ORD 9 SNL G-503	Equip & Accsy	Not Listed	Veh Equip
	BOOK, TM 9-803	Equip & Accsy	Not Listed	Veh Equip
2-D	CHAIN, Type TS 6.00 x 16	Equip & Accsy	Veh Com Tool	Veh Equip
	COVER, Headlight	Equip & Accsy	Veh Equip Accsy	Veh Equip
	COVER, Windshield	Equip & Accsy	Veh Equip Accsy	Veh Equip
2-B	CRANK, Starting engine	Equip & Accsy	Veh Equip Accsy	Veh Equip
	FORM, War Dept, AGO 478	Equip & Accsy	Not Listed	Not Listed
	ORDER, Lubrication	Equip & Accsy	Not Listed	Not Listed
1-K	TAPE, Friction	Equip & Accsy	Veh Equip Accsy	Veh Equip
1-E	WIRE, Iron, ź lb. spool	Equip & Accsy	Veh Equip Accsy	Veh Equip
Notes: In addition to terminology differences, there are other variances. While ORD 7 uses "Equipment and Accessories", ORD 8 uses "Vehicular Equipment and Accessories" and TM 9-803 uses "Vehicle Equipment". Notice that ORD 7 calls the spare parts bag "Equipment and Accessories", while ORD 8 (Which does not mention spare parts) lists the bag with "Vehicular Common Tools". Only TM 9-803 lists the bag with "Vehicle Spare Parts".

Issued by Other Technical Services
		From ORD 7	From ORD 8	TM 9-803
	APPARATUS, Decontaminating	Other Tech Svs	Not Listed	Veh Equip
	DRUM, Gas can	Other Tech Svs	Not Listed	Veh Equip
	KIT, First aid	Other Tech Svs	Not Listed	Not Listed
	TUBE, Flexible nozzle	Other Tech Svs	Not Listed	Veh Equip
Note: ORD 7 distinguishes items not supplied by the manufacturer of the vehicle, but added on by "Other Technical Services" after the US Army had taken possession. ORD 8 does not mention these items, and TM 9-803 lists them as "Vehicle Equipment."

VEHICLE SPARE PARTS

Spare Parts
		From ORD 7	From ORD 8	TM 9-803
1-A	BELT, Fan	Veh Spare Parts	Not Listed	Veh Spr Parts
1-J	CAP, Tire valve	Veh Spare Parts	Not Listed	Veh Spr Parts
1-H	CORE, Tire valve	Veh Spare Parts	Not Listed	Veh Spr Parts
1-F	LAMP, Incandescent	Veh Spare Parts	Not Listed	Veh Spr Parts
1-D	LAMP-UNIT, BO Stop	Veh Spare Parts	Not Listed	Veh Spr Parts
1-B	LAMP-UNIT, BO Tail	Veh Spare Parts	Not Listed	Veh Spr Parts
1-C	LAMP-UNIT, Service tail and stop	Veh Spare Parts	Not Listed	Veh Spr Parts
1-L	PIN, Cotter	Veh Spare Parts	Not Listed	Veh Spr Parts
1-G	PLUG, Spark	Veh Spare Parts	Not Listed	Veh Spr Parts
	SPARE, Tire, Wheel, Tube	Veh Spare Parts	Not Listed	Not Listed
Note: ORD 8 neglects to list spare parts at all, and TM 9-803 does not list the spare tire.

Summary: To make our TOOL and EQUIPMENT LIST we use the tool list from ORD-7. For our SPARE PARTS LIST we will move the "Spare Parts Bag", "Roll of Wire" and "Roll of Friction Tape" from tools to spare parts.

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