CCKW CONTAINER, SPARE PARTS KIT

[RANGER]

It is apparant that not all CCKWs were factory equipped with these handy little gems although there may be provision for them.

The spare parts containers installed on the production line would have GM Part No GM-2186774 for early containers and GM-3677644 for the later containers. There were several styles of the same box, as they differed between manufacturers.

[pfarber]

Read you TM9.

The spare parts kit was a factory item on (IIRC) mid/late 43 and on trucks. It DEFINITELY was installed on 44 and on trucks. The box was to be added under the assistant drivers seat if not already installed when sent to higher echelons for maintenance.

There is an Army Motors (not the MVPA one) article that stated that NO vehicles was to leave the USA without a standardized spare parts kit for each vehicle. If you have the jeep book by Notman (can't remember the title) its in there.. its about 2-4 pages long and includes what the spare parts box contained. From motorcycles to jeeps to tanks... everyone was to get the kit.

If you want one... Army Cars USA has some a few years ago. I have one and will post pics on Tm9-801.com

[RANGER]

Many Open Cab trucks never received them, and were surplused without them.

RANGER-6 Decades a CCKW man.

[pfarber]

True. My 43 open cab never had one, nor the holes under the assistant drivers seat.

BUT there was a directive to install them when available and if you have a 44 or later truck (for sure) it should be there.

Again, TM9-801 July 1944 page 25. (emphasis mine)

9. ON VEHICLE SPARE PARTS.
a. Following parts are supplied with all vehicles (fig. 12).
1 8-C-5498-50 Container, metal, spare parts containing ...... Under co-driver's seat

Come on.. say I'm right... say it.. say it....

[RANGER]

So what happens when a truck never had one? To install one would not be representive of that truck's history and would be inaccurate.

As for your determinations being correct, it takes period exposure to intact CCKWs to make accurate determinations, opinions based on examination of a handfull of scrap trucks or quoting from manuals that were printed/illustrated during midproduction of Open Cab CCKWs will only add to the confusion and mislead others who are eager to learn. It takes years of hands on exposure to a broad spectrum of CCKWs from 1940-1945 to relate to the minor details, to gospelize exposure to a handful of trucks can mislead.
Unfortunately, the younger generation of collectors will never experience real time exposure.


RANGER-6 decades a CCKW man

[pfarber]

For a 43 I would say its a personal decision. Like completely historically incorrect unpainted wooden steering wheels.

For a 44 on it should have the spare parts box.

[RANGER]

I have several NOS Spare parts containers, the OD paint used varies in shade from manufacturer to manufacturer.

[pfarber]

Have you noticed any variations in construction other than paint tint?

[RANGER]

Yes, the latches, and method of folded edges. The rarity outweighs any of the differences, as they are all similar in dimension, and mount the same. Most feel fortunate to find one in good shape. Repros were selling for $200.00+ a few years ago.

[RANGER]

These were used on the WC, and most other 4X4 and 6X6 WWII trucks of all sizes. I have one with G-510 and an Ord Part No stencilled in yellow, it was part of a pallet load of same.

[RANGER]

GM assigned Part No GM-2186734 superceded by GM-3677644 to the box. This does not necessarily mean that the box was made by GM. Chevrolet 4X4 had provisions to mount the box inside the cab on the passenger side firewall.

Page 21 TM9-801, April 1944 has a good illustration of the spare parts box used by CCKW. There are variations of the clamps used to secure the drawer, some have wire clamps instead of flat strap type.