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892 Posts
FWIU the US military started using mechanized vehicles toward the end of WWI
...but, what was available, at the time, was inadequate for many "war type" situations
...& what "was available" was only available in small numbers
What they ended up with was a bunch of different vehicles
...from different manufacturers
...that all required different parts
...& then, the mechanics (or soldiers, out in the field) had to learn/figure out how to fix all of these different vehicles.
Going into WW2 the military wanted (1) "simple" vehicle, that was more capable to use, where there weren't any roads
...would be easier to "stock" parts
...& (1) common vehicle for the soldiers to learn how to fix
The Bantam BRC design kinda "won" basically because it was the only one to submit a working prototype
...but, because Bantum was a small company, the military submitted the design to Willys (the only other company to respond to the military request) & Ford (probably due to their manufacturing capabilities) & they were encouraged to enhance the design.
Fords most notable contribution to the design seemed to be the extensive use of low cost, easily produced "stamped" parts (like body & grille)
...& for Willy's, it was the powerful "Go Devil" engine.
Another important acclimate of the BRC design, was the use of already available "off the shelf" parts
...with tested designs
...already available inventory
...& also, easily increased manufacturing capabilities
So, once the military approved a design (M38) "Jeeps" started infesting our planet (~650,000) just of this designation
The ones built (here in Toledo, Ohio) by Willys were designated MB's
...& the ones Ford's built were GPW's
Then, after WW2 Willys started building a civilian version of the M38's that many soldiers relied on daily
...& had so much experience with.
So, the CJ (Civilian Jeep) was "born"
"The CJ series were literally the first "Jeep" branded vehicles sold commercially to the civilian public, beginning in 1945 with the CJ-2A, followed by the CJ-3A in 1949 and the CJ-3B in 1953.
These early Jeeps are frequently referred to as "flat-fenders" because their front fenders were completely flat and straight, just as on the original WW II model (the Willys MB and identical Ford GPW).
Then, beginning with the CJ-5 (in 1955) they featured rounded fenders and hoods, first introduced as the military Willys MD (or M38A1). The (slightly) restyled body was mostly prompted to clear the taller new overhead-valve Hurricane engine."
A few other "Jeep fun facts"
* The Jeep CJ (built from ~1945 - 1986) is one of the few vehicles that has had over a 30 "production run" (with very few changes)
Its replacement, the conceptually consistent Jeep Wrangler series, has remained in production since (1986 - present)
So, remarkably, it still looks pretty much the same. (for over 75 years) OMG
* The Wrangler is one of the few remaining four-wheel-drive vehicles with solid front and rear axles.
These axles are known for their durability, strength, and articulation.
Another benefit of solid axle vehicles is they tend to be easier and cheaper to "lift" with aftermarket suspension systems.
This increases the distance between the axle and chassis of the vehicle.
By increasing this distance, larger tires can be installed, which will increase the ground clearance, allowing it to traverse even larger and more difficult obstacles.
* In addition to higher ground clearance, many owners aim to increase suspension articulation or "flex" to give their Jeeps greatly improved off-road capabilities.
Good suspension articulation keeps all four wheels in contact with the ground and maintains traction.
* Other useful features of Jeeps are their short wheelbases, narrow frames, ample approach, breakover, and departure angles, thus enabling them to traverse through places where full-size four-wheel drives have difficulty.
* AMC (American Motors Company) carried over the practice of using "available" & "off the shelf" parts when building the CJ's.
So, some Jeeps came, from the factory, with Ford engines & some with Chevy engines
...some had ford style steering columns & others had Chrysler style columns
...& power steering pumps
...& brake boosters
...& all kinds of other things too
...but, what was available, at the time, was inadequate for many "war type" situations
...& what "was available" was only available in small numbers
What they ended up with was a bunch of different vehicles
...from different manufacturers
...that all required different parts
...& then, the mechanics (or soldiers, out in the field) had to learn/figure out how to fix all of these different vehicles.
Going into WW2 the military wanted (1) "simple" vehicle, that was more capable to use, where there weren't any roads
...would be easier to "stock" parts
...& (1) common vehicle for the soldiers to learn how to fix
The Bantam BRC design kinda "won" basically because it was the only one to submit a working prototype
...but, because Bantum was a small company, the military submitted the design to Willys (the only other company to respond to the military request) & Ford (probably due to their manufacturing capabilities) & they were encouraged to enhance the design.
Fords most notable contribution to the design seemed to be the extensive use of low cost, easily produced "stamped" parts (like body & grille)
...& for Willy's, it was the powerful "Go Devil" engine.
Another important acclimate of the BRC design, was the use of already available "off the shelf" parts
...with tested designs
...already available inventory
...& also, easily increased manufacturing capabilities
So, once the military approved a design (M38) "Jeeps" started infesting our planet (~650,000) just of this designation
The ones built (here in Toledo, Ohio) by Willys were designated MB's
...& the ones Ford's built were GPW's
Then, after WW2 Willys started building a civilian version of the M38's that many soldiers relied on daily
...& had so much experience with.
So, the CJ (Civilian Jeep) was "born"
"The CJ series were literally the first "Jeep" branded vehicles sold commercially to the civilian public, beginning in 1945 with the CJ-2A, followed by the CJ-3A in 1949 and the CJ-3B in 1953.
These early Jeeps are frequently referred to as "flat-fenders" because their front fenders were completely flat and straight, just as on the original WW II model (the Willys MB and identical Ford GPW).
Then, beginning with the CJ-5 (in 1955) they featured rounded fenders and hoods, first introduced as the military Willys MD (or M38A1). The (slightly) restyled body was mostly prompted to clear the taller new overhead-valve Hurricane engine."
A few other "Jeep fun facts"
* The Jeep CJ (built from ~1945 - 1986) is one of the few vehicles that has had over a 30 "production run" (with very few changes)
Its replacement, the conceptually consistent Jeep Wrangler series, has remained in production since (1986 - present)
So, remarkably, it still looks pretty much the same. (for over 75 years) OMG
* The Wrangler is one of the few remaining four-wheel-drive vehicles with solid front and rear axles.
These axles are known for their durability, strength, and articulation.
Another benefit of solid axle vehicles is they tend to be easier and cheaper to "lift" with aftermarket suspension systems.
This increases the distance between the axle and chassis of the vehicle.
By increasing this distance, larger tires can be installed, which will increase the ground clearance, allowing it to traverse even larger and more difficult obstacles.
* In addition to higher ground clearance, many owners aim to increase suspension articulation or "flex" to give their Jeeps greatly improved off-road capabilities.
Good suspension articulation keeps all four wheels in contact with the ground and maintains traction.
* Other useful features of Jeeps are their short wheelbases, narrow frames, ample approach, breakover, and departure angles, thus enabling them to traverse through places where full-size four-wheel drives have difficulty.
* AMC (American Motors Company) carried over the practice of using "available" & "off the shelf" parts when building the CJ's.
So, some Jeeps came, from the factory, with Ford engines & some with Chevy engines
...some had ford style steering columns & others had Chrysler style columns
...& power steering pumps
...& brake boosters
...& all kinds of other things too
