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WWII Jeep Question

Discussion in 'Early Jeep Restoration and Research' started by DanStew, Jul 1, 2009.

  1. Jul 1, 2009
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    I have been wondering lately that has any jeeps during WWII had their differentials welded for traction? I know they did alot of fabbing and modifying their jeeps, so i wonder if they did indeed weld up the spiders for better traction. They did see roads but it is not like they were on highways and i doubt they were really worried bout extra wear on the tires.
     
    DanStew, Jul 1, 2009
    #1
  2. Jul 1, 2009
    Chris Insull

    Chris Insull All roads lead me back to the beach... 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Chesapeake, VA.
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    Can't speak for everyone... But according to my uncle, if they had traction issues "we just pushed 'em".
     
    Chris Insull, Jul 1, 2009
    #2
  3. Jul 2, 2009
    Tom in RI

    Tom in RI Member

    Rhode Island
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    I have mostly fooled with WWII jeeps and so far have not heard from a vet or seen an example of one with welded differentials. Not that it couldn't have happened, but it was definately not common.
    There are a lot of pictures showing chains on all 4 wheels when in mud or snow.
    The most common traction aids are shown in lots of pictures of GI's, oxen, construction equipment and other jeeps pushing and pulling other jeeps out of the mud.
    Tom
     
    Tom in RI, Jul 2, 2009
    #3
  4. Jul 2, 2009
    pathkiller

    pathkiller Member

    Lorton, VA
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    My Grandpa was a driver in WW2, mostly Dodge WC's, but occasionally Jeeps. I never heard him say anything about doing this. I imagine anyone who got caught doing this would get his butt in a serious sling with the motorpool Sgt. Anything that could potentially decrease battlefield reliability would be a huge no-no. And welding up perfectly good spider gears would no doubt be seen by Army bureaucracy as a violation of the rules.
     
    pathkiller, Jul 2, 2009
    #4
  5. Jul 5, 2009
    CJ-X

    CJ-X Member

    Ohio
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    I've never heard of them doing it.
     
    CJ-X, Jul 5, 2009
    #5
  6. Jul 6, 2009
    unclebill

    unclebill Banned

    a sun blasted...
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    destruction of GOVT. property or something like that i guess.
     
    unclebill, Jul 6, 2009
    #6
  7. Jul 6, 2009
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
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    Keep in mind that the only welding equipment available in the field at that time would have probably been gas welding. Not that it couldn't be done, but I think it would be pretty tough to weld the spiders unless you had a pretty hefty torch set and a lot of gas.

    X2 on the reliability factor. A running Jeep might save your butt in the field, but a broken one makes you a pedestrian.
     
    w3srl, Jul 6, 2009
    #7
  8. Mar 24, 2018
    NCRenII

    NCRenII yellow fever

    Far Nor Cal
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    Don't know about any jeeps but found a chevy truck differential with a bolt jammed in the spiders and tack welded.
     
    NCRenII, Mar 24, 2018
    #8
  9. Mar 24, 2018
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I have seen it written that the only reason we won WWII is because GIs refused to follow rules...
     
    PeteL, Mar 24, 2018
    #9
  10. Mar 25, 2018
    Danefraz

    Danefraz Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Chico CA
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    A few years ago, someone posted a picture of bolts and other other crap they welded up and posted, to the effect : yeah, I can make you a locker. I don't recall who but I laughed.
     
    Danefraz, Mar 25, 2018
    #10
  11. Mar 25, 2018
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Judging from all of the film I've seen i seriously doubt a welded differential would have helped much if at all.
     
    Glenn, Mar 25, 2018
    #11
  12. Mar 26, 2018
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    If anything, a welded diff would be worse in the mud and snow.
     
    garage gnome, Mar 26, 2018
    #12
  13. Mar 27, 2018
    Steve's 70-5

    Steve's 70-5 Active Member

    Louisville, Ky
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    My first Jeep, did a welded diff. All we ran around here was mud, it did great, could not afford a locker. Also ran a tractor tire, on the rear, like the ones the truck pullers use. Had a 67 w/ a 4 cylinder engine, could climb a hill as good as the V-8's
     
    Steve's 70-5, Mar 27, 2018
    #13
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