Jeep Research

Hey everyone... Some of you may know me if anyone frequents the 4WD.COM forums, but I was told there are plenty of knowledgable folks over here, so I figured I might as well give it a shot.

So every year seniors at my high school have to do this thing called a "senior exit project." It's basically a crazy-extensive research project for our English class that we have to type into an 8-10 page paper and do a 15 min presentation on in order to graduate.
I was originally researching the impact of Westernization on the Irish-Gaelic language, but I couldn't find a damn thing, so I had to switch topics. I've decided to go with "The Impact of the Jeep on American Society in times of war and peace." It'll be pretty tough, but I thought it would be really interesting and give me a new appreciation of this amazing vehicle that I have the pleasure of driving every day.

Anyway, now that the babbling is done - Do any of you guys have any ideas as to where I should start looking for really in-depth history of the military and civillain models? I just started my research so naturally I looked through the history section on Jeep.com, but that's about it. Also, if any of you guys are or know some hardcore war history/jeep buffs, let me know because I have to have at least 2 human sources in my paper.

Thanks a lot and keep Jeepin
Ryan

 

Hello Ryan, Seems to me there are a few subjects to follow here. The first that comes to mind is the popularity of the farmers-ranchers buying up the wwII surplus Jeeps. This led to Willys and Kaiser offering Civilian 'farm' Jeeps with a multitude of attachments such as augers, backhoes, winches, ect.
Then of course is the off-road craze that has been going strong for many a year. Having 4WD in the driveway allowed americans to get out and explore the backcountry of our great land. Hunters ate them up also.
I and many here enjoy them so because they are a low-tech-old-iron
unless you have the bug, it can't be explained kind of thing.

I'll try.....drag in an old rusty carcass close to roadkill, spend thousands of dollars, drink gallons of beer, spend umpteen hours sanding, drilling, wrenching, painting, get it on the road finally, find a dirt road and rocks and try our damndest to break it. in a nutshell of course.

I would also suggest you jump over to the G503 board (known as the 'G') for the wartime experts
input. They would be very interested to help.

Sounds like a cool project Ryan, bet no one else pick the same subject.

Rob
_________
'47 CJ2a gonna build this summer W/ 225 V6
'52 & '53 M38A1 parts
'58 & '67 CJ5 parts
'54 CJ3b F134 ALMOST ready to rummble
'67 CJ5 Tux, parts
'78 CJ5 360, go-go scary

 

Ryan,
The one thing I would suggest is to take a look at offerings about the jeep on line at the History Channel. They have produced some excellent documenteies on the jeep, its development and use in World War II and after by the military, as well as, how it came into civilian use and what its evolved to now. This would probably give you ideas of how you want to take your presentation and some good citations too. Plus they're just damn fine programs for jeep lovers to watch.:v6:

 

Yep I second the History Channel. I got to say if you can pull this off then my hats off to you. I tried a few years ago to write a similar paper for one of my college english classes. After about 2 weeks I decided to write a paper on The Simpsons affect on America.

 

Hahaha... Yeah, I was a little scared at first but I'm getting a lot of really helpful info from people all over. Thanks so much for all the pointers guys. I'll make sure to let you all know how it went come June

 

one interesting quote you may want to track down was Gen. Eisenhower I believe, sayin something to the effect of "There are three things that helped us win the war..." Anyway I forget the first two but the third was the jeep. You can find that anecdote on the history channel programs. Good luck, and great topic choice!

 

Somebody here has that quote in their signature. Something about the the Jeep, the bulldozer, and I think the 2-1/2 ton truck being the most important tools of the war, but none of them were made for combat?

 

www.g503.com has a lot of WW11 info on jeeps too.

 

I also remember a quote somewhere saying the jeep killed about as many service men as any weapon during the war, presumably due to flip overs. The army had maneuvers on my grandfather's farm during the war and a couple of service men flipped one over in front of his house and got killed. Good luck on your research!

 

great on the history channel, but i cant believe no one mentioned the military channel. they have the history of the jeep from its conception to today. all the trials, the time frame (conceived and developed in like 43 days from thought to reality...holy crap).
we just watched an hour long video a month ago at my dads on the military channel. maybe go to their online store and purchase it? would be a sure fire "A" in english...
also, impacts to society? i mean look at all the jeep clubs. the expression.."its a jeep thang!" etc. or the jeep jamboree's where folks pay $250 each (not per jeep, but each person) to go and be with a group of jeepers and 4x4. everytime i am in my jeep and i pass another jeeper, its a given...we wave to each other. ive had mine from san diego all the way through to maine and the same thing...respect given to each other. its an awesome way of life.
damn, i have alot of ideas for you...
the 4x4 competitions were inspired by the jeeps. now if a HUGE sport. the baja 1000 in mexico were primarily jeeps and VW's in the beginning.
(i just started collecting parts for my rail for the baja next summer...wish me luck. and guess what motor/trans is going in it? a 3.8 buick turbo and turbo 400)
=)
anyone have any extra evenfire parts for a turbo motor? i am looking for a steel crank etc.