M201, Willys MB and Ford GPW Differences
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Hotchkiss M201 | Willys MB | Ford GPW | |||
Spare
Wheel Bracket
The spare wheel brackets were similar on all vehicles, although the Ford type was stamped with the script 'f' Some were three stud brackets such as those shown on the MB and GPW, using the wheel stud holes to mount the wheel with three right handed wheel nuts. There was also a two stud type which had a large steel washer over the centre of the hub, and two wheel nuts to hold it in place. |
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Toe
Board Gussets
The Hotchkiss M201 and Ford GPW toe board gussets are quite similar, with a triangle shaped fillet, with rounded corners and three holes, 'though the holes differ in shape. The Willys MB gusset is flat sided with angular corners and five holes. Later Willys MB's that used the composite American Central Manufacturing Co ( ACM ) bodies, and can be seen with the Ford style gussets. |
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Windscreen
Handle
The Hotchkiss M201 handle is made from a sheet of flat steel, stamped into the handle form. On the Willys and Ford built Jeeps, the handle was a casting. |
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Rear
Light Brackets
Both the M201 and Willys MB have a top hat shaped bracket, fitted horizontally across the back of the tub, for mounting the rear light cluster. On the Ford GPW, the bracket is mounted vertically. However on Ford built Jeeps with ACM type bodies, the rear body style is the Willys type and feature the horizontal light brackets. |
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Rear
Foot Rest
The M201 and MB footrests are made from three pieces, a tube and two brackets. The Ford GPW footrest was made from two parts; one bracket and the tube, which is crimped and folded at one end for form the other mounting bracket. The bracket can be seen below in two forms, one solid and the other with a hole below where the tube is welded in place. |
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Bumper
Holes
The M201 front bumper is slightly taller than the MB and GPW bumper. Both the M201 and Willys MB bumper have a single hole for the starting handle. The Ford GPW has two additional smaller holes in line with the chassis leg. It also has a script 'f' stamped in from the rear. |
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Axles
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Front
Axle
Rear Axle |
Front
Axle
Rear Axle |
Front
Axle
Rear Axle
Diff Cover |
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Roof
Canvas Stud
The stud in the top of the wind screen was basically similar. The M201 stud was solid metal. The GPW stud was hollow at the front, with solid material for the self-tapping thread. |
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Radiator
Cap
There are three different style of radiator cap shown here. As yet, I haven't seen enough examples to say which type was most common to which vehicle, although these are shown in the order M201, MB and GPW. |
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Tail
Lights
M201 lights look similar to wartime lights, but have a more angular steel pressing. This example has 28v embossed in the case, and cheese head screws. There were separate bulbs with a colour glass lens in the case. The MB and GPW lights are similar, though this one has had the convoy light replaced with a yellow indicator lens. The GPW light has baffles partially covering the marker light, while the brake and tail lights are in the top. These lights were sealed beam units, where the whole lens was the bulb. The case is held on with mushroom head screws. |
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Sahara
Jeep Spotlight Bracket
Post war, some M201 Jeeps were modified for use in the Sahara. One modification was to fit a bracket to the windscreen frame onto which was mounted a powerful spotlight. Only Jeeps converted for Sahara use had this bracket and spotlight. However, because the French operated M201's, GPW's and MB's, it is possible that any of the three types of Jeep may be seen with the spotlight. However this would only be in post war French service, and never seen during World War Two. |
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