Posted by Brian in Oregon on July 04, 2000 at 15:23:59:
In Reply to: Mil. 1 1/2 ton 4x4 posted by Dwight in TX. on July 04, 2000 at 09:16:40:
The Chevy 1 1/2 ton 4x4 was chosen for production over some of its rivals, including the Dodge VF 1 1/2 ton 4x4.
The cab and sheetmetal are very close to the GMC 2 1/2 ton CCKW. In fact, some CCKW's have had Chevy sheetmetal put on them both during the war and by civilian owners. During the war I don't know if this was depot salvage or to make up for factory shortages.
These are very tough trucks, and are probably the largest practical military cargo truck a typical homeowner can have. They won't fit into most garages, though, unlike most of the 1/2 and 3/4 ton Dodges.
I have an original manaual for it (no, not for sale). It is TM9-805, and you can get a reproduction copy from Portrayal Press. The axle is superior to the early GMC, and indeed all DUKW's, late model CCKW's and nearly all AFKWX's went with the Chevy axle.
There were few options on these trucks. For the cargo truck, a winch was about it. there was a dump cargo body made, and at a glance it is hard to tell apart from the normal cargo body. These are very useful. I know a guy who has the dump version and he uses it hard in the woods for woodcutting. Forget the glamorous machine gun mounts and rings. The Chevies never used them for some reason, unlike the CCKW's.
I'm not positive, but I think the engine is splashoiled, unlike the forced oiled GMC. The clutch appears to be the same as the GMC, and in the CCKW it is a weak point. You have to keep on top of clutch adjustments and inspect often in CCKW's. (All older rigs have their own little bugs, so don't feel like this damns the vehicle. No matter what truck you get, it will have some weak point or other.)
The 1 1/2 ton Chevy is not as common as the CCKW and the Dodges amongst collectors today, so that makes it a bit more unique. Some folks prefer the CCKW, though, figuring for its size they might as well get the extra axle.
The only other direct competition the 1 1/2 ton Chevy had from 42 on was the 1 1/2 ton Ford GTB (the so-called "Burma Jeep") and the 1 1/2 ton Dodge 6x6. Supposedly, Dodge came up with it in response to a request by the army when they couldn't get enough 1 1/2 ton Chevys.
My favorite 1 1/2 ton Chevy is the odd looking Panel truck. I've seen a couple, and they are the toughest looking "Suburban" style rigs out there.
I hope you can strike a deal on it. If you do, post pics!