CCKW grill differences???

Facts, Tips, Hints, and other snippets about the CCKW, Chevy, or DUKW
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lendlease
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CCKW grill differences???

Post by lendlease »

G'day Mate! I was looking through some of my CCKW front radiator grills here recently, and noticed a difference that made me think... :roll:

I have some late model asymetrical grills with the longer left side for the BO drive light.....however, the shape of the curve of the grill is very different. I don't know how to post pictures here...or else I could show you what I mean.

If you look at the front cover of the latest Supply Line, May 2006, you will see one type. look at the pictures in other books and even in the original manuals and you can clearly see the different shapes of these grills.

So my question is...........does anyone know why that is? Surely they did not have two seperate presses for these grills? And yes, both my grills are WWII, USA manufactured.

Have a look at your grill and tell me what you think.

Thanks guys!
oldreliable9_47
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Post by oldreliable9_47 »

different manufacturers would be my guess.
Mark Mason
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armydriver
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Post by armydriver »

Agreed as different manufacturers were contracted for different parts, and supply was a big problem, so often several suppliers were given contracts to insure an adequate supply of the smaller items on the trucks.
52 M38 Willy's
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mud-snow
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Radiator grills

Post by mud-snow »

At serial # 65192 there was a change in the apperance of the grills.
The upper photo shows how they were, with the "ears" pointing outwards from the logo. The lower photos show them after serial 65192.
And it might well have something to do with different manufactureres, but my two cent guess is it was because timesaving that made the change.

Rolf

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armydriver
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Post by armydriver »

Thanks for the tip Rolf. These are excellent photos of the early grills changed to accomodate the blackout driving light.
52 M38 Willy's
Former owner and restorer of CCKW353 " Betty Boop"

proud father of a career Army officer/Blackhawk pilot/ War in Iraq veteran
Retired high school history teacher at Lt. Colonel Robert G. Cole CMH High School, Fort Sam Houston Texas
proud great grandson of four Confederate soldiers.
great great grandson of a War of 1812 veteran
great great great grandson of 2 American Revolutionary war veterans
lendlease
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grill differences

Post by lendlease »

Yes, that is all good information...but not what i was talking about. If you can tell me how to post a pic, I will try to post my pics so that you can see what I mean. Thanks mate!
Matt
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Post by Matt »

I know what you mean Ross as I've wondered about that myself. I have two suggestions,1 these are early grills which have been modified later for the BO drive light,OR 2 they are post war european made replacements. I have seen them most often on ex Dutch and French trucks.

Another common modification I've seen is where one bar of the grill on the right side has been bent,or in some cases shortened to allow easier access to the radiator drain tap.

Matt.
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Degsy
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Post by Degsy »

Ex French trucks have the grille mod to allow easier acces to the drain tap.
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