The GMC CCKW

I grew up in the 40s and 50s in a family Automobile Business, we sold Cars and Trucks plus new CJ Jeeps and surplus Army Vehicles, We had several mechanics that were WWII Vets. Ray Earhardt was a B-24 Engineer in 43rd BG, Bob Woodworth was in Ordnance Unit at end of WWII, he was also a Sikorsky Tech Rep on the H-37. Dave McQuarrie was also in Ordnance, in addition to being a Tank Destroyer Driver. Bob commented that one day while driving a CCKW loaded with Ammo up a mountain Road in Austria, that the Porcelin Insulator popped out of one sparkplug. He also bragged of outrunning the "CircleC Cowboys", (US Constabulary), in a highly tuned Jeep. Dave McQuarrie told me of having the engine blown out of a CCKW he was driving, by a German 88. He was hauling a load of POWs. He also commented that the CCKWs and AFKWs were packed solid with standing POWs, and sometimes they would rock the truck trying to make them tip.
Joel

I am glad to see you back posting on something. I still keep the fires burning on G503, but this is a lot more interesting as I love the heavy iron.

CCKW ownership is unique, Jeeps are too common, and there are too many experts. What is that old saying, "Too many cooks spoil the broth"? The CCKW topic is a long ways from being watered down, and I love the motto "Keep Them Rolling".
Joel

CCKW ownership is unique, Jeeps are too common,

yes, well, right - I know what you mean..... 8~)

However I think CCKWs are too common, which is why I run the on-line stuff for the surviving 1940 model Dodge military trucks.......

Gordon

Lets put another twist on it There are Jeeps everywhere, and they are a sort of vehicle of convenience, it gives a person who is a fan of Military History and wants to own a piece of it, a chance to own something that is easy to work on, and is small enough that it can be worked on in the family garage. As you graduate from Jeep, and get into the larger vehicles, it requires more money, space, mechanical skill, and a greater investment in tools and time, and finally, greater driving skill. The satisfaction is when the vehicle becomes roadworthy and you can enjoy your accomplishment.
Joel

And if you started with jeeps you can stuff it in the back of your CCKW.

Joel is right on this point. I have restored five MB/GPW jeeps and one M38 and when I graduated to something a lot bigger the challange was much greater. Say for instance replacing the clutch. or working on your knees on the fender , virtually standing on your head while you replace the generator. Compare that to a jeep. Now to be perfectly honest, I found jeeps to be more appealing to women than the big trucks as they are cute and cuddely. CCKWs are meant to work and work hard.

joel gopan wrote: He also bragged of outrunning the "CircleC Cowboys", (US Constabulary), in a highly tuned Jeep.
Joel

I know that this is a very old post, but when I read it, it reminded me of a story my grandfather, Bruce Conn, (a US Constabulary driver) told me.
He was transporting a Mjr. Roller T. Steinmets (Provost Marshal) in a Constabulary Jeep, when all of a sudden this other Jeep zooms by. The Major tells my grandfather to chase him down, but my grandfather just couldn't catch the other Jeep...Now I know why! I wonder if this Dave was the driver my grandfather never was able to catch... That tickles me to death

Michael Conn

One could say that any one vehicle could be called " Too Common" if several identical models showed up at a HMV meet, but thats where proto-types or the specialized vehicles come in .Of course if your the only one with that model HMV in the area then does that apply?

Jeeps are so inbred that the new owners are experts after a couple posts and putting out repair tips guaranteed to self destruct your Jeep.
Sad but true.
I have yet to see posts from factory trained 1940s-60s CJ mechanics or US Army trained 1940s-60s trained MB/GPW/M-38/M-38-A1 specialists. Lawrence Nabholtz was one of the few and he gave up on it out of frustration.

True

I am Civilian Jeep trained and Army Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic School trained on M-38/M-38A1 (Honor Graduate to boot).

It is fun to watch the MB/GPW/M-38/M-38A1/CJ-2AthruCJ-5 get run thru the blender of self destruction on the MV Jeep sites.

One of the few. Be all you can be works!

Its an old thread but I love my Jeep to death and mines not so common.
42 Ford Script with a witerization kit ( Im 16)
Now Im working a deuce to haul the Jeep.
Mitch

hi joel
i always read your threads with interest great stuff from someone who knows so much keep it coming and yes i know gmc,s are common but you always have people smile point and wave when passing in one...and yes you have that old saying "oh theres one and another and another" yes you ve guessed what i'm talking about well i do like jeeps so please dont slate me but i love jimmies more

I know dont get me I love the cckw but my Jeep will always be my old gal and teh deuce will pull her
Mitch