The GMC CCKW

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

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!

different manufacturers would be my guess.

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.

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

Thanks for the tip Rolf. These are excellent photos of the early grills changed to accomodate the blackout driving light.

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!

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.

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