Kaiser Jeep vs AM General differences

[zebedee]

Just did a search and found no threads that question any slight differences in the manufacture of 5 tons between Kaiser-Jeep and AM General. I am sure they had the exact same specs and drawings, but there are always slight manufacturing differences and liberties that are taken - call it 'artistic licence'...

Only thing I have found so far on my M816 is the shape of the drain holes in the passenger side, body stop end. AM General - round, Kaiser - rectangular.
Pics in post # 6 & #7


I know this is a bit of a "rivet counters" obsession - I'm just curious.. I'm sure it's way more subtle than GPW / Willys differences.

 

[Shirehorse]

I am also curious about this.

~Brian

 

[NDT]

Exact same assembly line. Just "design improvements" or make it cheaper to produce.

 

[Scar59]

I l have had a M813 by both manufactures, could not tell them apart. The Kaiser is a 71 with a tube type grill protector
the AMG is a 76 with a flat bar stock grill protector. Other than that it was just different manufactures data plates. Sold the 76 AMG to my neighbor, kept the KJ 71, it has a winch. I'll have to check the drain holes.

 

[pjwest03]

Well, they are the same company. Kaiser-Jeep purchased by AMC in 1970 and spun off into AM General Corporation as a wholly owned subsidiary. Both trucks would have indeed been produced in the same, originally Studebaker, facility in South Bend. Any differences would be production "improvements" as noted by NDT or change of mfg source for purchased parts.

 

[zebedee]

Cheers PJ. Hmmm, interesting. The Australian M816s are all listed as Kaiser Jeeps, they were procured in '73 I think..




Ill try to get pic of my AM General 'round holes' later.

 

[zebedee]

AM General M816 difference

Round drain holes in AM General M816.

 

[Csm Davis]

Cheers PJ. Hmmm, interesting. The Australian M816s are all listed as Kaiser Jeeps, they were procured in '73 I think..


View attachment 658166

Ill try to get pic of my AM General 'round holes' later.

That is because round holes are easier to make. But didn't Garwood make all 816 wrecker beds?

Just did a search and found no threads that question any slight differences in the manufacture of 5 tons between Kaiser-Jeep and AM General. I am sure they had the exact same specs and drawings, but there are always slight manufacturing differences and liberties that are taken - call it 'artistic licence'...

Only thing I have found so far on my M816 is the shape of the drain holes in the passenger side, body stop end. AM General - round, Kaiser - rectangular.
Pic in post # 6


I know this is a bit of a "rivet counters" obsession - I'm just curious.. I'm sure it's way more subtle than GPW / Willys differences.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[zebedee]

That is because round holes are easier to make.

...well may be in the plate when drilled, but these are on the very edge and the ones in mine look like they're gas cut - rough'ish, not at all drilled....

Rectangular ones could be simply punched or power nibbled when the plate is being cut.

But didn't Garwood make all 816 wrecker beds?

This I would not know - thought Garwood only made winches!!!

 

[red]

Round drain holes in AM General M816.

View attachment 658184

My m816 does not have holes there

 

[Shirehorse]

My m816 does not have holes there

Mine doesn't either. Uncle Sam defeats me again.

 

[zebedee]

No holes from factory would explain the gas cut ones on mine - done locally by someone tired of pools of rain water rusting stuff... Though for the rectangular holes done after (namely the Aussie ones), that poses more questions since Jeff mentioned, an inplace round hole would have been easier with just a big drill bit......

Anyone else with a 543 or 816 want to chime in...

 

[NEIOWA]

...


This I would not know - thought Garwood only made winches!!!

as side note - Garfield Wood was a very interesting guy.

 

[wcuhillbilly]

as side note - Garfield Wood was a very interesting guy.

very true,,,, I wish I could bend his ear about a few things....... like why my front winch likes to drop things, why they put two extension housings in the Garwood/Tulsa power divider crane output.... etc..... etc.... etc.....