Hood block spacing question.

[Bruce_W]

I'm somewhat surprised the front fenders can support the wheels above. I wonder if its blocked somewhere to support some of the weight like maybe bumper to bumper.

As I said, " the photo does not show the timbers that support the rear of the jeeps apparently sitting on the front fenders of the jeeps below. "

I've seen this photo before, as well as others showing the same or a similar load from different angles. BW

[williams3b54]

If the MB's or all flatfenders weighed in at 2000 lbs then there would only be 5oo lbs on a front fender from the jeep above. But at the rear of the jeeps there is less weight, most would be at the front on the rear fender wells of the bottom jeep. I still think that the engineers and designers figured this out based on the Military's request.
I own a 1954 cj-3B and the front fenders are quite strong, they have a hat section brace under them. Also the hood width is such that the space between the rear tires clears the hood design width.
These jeeps were also transported in aircraft during the war. So they had some other design requirements too. Not just to be 4 WD.
Getting more info on the flatfender  jeep design is interesting.
D. Williams
Spokane Wa.

[Bruce_W]

  I've been in the jeep hobby for about 24-25 years now, and the history of our little vehicles is very interesting to me. I have read and studied everything I could get ahold of on the history of the G503's and the early CJ's. This is the first speculation that I've ever heard on the idea that the jeeps were required to be built so that they could be stacked. And that's all it is, speculation on your part. If you want to convince me and others, you're going to have to do some serious research, and produce documentation that shows that the Army required the 1/4 ton 4X4 to be stackable on rail cars.
  As I have said, I have seen this photo before, as well as others that show the timbers that support the rear of the upper jeep. Look at your photo - something is obviously holding the rear of the upper jeep, as the rear suspension is in droop, evidenced by the space between the fender opening and the wheel. The front fender of the lower jeep is only holding part of the weight of the rear axle of the upper one, if that. The springs are likely holding most of the weight of the axle and wheels.  BW

[SteveKfl]

Here are two different pics I found of stacked Jeeps.  One you see is being lifted and bringing the lower one with it suspended with wheels off the ground.  You can see the windshield and steering wheel of the lower one is removed.  The second pic shows the "blocking used"... see attached.

[oldtime]

I have to agree with Bruce on this one.
There just no way the front fenders will hold up to a man standing on them let alone well over 500 pounds bouncing up and down.
Steve's pics  tell the story.

[williams3b54]

So if they were shipped this way and timbers were used to support the upper jeep on the lower one, to me it still says that the engineers and designers came up in their design for this to happen fo shipping two jeeps in the space of one. Like I said I don't think the rail road came up with the idea to ship jeeps this way.
I was only two years old then so I have no first hand knowledge, but have been a mechanical designer for 30 plus years and those kinds of things are part of your job. Especially if it is suggested by somebody, like the Military.
I think I can stand on my flatfenders on my 54 cj3b, they are pretty stout and again the rear of the jeeps are lighter in the rear. I don't think they were allowed to bounce up and down. Vehicles shipped today on the rails are not bouncing up and down.
Lets just keep investigation the issue. I like it.
D. Williams
Spokane Wa.

[athawk11]

This link will take you to a document written on June 22, 1940 by the War Department.  It lists the specifications desired by the military for a new 1/4 Ton reconnaissance truck.  There are no provisions discussing ease of transport on rail cars.

That said, there were many people involved in the development of the 1/4 Ton truck. Transport was clearly part of the discussion, but I could only find a reference to dropping them from aircraft...including gliders.

The spec evolved also.  The weight was discussed frequently in these documents.  Original requirement was no more than 1,300 lbs.  Willys Overland was essentially eliminated from consideration at one point because they couldn't meet the weight requirements.

http://www.willys-overland.com/documents/19400622%20-%20'Light%20Infantry%20and%20Cavalry%20Vehicles%20-%20Development%20of',%20Sub-Committee%20on%20Automotive%20Equipment%20to%20The%20Ordnance%20Committee,%20Technical%20Staff.htm