The Tandem (Tow) Bar on M38s

mdainsd · Post by **mdainsd** » Fri May 07, 2021 5:58 pm

I was up at the Plymouth meet last week. One of the things on my shopping list was the Tandem Bar that came out in WWII for the GPW/MB. Ive never found one before, at least at reasonable cost. There were a bunch at the meet. Also saw them on more than a couple of M38s. I talked with the owners and they said things like: Yeah there was a kit to install these on M38s.

Ive never seen any reference to that, but that doesn't mean much.

Has anyone anything more definite?

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Fri May 07, 2021 7:20 pm

Looks to me like TB ORD 621 dated 2 DEC 55, Tandem hitch 2540-735-8343 (8-H-1826): Installation on 1/4-ton, 4x4 trucks MB, GPW, M38 and M38A1.

But I haven't found a copy of it (yet). It's probably right under my nose. Wes will straighten us out.

See this: http://69.5.4.225/od_mvg_tandem_hitch.php

And quite a few hits in the forums if you choose your search words carefully.

Good luck!

mdainsd · Post by **mdainsd** » Fri May 07, 2021 9:41 pm

Thanks Ron. Its funny, I usually do a pretty good job on web searches. I thought this was just a bit to off in left field so I didn't even try. I need to remember this...

Thanks for at least the publication number. That is a darned good indicator that the guys were correct. Still learning about these and my other MVs too.

Post by **wesk** » Fri May 07, 2021 10:29 pm

You guys are not looking hard enough. When looking for TB's TB-ORD's and MWO's that pertain to the Willys M Jeeps the first 2 places to look are our downloads page and my photo albums. In this case it's on page 2 of my main photo album and is titled "TB's & MWO's". On that sub-album's 2nd page you will find "TB ORD 621 Tow Bar".

mdainsd · Post by **mdainsd** » Sat May 08, 2021 8:02 am

Thank you Wes. Of course it was all there, don't know what I was thinking...

That publication is perfect. It answers my question definitively, the Tandem bar is correct on M38s.

Fortunately (or luckily) I had the forethought to buy a couple of them since the prices were so good. One is exceptional and is headed for the GPW project. The other is a little crusty, but will clean it up and it goes on my M38.

The adaptor plates will be easy enough to fab unless someone has the actual kit laying around.

What I need to search for is the data plates...anyone?

Again, thanks Wes!

kenperkins · Post by **kenperkins** » Sat May 08, 2021 9:20 am

it was nice to meet you, I'll send you the plate dimensions...[/img]

mdainsd · Post by **mdainsd** » Sat May 08, 2021 1:58 pm

Likewise! Was nice to meet you too! I received the drawing. Should be straight forward to make those.

Maybe send it to Wes too? He could include it in that Tandem album for the next guy needing to make some.

Mark