WWII Jeeps got outfitted with the tow rope, don't know about the M series Jeeps, although somewhere, somehow I imagine someone draped a tow rope on one of them...
1" diameter manila rope, both ends treated to an "eye", and around 28' long eye to eye. You can learn on Youtube how to do the eyes yourself, not hard. _________________ '52 Dodge M37, '42 GPW, '48 FrankenJeep CJ2A/M38, '50 CJV-35(U), '51 M38, '42 WC-57 Command Car, '44 WC-51 Weapons , (2) M1941 Sperry 60" Anti-Aircraft Searchlights, John Deere M-gator, '44 White M3A1 Scout Car
Last edited by mdainsd on Thu Feb 20, 2020 10:00 am; edited 1 time in total
It was only a common thing during WWII. EX MB owners can't seem to give it up when they move on to post war M series jeeps. In the early 40's 6 Volt electrical systems didn't do well in cold weather and 10 GI's pushing a jeep didn't work well in snow. Voila the instantly handy tow rope. If you spend a day reviewing period photos of M series (1950 - 1972) jeeps the tow rope is mysteriously missing. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Joined: Jul 18, 2008 Posts: 646 Location: Melrose, MA and Santa Fe, NM
Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2020 12:12 pm Post subject:
I have a 1" manila rope, about 25 feet long with eye splice loops at each end. I grant that it's mostly for show but I have actually used it - for being towed myself.
I've had to tow my jeep a couple times - out of gas or something going wrong with the carburetor, before I had it properly rebuilt and added the electrical ignition on the distributor (not correct but works better).
However, something to remember and consider, anything left in the sun gets damaged, broken down, and degraded. Especially natural fiber products. I would only use the tow rope that's on there (now several years) in an extreme emergency or for short distances. A modern tow rope/strap is much better for that if needed and can be easily stored in the passenger tool box.
But it did come in handy.... Most people, I've found, can't see the difference between a Korean War-era and WWII era flat fender jeep anyway..... _________________ North Shore, MA
Santa Fe, NM
1942 GPW
1952 M38
1964 Apollo 5000 GT
Most people, I've found, can't see the difference between a Korean War-era and WWII era flat fender jeep anyway.
Very true but the posts on this site are made by folks that do know the difference. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Tow rope goes in the tool box, not on the front bumper. I absolutely hate the look of a rope wrapped around the bumper. _________________ Chuck W.
Dixie Division MVC #002
1952 M38/M100
M274A2
1964 CJ3B
Joined: Sep 23, 2018 Posts: 21 Location: Pittsburgh PA
Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 2:31 pm Post subject:
If you're wanting to use for towing, I would suggest a modern tow strap from an offroad company. Stronger than Manila rope and they roll up to a compact size that fits in tool box. Also, the PO of my m38 had the rope around the bumper, it was a pain to remove. Not difficult but more time consuming than I'd want if in the mud, and you would be standing in the mud to un-coil.
Joined: Jul 18, 2008 Posts: 646 Location: Melrose, MA and Santa Fe, NM
Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 2:34 pm Post subject:
I loop mine over the ends of the front bumper. That's similar to how active off-roaders will keep a tow strap or snatch cable handy on a brush.
I completely agree that for real towing or vehicle recovery a modern off-road tow cable or tow strap is preferred. Just wanted to share that it was useful even though it's there for appearance and is largely anachronistic now..... _________________ North Shore, MA
Santa Fe, NM
1942 GPW
1952 M38
1964 Apollo 5000 GT
Joined: Sep 23, 2018 Posts: 21 Location: Pittsburgh PA
Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 2:50 pm Post subject:
Whydahdvr, I totally agree with you. If you're in it for the looks and the rare chance of use, go for it. I just wasn't sure of OP intent for the rope, looks or use offroad. I've been stuck my share of times when I wheeled my wrangler and quick access is a life saver.
I, too, hate the look, and there is no place to get stuck around here.
And true, no one here knows the difference in a WW2 Jeep and a brand new Wrangler. The top jeep at our air show is a 47 CJ2a with an MB dash welded in, M38 pioneer tool sides, and M151 wheels. Not kidding. Frankenstein, but everyone oohs and aahs over it. But hey, it has a rope on the bumper so it must be right. _________________ M38 23100 June 51
M38 34523 Sep 51
M606/CJ3B 1964 Kaiser 57348 118458
M37B1 1963
Willys MB 1944
Ford GPW 1942
Dodge WC63 1943
Dodge Power Wagon WM300 1967
Plymouth Barracuda, 1973, 340 4 barrel
All ground up restored by me.
Lots of others.
Joined: May 12, 2018 Posts: 93 Location: Austin Texas
Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2020 7:01 pm Post subject:
Well the rope was for looks mainly. My son wanted it on there even though I argued it wasn’t period correct. To each his own. 25 feet of 1” Manila did the trick. We weaved loops into the ends and may pass as acceptable
An unexpected value of the tow rope is it makes a nice little cushion that keeps your painted bumper and unit markings (if applied) from being screwed up from clumsy parking, either on your behalf or others. _________________ '52 Dodge M37, '42 GPW, '48 FrankenJeep CJ2A/M38, '50 CJV-35(U), '51 M38, '42 WC-57 Command Car, '44 WC-51 Weapons , (2) M1941 Sperry 60" Anti-Aircraft Searchlights, John Deere M-gator, '44 White M3A1 Scout Car
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