Bumper rope type and size

jnissen · Post by **jnissen** » Thu Feb 20, 2020 12:32 am

Thinking of wrapping a tow rope around the front bumper of our M38A1.
Type of rope and size suggestions are welcome.

mdainsd · Post by **mdainsd** » Thu Feb 20, 2020 8:13 am

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.

Post by **wesk** » Thu Feb 20, 2020 9:58 am

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.

whydahdvr · Post by **whydahdvr** » Thu Feb 20, 2020 12:12 pm

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.....

Post by **wesk** » Thu Feb 20, 2020 1:25 pm

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.

whydahdvr · Post by **whydahdvr** » Thu Feb 20, 2020 1:54 pm

Very true Wes!

ChuckW · Post by **ChuckW** » Thu Feb 20, 2020 4:39 pm

Tow rope goes in the tool box, not on the front bumper. I absolutely hate the look of a rope wrapped around the bumper.

Devilnutz · Post by **Devilnutz** » Fri Feb 21, 2020 2:31 pm

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.

whydahdvr · Post by **whydahdvr** » Fri Feb 21, 2020 2:34 pm

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.....

Devilnutz · Post by **Devilnutz** » Fri Feb 21, 2020 2:50 pm

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.

dpcd67 · Post by **dpcd67** » Wed Mar 04, 2020 6:00 pm

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.

jnissen · Post by **jnissen** » Sun Mar 08, 2020 7:01 pm

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

mdainsd · Post by **mdainsd** » Mon Mar 09, 2020 7:46 am

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.