15-CWT, 2K1, WIRE 5 Body Details

[rob love]

Here is what the design branch records have to say in the entry for this vehicle. Note there is no tow hitch on the truck. It was considered as self contained, and the weight already likely taxed that poor little stovebolt 6 to it's limit.

[rob love]

Below is the text from the entry for this vehicle.

[Robert Bergeron]

Rob, great pictures.

On the first picture i see a square hatch , so earlier model with all metal ( heavy ) box.

On the third picture we clearly see the blackout lights kill switch for the rear door and the 110 VAC outlet in the front of the inside of the box.

[Robert Bergeron]

Rob,

The text entry answers most if not all questions.

How come the max Gross weight of my version of the truck is only 8500 lbs ?

[rob love]

Robert:

I checked the GVW of the 15cwt vans where they were simply modified cargo boxes to see if the gross weight on those was lighter. They are in fact identical. A few collectors in the early days installed the house type bodies on cab and chassis that were actually built for the earlier cargo box with tarp and fitments.

Here is some more on the development of the 15cwt and 30cwt boxes as the two are closely related. You'll have to excuse the photographs as opposed to scanning the pages. These books are fairly rare and I do not wish to break their spines.

[rob love]

There is also a section on penthouses in these books, however they unfortunately do not show the 15cwt penthouse, but instead show the 3 ton and others.

[rob love]

Originally Posted by Robert Bergeron

Rob, great pictures.

On the first picture i see a square hatch , so earlier model with all metal ( heavy ) box.

I wouldn't be too sure of it being an early model The wheel s have the lifting flanges, and the rear POL holders are the late type which held 5 gallon Jerry cans as opposed to the lighter and smaller POW cans.