How do I find the Serial
Numbers on an MB or GPW?
Basic information about your jeep...
GPW Serial Number locations
Data Plates
There are three data plates on the GPW glovebox door.  The center plate has the vehicle identification information information including Manufacturer, Model, Serial Number, and Date of Delivery which is accepted to be the date of manufacture.  If these plates are painted over be very careful in removing the paint as valuable information about your vehicle could easily be lost.
Click here to see a picture of GPW data plates.

Serial Number Stamped on Frame
The GPW frame is stamped with the serial number in this format: GPW123456.  This stamping can be found on the top of the left frame rail and is visible in the engine compartment just forward of the engine mount bracket.  The stamping is typically very light so some care will be required to uncover it without damage.  Click here to see a picture of the serial number stamped on the frame of a GPW.

Serial Number Stamped on Engine
The GPW engine is stamped with the serial number in this format: GPW123456.  This stamping can be found on a rounded boss that is on the right side of the engine near the front of the block just below the head.  It is under the oil filter cannister.  On GPWs, this number should exactly match both the data plate and frame numbers if the original engine is still in the vehicle.  Click here to see a picture of the serial number stamped on the engine.

Serial Number Stamped on the Body
The Ford-built GPW bodies did not have a body number stamped on them.  This changed when Ford began using bodies built for them by American Central Manufacturing (ACM Type 2 body) at the end of 1943. These ACM GPW body tubs were stamped with a serial number in this format: 123456.  This stamping can be found on the driver's side toeboard gusset which is a triangular brace on the body tub best viewed from in the engine compartment.  On GPWs, this number does not match either the data plate, frame numbers, or engine number, but it is related to them (See Jim Kilbourne's article on the g503.com website).  Click here to see a picture of the serial number stamped on the body toeboard gusset.
 
 

MB Serial Number locations

Data Plates
There are three data plates on the MB glovebox door.  The center plate has the vehicle identification information information including Manufacturer, Model, Serial Number, and Date of Delivery which is accepted to be the date of manufacture.  If these plates are painted over be very careful in removing the paint as valuable information about your vehicle could easily be lost.
Click here to see a picture of MB data plates.

Serial Number Stamped on the Frame
The MB frame has a tag that is stamped with the serial number in this format: MB123456.  This tag can be found on the inside of the left frame rail just behind the bumper.  It is a small zinc tag that is held in place with two small rivet pins. The number on this tag should match the number found on the data plate, but it will not match the engine serial number. Click here to see a picture of the serial number tag on an MB frame.

Serial Number Stamped on the Engine
The MB engine is stamped with the serial number in this format: MB123456.  This stamping can be found on a rounded boss that is on the right side of the engine near the front of the block just below the head.  It is under the oil filter cannister.  On MBs, this number does not match either the data plate or frame numbers even if the original engine is still in the vehicle.  Click here to see a picture of the serial number stamped on the engine.

Serial Number Stamped on the Body
The MB body tub is stamped with a serial number in this format: 123456.  This stamping can be found on the driver's side toeboard gusset which is a triangular brace on the body tub best viewed from in the engine compartment.  On MBs, this number does not match either the data plate, frame numbers, or engine number, but it is related to them (See Jim Kilbourne's article on the g503.com website).  Click here to see a picture of the serial number stamped on the body toeboard gusset.
 
 








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