Weasel production changes

[M29C3284]

I have gone through all the parts catalogs, TM's and articles about the weasel and compiled a list of all the production changes that I could find. The list is by no means a conclusive list of all the changes that happened during the weasel production run, so I would very much like people the chime in if you have anything to add or if you find any errors in my list. The one that are in red text are the ones that I'm unsure about and would like to have confirmed. 

I hope this list will be useful to anybody restoring a weasel to factory specs.

 

All production changes follow the ordnance serial number, found on the data plate behind the driver seat, and all changes came into effect on the serial number after the one stated in the list.

807:

• Oil seals instead of just gaskets are now installed on the drive sprocket shafts.

1002:

• The heater switch is no longer installed.
• The ignition switch is changed to a three position switch.
• The radiator is changed to one with large capacity.
• The fan shroud is changed
• The fuel filter is moved from the front coaming next to the fuel tank to in front of the radiator on the right hand side.
• Grease fittings are installed for lubrication of the bogie wheel shafts.
• Shims are now installed on the bogie wheel shafts to aid in setting bearing pre load.
• The engine compartment divider panel is changed to a two piece design.
• A canvas seal is installed around the gear shift shafts in the engine compartment side panel.
• The radio terminal box changes location.
• The radio antenna cable on the left side of the hull is no longer installed.
• Name change from T24 to M29.

 2102:

• Track deisgn is changed, 20" tracks are installed.
• Track skirts are now installed.
• The pintle hook is changed to none swiveling type.
• An H plate is installed on the gear shift lever assembly.
• A guide bracket is installed on the engine for the gear shift rods.
• The compass is no longer installed.
• The voltmeter is no longer installed.
• The hand crank is no longer installed.
• The demolition charge is no longer installed.
• The drivers hand hold is no longer installed.
• The cargo partition is no longer installed.
• The installation of the bogie support arm is changed.
• The bogie wheel yokes change design to being cast instead of shaped from sheet metal.
• The extra rebound bumpers on the two middle traverse springs are no longer installed.
• The design of the traverse springs is changed.
• The idler wheel is changed to a split type design.
• Oilers are installed on steering lever shafts.
• Grease fittings are installed in the guide wheels.

2197:

• The transmission cover gets a breather hole.

2365:

• Change of the safety clip in the clutch.

3102:

• The hand crank hole is no longer installed.
• A transmission service access panel is installed in the rear floor.
• The search light is no longer installed.
• A fixed headlight is now installed.
• The battery is changed from one 12 Volt to two 6 Volt wired in series.
• The location of the fire extinguisher is changed from the back to the front of the vehicle.
• More grease fittings are installed in the bogies.
• The brush guard design is changed, and can no longer be folded down.
• The top back curtain is now a separate piece.

3132: 

• All weasels are now painted OD instead of camouflage white and black.
• All canvas parts change colour from white to OD.

3331:

• The radio interference filter on the generator regulator is changed to a condenser.
• The generator to regulator electrical harness is changed to a shielded type.

 3449:

• The track tension springs are changed to a 7 leaves design.
• An oil drain plug is now installed in the differential housing on the left side.

3601:

• The fuel pump is changed from a two valve type to a six valve type.
• The air cleaner is change to the oil bath type.

4102:

• Name change from M29 to M29C.
• Flotation tanks are now installed.
• The guide wheel shafts are now replaceable and no longer welded to the guide wheel mounts.
• The canvas seal around the gear shift shafts in the engine compartment panel change colour from white to OD.
• Stretcher brackets are now installed.

4935:

• Lubrication free bushings are now installed in the clutch pedal shaft.

5476:

• Grease fittings are installed in the drive wheel hubs.

8141:

• Seat belts are no longer installed.

9402:

• The text ”LIFT HERE” is now painted next to the lifting holes.

9502:

• The mechanical fuel pump is no longer installed.
• Electric fuel pump installed in the fuel tank is now installed.
• A new tool to check the track tension, by the use of a torque wrench, is now introduced.

10922:

• A warning placard is added about the use of the clutch.

11575:

• An opening is now in cut the left hand radiator support panel to aid in air circulation.
• The design of the canvas seal around the gear shift shafts in the engine compartment side panel is now changed to a metal and felt design.

12325:

• The differential drain plug is changed to magnetic type.

13199:

• The transmission drain plug is changed to a magnetic type.

13560:

• The design of the clutch control linkage is changed.
• Drive wheel carrier brace rods are installed.
• The fuel tank is changed from a metal tank to a self sealing type.
• A ground wire is installed on the electric fuel pump.

14229:

• Reinforcement rings are now installed on the drive wheels.

14682:

• The light switch design is changed to the rotary type.
• Blackout drive light is now installed.

around. 14999: (Planned, but not executed)

• Track tension spring design is changed from leaf spring to coil spring.

15126:

• Weasel production ends, 1945.08.29.

around. 15562: (Planned, but not executed)

• A scraper is installed on the drive wheel carrier to keep dirt and debris out of the drive wheels.

ca. 15681: (Planned, but not executed)

• A handbrake is installed.

Edited July 10, 2021 by M29C3284
New information added

[Patrick Tipton]

Awesome!

Great work Alexander. 

I may have a few suggestions for the early T24 world.  Thanks again!

[M29C3284]

Thanks, @Patrick Tipton BTW, is there a way that I can edit my first post when new information is found? 

 

I have done some more research and found these changes:

2102:

• Grease fittings are now installed in the guide wheels.

So the change at 5478 is incorrect.

5476:

• Grease fittings are now installed in the drive wheel hubs.

[Patrick Tipton]

@M29C3284I think you should be able to edit your post....there should be dots on the upper right side of your post....with an edit option?

[M29C3284]

@Patrick Tipton I can edit my post a few minutes after I have posted it, but I can't edit after that. I'm only allowed to share or report the post.

[Patrick Tipton]

Got it....let me see if I can change that....

[Patrick Tipton]

@M29C3284You should be able to edit it now. 

[M29C3284]

Thanks, @Patrick Tipton  I have now added the correction and new data from my post from yesterday into the list in the first post. 

[M29C3284]

Found another change.

14229:

• Reinforcement rings are now installed on the drive wheels.

 

I have have added this change to the first post.

[Will Dodge]

On 4/2/2021 at 5:28 AM, M29C3284 said:

I have gone through all the parts catalogs, TM's and articles about the weasel and compiled a list of all the production changes that I could find. The list is by no means a conclusive list of all the changes that happened during the weasel production run, so I would very much like people the chime in if you have anything to add or if you find any errors in my list. The one that are in red text are the ones that I'm unsure about and would like to have confirmed. 

I hope this list will be useful to anybody restoring a weasel to factory specs.

 

All production changes follow the ordnance serial number, found on the data plate behind the driver seat, and all changes came into effect on the serial number after the one stated in the list.

807:

• Oil seals instead of just gaskets are now installed on the drive sprocket shafts.

1002:

• The heater switch is no longer installed.
• The ignition switch is changed to a three position switch.
• The radiator is changed to one with large capacity.
• The fan shroud is changed
• The fuel filter is moved from the front coaming next to the fuel tank to in front of the radiator on the right hand side.
• Grease fittings are installed for lubrication of the bogie wheel shafts.
• Shims are now installed on the bogie wheel shafts to aid in setting bearing pre load.
• The engine compartment divider panel is changed to a two piece design.
• A canvas seal is installed around the gear shift shafts in the engine compartment side panel.
• The radio terminal box changes location.
• The radio antenna cable on the left side of the hull is no longer installed.
• Name change from T24 to M29.

 2102:

• Track deisgn is changed, 20" tracks are installed.
• Track skirts are now installed.
• The pintle hook is changed to none swiveling type.
• An H plate is installed on the gear shift lever assembly.
• A guide bracket is installed on the engine for the gear shift rods.
• The compass is no longer installed.
• The voltmeter is no longer installed.
• The hand crank is no longer installed.
• The demolition charge is no longer installed.
• The drivers hand hold is no longer installed.
• The cargo partition is no longer installed.
• The installation of the bogie support arm is changed.
• The bogie wheel yokes change design to being cast instead of shaped from sheet metal.
• The extra rebound bumpers on the two middle traverse springs are no longer installed.
• The design of the traverse springs is changed.
• The idler wheel is changed to a split type design.
• Oilers are installed on steering lever shafts.
• Grease fittings are installed in the guide wheels.

2197:

• The transmission cover gets a breather hole.

2365:

• Change of the safety clip in the clutch.

3102:

• The hand crank hole is no longer installed.
• A transmission service access panel is installed in the rear floor.
• The search light is no longer installed.
• A fixed headlight is now installed.
• The battery is changed from one 12 Volt to two 6 Volt wired in series.
• The location of the fire extinguisher is changed from the back to the front of the vehicle.
• More grease fittings are installed in the bogies.
• The brush guard design is changed, and can no longer be folded down.
• The top back curtain is now a separate piece.

3132: 

• All weasels are now painted OD instead of camouflage white and black.
• All canvas parts change colour from white to OD.

3331:

• The radio interference filter on the generator regulator is changed to a condenser.
• The generator to regulator electrical harness is changed to a shielded type.

 3449:

• The track tension springs are changed to a 7 leaves design.
• An oil drain plug is now installed in the differential housing on the left side.

3601:

• The fuel pump is changed from a two valve type to a six valve type.
• The air cleaner is change to the oil bath type.

4102:

• The guide wheel shafts are now replaceable and no longer welded to the guide wheel mounts.
• The canvas seal around the gear shift shafts in the engine compartment panel change colour from white to OD.
• Stretcher brackets are now installed.

4477?:

• Name change from M29 to M29C.
• Flotation tanks are now installed.

4935:

• Lubrication free bushings are now installed in the clutch pedal shaft.

5476:

• Grease fittings are installed in the drive wheel hubs.

8141:

• Seat belts are no longer installed.

9402:

• The text ”LIFT HERE” is now painted next to the lifting holes.

9502:

• The mechanical fuel pump is no longer installed.
• Electric fuel pump installed in the fuel tank is now installed.
• A new tool to check the track tension, by the use of a torque wrench, is now introduced.

10922:

• A warning placard is added about the use of the clutch.

11575:

• An opening is now in cut the left hand radiator support panel to aid in air circulation.
• The design of the canvas seal around the gear shift shafts in the engine compartment side panel is now changed to a metal and felt design.

12325:

• The differential drain plug is changed to magnetic type.

13199:

• The transmission drain plug is changed to a magnetic type.

13560:

• The design of the clutch control linkage is changed.
• Drive wheel carrier brace rods are installed.
• The fuel tank is changed from a metal tank to a self sealing type.
• A ground wire is installed on the electric fuel pump.

14229:

• Reinforcement rings are now installed on the drive wheels.

14682:

• The light switch design is changed to the rotary type.
• Blackout drive light is now installed.

around. 14999: (Planned, but not executed)

• Track tension spring design is changed from leaf spring to coil spring.

15424:

• Weasel production ends, 1945.08.29.

around. 15562: (Planned, but not executed)

• A scraper is installed on the drive wheel carrier to keep dirt and debris out of the drive wheels.

ca. 15681: (Planned, but not executed)

• A handbrake is installed.

Was the handbrake one that locked around the drive line? 

[M29]

around. 14999: (Planned, but not executed)

Track tension spring design is changed from leaf spring to coil spring.

I thought I would post some pictures of a weasel with possibly the coil spring modification

Dan

[M29C3284]

17 hours ago, Will Dodge said:

Was the handbrake one that locked around the drive line? 

Yes, it is described in the 1945 edition of TM 9-772.

[M29C3284]

7 hours ago, M29 said:

around. 14999: (Planned, but not executed)

Track tension spring design is changed from leaf spring to coil spring.

I thought I would post some pictures of a weasel with possibly the coil spring modification

Dan

That arrangement looks a bit home made, the factory setup is described in the 1945 edition of TM 9-772.

[Byron]

This is great information. Thank you

[JamesD]

Wow I guess I need to check this page more often just saw this

 

i have been working on a complete detailed list of production part changes for the weasel for the last 5 years now.

I have documented over 165 parts that have changed in production 

 

great job, we should compare notes

i can definitely help you with the ones you are missing

 

i plan on publishing my research 

 

I do have one question for you, how did you find the ORD For the (Hot Hole) ??? Out of all my documents and research I haven’t come across it yet.

 

the M29C started in Production at ORD 4103

 

the last M29C was ORD 15126

 

James

Edited July 2, 2021 by JamesD

[M29C3284]

@JamesD Thank you. Wow 165 changes that is a lot, we should definitely compare notes. I have checked my notes and the "hot hole" change serial is only mentioned in an old article about the weasel in the club magazine of the Swedish counterpart to the MVPA. I have not been able to confirm it thru any other source.

I have also edited my first with your corrections.

[42rocker]

Great list....

Any more updates????

Stay Safe Everyone

Later 42rocker

[M29C3284]

@42rocker Not at the moment as I have not been able to do much "weasel studying" for the past months. Should you find any yourself, please do post them.

@Patrick Tipton Is it possible to make this thread a sticky?  

[aktrapperbrad]

I was wondering if anyone knew when the front float changed from the single large tow point and added the additional 2 smaller tow points? 

[OZM29C]

@aktrapperbrad The MWO ORD attachment might help to answer your question. I have added three photos that shows how I made and fitted my additional tow points. Cheers.

MWO ORD G179-W8.pdf