Hi all,

I had heard about how during the world wars to traverse deep rivers that Jeeps were driven on to large oil skins and paddled across rivers.

It goes something like this, an oil skin was layed out at the rivers edge, the Jeep was driven on to it and the occupants each held up a corner of the oil skin. This inturn made the Jeep boyant and they were able to paddle Jeeps across deep rivers.

Which if true is amazing...and brings up another question has Jeep stayed true to it's original design even today?

quote:

Which if true is amazing...and brings up another question has Jeep stayed true to it's original design even today?

The first part of your question I do not know but have heard the same story as you.

As for the design, Willys(this was the name of the manufacturer of Jeeps back then) didn't design the Jeep. The design came from the Bantam Company. The were made by Bantam, Willys and Ford.

Outward apperance has remained preety much the same but under the skin they are a completly different beast today.

indeed: the original GPs were built to be as light as possible without sacrificing the ability to soak up punishment. horsepower was traded for reliability. in old films of design testing, they show multiple tests involving having the Jeep AND the field piece it is towing airborne off a berm. with my '78 CJ7, I have twice as much engine,twice the top speed, and if I take it airborne, I have to follow it up with having the cracks in the frame welded up.

that said, most cars will float until they fill with water, (after a fashion) so if you use a tarp (or oilskin) to prevent water getting in, you can float the car. (they even did this with tanks on D-day, with mixed results)