Where and when the term “jeep” was coined is still up in the air to many. There are many solid theories that have been deemed correct by some while still others insist on a completely different version. One popular theory on the name was that is was bestowed by soldiers who dubbed it after Eugene the Jeep, a character in the Popeye cartoons created by E. C. Segar. Eugene the Jeep was Popeye’s dog of sorts and was small, able to move between dimensions, and could solve seemingly impossible problems.
Another theory that holds plenty of water is that the term came from Ford’s version of the popular Willys MB, called the GPW. The name GPW was easily shortened to G-P, or Gee-P, and may be the root of the word “Jeep” as we know it today. We won’t make that definitive call, however, as we prefer to leave it as campfire fodder for generations to come.
With 44 years of off-road experience under his belt, Gary Miller of Rifle, Colorado, has owned his share of 4x4s, but one he always wanted was a Ford GPW flat fender. After a brief search he found the ideal candidate and began the buildup. Gary purchased the GPW with the engine and interior completed, but the remaining mods were carried out by local Rifle, Colorado, 4x4 shops, Code 4x4 and M.O.O.R.E.. RBW in Silt, Colorado, also assisted in the build, as well as “just about every 4x4 shop in Moab.” Moab is Gary’s favorite ’wheeling spot, which isn’t surprising as it is less than a three-hour hour drive from his home.
Gary really enjoys the power of the Ford 289 V-8 and the low First gear of the T-18 four-speed trans. He claims it rips through sand and crawls slickrock trails without issue. Gary states, “It is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I love my Ford GPW! I wouldn’t change a thing.” We don’t think he should either. We’ve seen his GPW in action and it is definitely capable of tackling a wide variety of trails while attracting plenty of attention. Gary also embraces the Eugene the Jeep theory and proudly displays the little guy throughout his GPW in wonderfully drawn graphics.
A Dana 30 axle leads the way up trails and is left open in order to keep ’wheeling as challenging as it should be. While a front locking differential may ease forward progress in many vehicles, Gary enjoys having to find just the right line over an obstacle even if it means backing up a few times before he gets it right.
| Specifications |
| Vehicle: |
1945 Ford GPW |
| Owner/Hometown: |
Gary Miller/Rifle, CO |
| Engine: |
Ford 289 V-8 |
| Induction: |
Two-barrel carburetor |
| Transmission: |
Ford T-18 |
| Transfer case/low range ratio: |
Dana 20 |
| Front end: |
Dana 30 |
| Rear end: |
Dana 44 |
| Ring and Pinion: |
4.10 |
| Front Differential: |
Open |
| Rear Differential: |
Limited-slip |
| Suspension: |
Leaf spring |
| Tires: |
31x10.50R15 BFGoodrich A/T |
| Wheels: |
15x8 |
The GPW tackles Moab’s slickrock...
The GPW tackles Moab’s slickrock with ease.
It doesn’t have 40-inch tires...
It doesn’t have 40-inch tires or a big-block V-8, but this little Ford GPW can tackle most terrain without problems.
The clean paint and graphic...
The clean paint and graphic designs were applied by Crabtree’s Auto Body in Rifle, Colorado. A camo canopy is secured to the single-55hoop roll bar.
The Eugene the Jeep character...
The Eugene the Jeep character from the Popeye cartoons created by E. C. Segar appears throughout Gary’s GPW in detailed graphics.
Many credit this character...
Many credit this character as the namesake to the Jeep moniker.
A Dana 30 axle leads the way...
A Dana 30 axle leads the way up trails and is left open in order to keep ’wheeling as challenging as it should be. While a front locking differential may ease forward progress in many vehicles, Gary enjoys having to find just the right line over an obstacle even if it means backing up a few times before he gets it right.
Not to be confused with other...
Not to be confused with other military-era GPWs that may be used for official business from time to time, Gary’s GPW is for “Unofficial Business Only.”
Gary Miller enjoys tackling...
Gary Miller enjoys tackling the trails of Moab, Utah, in his 1945 Ford GPW flatfender. He lives just a few hours drive away in Rifle, Colorado.
A boxed frame from a 1970s...
A boxed frame from a 1970s Jeep CJ replaced the factory frame. A Saginaw steering conversion was also completed.
A Jeep Dana 20 transfer case...
A Jeep Dana 20 transfer case is nestled between the heavy-duty boxed framerails. While the Dana 20 low ratio is just 2.0:1, when combined with the 6.32:1 low First gear of the T-18 four-speed manual trans, it creates great low-end gearing.
The rear Dana 44 axle is hung...
The rear Dana 44 axle is hung from Wrangler-style, 2-inch-wide lifted leaf-spring packs.
The Ford 289 V-8 was sourced...
The Ford 289 V-8 was sourced from a 1967 Ford Mustang and fits cleanly under the hood of Gary’s GPW. A RedTop Optima battery is also in view.
The clean dash host aftermarket...
The clean dash host aftermarket gauges in the factory holes...
...and a tilt steering column...
...and a tilt steering column is in place and equipped with a Grant steering wheel.
A set of 31x10.50R15 BFGoodrich...
A set of 31x10.50R15 BFGoodrich All-Terrain tires are the perfect match for this classic GPW. Spoke wheels were paint-matched to the body. Warn locking hubs are installed on the front Dana 30 axle.
The classic stamped 9-slot...
The classic stamped 9-slot grille is unique to the Willys MB and Ford GPW. Ford was actually the first to design and implement this style grille, which lives on today in Jeep vehicles. To avoid trademark infringement, Willys gave its post-war Jeeps a 7-slot grille.