UPDATE: Here’s a side view photo of the Sno-Jeep.
PHOTO CREDIT: The Huntington Library, https://hdl.huntington.org/digital/collection/p16003coll2/id/10124
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Originally Posted April 10, 2021: This CJ-2A with duallies all around appears in undated photos taken in Los Angeles. Photographed by Doug White, the jeep is described as a “Sno Jeep”. Note the chains with mini-paddles on the front and the tall, extended exhaust in the back.
I’ve been unable to find any additional information about this jeep. There might be some mention of it in the Los Angeles Department of Transportation archives (if such archives exist).
PHOTO CREDIT: The Huntington Library, https://hdl.huntington.org/digital/collection/p16003coll2/id/10122
This is quite strange. So many questions: Why only chains on the one wheel? Why is the tail gate and back bumper sprayed silver? Why is the exhaust made of cut sections instead of bends? Why is the spare mounted inside the bed? Could the axles really accommodate duallies and how well did it steer?
Ivan, those are good questions. Here are my guesses:
1) Chains on one wheel are likely for demonstration only
2) They even sprayed the spring shackles (make it look ‘cool’? for visibility?)
3) Perhaps the greatest puzzle … a bender seems like it would have been available and easier
4) Yes, with dually adapters, this could be done. Whether this preceded or post dated Hickey’s jeep http://www.ewillys.com/2020/07/24/1952-vic-hickey-jeep-article-in-hot-rod-magazine/ isn’t clear to me, but he showed it could be done.
5) I would think it would the steering on a fairly level gravel/dir road wouldn’t be too bad, if the tires were inflated. If the tires were deflated for traction, it might be more awkward steering. I think trying to steer on pavement, especially in 4WD, would be very awkward.
California Transportation. Perhaps something being considered for use in the mountains.
Spare in the bed is because with Dual tires on there you can’t get the spare on.
That’s a Southern California Edison logo. Edison provides electricity to folks in Southern California. They have power plants too like hydro in the snowy mountains.
With regular non-locking differentials, the wheels with the most traction when in 4WD will be the right rear and the left front. That may be why the left front has chains on it.