TAKE CARE OF THAT WOOD CCKW STEERING WHEEL

[Joe Gopan]

Spare NOS CCKW Steering Wheels may as well be declared extinct. There are a few good used ones stashed away in the hands of collectors.
Time takes a toll on them, the glued finger joints deteriorate and separate with age, varmints chew on them, and exposure to weather takes a toll.
Best way to preserve them is to remove all traces of paint from the wood and wipe them down with raw linseed oil. (raw penetrates better than boiled) a 50-50 mixtre of turpentine and raw linseed oil will help it penetrate. There is nothing better looking than a well preserved Wood CCKW steering wheel in natural finish. It is a sign of pride and good CCKW hygiene.

[Hammerhead]

Hi Joel,
How often would you recommend giving the wooden steering wheel a good wipe down with the Linsed Oil? Thank you for the beautiful wooden steering wheel you sold me!!
Hammerhead

[Joe Gopan]

Thanks.
At least once a year, Twice is more than enough. I was advised to use Raw Linseed Oil as it penetrates better than Boiled. Add about 25% turpentine to give it even better penetration. The Turpentine will evaporate out in time. The warmer the day the better the job. Use a good cotton rag. I use either old baby diapers or turkish towels to rub it in for 5-10 minutes, letting it set for 15 minutes and then wiping it dry with the same type material. With time the wheel will take on a nice smooth finish. I am not a wood finisher, but the above has worked for my truck over the past 20 years or so.

[Hammerhead]

Will do! Thanks

[Joe Gopan]

Warm weather is here, time to rub a little raw linseed oil on your CCKW/Chev. 4X4 wood steering wheel. Raw penetrates better as it is thinner than boiled linseed oil.

[Joe Gopan]

It's getting near that time again. The combination of hot sun and Raw Linseed Oil does wonders.

[Federal606E]

I think they were painted from the factory. Thats what they should be. I know some collectors that go over the top. Have you polished the brass lately? Willing to sell that Sparewheellock yet? Everytime I shoot pics I need to move that lock to the other side of the truck to make it look like I have 2.

Jack.

[Joe Gopan]

Why not take advantage of the natural beauty of the wooden CCKW steering wheel. The Raw Linseed Oil is an excellent wood preservative. The O.D. Painted steering wheel was fine for the CCKW's wartime and post war service, but there is a point where age and exposure to the elements take over and that's where a little wood preservation is necessary to prolong the life of the wood steering wheel.
There is a thing called pride, a polished bare wood steering wheel in my mind reflects that. It's like you can just polish your every day Jump Boots or keep them spit shined. I loved spit shined boots and starched and pressed tailored fatigues. These old veteran MV's deserve to look first class, it is not all that hard to do, and there is nothing like "standing tall".
Have included a few pics of my wood steering wheel.
Enjoy

[Federal606E]

Joe.

It's your Jimmy and it sure looks nice. I think yours shouldn't have a wooden wheel and if it did it was an earlier one. My Federal 606 has the wooden steeringwheel also. Going to paint that. Other question that most people don't know theanswer to is the wiperarms. The early ones were handed L and R. The later ones both RH. Check pics.

Jack.

[Joe Gopan]

I donated my last rare NOS OD colored Hard Rubber CCKW Steering Wheel that I saved for 25 years to install on my own CCKW restoration to install on Mark Norman's CCKW that is at the National WWII Museum. He restored and donated two CCKW's to the museum. This is my 71st year around CCKW's. The nice wood steering wheel on my CCKW is in "as new" condition and used to belong to Mark.
I originally had over a dozen NOS Hard rubber CCKW Steering Wheels and paid around $20.00 each for them to an old time surplus dealer in Minnesota back in the 70's.
Did you note my 1'st Series Wiper arms and that I purposely deleted the first Series Dash Board and Instruments in order to have late instruments and the 40 Amp Neg Ground system.

[Federal606E]

Joe,
Don't know how early your GMC is. Looks like the rest of the dash is not that early. My GMC has chassis number CCKW 352 50*** , Closedcab , Ringmount splitaxles no winch. The frame had been cut and was converted to a tractor unit. It went through a depot rebuild in Germany where they put a cargobed on it. Think it was sent to Norway in the early 1950's. It had an engineers logo painted on the doors. I have other GMC's in the yard.
Where can I find you if I want to visit? Will be on the eastcoast end of May.

Jack.

[Joe Gopan]

My CCKW 352 #38278 was delivered in May 41, the 1950's RRAD rebuild Tag was on the 1619 open cab and the truck had the Hydrovac upgrade and the front brake tubing modified with the shut off for driving thru barbed wire. 25 years into ownership Kevin Kronland gave me a nice 1574 closed cab that I had restored. The cab had the floor and rocker panel from the early braking system and was changed to the Hydrovac configuration. I elected to remove the entire 1574 dash in order to install the round instruments and late dash lighting features. The truck has been 100% gone thru from bumper to bumperettes using NOS fenders doors and NOS CCKW parts stored away at our business since the 40's. There is an advantage to doing the 40 Amp upgrades using NOS parts and the more efficient Series 3 Hydrovac system which results in a safer and more reliable truck. The CCKW experienced upgrades thru out its 1940-1945 production span. The early CCKW's in the field during WWII had engine changes which resulted in late engines with the Negative Ground charging, I built up a late 270 with 100% NOS parts for my truck. Am aware of all the little itty bitty features of 40-45 CCKWX thru CCKW. The choice is mine, the result is a very happy owner and one reliable nice looking slick running CCKW.
Now, back to Wood Steering Wheel care.

[vj]

Ben your cckw looks great. Do you have a lot of pictures on the G. I sure enjoyed all I seen. thanks vj

[Joe Gopan]

It's that time again.

[Joe Gopan]

It''s that time again, pick a warm day and rub in a 75/25 mix of Raw Linseed and Turpentine., your CCKW/Chevy 4X4 wood steering wheel will say thank you. Mine is proof that Linseed Oil works, had the CCKW 35 years and treated the bare steering wheel every year. Why not paint it? Linseed oil works better on bare wood.