1943 Ford GPW

Create a thread to track the progress of you MB/GPW restoration progress. Previously a General Discussion board.
Hammerhead
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Re: 1943 Ford GPW

Post by Hammerhead » Thu Aug 05, 2021 5:44 am

Sarge1969, buy it and then spend your retirement enjoying it for years to come!!
1943 White M-3 Halftrack, 1944 CCKW 353, 1945 MB, 1944 Bantam T3,
1945 Ben-Hur 1-ton trailer, MVPA 12610, NRA Life Member


Sarg1969
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Re: 1943 Ford GPW

Post by Sarg1969 » Fri Aug 06, 2021 4:15 am

Looking to get it next weekend. 👍🏼 Then we bust out the WW2 gear and ride it around when I get it running.
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BERLIN RED
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Re: 1943 Ford GPW

Post by BERLIN RED » Fri Aug 06, 2021 7:59 am

That’s great! Keep us posted.

70th Division
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Re: 1943 Ford GPW

Post by 70th Division » Fri Aug 06, 2021 9:42 am

Hello,


Welcome to the awesome Jeep owning world 😁😁😁😁

What a great picture of new driver and co-driver !!

This looks like a perfect restoration preservation project.

It is our Heritage and is now in good hands.

You can do all the body work no problem.

Get a wire feed welder, long welding clamps, magnets, and some 18 gauge sheet metal from a local welding shop or supply place.
Start with a small repair and then you will get the hang of it.
Get a good grinder, and a small Dremel like grinder to smooth out your welds. Also get an auto dimming welding mask, and 3m P100 respirator .

You will be all set to start.
Have fun and post more action photos when you get your Awesome original , numbers matching Jeep back home !!

Well Done !!!

Keep 'em Rolling !!

Best Regards,
Ray

Dawgman
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Re: 1943 Ford GPW

Post by Dawgman » Sun Aug 08, 2021 4:48 pm

Well done!
Give the man his money and don’t look back. Enjoy it!
12-12-41 slat MB
Midland/Willys frame script GPW 9xxx
No’s match 4-42 script GPW
No’s match 10-44 GPW
Dead MB plow
45 MB 8-21-45 restored
1943 M3a1 WSC
MVPA 7xxx

Sarg1969
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Re: 1943 Ford GPW

Post by Sarg1969 » Sun Aug 15, 2021 3:49 pm

I bought the ‘43 !!! Needs a front pan and some frame work but it will be worth it in the end.
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IvorGPW
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Re: 1943 Ford GPW

Post by IvorGPW » Sun Aug 15, 2021 4:11 pm

Congratulations!
Tate Christensen
1944 Ford GPW #234613 USMC Radio jeep
1943 Willys MB #263100
1945 Willys CJ2A #10226
1941 Ford GP #9687
1941 Willys MB #100161

Dawgman
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Re: 1943 Ford GPW

Post by Dawgman » Tue Aug 17, 2021 12:28 am

I posted a huge paragraph about why I thought you shouldn’t over restore it and my mistakes over the last 35 years, and it got erased before I could post it!!!
Uggg.
Just please don’t take it apart, strip her down to the bare metal, and make her as clean as a corvette. There are a TON of them out there restored that way. A dime a dozen, including the factory original 45 MB my dad bought me in 1986 that we took apart to the last bolt, and then forgot where 90% of the bolts went when we put it back together.
It needed restoration as it was a real ugly duckling with a carnival pink top coat over 6 layers of other colors and rusted out panels, but original nonetheless under all that crap.
That my friend is why you have a real gem and it’s very valuable as is. It’s also why you never see unrestored survivors anymore with their original paint, accessories, and bolts. And that’s why all of us that took the time to respond to your thread really enjoy seeing your jeep. They just aren’t out there.
People are now asking 20K plus for Perfectly restored mid war MBs. You’ve seen one you’ve seen them all. And they all have 82 or 101 airborne markings on the bumpers! What a joke! I wouldn’t pay that for one, but I might pay a lot for one that was mostly original untouched and unrestored.
12-12-41 slat MB
Midland/Willys frame script GPW 9xxx
No’s match 4-42 script GPW
No’s match 10-44 GPW
Dead MB plow
45 MB 8-21-45 restored
1943 M3a1 WSC
MVPA 7xxx

Tim Shanteler
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Re: 1943 Ford GPW

Post by Tim Shanteler » Tue Aug 17, 2021 5:10 am

Congrats! I have a 43 GPW as well, a little bit younger than your 7-21-43. I've had it for awhile, just left it alone so I wouldn't get to excited and do something that I regretted later (plus had other projects). Like yours, pretty complete. Invasion star and reg numbers on the hood, shipping stencil on the right side (I believe these are original as they are under a few layers on paint and I know the history back to 1956), original canvas on seats (almost perfect due to a custom built wooden top for it), and it was stored in, where else, an old garage/barn. Lots of good suggestions posted, so take your time and decide how you want to proceed.
Tim

1945 WC-57 81674456
1944 WC-52 81750129
1945 MB 430629
1943 Ford GPW133609
1943 Ben Hur 0347395 (Gertstenlager)

Scratch
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Re: 1943 Ford GPW

Post by Scratch » Tue Aug 17, 2021 6:11 am

Congratulations to the both of you! Looks like it will be a fun, rewarding project!
43 GPW 93487 Blk
44 GPW 230283 OD
46 CJ2A 48990 Blk
46 CJ2A 77632 Wht
47 CJ2A 141681 Grn
48 CJ2A 156240 Red/Yel
48 CJ2A "Lefty" 181341 Red
61 CJ5 123120 Tan
76 CJ7 Camo
03 TJ Inca Gld

Sarg1969
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Re: 1943 Ford GPW

Post by Sarg1969 » Tue Aug 17, 2021 8:43 am

I have to pull the tub and have a front floor replaced because its gone on the passenger side. My intention is just to leave it as found but make it safe to drive. I will have it next week when its delivered and my neighbor has a rotisserie and will do the work for me. I will scrub it well to get all the layers of barn dirt off it and post more pics then. I appreciate the input more then you know.

Sarg1969
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Re: 1943 Ford GPW

Post by Sarg1969 » Fri Aug 20, 2021 10:34 am

Friday road trip
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Sarg1969
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Re: 1943 Ford GPW

Post by Sarg1969 » Fri Aug 20, 2021 5:33 pm

I just got my 1943 Ford GPW home today and see that its a radio jeep! It has a Ford marked filterette and whats left of the conduit and box thing under the passenger seat. There is still some faint markings on the driver side hood ending with an “S”
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Sarg1969
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Re: 1943 Ford GPW

Post by Sarg1969 » Mon Aug 23, 2021 5:51 pm

Looks to have had an M31c mount installed at one time from the holes left in the floor.
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70th Division
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Re: 1943 Ford GPW

Post by 70th Division » Mon Aug 23, 2021 7:28 pm

Hello,

Wow !!
Just an outstanding, complete , original Combat Jeep !!
Correct on the M31-C mount for a .50 cal. M2 Machine Gun, also could fit a 1919 .30 cal as well.
You can easily repair the front frame rails, just clean them up and patch in the same thickness metal, weld it in, grind it smooth.
Get 2 upper gussets from Rin, and the special rivet type bolts are available on ebay to attach them.
Get a F script bumper from Ron , and the bolts, and you will have that area done in a few days .

I really like the USA numbers on the hood !!

You have 1 chance to determine the unit this jeep served with, and it is faintly painted on your rear bumperettes . Use some wd 40 to see if the number appear. Even a flat push button razor blade scaper to uncover any loose paint, to uncover the numbers.
Take pictures before, and once oiled up, and continue the detective work.
It would be great of this jeep was a European return !
I have 2 1/2 European Return jeeps that I have been lucky enough to discover .

I would make a new post for this jeep , just use the new topic button, under jeep restorations, or original unrestored jeeps, and document your restoration efforts.
.
This is a very special jeep !!!!
I am sure you already know that 😃

Looking forward to updates and more pictures!!!

Best Regards
Ray


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