MB249995 7-15-1943 RESTORATION PROJECT

[BERLIN RED]

I recently picked up this 1943 MB locally. #249995 DOD 7-15-1943. I spoke with the son of the original owner, and he told me that his father (WWII vet) bought it surplus in Columbus Ohio in 1946ish. Pretty crusty but should make a good jeep. It still has a lot of goodies on it. I am currently restoring a late February slat tub for a friend and will dive into this 43 when that is finished.

I find this jeep interesting as it has the last of the early features such as split back seats, long needle speedometer, no rifle rack windshield, and acm1 tub.

The later features such as radio junction box, large mouth fuel tank, factory mounted B/O drive light, etc.

I have worked on too many early MBs so this should be a fun change of pace.

[70th Division]

I recently picked up this 1943 MB locally. #249995 DOD 7-15-1943. I spoke with the son of the original owner, and he told me that his father (WWII vet) bought it surplus in Columbus Ohio in 1946ish. Pretty crusty but should make a good jeep. It still has a lot of goodies on it. I am currently restoring a late February slat tub for a friend and will dive into this 43 when that is finished.

I find this jeep interesting as it has the last of the early features such as split back seats, long needle speedometer, no rifle rack windshield, and acm1 tub.

The later features such as radio junction box, large mouth fuel tank, factory mounted B/O drive light, etc.

I have worked on too many early MBs so this should be a fun change of pace.

Jeep Large.jpg

Congratulations Berlin Red !!!


That looks like a great MB project ,
it will be a fun restoration project, and used nice that it has some early features, combined with later features !

Very nice that you have the history of the jeep as well

Keep us posted !


Best Regards,
Ray

[pgcf]

Berlin Red,

You should also have the riveted oil pan. These are not early items, they are Willys production through Dec. '43. They disappeared with the advent of the 1944 ACM 2 era production.

Check out this link that 70th Division posted about crated jeeps.

viewtopic.php?f=144&t=289307&hilit=crate+jeep

Since your jeep came from Columbus, OH (1946ish) there is a remote chance that it is on this list.

No serial numbers on the lists but look for the "Item #" painted on it as you strip it down. Based on Frank Buck's original surplused jeep the stenciling was probably on the cowl on the driver's side between the windscreen and hood. It could also be somewhere on the hood or windscreen but you never know.

Good luck and let us know if you find a needle in your haystack.

Enjoy the journey,
Peter

[BERLIN RED]

Thanks Ray.

Peter thanks for the oil pan info. That is new to me. I assumed that went away with the friction dipstick and no boss intake. Unfortunately she has a cj engine currently but will try and track down a proper one.

Will look for the the surplus markings as well.

Should get better pictures up later this week.

[Thunderbird712]

I don't think a riveted oil pan is required. Per the Barney Ross (VP of Engineering at Willys) Prologue of Description of Changes on the Jeep dated November 3, 1944, the Ordnance Department requested the change to the oil pan on 1/19/43. On 2/1/1943 the item form was submitted to the Government for approval. The "started in production date" is listed as 5/12/43. It would be good to see the PRF for the Oil Pan to compare to the production date in Ross's document. According to info posted here viewtopic.php?t=156043 by Tom W Ford started with the new oil pan at the end of April beginning of May also. He does note that for some time both were used.

Not sure if the overlap occurred at Willys but I think your safe with the non-riveted oil pan on your July 43 MB. I have found discrepancies between Ross's "started in production date" and the PRF for the item but never 8 months. I could be wrong but I have never heard of Ford changing a part 8 months prior to Willys. Usually its the other way around.

[BERLIN RED]

Started disassembly of the Jeep and noticed that the 3 remaining reflectors and both grill marker lights are “Yankee” branded.

Have not checked the tail light yet. (Only the passenger tail light remains).

The reflector housings are marked “yankee reflex” and “139 S”…. I think. Seem to have been there forever. Is this a known trend from the factory or an early replacement?

[BERLIN RED]

Forgot to mention the reflector lenses are marked “SR CO NO 14.”

[BERLIN RED]

Ok, it's been a little while since my initial update. Quite a bit has happened since then, and I plan to get this thread caught up and hopefully finish the rest in real time. I finished work on my friend's tub, which I will share a couple pictures of, purchased several motors, and finally settled on one, tore the 43 apart, rebuilt the sheet metal and frame and sourced some nice parts.

[70th Division]

Ok, it's been a little while since my initial update. Quite a bit has happened since then, and I plan to get this thread caught up and hopefully finish the rest in real time. I finished work on my friend's tub, which I will share a couple pictures of, purchased several motors, and finally settled on one, tore the 43 apart, rebuilt the sheet metal and frame and sourced some nice parts.

Hello Berlin Red,

We are looking forward to the updates !!
You have a great looking jeep !!
I am guessing that it should have original markings under that paint.
Look for clues, and rebuild tags on it .

Best Regards,
Ray

[BERLIN RED]

Just some more images of the Jeep before disassembly.

[BERLIN RED]

Picture quality is horrible but it’s the best I can do. They are not bad until I resize them. If you click on them they get a bit better.

Anyhow.

[BERLIN RED]

The passenger seat was a nice Ford seat. I traded it to a friend with a GPW for the split back seat. Worked out nice

[BERLIN RED]

tub removed. Nothing out of the ordinary really.

[70th Division]

The passenger seat was a nice Ford seat. I traded it to a friend with a GPW for the split back seat. Worked out nice

Hello,

That is great you were able to get the original type seat from the trade !
The jeep frame looks really solid, as does the tub, this should be a great restoration of a very nice Jeep !!
Thanks for the additional pictures .

Best Regards,
Ray

[BERLIN RED]

Yep! With the exception of the battery tray, only issues with the frame, was lack of maintenance. All of the spring mounts were destroyed. Leaf springs were in sad shape. Fortunately a friend of mine restoring a 43 mb sold me his full set of take off springs. I acquired another set of later mb springs with a higher leaf count I might try if the 1st set doesn’t work out. I doubt anything got grease since it left the army lol. But it wasn’t rusted through, bent modified so I can’t complain. More pictures tonight.