80-Year-old and cremated MB-T
-
- G-Sergeant First Class
- Posts: 87
- Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2020 8:18 pm
- Location: Northern Cal
80-Year-old and cremated MB-T
I recently acquired a 1942 Willys MB-T from a collector friend of mine. The back story, the trailer was completely burned to a crisp in the Paradise fire that's the one where PG&E pretty much burned the entire town to the ground in northern California. Fast forward, I decided to try and bring this one back from the dead. The nomenclature data plate melted in the fire; however, it was an October of 42 build, Normally I would have skipped on one like this but it's early vintage and challenge drove the project. The fire was hot enough to reverse the arc of the leaf spring as well as warping the cast center 3 section axle out about 2 inches, a lot of press work went in to getting it straight again. The brake shoes actually had there lining burned off as, it also burned all the bearing grease out and smoked the bearings. The two front tongue frames were warped about 3 inches out of plane and required us to fabricate replacements that are identical to the originals. We machined a new pental hitch. The safety chains were still there but no hooks so we CNC cut chain hooks and then counter sinked the chain eyes so that they look original, as early 42's did not have casting letters/numbers. We built a die and pressed a new front panel for the tub, we have a couple of large presses. And did our best to straighten the sides and back, RFJP came up with most of the parts needed, wiring harness, trailer plug, bearings and Brake parts and I had a set of battle wheels along with the correct taillights and black out switch. it's not perfect but hay it's 80 years old and cremated.
- Bill H.
- G Moderator
- Posts: 6256
- Joined: Sun May 31, 1998 8:00 pm
- Location: Yonna Valley, Oregon
Re: 80-Year-old and cremated MB-T
Awesome! Thanks for sharing.
Bill H.
"Each shall seek his own kind, in other words, a bird may love a fish but where would they build a home together?" Tevye, Fiddler on the Roof
1952 Dunbar Kapple M100
1953 Willys M38A1
1962 AMC M422A1
1965 Stevens M416B1 X 2
1967 Kaiser M715
2 Timothy 3:1-5
"Each shall seek his own kind, in other words, a bird may love a fish but where would they build a home together?" Tevye, Fiddler on the Roof
1952 Dunbar Kapple M100
1953 Willys M38A1
1962 AMC M422A1
1965 Stevens M416B1 X 2
1967 Kaiser M715
2 Timothy 3:1-5
- W. Winget
- LTC, U.S. Army
- Posts: 4470
- Joined: Mon Dec 16, 2002 10:37 am
- Location: USA, Virginia, Carrollton
- Contact:
Re: 80-Year-old and cremated MB-T
Wonderful job.
Remember Combat Rims had a reinforcement ring for trailer use (from memory)
V/R W. Winget
Remember Combat Rims had a reinforcement ring for trailer use (from memory)
V/R W. Winget
Looking for 1918 Standard B 'Liberty' truck parts
-
- G-Brigadier General
- Posts: 2270
- Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:28 pm
- Location: Bellaire, TX
Re: 80-Year-old and cremated MB-T
AFAIK that was just for the Converto trailers (which had twice the payload rating of an MB-T or T-3). Both of my '42 MB-t's came with Combat Rims. None of them are reinforced.
Seth
******
1944 MB 349858, 20620361
1942 MBT 10968 viewtopic.php?f=18&t=149552
1942 MBT 15799, USA 0217497 viewtopic.php?f=18&t=225199
MVPA # 8587
Com / Inst. SMEL
CFII - ASEL
KI5LYB
Collecting Willys Engine Info. Please send me Engine #, Casting Date & Machining Date if known
******
1944 MB 349858, 20620361
1942 MBT 10968 viewtopic.php?f=18&t=149552
1942 MBT 15799, USA 0217497 viewtopic.php?f=18&t=225199
MVPA # 8587
Com / Inst. SMEL
CFII - ASEL
KI5LYB
Collecting Willys Engine Info. Please send me Engine #, Casting Date & Machining Date if known
-
- G-General
- Posts: 16682
- Joined: Fri Jan 17, 2003 3:40 pm
- Location: Fort Myers, Florida
Re: 80-Year-old and cremated MB-T
You have to name it Phoenix
Stand for the Flag, Kneel for the Cross Psalm 55; 9-11
- Tapper02
- G-Major
- Posts: 839
- Joined: Wed May 03, 2006 12:59 am
- Location: Collierville, TN
- Contact:
Re: 80-Year-old and cremated MB-T
Now THAT's a restoration. Nice work saving it!!
1944 Autocar M3A1 Halftrack
1944 Schelm Bros. M10 Ammunition Trailer
MVPA # 30507
1944 Schelm Bros. M10 Ammunition Trailer
MVPA # 30507
-
- G-Major
- Posts: 927
- Joined: Sat Aug 05, 2006 6:13 pm
- Location: Missouri
Re: 80-Year-old and cremated MB-T
Great job! Most people wouldn't have taken a second look at this fire casualty but you've done an incredible restoration!
1943 White M-3 Halftrack, 1944 CCKW 353, 1945 MB, 1944 Bantam T3,
1945 Ben-Hur 1-ton trailer, MVPA 12610, NRA Life Member
1945 Ben-Hur 1-ton trailer, MVPA 12610, NRA Life Member
-
- G-Sergeant Major
- Posts: 179
- Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2022 7:21 am
- Location: Carrollton Ga
Re: 80-Year-old and cremated MB-T
Friend of mine take his combat rims when he can't get the old tire off and throws them in the bonfire. Melts the tires, leaves the steel cable around the bead and saves the combat wheel halves. I don't know a thing about heat treating steel, but he uses fire to his advantage. Nice to see the trailer survived the fire storm. Yes to Phoenix, rising from the ashes.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: Majestic-12 [Bot] and 41 guests