GPA12350

Amphibious Wheeled Military Vehicles, Wanted, For Sale (NO AUCTION or EBAY) and Knowledge Base
Barnes43GPA
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Re: GPA12350

Post by Barnes43GPA » Sun Jul 19, 2020 10:14 am

Hi Bob
So glad to see your beautiful GPA coming together!! You are doing a very fine job with it! I have considered it a pleasure being able to supply you with some of your missing parts! :D

I would like to Thank You Bob for all of the many hours it must have taken to research and put together and then publish all us GPA folks with the one and only indepth full color GPA books ever! I, over the years, have referred to it many times. I even decided to purchase a second book to keep on the coffee table! :lol:

Also, a big thank you for sharing with us for over a year now, your entire step by step story of the quest to restore this original GPA 12350! I am sure you have enlightened many readers over the months!! I got to thinking that there will be a adjustment period once you have finished your GPA, I will miss reading all your post and waiting for those "to be continued" posts, maybe you can figure out a way to say "to be continued" after the finishing post of the GPA taking a swim!

All the best
David


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bobassel
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Re: GPA12350

Post by bobassel » Sun Jul 19, 2020 12:43 pm

Thank you very much David 8)
I will do my best for the follow up program with water adventures.
But !!, to be honest: I will never do such a challange again.
I was just in time to get the missing parts.
And got most of it, thanks of the GPA friends of the last years.
If I had to start today with such a project, I don't think I will ever get it complete. :roll:
If you want to restore a GPA, start with a complete vehicle as possible.
And people are talking about prices of a complete GPA,
Yes, very high today, but if I make a calculation to get mine that far........
not counting all the hours................
But, the cream of the cake is comming soon when I am driving and swimming :D
Bob
Ford GPA 12350 DOD: april 4th 1943
Willys MD M38A1, A13817 1952

hummermark
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Re: GPA12350

Post by hummermark » Sun Jul 19, 2020 12:48 pm

I am a fan of his book too used it recently for a reference.
I have only found 1 fault with the information in it on page 130 the write up says speedy sleeve (92210 SKF) but should be speedy sleeve (99210 SKF).
M1030M1 JP8 diesel
2008 M1113 Humvee
Cushman 53
M10 Achilles
M274 A2 Mule
Matchless g3l
1944 WLA
M1030 KLR 650
Gpa

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twinflyer17
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Re: GPA12350

Post by twinflyer17 » Tue Jul 28, 2020 4:09 am

Excellent job, Bob! I just stumbled upon this thread and I'm glad I did. Your work is impressive!
Sean

GPW 108175 viewtopic.php?t=267732
DOD 4/14/43 Louisville, KY USA20371070

MVPA
AOPA

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bobassel
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Re: GPA12350

Post by bobassel » Tue Jul 28, 2020 4:41 am

Thank you Sean !
Ford GPA 12350 DOD: april 4th 1943
Willys MD M38A1, A13817 1952

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bobassel
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Re: GPA12350

Post by bobassel » Tue Jul 28, 2020 4:53 am

Hi (GPA) friends,

Holiday for me and the work goes on at GPA 12350.
Made a lot of progress the last weeks :D
I installed a not original extra 12 volt electric bilge pump,
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Also an extra brake-booster, also not original, but the GPA is 500 kg heavier than a normal Jeep,
and when you come out of the water, brakes are more bad!
When your engine will fail, no pump !, and when you have a leak, I think you
are pleased with an extra 12 volt pump :)
The dash is now installed and the front deck.
Installed the engine lid and left and right covers.
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This is done after I made the dog clutch drive shaft and the dog clutch engage shaft.
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This could only be done with dash on it and engine in it.
Luckely all works fine.
Now I am conecting all wires and all the extra wires and units.
I installed also a not original over pressure pump on the breathers of front and rear axle.
Yes, also not original :roll: :D :shock: :lol:
I hope this will keep water out of the axles when I am in the water.
A small leak in a seal or gasket, and water will come in.
In this way I hope in that "hole"now air push out the water.
Then it was time to start the engine again, now with dash and instruments installed.
I was very pleased that there where no oil leaks, and my original generator was charging.
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I have installed the main water propellor bearing (Thanks Leo), and the drive shaft for this,
and water propellor works great!
Also installed the exhaust pipes and mufler.
For me unknow, because my first GPA didn't has this unit, the extra grill and rod on top of the mufler.
After some "finding outs" I managed to get this installed in the correct way.
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Also installed some extra's already on the vehicle.
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Now I am working to get the wiring system complete, and I am working to get the indicators and brake light good.
Then I have to fill the braking system with flued and test this.
Then floor pannels can be installed and seats.
Indeed: :D :D :lol: will be continued!
Bob
Ford GPA 12350 DOD: april 4th 1943
Willys MD M38A1, A13817 1952

SteveBarber
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Re: GPA12350

Post by SteveBarber » Tue Jul 28, 2020 4:42 pm

Gpa5510 has a small compressor connected to the Axle vents and the steering knuckles via the fill hole. I regulate the pressure to about 4or 5 psi. Works great!

Steve

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bobassel
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"I am going slightly mad"

Post by bobassel » Mon Aug 03, 2020 8:26 am

Short update;
I filled the breaking system with fluid (silicone) and waited until the master cilinder was full, and all air bubbles were out.
I inspected the master cilinder and the whole floor was filled with flued. :evil:
The after market extra plastic cilinder was leaking because of a crack. :twisted:
Hopeless with a lot of after market products.
I ordered a new one, hopefully better quality.
So now I started again with filling the master cilinder, and bleeded the system.
Only two minor leaks that I could easily solve.
I finished all the electric wiring with all extra's for getting my licence plate and papers for the Dutch law.
Licence plate lightning, two breaking lights, two indicators, small "town" lights and the electric pump for the axles,
the 12 volt bilge, compass light etc etc...
Also made four springs for the lifting eyes.
Made some new breakets for the pick pole on the right side, and installed the pick pole.
Image
I tried to adjust the sealed beam headlamps for both on the correct level.
When I pushed the foot switch they were working the other way arround???
I thought I had made a mistake in the wiring, although I worked carefully on this.
Red wires together and also black wires.
I lifted the front deck and discovered everything was O.K. ????
Then I checked the plugs / connectors in the headlamps and all the connections were ok ????
It turned out to be an internal mistake in a sealed beam unit!
In my whole career of working on vehicles, I never experienced this.
Will be continued.....
Bob
Ford GPA 12350 DOD: april 4th 1943
Willys MD M38A1, A13817 1952

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bobassel
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Re: GPA12350

Post by bobassel » Mon Aug 03, 2020 8:34 am

BTW :roll:
Not a GPA story, but in the meantime,(some may have notised),
working on GPA 12350, I also did the complete retoration of a SAS Desert Ford Jeep.
Now also ready :D
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should be possible :roll:
Ford GPA 12350 DOD: april 4th 1943
Willys MD M38A1, A13817 1952

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bobassel
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Last work on GPA12350

Post by bobassel » Thu Aug 27, 2020 8:38 am

Finaly the finish line is in sight!
I made final adjustments to the brakes, and now she is braking fine,
I am pleased about the extra brake booster.
I made the air intake grill under the hatch with special wooven wires.
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And together with Ad we made the finishing work on the surfshield.
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Made my first small test rides and see how everything works.
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Look for the differces :shock:
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In Oktober I have to go to the Dutch trafic agency, to get my licence plates.
When the vehicle is approoved, I will go for road tests and water tests.
Bob
Ford GPA 12350 DOD: april 4th 1943
Willys MD M38A1, A13817 1952

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twinflyer17
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Re: GPA12350

Post by twinflyer17 » Thu Aug 27, 2020 11:23 am

Well done! She's looking mighty fine :)
Sean

GPW 108175 viewtopic.php?t=267732
DOD 4/14/43 Louisville, KY USA20371070

MVPA
AOPA

Barnes43GPA
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Re: GPA12350

Post by Barnes43GPA » Sat Aug 29, 2020 7:47 am

Hi Bob
Wow !!! you have made it to the Finish line in a big way!! Congratulations to You and Al & all your friends and of course Mary Ann ,I'm sure she too had a lot to do with your Success in this multiple year quest in locating and securing and then starting the long road to a Finish line that you already had the vision of for GPA 12350 ! I know there were lots of highs and lows y'all must have gone through, but the old thought that things that are" worth while" usually does not come easily! Thank You Bob for Sharing this Fantastic journey of your rebuild . I'm sure there are lots of folks like myself that have really enjoyed all of your post you have made through out the build! We are looking forward to the day when we will take you up on the invitation to come over to the Netherlands for that trip out on the water for a swim. :lol:
Congratulations!!!! David & Wendy (Your friends from Texas)

P.S. Great Job on the SAS Jeep ! Thank you for posting those pictures of it. I had been wanting to ask you about it several times.....I'm bet your client was very pleased with your meticulous work on it!!

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bobassel
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Re: GPA12350

Post by bobassel » Sun Aug 30, 2020 11:46 pm

:D Thank you David and all the others who supported me.
Bob
Ford GPA 12350 DOD: april 4th 1943
Willys MD M38A1, A13817 1952

Carlos1968
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Re: GPA12350

Post by Carlos1968 » Wed Sep 02, 2020 12:47 pm

Wow, your enthusiasm is truly inspiring. I am currently trying to purchase a GPA project and looking at your detailed posts it proves what a massive job restoring a GPA can be. Hopefully one day, I'm posting photos of my project on here.
Thanks for taking the time and effort to keep posting pictures and descriptions on here.

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bobassel
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Re: GPA12350

Post by bobassel » Mon Oct 12, 2020 2:57 am

Yes !!!!
Today I went to the Dutch road traffic agency for getting my papers and licence plate
on my GPA.
The people were very enthusiastic about the vehicle.
Only the original frame number was not clear enough, so the stamped an new, better legible number
but left the original one.
So within five days I hope to receive my papers and will order the historical blue number plate.
Then I will start drive test and water tests :D
Image
Bob
Ford GPA 12350 DOD: april 4th 1943
Willys MD M38A1, A13817 1952


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