Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "ALLEY OOP"

Military Trucks 1/2 ton thru 2 ton, Wanted, For Sale (NO AUCTION or EBAY), and Knowledge Base
kelley
G-Colonel
G-Colonel
Posts: 1582
Joined: Tue Aug 28, 2012 4:17 pm
Location: Massachusetts (The Pay state)

Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "Abner"

Post by kelley » Sat Jun 13, 2015 3:44 pm

Wow! it looks brand new in there, thanks for the tutorial.

Here's a little accessory that would go very nicely with your K43.......

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1943-Chevy-K44- ... 1777911230
Kelley


User avatar
33rdsignal
G-Second Lieutenant
G-Second Lieutenant
Posts: 583
Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2009 12:59 pm
Location: Lancaster, PA
Contact:

Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "Abner"

Post by 33rdsignal » Sat Jun 13, 2015 6:30 pm

kelley wrote:Wow! it looks brand new in there, thanks for the tutorial.

Here's a little accessory that would go very nicely with your K43.......

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1943-Chevy-K44- ... 1777911230

Kinda already have one of those. My buddy has one he is restoring.

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=251430&hilit=annette
Chad Phillips
33rd Signal Construction Battalion
https://www.facebook.com/33rdSignal

1943 Chevy K-43 (G7173)
1944 Truck Engineering Corp. 1 Ton Trailer (Wood)
1942 Dodge WC-52
1942 Willys MB

15T UH-60 Blackhawk Crew Chief, US Army 2000-2006

granpadavid
G-Private
G-Private
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Jun 22, 2015 4:36 pm
Location:

Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "Abner"

Post by granpadavid » Sat Aug 01, 2015 10:59 pm

Thank you for being so nice as to post the photos of your project. I realize that it would be easier if you had help taking to photos to get all the photos everyone would like to see of your efforts. You commented at the start that your grandfather was 33rd Construction. My father spent his time in England and Europe during WWII working out of a G7173 or K-43. He shared a little with me. Not as much as I wished but some. We seemed to be able to visit more easily about the truck than other things related to that time. I did telephone work at one time myself and have spent time on-line for several years gathering information about this group of trucks. If and when you want a wire take-up reel to fit on the end of the winch shaft, I believe you will find that a number are still available from new and used sources that would be acceptable replacements for the original. Chances are the original for your truck may have been retained by someone along the way for that reason.
I hope to begin building a 1/35 version this winter. When I do, it will be possible because of people like you who have been kind enough to share photos.
Thank you

User avatar
33rdsignal
G-Second Lieutenant
G-Second Lieutenant
Posts: 583
Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2009 12:59 pm
Location: Lancaster, PA
Contact:

Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "Abner"

Post by 33rdsignal » Wed Aug 12, 2015 7:35 am

Hey Guys,
Sorry I haven't updated in awhile, I have been on the road for work.

Grandpadavid...was your dad in the 33rd Signal? Also do you have any pictures of your dad and his K43. I am always looking for info on the 33rd and pictures/accounts of the K43
Chad Phillips
33rd Signal Construction Battalion
https://www.facebook.com/33rdSignal

1943 Chevy K-43 (G7173)
1944 Truck Engineering Corp. 1 Ton Trailer (Wood)
1942 Dodge WC-52
1942 Willys MB

15T UH-60 Blackhawk Crew Chief, US Army 2000-2006

User avatar
33rdsignal
G-Second Lieutenant
G-Second Lieutenant
Posts: 583
Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2009 12:59 pm
Location: Lancaster, PA
Contact:

Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "Abner"

Post by 33rdsignal » Fri Sep 18, 2015 4:39 am

Well I have been away for a while for work and haven't been working on the truck, but when i came home, a buddy Justin and I went gang busters on it.
We pulled the engine,
Stripped the Front Cowl
Removed the doors, steps, cab interior, caboscope, maintenance body doors.
We stripped the Doors and fenders
We began to blast prime and paint small parts.
Also began on refurbing the steering wheel.


And Now the part you have all been waiting for...The Pictures! In no particular order what so ever.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
Chad Phillips
33rd Signal Construction Battalion
https://www.facebook.com/33rdSignal

1943 Chevy K-43 (G7173)
1944 Truck Engineering Corp. 1 Ton Trailer (Wood)
1942 Dodge WC-52
1942 Willys MB

15T UH-60 Blackhawk Crew Chief, US Army 2000-2006

User avatar
Gordon_M
G-Colonel
G-Colonel
Posts: 1840
Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2004 9:32 am
Location: central and north east Scotland, depending on the day

Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "Abner"

Post by Gordon_M » Fri Sep 18, 2015 4:41 am

Very nice, but you are going to need more than a few sets of pliers to fill those toolboxes .....
Gordon

1941 Highway Trailer K-38
1944 Iron Fireman T-36 Snow Tractor
1986 Nolan Road/Rail trailer

User avatar
33rdsignal
G-Second Lieutenant
G-Second Lieutenant
Posts: 583
Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2009 12:59 pm
Location: Lancaster, PA
Contact:

Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "Abner"

Post by 33rdsignal » Fri Sep 18, 2015 7:20 am

Gordon,
From What i can figure a K-43 "Crew" was 5 men. So figure 1 Man is a driver, and 4 men are linemen. The 4 Linemen would have the TE-21 Equipment.
Image

From what i can figure based on different Specific brackets and storage areas, I am figuring Two TE-27 Toolsets per truck.
Image

Then the Misc. Tools listed in TM for the K43(This was listed to be available between Two K43's)
Image
Image

This is one of the best shots i have of the K43 with tools
Image

Got a long way to go, but believe it or not i have most of the tools already.
Chad Phillips
33rd Signal Construction Battalion
https://www.facebook.com/33rdSignal

1943 Chevy K-43 (G7173)
1944 Truck Engineering Corp. 1 Ton Trailer (Wood)
1942 Dodge WC-52
1942 Willys MB

15T UH-60 Blackhawk Crew Chief, US Army 2000-2006

User avatar
Gordon_M
G-Colonel
G-Colonel
Posts: 1840
Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2004 9:32 am
Location: central and north east Scotland, depending on the day

Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "Abner"

Post by Gordon_M » Fri Sep 18, 2015 11:48 am

Hi Chad,

mine had the original pole set, and that was heavy enough, I managed to set it up myself ( with the winch ) but quite dangerous to do on your own.
I have no clue what the all-up weight was but must have been substantial. I vaguely remember that K-43s were not operated individually, they usually worked in teams or with a K-44. You might be right about the crew of five, but you can only really get two in the cab so there would be a general service truck there too I think.

I have never seen a shot of a K-43 ( or a K-44 for that matter ) pulling a trailer. That kind of makes sense as they had what they needed on board, but it would be interesting to see how they were originally crewed and tasked.
Gordon

1941 Highway Trailer K-38
1944 Iron Fireman T-36 Snow Tractor
1986 Nolan Road/Rail trailer

forestry4evr
G-Colonel
G-Colonel
Posts: 1916
Joined: Sat Mar 03, 2012 9:09 am
Location: Western North Carolina

Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "Abner"

Post by forestry4evr » Sat Sep 19, 2015 2:26 am

Chad,

I hope you guys are bagging and tagging all of those parts. Time will get away from you and it is easy to forget where everything is supposed to go...especially the small hardware.

The cabinets look to be in pretty good condition, actually the entire truck looks to be a great restoration candidate.

Is the engine an original "BV" stamped block? It looks like one of the valves on cylinder number 2 was open when the truck was put away.

Paul
1941 G4112 Chevrolet with Hercules dump bed

Tonywan Kanobby
G-Second Lieutenant
G-Second Lieutenant
Posts: 599
Joined: Sun Feb 24, 2013 2:25 pm
Location: Northern Cal.

Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "Abner"

Post by Tonywan Kanobby » Sat Sep 19, 2015 6:24 pm

You have got one HECK of a job going on there pal. What an undertaking! I'm amazed at all of the tools and equipment that are associated with that model. That was a full load for that rig, no doubt. The crew and machine really did some important work. Very cool truck.

Liked the historical pic. Had to save that one.

Keep up the good work.

Tony

User avatar
33rdsignal
G-Second Lieutenant
G-Second Lieutenant
Posts: 583
Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2009 12:59 pm
Location: Lancaster, PA
Contact:

Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "ALLEY OOP"

Post by 33rdsignal » Sun Nov 08, 2015 5:55 am

Well another update. We stopped disassembly of the truck for now in order to get caught up on blasting and painting as well as repair of broken parts and pieces. A newer rebuilt engine has been sourced. Parts have been going to the blaster, and the paint booth is getting a work out. The Cab is ready to come off and will be coming off in the next month or so. Also tires are being painfully removed from the rims(Hello Sawzall!) Nothing real exciting, but progress none the less!

And now pictures in no certain order.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
Chad Phillips
33rd Signal Construction Battalion
https://www.facebook.com/33rdSignal

1943 Chevy K-43 (G7173)
1944 Truck Engineering Corp. 1 Ton Trailer (Wood)
1942 Dodge WC-52
1942 Willys MB

15T UH-60 Blackhawk Crew Chief, US Army 2000-2006

Wolfen
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 264
Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2010 2:27 pm
Location:

Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "ALLEY OOP"

Post by Wolfen » Sun Nov 08, 2015 8:04 am

When you get the Tires off I would have the Wheels X-rayed to make sure they are not cracked. I had a local Tire Shop do that for me.

forestry4evr
G-Colonel
G-Colonel
Posts: 1916
Joined: Sat Mar 03, 2012 9:09 am
Location: Western North Carolina

Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "ALLEY OOP"

Post by forestry4evr » Mon Nov 09, 2015 2:09 am

Chad,

The sheet metal on your project looks to be in real good condition as far as corrosion is concerned. Looks good.

FYI, when using a newer 235 engine, the water pump is going to be located too low and the shaft is too long. There is a guy in PNW that makes an adapter.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1955-1962-CHEVR ... 0456073982

Using this adapter, one can transfer the original water pump to its correct position. In doing so the wide belt pulleys of the harmonic balancer and and generator can be retained keeping the original look. The valve cover from your original engine can also be transferred to the newer engine by transferring the rocker shaft studs.

Still a lot of work to go, but it looks like you will be driving in no time.

Paul
1941 G4112 Chevrolet with Hercules dump bed

User avatar
33rdsignal
G-Second Lieutenant
G-Second Lieutenant
Posts: 583
Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2009 12:59 pm
Location: Lancaster, PA
Contact:

Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "ALLEY OOP"

Post by 33rdsignal » Mon Feb 22, 2016 1:03 pm

Well a small update. As of late my sandblaster gets more attention then my family it seems. all the small pieces are being blasted, and painted. I started to rebuild my steering box only to find that the sector shaft was bent, it had to be beat out of the housing and in the process damaged the bushing. This was no real loss as they were going to be replaced anyway. The case was crack free(thank you for small favors). A lot of the big pieces are being detailed and and then will be wrapped and put into storage. And now pictures

Steering Box
Image
Image
Image
Image

Bent Sector Shaft
Image
Image

Random Pics
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Chad Phillips
33rd Signal Construction Battalion
https://www.facebook.com/33rdSignal

1943 Chevy K-43 (G7173)
1944 Truck Engineering Corp. 1 Ton Trailer (Wood)
1942 Dodge WC-52
1942 Willys MB

15T UH-60 Blackhawk Crew Chief, US Army 2000-2006

User avatar
33rdsignal
G-Second Lieutenant
G-Second Lieutenant
Posts: 583
Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2009 12:59 pm
Location: Lancaster, PA
Contact:

Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "ALLEY OOP"

Post by 33rdsignal » Sat Mar 19, 2016 11:46 am

Spent the Day working on my Steering gear. After cleaning the worm gear i reassembled it, as well as installed a new Horn Contact Slip ring. Also started cleaning my air cleaners.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
Chad Phillips
33rd Signal Construction Battalion
https://www.facebook.com/33rdSignal

1943 Chevy K-43 (G7173)
1944 Truck Engineering Corp. 1 Ton Trailer (Wood)
1942 Dodge WC-52
1942 Willys MB

15T UH-60 Blackhawk Crew Chief, US Army 2000-2006


Post Reply

Return to “Trucks 1/2 ton thru 2 ton”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 59 guests