WTB: Ben Hur Top Bows.

Half-ton trailer series and larger, Wanted, For Sale(NO EBAY ITEMS), and Knowledge Base
Coventry1975
G-Sergeant
G-Sergeant
Posts: 34
Joined: Tue Sep 13, 2016 1:57 pm
Location:

WTB: Ben Hur Top Bows.

Post by Coventry1975 » Thu Jan 17, 2019 2:40 pm

Hi,

I'm looking for 4 ben hur trailer top bows, ideally in Europe if possible?

Kind regards


D.R.H.
G-Major General
G-Major General
Posts: 3472
Joined: Sat Jun 05, 2010 2:51 pm
Location: Evergreen State

Re: WTB: Ben Hur Top Bows.

Post by D.R.H. » Thu Jan 17, 2019 5:25 pm

I purchased a set of four dated 1952 from Brent Mullins Jeep parts last year. He was down to the bottom of the barrel of His stock then, but still may have some left. Oddly enough, the batch He purchased came from Europe and brought home to Texas. Try Him, you might get lucky. :)
https://www.mullinsjeepparts.com
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.

timsresort
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 386
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2010 10:05 am
Location: South Lake Tahoe CA

Re: WTB: Ben Hur Top Bows.

Post by timsresort » Mon Jan 21, 2019 6:25 am

I was going down the path of bending my own until I ran into a set on here. They are reproductions, but so will be my side racks. Bending that small arch doesn't look too tough.
41 WC-16
41 Lavine Gear !-ton trailer
51 M37
53 CJ3B
65 CJ5A
(2) 67 CJ5
46 Bantam T3-C #2376
67 M416
68 M274A5
MVPA #20343

D.R.H.
G-Major General
G-Major General
Posts: 3472
Joined: Sat Jun 05, 2010 2:51 pm
Location: Evergreen State

Re: WTB: Ben Hur Top Bows.

Post by D.R.H. » Mon Jan 21, 2019 1:30 pm

Hi Tim, I found this guys' video last year. He is informative and thorough on steam bending wood. Also, if you don't want to go the trouble of bending your own wood, you can always find some surplus "M" series bows and cut them to length. They have the same dimensions as the W.W. 2 type.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_cyx7ti1B4
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: WTB: Ben Hur Top Bows.

Post by Joe Gopan » Mon Jan 21, 2019 2:51 pm

J.Tonka used to advertise fresh made bows in"Supply Line"
It's been a couple years. New looks better than over age cracked originals.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

D.R.H.
G-Major General
G-Major General
Posts: 3472
Joined: Sat Jun 05, 2010 2:51 pm
Location: Evergreen State

Re: WTB: Ben Hur Top Bows.

Post by D.R.H. » Tue Jan 22, 2019 1:42 pm

I agree Ben, but every now and then the Olive Drab gods do throw a bone into the mix. Here are the bows I purchased from Brent Mullins. I was shocked to find them in such good shape. I called to thank Him and He said that He had others that were in better shape but had sold all of them by the time He sold mine to me.

Image
Image

This was the only warped bow which I fixed with wet towels and a clothes iron. The wood is in great shape for its' age.
Image
Image

Here they are on the trailer.
Image
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: WTB: Ben Hur Top Bows.

Post by Joe Gopan » Tue Jan 22, 2019 1:53 pm

A Ben restoration is fun, I bought my G-518 Bows from Brian Asbury in Canada in the 70's. It gave me a chance to use up a lot of my 40's `1/4" NC Square Nuts.
I made all of the Side Rack Brackets per the Roy Hamilton Drawing, The Latches were done on a press I made at the machine shop.
Ben Hur Brackets 002.JPG
Ben Hur Brackets 002.JPG (31.14 KiB) Viewed 2646 times
Ben Hur Brackets 003.JPG
Ben Hur Brackets 003.JPG (28.9 KiB) Viewed 2646 times
Ben Hur Brackets 004.JPG
Ben Hur Brackets 004.JPG (26.15 KiB) Viewed 2646 times
Ben Hur Brackets 005.JPG
Ben Hur Brackets 005.JPG (22.1 KiB) Viewed 2646 times
Ben Hur Brackets 006.JPG
Ben Hur Brackets 006.JPG (26.82 KiB) Viewed 2646 times
Ben Hur Brackets 007.JPG
Ben Hur Brackets 007.JPG (23.18 KiB) Viewed 2646 times
Last edited by Joe Gopan on Tue Jan 22, 2019 5:24 pm, edited 2 times in total.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: WTB: Ben Hur Top Bows.

Post by Joe Gopan » Tue Jan 22, 2019 3:10 pm

Ben Hur bracket 002.JPG
Ben Hur bracket 002.JPG (44.41 KiB) Viewed 2643 times
These are hard to come by.
Ben Hur bracket 003.JPG
Ben Hur bracket 003.JPG (43.86 KiB) Viewed 2643 times
Ben Hur bracket 004.JPG
Ben Hur bracket 004.JPG (48.34 KiB) Viewed 2643 times
This Clamp for stowing the landing gear is elusive. They came either cast or forged.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

timsresort
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 386
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2010 10:05 am
Location: South Lake Tahoe CA

Re: WTB: Ben Hur Top Bows.

Post by timsresort » Tue Jan 22, 2019 7:05 pm

So I have a question for you guys, do the carriage bolts in the racks have any ID marks on the heads?
41 WC-16
41 Lavine Gear !-ton trailer
51 M37
53 CJ3B
65 CJ5A
(2) 67 CJ5
46 Bantam T3-C #2376
67 M416
68 M274A5
MVPA #20343

timsresort
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 386
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2010 10:05 am
Location: South Lake Tahoe CA

Re: WTB: Ben Hur Top Bows.

Post by timsresort » Tue Jan 22, 2019 7:08 pm

Ben Dover wrote:
Tue Jan 22, 2019 1:53 pm
A Ben restoration is fun, I bought my G-518 Bows from Brian Asbury in Canada in the 70's. It gave me a chance to use up a lot of my 40's `1/4" NC Square Nuts.
I made all of the Side Rack Brackets per the Roy Hamilton Drawing, The Latches were done on a press I made at the machine shop.Ben Hur Brackets 002.JPGBen Hur Brackets 003.JPGBen Hur Brackets 004.JPGBen Hur Brackets 005.JPGBen Hur Brackets 006.JPGBen Hur Brackets 007.JPG
That's cool, I was thinking about having to make the latches, but looked up a guy that has been selling the HW at Tower Park for years, and got a set for my build.
41 WC-16
41 Lavine Gear !-ton trailer
51 M37
53 CJ3B
65 CJ5A
(2) 67 CJ5
46 Bantam T3-C #2376
67 M416
68 M274A5
MVPA #20343

User avatar
tractor12
banned
Posts: 2097
Joined: Tue Oct 17, 2006 3:01 pm
Location: Atascadero CA
Contact:

Re: WTB: Ben Hur Top Bows.

Post by tractor12 » Tue Jan 22, 2019 7:37 pm

Tim glad you finally got ahold of Greg
WC12 Wc 27 2 K38s Mz2 ambulance jeep 2 M3a4s M1a1 Chemical Mortar cart T4e1 usmc cart convertible

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: WTB: Ben Hur Top Bows.

Post by Joe Gopan » Wed Jan 23, 2019 4:00 am

I have a hunch that if one checks around the established truck body dealers that the exact latches can be found. Many stake and platform truck bodies of the 40's and later are similar and some may be the same.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: WTB: Ben Hur Top Bows.

Post by Joe Gopan » Wed Jan 23, 2019 4:05 am

Finding new unplated carriage bolts is part of the search, I have never paid attention to the heads being marked. I had some WWII era Ford packaged carriage bolts that were 5/16" with plain head and parkerized. They were for the cargo body.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

timsresort
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 386
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2010 10:05 am
Location: South Lake Tahoe CA

Re: WTB: Ben Hur Top Bows.

Post by timsresort » Wed Jan 23, 2019 5:52 pm

tractor12 wrote:
Tue Jan 22, 2019 7:37 pm
Tim glad you finally got ahold of Greg
Yes, thanks for helping, I was beginning to think about making them myself.
41 WC-16
41 Lavine Gear !-ton trailer
51 M37
53 CJ3B
65 CJ5A
(2) 67 CJ5
46 Bantam T3-C #2376
67 M416
68 M274A5
MVPA #20343

D.R.H.
G-Major General
G-Major General
Posts: 3472
Joined: Sat Jun 05, 2010 2:51 pm
Location: Evergreen State

Re: WTB: Ben Hur Top Bows.

Post by D.R.H. » Wed Jan 23, 2019 6:37 pm

I believe my gates to be original Tim. I took everything apart last Feb., sanded all the wood down to get rid of the surface dry rot. I used a wire wheel on my bench grinder to clean all the nuts, washers and carriage bolts. I did NOT find any makers marks on them.

Ben, I like the pictures you took of your B.H. trailer. The wood and the tarpaulin look very nice. I sent an Email to John Worthing in England to touch base about buying a tarp for mine. John told me that they would be making a run of B.H. tarps. very soon. I can't wait!!!
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.


Post Reply

Return to “Trailers 1/2 ton +”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 40 guests