Do you have a GPW lever ignition switch and want a key type?

1941 - 1945, MB, GPW, Wanted jeeps or parts... list your needs.
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Chuck Lutz
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Do you have a GPW lever ignition switch and want a key type?

Post by Chuck Lutz » Thu Jan 15, 2009 7:01 pm

I have two original H700-marked key lock tumblers and would like to find someone with two GPW/FORD "F" marked LEVER style ignition switches....

If you have two of the Ford lever switches and I have two NOS key tumblers perhaps we can do a swap and we BOTH can have an original KEY type real FORD "F" marked KEY switch!

No GM switches or Willys switches, if we are gonna do this, let's use some original Ford lever switches! Remember we need the original bezels on them also!

Anyone wanna do a swap?
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947


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Post by Joe Gopan » Fri Jan 16, 2009 4:15 am

Are you positive the OEM GPW non key switch can be converted to Key type? The Key type GPW Switches that I recently sold had no provision to change the cylinder. Are there GPW part numbers for Key Type lock cylinders?

Some DELCO and U.S. CO do have provisions for replaceable cylinders but not all. What manufacure are your cylinders?
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Post by lt.luke » Thu Jan 22, 2009 3:48 am

...The Key type GPW Switches that I recently sold ...
Ben WHEN did you sell these? Considering I've made no secret of my hunt for these for the last 6 - 9 months or so and advertised on numerous occastions that I had MONEY WAITING, I never heard or read that you had any of these switches for sale. I guess you did it on the down low, or your version of "recent" isn't the same as mine?

BTW, Chuck, If you still have this when I get home, I'm pretty sure I have a GPW Lever switch that I would like to convert. But I only have one, not two. I'm sure we could work something out?

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Post by Joe Gopan » Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:53 am

One of the joys of being an MV collector for over half a century is accumulating parts and making lasting friends. Many of the parts are unobtanium today but were easy to come by back in the 50s-60s. The switches were in my possession since the 50s, I removed one from a like new GTB wreck myself and found others in cubby holes where discarded parts from WWII trucks that we dissasembled after the war were stored. The switches were never offered for sale, but were occasional topics of conversation between myself and collectors over the years. In addition to seeking parts, collectors trade parts, and offers are made that cannot not be refused. I still have rare NOS MB/GPW parts, there is no time table to sell or trade. As for selling parts on the "G", one has to use discretion so as not to interfere with the parts the host offers.
50 years is a long time, collecting is mostly behind me, but one of the perks of longevity is having nice things to trade or sell when the time is right. Luke, after you have 50 years under your belt you will also have parts others will salivate over.
As for GPW keyed switches, I have not seen any offered by others in all these years. There is one dedicated GPW collector from overseas, who was aware of some NOS GPW parts I had, we made some nice trades and he now has a near new GPW switch, NOS SW Temp Ga., NOS GPW drive shaft, original GPW zippered seat cushion and numerous other NOS GPW items.
Selling is nice, but the cash gained will not always shake rare parts loose as well as trading.
I can think of dozens of Jeep parts in the hands others that make my mouth water, given time and the right parts to trade, I may succeed in obtaining them.
The old places with the trinkets have all but disappeared, the memories are still fresh. There are no secrets except to be at the right place at the right time.
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Post by Chuck Lutz » Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:05 am

Ben...the keyed lock cylinders only have "H700" stanped on the body which is hidden when it is installed in the case....

Luke....it seems as Ben says, the the original FORD switches can not have the keyed cylinders swapped into the lever type switches so that's a dead end. I have seen the two and three terminal GM type lever switches Ben speaks of and I guess they may be taken apart and these keyed cylinders used in them.

I have a two-terminal GM or DELCO in my GPW with a keyed H700 cylinder in it and what appears to be a 16-notch Ford scalloped bezel/ring on it so from the front....my dash looks OK.....the Ignition Police can tell it is not that distinctive slim FORD style case if they look under the dash though...

I heard about an NOS, still wrapped up GPW original keyed ignition switch out there for about $500.00 and that is the only one I have EVER heard about changing hands with the exception of the ones Ben has mentioned. I think I'm lucky to have what at least appears to be an original switch from the front and does not look like a new repop!
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947

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Post by Joe Gopan » Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:17 am

If things go well and I am able in the spring, I know of a handful of Forest Service GTB trucks that were surplused thru the GSA in the 70s that may still have original switches, I hate to drive 200 miles for nothing tho.
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Post by Chuck Lutz » Thu Jan 22, 2009 9:00 am

Ben, when the snow melts and you have a chance to check 'em out...keep me in mind, maybe a trade or something can be arranged for one of them???
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947

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Post by Ron Fitzpatrick » Thu Jan 22, 2009 6:40 pm

it is possible to change a original lever GPW ignition switch to a keyed switch with a vintage H700 tumbler and key set, but the original early keyed ignition switches will not accept the lever because the hole in the center of the bezel is to small...

Hope this helps
Ron :wink:

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Post by lt.luke » Sat Jan 24, 2009 2:07 am

not much to say. Thanks Ron.

I've seen and had rare stuff in some other collecting niches, and understand all that about time etc, and that I haven't been collecting Jeep stuff all that long.

Ron, thanks!

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Post by Mike Wright » Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:20 am

Ron Fitzpatrick wrote:it is possible to change a original lever GPW ignition switch to a keyed switch with a vintage H700 tumbler and key set, but the original early keyed ignition switches will not accept the lever because the hole in the center of the bezel is to small...

Hope this helps
Ron :wink:
About 2 years ago I did just what Ron posted with a NOS Ford lever switch and a NOS H700 keyed 2 post Delco switch. Worked like a charm :!: :wink:
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Post by Chuck Lutz » Sun Jan 25, 2009 12:31 pm

OK...so who has a couple of those GPW switches with the lever that CAN be swapped for the keyed lock cylinder?

I have TWO of the keyed lock cylinders in excellent (probably never installed) condition and if you are interested.....we can both end up with a GPW "F" marked ignition switch if we get together....

I even have an original, in-cosmoline H700 marked key in the one you will get if we do a deal!
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947

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Re: Do you have a GPW lever ignition switch and want a key type?

Post by Fabrizio » Fri Nov 09, 2018 6:08 am

Chuck; do you still have thise keyed tumblers?
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