1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

If you have an unrestored WWII jeep, we would like to see pictures, and hear your comments. NO EBAY or COMMERCIAL SALES.
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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by 70th Division » Sun Aug 14, 2022 12:52 pm

Hello,

I have been getting all the ducks in a row for installing the front axle assembly under the frame.

I decided to review what I did on the rear axle, and noticed that while all new spring bolts were used, I didn't like the look of the castle nuts.

So I crawled under my unrestored 1942 GPW and saw that the originals are much taller nuts, and the new castle nuts are incorrect 🤔.
Resized_20220814_144809(1).jpeg
The new rear spring bolt castle nuts
Resized_20220814_144815(1).jpeg
The new ones are way too short, and are basically useless.

No Bueno Amigos !

I am glad that I had the originals and was able to find them !
Take a look at the difference between the "new" ones and the originals !
Resized_20220814_144409.jpeg
Resized_20220814_144347.jpeg
So now I will replace the 2 rear ones and use an old one for the front passenger side spring as well.
Resized_20220814_175745.jpeg
This is what the nut should look like.
Of course it is the original nut , all cleaned up and perfect !!
Resized_20220814_184241(1).jpeg
The other side replaced with an original as well.

Compare the two pictures!

Keep all the old nuts as you may very well need them again !!

It is getting closer 😁 !

Now I will prime and paint the nuts, and add the grease, since it is correctly assembled again !
Resized_20220815_121945.jpeg
Resized_20220815_121942.jpeg
All good now 😁 !!

Best Regards,
Ray
Last edited by 70th Division on Mon Aug 15, 2022 8:22 am, edited 14 times in total.


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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by JAB » Sun Aug 14, 2022 1:41 pm

I just learned the exact same lesson! Thanks for pointing that out! If not for saving the old nuts I'd have to add a (non-correct) flatwasher.
-Jeff

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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by 70th Division » Sun Aug 14, 2022 2:13 pm

JAB wrote:
Sun Aug 14, 2022 1:41 pm
I just learned the exact same lesson! Thanks for pointing that out! If not for saving the old nuts I'd have to add a (non-correct) flatwasher.
Hello Jeff,

It is amazing isn't it,
after all the effort to get things right, things are found like this, that are wrong :shock: .

Well, it is all ok now, as I have put the old ones on again, and they are correct, the nut is backed off a little bit to match the cotter pin hole .

All is well :D !


Best Regards,
Ray
Last edited by 70th Division on Sun Aug 14, 2022 3:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by Raflad » Sun Aug 14, 2022 2:21 pm

I discovered that a couple of weeks ago too. Luckily I kept the old nuts. I’m surprised Ron sells them like this.
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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by 70th Division » Sun Aug 14, 2022 2:27 pm

Raflad wrote:
Sun Aug 14, 2022 2:21 pm
I discovered that a couple of weeks ago too. Luckily I kept the old nuts. I’m surprised Ron sells them like this.
Hello Adam,

Strangely enough the new driver's side grease bolts have the correct size castle nuts in the pack.
These bolts happened to be packed with the wrong castle nuts from wherever they came from, and shipped to various vendors I imagine.

I did a search for castle nuts online and couldn't find any.
So again I am glad I found the originals,
that are actually as good as new, when cleaned up :D :D


Best Regards,
Ray

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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by conrod6 » Sun Aug 14, 2022 9:07 pm

Just had a look at UK ebay and there are some on there. UNF castle nuts (of the deep variety) were used on land rovers Jaguars and tractors over here Ray.

regards Barrie

ps the projects are coming on well
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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by 70th Division » Sun Aug 14, 2022 9:21 pm

conrod6 wrote:
Sun Aug 14, 2022 9:07 pm
Just had a look at UK ebay and there are some on there. UNF castle nuts (of the deep variety) were used on land rovers Jaguars and tractors over here Ray.

regards Barrie

ps the projects are coming on well
Hello,

Thanks Barrie !!
Glad they are available!

I am lucky that my originals cleaned up back to new condition.
There is little info on what size they are available online, or at least the way I searched for them over here.

Best Regards,
Ray

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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by 70th Division » Mon Aug 15, 2022 12:37 pm

Hello,

I cleaned up, primed and painted this NOS TRS lock assembly.

It was packed or repacked in June of 1963!
Resized_20220815_140730(1).jpeg
Resized_20220815_200758.jpeg
One more little item completed.

I was going to start mounting the leaf springs today, however the new spring plate that I have, 1 of 3, is actually an additional rear plate, and not the front right passenger side spring plate :shock: .
The right front plate is larger dimensionally than the rest !

I called Ron, and he has an F script right plate from JMP in stock, and it will be here Wednesday !!
Then the fun can begin 😁😁 !!

Fast shipping, thanks Ron !!

I am excited about getting the front end attached to the frame, as then I can get the engine worked on, ( a copper tube needs to be installed in distributor shaft) .

I did get a correct set of the earlier type and shorter JMP F script U bolts to attach the axle assembly to the springs.

I will send the carb out to Scout Pilot !

Then I can clean the engine up and get it painted Ford gray and installed !!

I can also work on the transmission and transfer case and get them mounted !!

Best Regards,
Ray

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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by 70th Division » Tue Aug 16, 2022 9:07 pm

Hello,

While waiting for the spring plate to arrive, I decided to take apart the GPW steering box that I have.
The sector shaft was sort of twisted, so I suspected that there may be some issues inside.
Well that was for sure, it appears damaged and is toast.

Here are some pictures of what I found :
Resized_20220816_173003.jpeg
Resized_20220816_172839.jpeg
Resized_20220816_175620.jpeg

About 7 or 8 ball bearings in the goop !
Resized_20220816_181319.jpeg
Metal chipped off the worm gear, in a few locations !
Resized_20220816_181250.jpeg
Resized_20220816_181128.jpeg
The steering box by itself looks great !!
Resized_20220816_181038.jpeg
I will locate a new worm gear from Europe to replace this damaged unit.

Here is a pic of the new sector shaft that arrived made by Crown Automotive and is pictured in detail in the next post :
Resized_20220816_174845(1).jpeg
Best Regards,
Ray
Last edited by 70th Division on Tue Aug 16, 2022 10:25 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by 70th Division » Tue Aug 16, 2022 9:26 pm

Hello,

The new,
possibly "made in the USA " sector shaft has arrived.
It actually "looks" really well made .
Resized_Resized_20220816_175127(1).jpeg
It is in a Crown box, that says printed in USA.
It also came with new bushings and a gasket.

No country of original marking at all .
However, at least Crown Automotive is a large US Company that deals in, and manufactures, modern Jeep parts, and has been around for a long time !!
https://www.crownautomotive.net/

They actually mention that they make and supply Jeeps parts from 1942 models to modern jeeps on their website !
https://www.crownautomotive.net/about-crown.html

I think I will give them a call in Boston :D

UPDATE :

I spoke to Crown Automotive today in Massachusetts.
A very friendly and informative fellow I spoke with about the sector shaft .
He told me that the item is "assembled" in the US, from foreign components.
He said that the main shaft is from Pakistan, which he looked up on his end.
Also he said he "assumed" it was heat treated.

He said that it is getting hard to source parts for older jeeps in general, and even newer jeeps needing parts are
reliant on after market makers actually making the components, for them to even have them available.

I would "assume" that this was made there completely, and only boxed in the USA, but that is my guess.
It does look "good".


Here are some pictures of the damaged original, alongside the new Crown unit.
The designs look to be exactly the same.

Resized_20220816_175316(1).jpeg
This looks to be constructed in the same fashion , new one on the left
Resized_20220816_175240(1).jpeg
This also looks to be made very similar to the original
Resized_20220816_175516.jpeg
Resized_20220816_175343.jpeg
So far, so good !
Resized_20220816_175035(1).jpeg
Resized_20220816_174927(2).jpeg
I am no expert, but these nubs look heat treated with the colorations.
Resized_20220816_175233(1).jpeg
The original with N.E. stamped on the nubs
Resized_20220816_175327(1).jpeg
The original
Resized_20220816_175330(1).jpeg
The new Crown unit.

I would have to say that this new Crown unit looks to be a-ok, and hopefully it will be !!!

Crown is a US company and has been supplying parts since 1963 and has facilities in Europe as well.
I think we are ok with them !!

I will report what they have to say about the sector shafts after I speak with them.


Best Regards,
Ray
Last edited by 70th Division on Thu Aug 18, 2022 10:22 am, edited 3 times in total.

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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by 1942 Ford GPW 352nd » Wed Aug 17, 2022 5:51 am

Hello Ray,
As always, great progress on your jeep projects! Although there have been multiple posts in the past on the controversial subject, do you have a type of fluid & brand that you are planning on using to fill the steering box? I used Penrite steering Box Lube and am pleased with it so far.

Best regards,

Todd

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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by 70th Division » Wed Aug 17, 2022 7:11 am

1942 Ford GPW 352nd wrote:
Wed Aug 17, 2022 5:51 am
Hello Ray,
As always, great progress on your jeep projects! Although there have been multiple posts in the past on the controversial subject, do you have a type of fluid & brand that you are planning on using to fill the steering box? I used Penrite steering Box Lube and am pleased with it so far.

Best regards,

Todd
Hello Todd,

Thanks !

I haven't gotten that far yet with the restoration or any research yet, but I appreciate you letting me know what you are using !!
It looks to be NLGI-00 rated grease.

It will be nice to get to that point, but first I must locate a new worm gear, as mine is damaged.



Best Regards,
Ray

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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by JAB » Wed Aug 17, 2022 7:19 am

The manual calls for gear oil. Anything thicker might not go where it needs to. I installed two shaft seals on one that leaked, there’s room to stack them. I suppose even 140 wt gear oil is better than grease.
-Jeff

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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by 70th Division » Wed Aug 17, 2022 8:02 am

JAB wrote:
Wed Aug 17, 2022 7:19 am
The manual calls for gear oil. Anything thicker might not go where it needs to. I installed two shaft seals on one that leaked, there’s room to stack them. I suppose even 140 wt gear oil is better than grease.
Hello Jeff,
Thanks for that information !

I imagine it better be a good lube, as these gears seem to get trashed out !!
But I am sure the steering box I am rebuilding was well abused !!

The 140 weight oil seems to be recommended over the semi fluid grease.

It will be fun researching as usual :D :D

Best Regards,
Ray

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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by 70th Division » Fri Aug 19, 2022 12:57 pm

Hello,

I have been working in the front axle and making great progress !

Just to review, on the TRS, the torque reaction spring, do the U bolts only get double nuts with no lockwashers ?
I read that on the G, but if anyone can confirm, that will be great !!


I have bolted on the restored springs and the TRS, and even added the Combat Rims !!

I had to wheel in into the jeep barn to beat a huge thunderstorm.

But it is in there, next I will to bolt it to the frame !!


I am loving the progress and will have a rolling frame very soon 😁😁😁 !!


Best Regards,
Ray


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