1945 Willys MB Restoration Project

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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70th Division
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Re: 1945 Willys MB Restoration Project

Post by 70th Division » Wed May 31, 2023 2:35 pm

TonyC wrote:
Wed May 31, 2023 2:21 pm
Looking good.
Hello,

Thanks Tony !
This hood will be looking good soon :D .

Any updates on your jeep ?
I just saw that you have removed the tub from the frame, welcome to the restoration phase :D :D !

Best Regards,
Ray


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Tuareg
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Re: 1945 Willys MB Restoration Project

Post by Tuareg » Wed May 31, 2023 2:55 pm

This week finally will receive the data plates, they have been sticker on the customs.

Now i must get some money to continue the project…😞
Willys MB
DOD 27 july 1942
TUB 63439
CHASIS MB161718
Estimated Hood number very high 20214xxx to very low 20215xxx
Probably 1st Armored Division, Operation Torch, still doing research.
Probably Diplomatic number plate by French Government in Morocco. Still doing research. Any information is welcome!

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Re: 1945 Willys MB Restoration Project

Post by TonyC » Wed May 31, 2023 3:17 pm

Sent you a PM, will be in Europe soon.
1942 GPW 16369
1944 MB 331575 (Ex British Army)
1943 MB-T Tandem 25504
1943 Converto 0650875

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Re: 1945 Willys MB Restoration Project

Post by 70th Division » Wed May 31, 2023 7:30 pm

tuareg wrote:
Wed May 31, 2023 2:55 pm
This week finally will receive the data plates, they have been sticker on the customs.

Now i must get some money to continue the project…😞
Hello Tuareg ,

That is great !!
New data plates will be nice :D .

I can't believe customs are so ridiculous !!
We have no customs duties here in the USA, but now they US Postal Service is all tied in with the EU customs, which I believe is illegal, since now if I send a box of old part s to my friend in France, the US now takes my list of items and prices I put on them, and sends the items to the French customs based on what type or class of part or item I sent, even if a gift.
So it is now declared as say clothing, auto parts, hardware, etc
I would list a box of bolts as a box of bolts, value $4, and old GMC horn at $10, etc.
Now it is a box of automotive bolts, the horn is an automotive part, and and an old army jacket is covered under customs as clothing.
So the price I put on it doesn't matter any more, or the description, , it all gets taxed now on the French end based on the category of product, not some 78 year old parts.

I hope the economy gets better on your island, and prosperity returns, but since the politicians have sold you and your agricultural industry and local industry out to the globalist corruption, things may be tough there and everywhere for a long time.

It is a shame, and it is happening in many places.

Just keep the Faith !!

Best Regards,
Ray
Last edited by 70th Division on Thu Jun 01, 2023 5:22 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: 1945 Willys MB Restoration Project

Post by 70th Division » Thu Jun 01, 2023 4:57 am

TonyC wrote:
Wed May 31, 2023 3:17 pm
Sent you a PM, will be in Europe soon.
Hello Tony,

The pm didn't go through, but will be watching for it.

Best Regards,
Ray

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Re: 1945 Willys MB Restoration Project

Post by 70th Division » Thu Jun 01, 2023 12:11 pm

Hello,

I have been working on the driver's seat, blasting it to get ready for painting.
Resized_20230601_105423.jpeg
Resized_20230601_105255.jpeg
Resized_20230601_160435.jpeg

A little more blasting to complete, and it will be ready to restore 😁👍.

I did tape over all the screw holes and 1 seat pan hole to keep the glass media out of the tube frame.
Resized_20230602_170435.jpeg
Resized_20230602_171821.jpeg
All primed now and looking good.
I will add a little amount of filler to full in some minor pitting and a couple scrathes in the metal on the seat back as the next step.

I will also reweld a small spot weld on the seat back, by where I installed an original insert back into the tube.
It was already popped, which made installation a breeze.
Resized_20230602_201220.jpeg
I added some metal filler to cover some rust pitting on the underside of the seat.
Resized_Resized_20230602_201151.jpeg
Here, I buffed the rust pitting out of the tube, along with some wire wheel marks from long ago, using a 40 grit sanding disk.
Then added a touch of filler, and will buff it all smooth tomorrow.
Resized_20230602_200920.jpeg
I also will add, that my B+D orbital sander failed, and I was going to get a new one, but saw this Bauer one from Harbor Freight on sale for
$19.99, which is half price and well worth it, since all brands are made in the same country !
It is heavier than the Black and Decker, and better designed and built, with and actual on-off switch.
So if any one needs one of these, they are on sale for a few more days .

After these items are done, I will start painting.
Resized_20230603_121831.jpeg
First paint coat on, and looking good !
Resized_20230606_204247.jpeg
Best Regards,
Ray
Last edited by 70th Division on Wed Jun 07, 2023 12:10 am, edited 2 times in total.

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Re: 1945 Willys MB Restoration Project

Post by 70th Division » Sun Jun 04, 2023 9:23 pm

Hello,

Today I did a little work on the hood again.
Resized_20230607_141610.jpeg
All the filler on the top of the hood has been buffed out, almost all the little pits have been filled, and is looking really good.

On the underside hat channel of the hood, when blasting, I blasted through a few thinned out pits.
Resized_20230604_092220(1).jpeg
This is the area .
I marked it out to make a patch piece to weld in, to make repairs.
Resized_20230604_093442.jpeg
Here it is carefully trimmed out.
Resized_20230604_135130.jpeg
Next the new patch was welded in, and ground down smooth.
Resized_20230604_142445.jpeg
I had some JB Weld left, so added a little over the repairs, to seal them good.
I will sand it smooth tomorrow.

I will also use metal filler to eliminate all the pitting in a few areas on the hood underside.
It will all come out great and make for a well restored hood.
Resized_20230605_150149.jpeg
Here I have added the metallic filler, and once cured will sand smooth, taking care of the pitting.
Resized_20230606_210808(1).jpeg
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Both sides of the hood have been sanded smooth.
I have primed the underside, and have a little more metal filler to add in the morning for a few remaining pitted areas that can use a little more work.
Resized_20230607_124001.jpeg
Here is the touch up metal filler added, I will sand this off next, and it will be ready to prime and paint.

This is going to be a great hood when I am finished with it 😁 !!

Today being June 6th, it was nice to spend the day working on the jeep hood and finishing the driver's seat, thinking about our WW2 Veterans !!

D-Day should have the entire month of June as a month of celebration with patriotic events and military vehicle parades commemorating the event, and honoring our Great Veterans !!

Best Regards,
Ray
Last edited by 70th Division on Thu Jun 08, 2023 6:18 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: 1945 Willys MB Restoration Project

Post by 70th Division » Thu Jun 08, 2023 5:42 am

Hello,

After sanding down the first application of metallic filler on the top side of the hood, I added a second application to complete the process.

Once this is cured, I will sand and prime again.
This should be the final application of filler, and next will be painting.
Resized_20230608_093538.jpeg
Resized_20230608_104105.jpeg
It does take some time to get everything right, but well worth the effort getting rid of the pitting.
Resized_20230608_102732.jpeg
I will get the wood blocks from Ron painted, and the hood latches with the correct CTR marked bolts restored and ready to install .
Resized_20230608_123214.jpeg
Here is the primed lube chart holder, although it comes painted od, I repainted it to match my paint.
Resized_20230608_145202(1).jpeg
First coat of olive drab on the lube chart holder.
This comes with the 2 rubber knubs, and the attaching hardware.
I will have to order a Lubrication Order stencil for it, to complete the holder and Ron has that available through his website :D .
Resized_20230608_184830.jpeg
Here is a real nice metal framed lube chart, it was bought separate from the holder.
Resized_20230608_184839.jpeg
It has the jeep trailer on the reverse.
I just opened the box it came in with some other parts, that I ordered last year.
Resized_20230611_184505(1).jpeg
Here the primer is on, and all looks good, I will give a light sanding, one more primer coat, then next step is painting.
Resized_20230612_112432.jpeg
The first coat of olive drab on the underside of the hood 😁👍👍 !

As soon as this hood is restored, I will start back on the 43 GPW project and build the engine completely, and also the transmission and transfer case to get installed in the GPW !

Best Regards,
Ray
Last edited by 70th Division on Mon Jun 12, 2023 7:38 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: 1945 Willys MB Restoration Project

Post by Tuareg » Mon Jun 12, 2023 5:34 am

Fantastic. Thanks very much for sharing your job.
Also congratulations for your enthusiasm and perseverance!!!
Willys MB
DOD 27 july 1942
TUB 63439
CHASIS MB161718
Estimated Hood number very high 20214xxx to very low 20215xxx
Probably 1st Armored Division, Operation Torch, still doing research.
Probably Diplomatic number plate by French Government in Morocco. Still doing research. Any information is welcome!

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Re: 1945 Willys MB Restoration Project

Post by JAB » Mon Jun 12, 2023 6:01 am

Ray, I've been missing your frequent posts as you've spent more time working and less time posting! I threw out my back last week and have accomplished nothing since then so I was hoping I could get my jeep fix through your posts! I hope to be back at it tomorrow, welding and grinding the passenger side tool box bottom, so hopefully I'll re-start catching up to you!
-Jeff

GR8GPN2U!!!

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Re: 1945 Willys MB Restoration Project

Post by 70th Division » Mon Jun 12, 2023 6:33 am

JAB wrote:
Mon Jun 12, 2023 6:01 am
Ray, I've been missing your frequent posts as you've spent more time working and less time posting! I threw out my back last week and have accomplished nothing since then so I was hoping I could get my jeep fix through your posts! I hope to be back at it tomorrow, welding and grinding the passenger side tool box bottom, so hopefully I'll re-start catching up to you!
Hello Jeff,


I hope your back gets feeling better !!!
That is never a comfortable time, be sure to give it plenty of rest.
I have been making progress, and will start painting the hood today, and as I have mentioned before everything takes a lot of time, but well worth the effort when done, as you know :D .

Once the hood is done, I will only have the frame to blast as all the repair work on that is done, the front and rear axle builds, using Adam's test bearing, which I am looking forward to doing , the leaf springs which are in perfect shape, will be taken apart blasted, graphite paint added, and reassembled, and the body.
the body has some body work needed, many drill holes filled, and some denting in the rear panel repaired, then the outer windshield frame.

Everything else has been done, and the engine transmission and transfer case were already rebuilt by the last owner of a 45 MB I bought last year locally, that I will basically repaint to match my shade of olive drab.
That engine had 12,000 miles put on it in that jeep by the seller, and I will get it running in that jeep and tested out, before putting it into this jeep.

So I can see the plan coming together, and hopefully will have the jeep completed in a few months....how is that for positive thinking :D .

I will get back onto the GPW project after this hood is done, and get that project coming together, as that jeep has everything done, except blasting and painting the body, and assembling the power plant.
The repair work on the body in done.

I am already looking at the next 2 projects :D :D :D !!
2 seems to be the key to getting things moving forward,and I thank you for getting me thinking and working this way, it really does increase our productivity and restoration results, being able to switch back and forth, making the most of available time to work.


Best Regards,
Ray

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Re: 1945 Willys MB Restoration Project

Post by 70th Division » Mon Jun 12, 2023 6:43 am

tuareg wrote:
Mon Jun 12, 2023 5:34 am
Fantastic. Thanks very much for sharing your job.
Also congratulations for your enthusiasm and perseverance!!!
Hello Tuareg,

Thanks a lot !!
It is great fun, and gives you a good sense of satisfaction with each part restored on the way to a restored jeep !!!
I am sure you know exactly that feeling working on your jeep restoration, every time you get a part restored, and a new part arrives :D .

I figure if I keep at it, everyday if possible, it will eventually become a beautiful restored jeep !
It takes a lot of time, and effort, but it is not hard work when we enjoy it so much, it is like going on a great vacation, but staying right at home !
We call that a " staycation ", and when it comes to the jeep, having a great time just working on it,is a great reward, and actually other people stop by to look at the progress and various parts restored, and they too, are greatly enjoying seeing progress made, and many want to get a jeep and start their own, which you know I encourage !!

Perseverance is the key, and having fun !
Learning how to do things is great, and our own labor doesn't cost anything :D .


Best Regards,
Ray

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Re: 1945 Willys MB Restoration Project

Post by JAB » Mon Jun 12, 2023 7:24 am

Yeah, I gotta hurry up and heal and this thing running! We're going to a local car show tonight that's a fund-raiser for a local Boy Scout Troop. My GPW won Fan Favorite last year (letting the Scouts sit in it for pictures may have tipped the scales in my favor somehwat!), but that GPW was sold shortly after that and my wife is suffering from being jeepless (she doesn't count my noisey highly modified trail rig as a suitable ride, as she finds it embarassing compared to the GPW!) I'm heading out to the shop now to see if I can slowly get a little bit done. One step at a time, even baby steps count!
-Jeff

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Re: 1945 Willys MB Restoration Project

Post by 70th Division » Mon Jun 12, 2023 7:36 am

JAB wrote:
Mon Jun 12, 2023 7:24 am
Yeah, I gotta hurry up and heal and this thing running! We're going to a local car show tonight that's a fund-raiser for a local Boy Scout Troop. My GPW won Fan Favorite last year (letting the Scouts sit in it for pictures may have tipped the scales in my favor somehwat!), but that GPW was sold shortly after that and my wife is suffering from being jeepless (she doesn't count my noisey highly modified trail rig as a suitable ride, as she finds it embarassing compared to the GPW!) I'm heading out to the shop now to see if I can slowly get a little bit done. One step at a time, even baby steps count!
Your wife sounds like a winner !!
Demanding a proper GPW, what more can you want 😁 !

Yes get healed and take it easy, and even if doing 1 small thing, it is forward progress, and 1 less to have to complete in the future.

I am staying focused on finishing my projects, as collecting them is great fun, and every time I get a new one, I think oh not too much work, a little this and a little that and it will be back to new 😁.

Well, now I am doing the little here, and little there, and believe me, it is a lot of work 😁, but I greatly enjoy it, since I am now restoring these jeeps, instead of just collecting more, but as you know I am still doing that too 😁!
But with restoration getting focused on 100 percent now.

Best Regards,
Ray

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Re: 1945 Willys MB Restoration Project

Post by Tuareg » Mon Jun 12, 2023 10:25 am

Any news about the trailer?
Willys MB
DOD 27 july 1942
TUB 63439
CHASIS MB161718
Estimated Hood number very high 20214xxx to very low 20215xxx
Probably 1st Armored Division, Operation Torch, still doing research.
Probably Diplomatic number plate by French Government in Morocco. Still doing research. Any information is welcome!


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