1944 Ford GPW-231738 - "Potshot"

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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hell-fire
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Re: 1944 Ford GPW-231738 - "Potshot"

Post by hell-fire » Mon Apr 13, 2020 9:57 pm

You should try and source one of the premade US floors which have everything except the hump which you have get one of those weld the hump on and your good to go.
John
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1942 Willys MB-BRT 135673 D.O.D. 4-16-42 Now 97% finished
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Re: 1944 Ford GPW-231738 - "Potshot"

Post by Boyso » Tue Apr 14, 2020 6:31 am

@Birnie
Great video! I love watching metalshaper work, really a great craftsman. hadn't seen that one yet!

I just need to find a good ref of a GPW step. I can probably adapt the repro one I have and fix it with my original, at least what's left of it.

@hell-fire
Yeah I've seen those but unfortunately with the covid, I can't get to the shop as the police have set barriers stopping non-essential travel to that region and I can't pick up new parts from the border either.

I talked a bit with Joe Motor Pool about having patch panels that'd cover the rectangular pressed indent and the indents near the fuel tank well.
Said they'd look into it!

Outside of that, I think I can make the front floor myself as its mostly flat and the folded down edges could be made with clamped down angle iron and some strategic hammer blows!

But unfortunately, it seems I might not be able to get to the shop until June or July :(
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HH Birnie
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Re: 1944 Ford GPW-231738 - "Potshot"

Post by HH Birnie » Tue Apr 14, 2020 11:09 pm

Unfortunately the covid has stop everything. Words fall short of how bad this virus is.Every body take care.

This was my restauration in 2009-2012
viewtopic.php?f=96&t=137039&p=790983&hi ... 46#p790983
Gr Hans Birnie

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Re: 1944 Ford GPW-231738 - "Potshot"

Post by Boyso » Wed Apr 15, 2020 5:09 am

Great thread, wish I could work this fast! :D
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Re: 1944 Ford GPW-231738 - "Potshot"

Post by Boyso » Wed May 13, 2020 4:08 pm

Wow finally some good news!

Firstly, I got a new job back in my neck of the woods and will move in a couple weeks. I'll now be only 1.5hrs away from the shop instead of the current 3.5 hrs ! Those dollars saved are gonna suit the jeep just fine!

Secondly, the Quebec government decided to backtrack on its previous ban on military vehicles. Never thought this would happen and couldn't be happier. They added a seperate inspection by an engineer but I haven't got any doubts my jeep will pass it with flying colors, one day!

So I've just been enjoying my vacation between jobs and tore down what was left of the cowl. Removed all the dataplates and the switches left. Started removing the cowl supports too.

As soon as it gets off of the container, I've got a JMP front floor w/out hat channels, two side panels w/ step and two new cowl supports, all from JMP to pick up from Rory Grenier! That's gonna be a blast!

I also ordered the whole MV Spares wiring kit and grounding straps from JMP. I just need me some tinning butter and I'll be ready to tin the frame in no time.

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Re: 1944 Ford GPW-231738 - "Potshot"

Post by zepher11 » Thu May 14, 2020 8:02 am

Right on! On both counts. The new job and the government relaxing restrictions on military vehicles! 8)
Zeph

'42 Script GPW Restoration Thread: CLICK HERE!

'41 Dodge WC16 Restoration Thread: CLICK HERE!

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Re: 1944 Ford GPW-231738 - "Potshot"

Post by hell-fire » Sat May 16, 2020 3:36 am

Good stuff on the parts you have coming from JMP via Rory, looking forward to seeing how it all goes together, I am thinking by the end of the year your Jeep will be getting close, as I know only to well it is the little jobs with their idiosyncrasies which eat the time up.

Looking forward to seeing more of your excellent work.
John
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Re: 1944 Ford GPW-231738 - "Potshot"

Post by Boyso » Sat Jul 04, 2020 2:15 pm

Oh sorry John, completely missed your reply! Thank you for the kind words. I'm thinking I can get the tub 100% done by the end of the year. I'm still waiting on the parts from Rory and I recently moved back to my parents for my new job. Ate up a lot of time in the month of june but now I'm back in the shop and just cleaning random bits and pieces laying around. I also got my hands on a set of bond straps and a wiring kit. I'm now in full money-saving mode for my next condo, Montreal is a lot more expensive to live in and I still haven't sold my condo in Quebec city.

I got really tired of both my axles leaking. My front axles was leaking out of the knuckles on both ends. I don't think there were anything wrong with the inner seals I had gotten from Ron, but when I installed my halfshafts, I didn't clean the tubes and I'm thinking the grime and rust in there might've cut the seals a bit. I ordered sets of SKF seals, they have springs for additionnal pressure around the shaft. Unfortunately I ruined the first set when I tried to install them too quickly They have a green coating on the outside that makes them seal better but harder to install. No more leaks ! Left paper towels under the knuckles for 2 weeks without a single drop :)

My rear axle had been leaking for a while from the drain plug. Threads are a bit fubar'd. Used a tiny bit of RTV and its holding. I haven't filled the rear diff yet, I'm just leaving enough oil in there to prevent rusting.

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Re: 1944 Ford GPW-231738 - "Potshot"

Post by 70th Division » Sat Jul 04, 2020 5:43 pm

Hello,

Looking good !!
What liquid solution did you use on your bolts ?
I soaked some rusty bolts in white vinegar and it works real nice, with a little clean up, then drop them back in, they are perfect and rust free.


Good luck with your new job, and keep us posted on your jeep progress :D :D :D

Best Regards,
Ray

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Re: 1944 Ford GPW-231738 - "Potshot"

Post by Boyso » Sun Jul 05, 2020 4:10 am

Hi Ray, I use Evaporust post sandblasting to get rid of any rust in pin holes.

It's not as potent as vinegar as it's all ecological and safe but it still work well for how i use it.
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Re: 1944 Ford GPW-231738 - "Potshot"

Post by Boyso » Sun Aug 23, 2020 11:22 am

Long time no update. I have been working since May to secure a set of front panels from JMP. Unfortunately the deal fell through but Ron was able to save my skin and get my a brand new floor, fuel tank sump and both sides of the cowl with side step. Everything is on the way, should get to the border early next week. I then have a broker lined-up to bring those over the border for me and deliver to my house as the border between Canada and the US is still closed to regular citizen without family on the other side or dual-citizenship.

In the mean time, in the past weeks, I've been assembling the T-84 I bought years ago already disassembled. I'm missing the interlock plunger and the shifter cane but it was good fun to assemble at least, to understand how it all worked. Also helped me understand the posts I had been reading in here for the past few years about spacers, shims and jumping out of 2nd ! It'll all be disassembled again in the future as the cluster gear is shot and it'll need sealed bearings but at least now, I can take measurements beforehand and compare the old gears to the new ones.

I also have another order from Ron on the way, including a set of Richard Sanders timing gear kit.

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Re: 1944 Ford GPW-231738 - "Potshot"

Post by Boyso » Sun Sep 13, 2020 1:30 pm

Finally received the parts from Ron. Its been a long time that I've been working on getting these, and it was extremely expensive but finally, got the parts home.

There's no triming done yet to the JMP parts, the fit is pretty good but I'm not sure how the fuel tank is supposed to fit in relation to the rest. I'm not sure if its either my floor being too far forward or too far back, but the flange that is spot welded to the side panel is like 1/2" too far forward I think.

No fault to JMP's work, I think its mostly when I did my wheelhouses, I might've moved things out of wack. Shouldn't be too hard to make it work.

Here's to a dump of photos, couldn't stop myself from taking every angle. Also took pictures of the junction between parts, if someone has the same angle that can share them with me, feel free to !

Also, I'll need to fill the hole in the driver side cowl side panel, no vacuum tube access hole on my oct 44 tub.

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Re: 1944 Ford GPW-231738 - "Potshot"

Post by YLG80 » Sun Sep 13, 2020 11:08 pm

Waooh, you are really building a new jeep!
Congratulations for that body rebuild.
I guess that the problem is to correctly position so many new parts starting from a fixed and precise reference.
Yves
Ford GPW 1943 - Louisville - DoD 12-7-43
serial 164794

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Re: 1944 Ford GPW-231738 - "Potshot"

Post by conrod6 » Mon Sep 14, 2020 1:44 am

As long as the frame is correct build everything on the body to suit it - making small adjustments and compromises as you go. Find the centre line and work from it to make sure all is symmetrical - use a spirit level to check for twist. Effectively use your frame as a body jig .It looks like you have the right idea anyway.

Barrie
GPW 101005 DOD 3-2-43 20207773 (actual) Louisville

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Re: 1944 Ford GPW-231738 - "Potshot"

Post by Boyso » Sun Sep 20, 2020 1:35 pm

Thanks for the kind words.

Got the fit much closer and installed the cowl. The gaps look big in the pictures but I hardly clamped it and once the sides are in place, it'll bring everything into place.

Happy :)

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44 GPW 231738 10/23/1944
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