1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

[70th Division]

Hello,

The windshield needed additional repairs due to a former owner adding 2 stud twisting fasteners to hold on
some type of long gone canvas top.
So for each original canvas top capstan location, I needed to weld up 2 drill holes.
Fun, fun, fun

They have been ground smooth and the metal filler added to really clean up the remaining little dimples.

I have new capstans from Ron to install that will eventually hold the new WeeBee canvas top
But I may see if I have any original capstans on some other project windshields, that I might borrow, if they will come out. They might just snap off.

Once the painting is completed, I will add them in to the original capstan holes.
I test fit a new one today, and the threads gripped in the holes really nice.

I also have a new made inner windshield assembly with Ford marked glass, that I will install to complete the windshield restoration.
That will be a real nice touch for this windshield, but I also have to paint it as well, to the shade of olive drab that I am using on this Jeep.

Also, a former owner, many Moons ago, used a grinder not only on the grill to remove paint, but also
on this windshield frame, leaving noticeable grinder marks.
I buffed these out as well with my orbital sander with a 120 grit pad.
Now they are nicely buffed out, and new primer and paint will look great now.

Best Regards,
Ray

[JAB]

Are we working on the same Jeep? Or maybe one cast off by the same guy? The similarities are amazing.

[70th Division]

Yes Jeff,

You never know

I am now thinking "Bubba" was a German agent sent to sabotage our Jeeps
He sure did some ugly things, and I have a collection of them on various jeeps.
One that I don't like to remind myself of, is a 1945 Willys MB that I found here in Florida.
He needed a new radiator, so instead of actually making an effort to easily get the correct one,
he found one 3 inches higher that the original.
So you guessed it, he cut the hood away to fit the radiator up through it
I have a 1942 GPW that he added power brakes or something, and a big steering column from a car,

Yea, a German agent for sure, competing against the Kilroy was Here, with Bubba was Here !!!
( No offense to actual Bubba's who do things right )

Best Regards,
Ray

[JAB]

Good grief!

[70th Division]

Hello,


I made some progress on the windshield frame today.

Here is a picture at the start of primer application.
I added several coats of regular primer, after lightly sanding the filler primer.

The next step on the windshield restoration, the olive drab paint is going on

This will dry, and I will add a few more coats of paint tomorrow.
I will also add the 2 restored original windshield latches to the frame .

I have to get some wide blue painters tape, to tape off the windshield glass in the inner windshield assembly.
Once it is taped off against any over or under spray, it will be painted in the above 1944 Olive Drab shade.

I will also add a set of hand windshield wipers, and the bottom cowl gasket

Best Regards,
Ray

[70th Division]

Hello,

I have been working on the inner windshield assembly.
It was taped off to protect the glass, before sanding and priming it.
I also repaired a damaged area at the top exterior junction of the center divider between the panes at the top frame rail. It was a grinder cut that was ugly.
I filled it with JB Weld and hand filed and sanded it down to blend in nicely.
You can see the repair next to the center acorn nut, it went great !

I will paint again with another coat of olive drab, and a few more coats drying in between, and when fully dried, I will flip it over and repeat the taping and painting on the other side.

This windshield is coming together very well
It will look great on the restored tub soon !!!

Now time for a little break

Best Regards,

[70th Division]

Hi,
While the paint is drying on the inner windshield assembly, before I flip it to do the other side,
I got 2 of my Ford seats to restore for this jeep .

They are a little crusty, and have long been waiting for a restoration !!
So I am now working on saving them
They will be beautiful again when I am done
I like restoring Jeep seats, that have been sitting for so long unused and just waiting to be put back into service.
The elements and time are very tough on jeep seats and jeeps left out in the weather for decades !!
Many seats rust away, or are scrapped, but I plan to save the ones I get, and have in jeeps.
These ones have fairly good frames, although the driver's seat has rust holes right through the leg.
The frame is still solid, despite the rust holes, and can be repaired.
This will be very rewarding to save these 2 seats !!

Here we can see the damage to the front leg.

The driver's seat had a hasp and locking gas cap cover at one time.
Very British style

Here you can see old dark green olive drab that was on this seat, very close to the shade I am using on its restoration

The nice F script in the seat back

Ray

[JAB]

I swear it's like we're working on the same jeep! My driver's seat had the same damage but was intact enough to see that it split first. My guess is that water got in and froze, expanding the tube, which was already rusted, and then split. My windshield is also drying while I'm doing other things.

[70th Division]

Hello Jeff,


That is pretty funny
Sounds like we are progressing on the same track on our jeep restorations !

I have been delayed by some rainy days here in Florida,
but I will roll my 42 GPW out and set up the saw horses
today and paint the other side of the inner windshield and the outer frame.

I like making progress, and completing the piece I am working on is very nice



Feel free to post any pics of your jeep work here as well, because we all love pictures of jeep progress !!!

I am working on 3 Jeeps at the same time
This 1943 GPW full restoration and most work , my 1953 M38A1, and my 1942 GPW. They 42 and 53 I am doing light restoration/preservation work on as the original paint has that special patina.

I will make a post for my 1942 GPW as I have taken a lot of action pictures but haven't made her her own post yet




Best Regards,
Ray

[70th Division]

Hello,


Great news on the old, rusted, seized carburetor that I shipped to Scoutpilot, fellow G member
Rick has totally restored it to beautiful running condition like new !!
https://youtu.be/gCQI6W_puX0
This took a little extra effort as the cross shaft was rusted in and seized, but he got it out and replaced.
He said that this is an early 529s carb that likely was used on the end of Slat Grill Jeep production since
it came from my Slat Grill Jeep with GPA engine in it posted earlier , so I may just use this carb on my late slat engine I have for that jeep, and will send him another wooden ammo crate full of 539s carbs to rebuild back to factory fresh specs
Very affordable restorations of my original carbs, about the cost of a new one.
I am so very happy with his expert craftsmanship, and communication.
A great fellow, and I would recommend jeep owners to send their issue filled carbs to him and have an expert rebuild them. They are a very important part of your jeep, and you don't want the jeep stalling, or dripping gasoline out of worn out cross shafts !!!

Rick aka Scoutpilot
Old Jeep Carbs, LLC in North Carolina, USA


Best Regards,
Ray

[70th Division]

Hello,

Here is a picture that Rick sent me of the carb after he finished it .
Safe jeep driving relies on a factory fresh, like new carburetor !!
Scoutpilot does amazing work !!

This carb was rusted shut and a real piece of junk, now it is a beautiful factory fresh carb !!!
It is also a very early 529s according to Rick.

Best Regards,
Ray

[Sargent Resorator]

Ray
I am repairing my seats. I just cut off the bottom of the seat frame from an extra set. Looks like what you need to repair your frames. Do you want them? I would sell them cheap. Let me know.

[70th Division]

Hello,

The rains stopped in Florida, so I was able to paint the other side of the inner windshield and the frame.
They are going to turn out really nice from what I started with

Best Regards,

Ray

[70th Division]

Thanks Sgt !!

PM sent

Ray

[70th Division]

Hello,

I have started working on the rusty front seats.
The frames are solid, but the bottoms have rust hole issues that need special attention.
The feet were blasted, but on the inside of the tube, by the rot hole, there was heavy scale build up.
The blasting didn't cut it, I also chipped at it with an ice pic and hammer. It still needed something more.

I set the legs in cups of white vinegar for a day or 2.
Then I pulled them out and hosed them down.
It made a good difference, and I was able to chip away the rust scale debris and remove it.
It was softened enough by the vinegar
Much other debris was now able to be shaken loose and dumped out of the frame tubes.
Here are some pics:

Once I get them cleaned up properly, I will weld and repair both seats.
The passenger side has its hinges rusted tight, but I soaked them too after blasting. I got one moving a little using the vinegar and a big hammer. I have now applied Mystery Oil, and am letting it soak in.


Best Regards,
Ray