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 » Fri Aug 13, 2021 7:38 am

Hello,

I have restored the Tobe Filterette and cleaned all of the wire connections, getting it all set for installation on the body tub.

Here are some pictures:
Resized_20210813_112430.jpeg
It appears that one bolt hole, the upper right one, was tinned on this Filterette
Resized_20210813_112426.jpeg
Resized_20210813_112421.jpeg
It looks great !!

It was is good shape to start with, I hand sanded it, then primed and painted it with a couple coats.

Now it is hooked up to the rafter to await installation ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜ƒ
Resized_20210813_151049.jpeg
Another item off the to do list !!

Best Regards,
Ray


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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by 70th Division » Fri Aug 13, 2021 11:36 am

Hello,

The next big push will be the frame repair and restoration.
It needs some repairs that will take some careful planning and welding to do them right.
I have looked at other repairs here on the G, but if anyone has any pointers, I would appreciate hearing them !!!

Here are some pictures of the frame as it is now.
Resized_20210813_151142.jpeg
Resized_20210711_161354(1).jpeg
The rear frame rails had some damaged areas. Both rear rails are the same situation.
Resized_20210813_151153.jpeg
I have obtained 2 rear rail sections from a gpw frame that was parted out. I plan to cut a section of them out and weld them in where needed to replace missing metal.
You can see where during an earlier repair, 2 triangles were welded inside the frame above the riveted on spring mount. It would have added a lot of strength.
Resized_20210813_154240(1).jpeg
I don't know if they should be removed, or left in position as reinforcement to repairs.
You can also see a bead of weld was added for a likely hairline crack between the 2 triangles.

Any ideas ?

I could clean it all out and make a clean weld repair of crack. The spring mount seems well attached to the lower side of the rail, even though a little section was snapped off along the side of one rivet.
I feel I can weld in the replacement piece right in tight alongside it, and to it.

Here is one of the 2 the replacement pieces from the parted out GPW frame that I was lucky enough to get.
Resized_20210813_155202.jpeg
Resized_20210813_155221.jpeg
Interesting that the replacement piece is cracked almost the exact same as my frame is cracked. It is almost a perfect mirror image !
The other piece matches the other rail as well, exactly the same !
Resized_20210813_155238.jpeg
The main thing I need here is the tab to attach the new rear crossmember with the snap off rivets.
Resized_20210813_160312.jpeg
My plan of attack is to take just the cracked section on the bottom of the replacement rail and trim the vertical rivet tab , to fit my rail's missing piece, and weld it on right into position.

But as usual, the job gets bigger as things are discovered ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜

Best Regards,
Ray

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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by JAB » Fri Aug 13, 2021 1:11 pm

You know what you gotta do! A restoration requires you to render all those repairs invisible. You gotta remove all that excess iron, grind it all smooth, and weld, with deep penetation, or from bothe sides, all those cracks and then grind the welds smooth again. You can't be a proud (vanity!) welder and do restorations! You gotta hide all those repair welds! Lol!
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-Jeff

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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by 70th Division » Fri Aug 13, 2021 2:16 pm

Hi Jeff,

Sounds like a plan !!
I know what I gotta do ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜
But I will likely leave some well penetrated weld beads inside the frame rails , that is perfectly acceptable to me !!
It is a structural unit and very important !!

I have been doing that all along on the rest of the jeep, blending the welds in, and it does take a lot of effort, but well worth it ๐Ÿ˜„
Once I get this frame restored, I can media blast the tub and get it painted and mounted on the frame.
That tool looks like it works, I got a knock off from harbor freight, but it already failed, and never did work well at all.
But my little "dremel" type tool grinder works perfectly !!
Backed up by a big grinder as well ๐Ÿ˜

I will roll this frame into the barn and will have to weld indoors due to the extreme heat here, and daily rainstorms added into the mix.
Well just slightly inside the door ๐Ÿ˜
I will also set up a big fan blowing outward!
This is a big part of the project to tackle !!!
I did also get 2 GPW rear springs to swap out the current ones with those non GPW spring clips on them.
I will start welding tomorrow to make the first correction.

Best Regards,
Ray
Last edited by 70th Division on Sat Aug 14, 2021 12:49 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by 70th Division » Sat Aug 14, 2021 6:11 am

Hello,

This morning I got the rolling frame into the barn.
Resized_20210814_091414.jpeg
I decided to start on the front end first, that way I can get up to speed on welding the frame, as there is a little damage around the bumper gussets .
I can repair the two lower bumper gussets , the two upper had been removed years ago.
There is a small crack on the very end of the rail, that should repair very nicely. Once I weld up that crack, I will be able to bend the lower gusset down into position, and weld the damaged gusset back together. Strengthening it all ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜
Resized_20210814_091432.jpeg
The angled down tips of the front frame rails were also trimmed off when a pipe bumper was welded on. I can fabricate a couple little triangles to replace the metal.
The bottom end of the frame rail was also rolled up and welded to the rolled up gusset. Fun, fun,fun !
Resized_20210814_091530.jpeg
Resized_20210814_091522.jpeg
And just for an additional piece of work, the driver's side very end of the rail is bent inward about 1/8th of an inch or so.
Resized_20210814_092359.jpeg
I will use my Porta power on in to spread it back to the correct width between the rails.
The passenger side is perfectly straight, just the triangle is trimmed off, and the lower gusset needs a few cracks welded up as well to restore it.
Resized_20210814_091551.jpeg
Resized_20210814_091617.jpeg
I have two new upper gussets from Ron via JMP, I also have the snap off rivets to attach them.
So I will get started and see what I can do ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜

Best Regards,
Ray
Last edited by 70th Division on Sat Aug 14, 2021 12:52 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by JAB » Sat Aug 14, 2021 6:30 am

I like to put the bare frame on sawhorses and rotate it as needed for access to weld. The springs and differentials need to be removed to work on them anyway.
-Jeff

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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by 70th Division » Sat Aug 14, 2021 9:11 am

Hello Jeff,

Yes that is the plan, but I want to get the front bumper gusetts aligned and fitted level while it is still on the wheels.
Plus it is at the right work level for my little rolling stool.
It also gives me the leverage to bend and hammer away on the frame to get it all aligned.
๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜

I want to get it secured and everything welded together, and the upper gussets riveted on first.
Then I will fit a spare GPW bumper and bolt it on to check alignment and correct fit.

Then will come the removal of the axles and springs.

It is coming along pretty good so far, the driver side gusset has been getting bent back into submission, straightened , and welded up as I am going along.
I also used the Porta power to bend the frame rail back into compliance ๐Ÿ˜ƒ
I welded up the frame crack at the end of the rail, with welder on max setting for the thick frame. It welded up real nice and solid !!
I put a bumper on it, and used a drift to get a couple bolts into the lower gusset holes to attach the bumper. It lines up pretty good with a little leverage.
Now some more weld repairs of each lower gusset, and it should be getting pretty good.
At least the bumper is level across the top now ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜
Here are pictures of the progress and fitment so far :
Resized_20210814_105253.jpeg
Resized_20210814_131511.jpeg
Resized_20210814_131716.jpeg
Resized_20210814_142235.jpeg
The bumper is bolted to the lower gussets, the top ones are not attached yet, but seem to align well with a drift.

Now back to welding and repairing the 2 original lower gussets.
They will clean up nicely, and be back, ready for service soon !!
Several weld repairs for cracks, and I will also add a vertical edge to the gussets where someone ground it off to fit the pipe bumper.

PS- the heat and humidity is ridiculous !!!


Update:
The driver's side gusset is looking much better than it was this morning.
Resized_20210814_091432.jpeg
Resized_20210814_091530.jpeg
You can see that the lower gusset was cracked along each side of the frame rail. I cleaned up the cracks, and welded them securely.
Then I ground back the welds.
It came out pretty good, but not done yet ๐Ÿ˜ƒ
Resized_20210814_113540.jpeg
Resized_Resized_20210814_091522.jpeg
Resized_20210814_143505.jpeg
Resized_20210814_155911.jpeg
I will add some weld to the "factory weld" where the frame is welded to the gusset.

The rain is really coming down now, and it brought much cooler temperatures ๐Ÿ˜ƒ๐Ÿ˜ƒ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

When the rain lets up a little, I will get some metal to fabricate the triangle parts of the frame rail.
I have a piece of an old rear cross member that is the same gauge as the frame.
I will cut two triangles out of that piece.
Remember, don't throw away old jeep pieces, because it is always good to have correct thickness spare metal on site to make your repair patches .
๐Ÿ˜ƒ๐Ÿ˜ƒ


Best Regards,
Ray
Last edited by 70th Division on Mon Aug 16, 2021 6:55 pm, edited 6 times in total.

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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by 70th Division » Sat Aug 14, 2021 12:24 pm

Hello,

The new top gusset aligns perfect with the lower bolt holes ๐Ÿ˜ƒ๐Ÿ˜ƒ๐Ÿ˜ƒ
Sort of hard to get an exact pic, but it is a perfect alignment,
It is coming along !!!
Resized_20210814_161913.jpeg
It took some big hammers, the porta power , and voila everything starts to come together.
Resized_20210814_165815.jpeg
I think repairing the rear frame rail issues will be just as fun.

However I will get the front rails restored first !
I think working tonight, and tomorrow on the front frame rails, getting them straightened, welded and cleaned up , they will be good to go ๐Ÿ˜ƒ๐Ÿ˜ƒ๐Ÿ˜ƒ !!

I will get the triangle end patches cut from a piece of an old rear cross member .

Jeff, you know what is surprising?

I have been welding and repairing all the thin 18 gauge metal on the body, fenders, grill, seats, etc., since the beginning of this project .

The welder was always set to 18 or 24 gauge power settings.

I have never even used the full strength setting for thicker metal on my Millermatic welder.
It really does a good job penetrating and welding the frame !!!
No blow through, just clean welding
๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜

I am certainly not used to that phenomenon !!!!

Weld it once and it's done ๐Ÿ˜„๐Ÿ˜„ !

This frame repair will go pretty good I think !!

Best Regards,
Ray
Last edited by 70th Division on Mon Aug 16, 2021 2:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by 70th Division » Sun Aug 15, 2021 6:24 am

Hello,

Before the tropical storm gets here,
I will get those two triangles cut to fit the end of the frame rails and also will make a few small pieces to repair the vertical lip on the edge of the lower gusetts.

Update:

Ok, I have the first triangle piece cut and welded into position ๐Ÿ˜ƒ
It went really well, and is a great fix to repair the damage on the frame.
Resized_20210815_130828.jpeg
Resized_20210815_133158.jpeg
Another little piece attended to, I will get the little edge pieces added in next that are cut away.


Next, I made the tabs and got them welded in, they will be perfect.
What a time though for another China made little grinder to fail !!
I will add it to the pile !
I wish Milwaukee made these tools that last more than 90 days !

Here are some progress pics :
Resized_20210815_145949.jpeg
Resized_20210815_150105.jpeg
Resized_20210815_150320.jpeg
Resized_20210815_174445.jpeg
Resized_20210815_175043.jpeg
Alignment looks perfect between top and bottom !
The holes match exactly ๐Ÿ˜ƒ๐Ÿ˜ƒ
Resized_20210815_174903.jpeg
I will have to wait for a new little grinder before finish grinding the welds down, to get them to look
as close to the factory weld appearance as I can.
The driver's side looks great !
It will need a little cleaning up of some welds, but will be a-ok !!

I will now start now on the passenger's side frame rail, basically a repeat of this one, but it is straight ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜

Best Regards,
Ray
Last edited by 70th Division on Tue Aug 17, 2021 6:55 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by JAB » Mon Aug 16, 2021 4:16 am

Great work!!!!

I've said this several times here on your thread....we lead parallel lives when it comes to jeep repairs! Lol! I hope to have enough time today to reunite my springs, axles, and frame into a rolling chassis. Then, after some family time I'll be starting the dreaded bodywork on the tub simutainiously with the engine work, after I get the steering box issues sorted out. Doing multiple tasks at the same time keeps the project moving while waiting for paint to dry, parts to arrive, Honey-do distractions, family obligations, etc......the multi-tasking keeps me from getting bogged down in the more mundane or overwhelming tasks (like the tub repair).

I gave up buying new tools and, and as much as possible, "off-shore" made parts, years ago because of the poor value they really are. "Inexpensive" and "cheap" have different meanings when "value" enters the equation. It's been many years since I've bought any new tools, but good used tools have been showing up in my shop regularly on an "as-needed" basis. Getting domestic parts for the daily drivers is nearly impossible but quality parts for the "old iron" are out there with a little searching.
-Jeff

GR8GPN2U!!!

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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by 70th Division » Mon Aug 16, 2021 8:11 am

Hello,

Thanks Jeff !!

Well if things are in parallel ,
I hope you win the Powerball lottery soon !!!! ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜

The frame repairs are going well so far, I have to get another mini grinder. I have found that all of them so far has used the same Chinese speed control dial switches that are total garbage.
The speeds starts going erratic, then total failure.
Dremel, wen, tack life, all the same cruddy, made to wear out, switch.

I don't want to try a cordless model but may have to. I see that Milwaukee makes one, but it too is made in China.
I wish an American factory made this type tool.
I see that Dewalt re -opened US plants again to make many electric tools again.
Their tools turned to trash after they went to Mexico, then China.
At least now they are making them here again.

Doing several different things at once helps get tasks completed.
I am also working on my M38A1 at the same time, and a little Dodge work.
A little progress here, and a little there, pretty soon it is done !!!!

The passenger side front frame repairs are going well .

Here are some pics of areas that need repair :
Resized_20210815_175627.jpeg
Resized_20210815_175717(1).jpeg
Resized_20210815_175825.jpeg
Resized_20210815_175954.jpeg
Resized_20210815_180701.jpeg
Resized_20210815_180031.jpeg
There are some cracks along the gusset where it is attached to the frame rail on both sides.
Also the triangle on the end of the frame rail is cut away, and will need replacement .

Update:

I cut a triangle and welded it into position , repairing the end if the frame rail.
I still have to grind it all smooth, but it welded in really nice and solid.

Here are some pics:
Resized_20210816_172054.jpeg
Resized_20210816_174633.jpeg
Resized_20210816_174651(1).jpeg
These frame and gusset repairs are going to be a-ok !!
๐Ÿ˜„๐Ÿ˜„๐Ÿ˜„
Inch by Inch , she is coming together !!

Best Regards,
Ray

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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by 70th Division » Mon Aug 16, 2021 2:11 pm

Hello,

I lined up the new top gusset to check the fit with the lower original one that I am repairing.

It lined up perfectly , the bumper bolt holes and the gusset bolt holes๐Ÿ˜ƒ๐Ÿ˜ƒ
Resized_20210816_180445.jpeg
Resized_20210816_180425.jpeg
Resized_20210816_180454.jpeg
A little sculpting of the welds , and these will be ready to go !!


As you can see in the picture, the front passenger spring is in great shape, but it is not a Ford GPW spring.
I happen to have a nice GPW spring to replace this one that I got several years ago from a G member in Florida.

Keep 'em Rolling !!!


Ray
Last edited by 70th Division on Mon Aug 16, 2021 2:53 pm, edited 4 times in total.

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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by 70th Division » Mon Aug 16, 2021 2:15 pm

Hello,

Once the front end gets back into shape to test fit the GPW bumper, I will move to the next frame area that needs attention ๐Ÿ˜ƒ๐Ÿ˜ƒ๐Ÿ˜ƒ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

Here is a little repair area that should fix up right nice !
The top bracket for the passenger side shock absorber has a hole in it, possibly from battery acid .
It is just a hole, with no rust of other peripheral damage.
I will cut a piece of steel, and weld it in ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

First, since it was an open area, I cleaned out all the crud and rusty debris inside the shock bracket by tapping it with a hammer, and scraping around with a screw driver. It was surprising how much rusty gunk came out. Then I sprayed a good amount of primer inside the hole, saturating all the metal inside the bracket. Next I welded in the patch !
Resized_20210814_172546(1).jpeg
Resized_20210814_172604(2).jpeg
Resized_20210817_162858.jpeg
Here it is, the patch welded in, and it had great penetration !
Resized_20210817_202448.jpeg
Resized_20210817_202458.jpeg
Now I will grind it back smooth.
It will be a great repair of this bracket.
I did get a set of original "type" shock absorbers.
They will be really nice once installed ๐Ÿ˜„๐Ÿ˜„

There is also an issue below the steering box area, that will get attention, as well as the ends of both rear frame rails.
A small plate was welded on the bottom of frame rail below the steering gear box area.

I will remove it to see what is in need of repair !!



Best Regards,
Ray

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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by 70th Division » Wed Aug 18, 2021 1:58 pm

Howdy ,

I have removed the patch plate that was welded onto the frame below the steering gear box area.
I was expecting to find some ugliness under it, but it looks pretty good.
Resized_20210818_142830(1).jpeg
Resized_20210818_150726.jpeg
Resized_20210818_151418.jpeg
Resized_20210818_151556(1).jpeg
Resized_20210818_173229(1).jpeg
From what I can determine there is a crack that went to a bolt hole on the steering box mounting area.
I also believe there is a crack that went down below the edge of the frame behind the lower rear spring mount.
Resized_20210818_173229(1).jpeg
Resized_20210818_173205(2).jpeg
Both these cracks I can grind out their trail, and weld up the cracks.
They added a small plate along the bottom of the frame behind the spring mount.
Here you can see a close up of the crack to the edge of the bolt hole.
Resized_20210818_173205(3).jpeg

This should repair nicely !!!

I will clean it all up more, and look for any addition cracks !!

Best Regards,
Ray

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Re: 1943 Ford GPW Build from Rescued 1943 Parts

Post by JAB » Wed Aug 18, 2021 6:56 pm

Lookin' good! I'm enjoying watching your progress!
-Jeff

GR8GPN2U!!!

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