Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Half-ton trailer series and larger, Wanted, For Sale(NO EBAY ITEMS), and Knowledge Base
Myers
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Location: Fort Riley, KS

Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Myers » Thu Oct 29, 2015 1:22 pm

I finished up a handy little project I've been wanting to do for some time now. I made a set of "motorpool" chock blocks. I couldn't find any photos of original chock blocks, so I made my own from WWII correct supplies. Manila rope, friction tape, and a 4x4. Adds some class to it, instead of just shoving a piece of scrap wood under the tire. I'm going to make another set for the other side, and then two more sets for the GPW.

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1-44 Ford GPW (161784) USA 20439314, USN 87559
5-4-45 Bantam T3 (68871) USA 0948627


Myers
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Posts: 1089
Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2009 6:21 pm
Location: Fort Riley, KS

Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Myers » Sun Nov 29, 2015 1:54 pm

It's been a while since my last post, I've been out of town for the last three weeks or so.
I successfully removed (with out destroying!) the reflector and its original mounting hardware. The slotted screws were froze in the square nuts, and I couldn't get enough leverage on them to make them break free. Even using a torch, only one came out. I really wanted to save the original screws, and was afraid I'd just strip the slots out. I tacked a few pieces of scrap metal into the slots, and used pliers to spin them out. Worked like a charm, and I was able to clean the welds off of the screws via the bench grinder. Sandblasted and parkerized, ready to be installed! I know it's a little dramatic just for some screws, but I really am trying to save everything that can be saved.

I also was able to repair a few cracks on the tailgate, as well as weld in a new piece of steel on the bottom. The reinforcing strip is 12gauge 3/4''W 26"L. I removed the small door in order to properly blast and prime/paint. Sandlbasted the rest of the tail gate and primed with red oxide. I'll wait to paint the tailgate until the body is finished, that way the shades match up.

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1-44 Ford GPW (161784) USA 20439314, USN 87559
5-4-45 Bantam T3 (68871) USA 0948627

Myers
G-Lieutenant Colonel
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Posts: 1089
Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2009 6:21 pm
Location: Fort Riley, KS

Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Myers » Thu Dec 03, 2015 5:45 pm

I finished restoring two reflectors to 100%. I installed a nos SP NO 14 red lens in the tailgate reflector bezel, and I was able to save one of the original side SP NO 14 amber lenses. The amber lens has definitely seen better days. The original bezel was completely rusted away, and the lens had been painted over, as well as cracked and chipped into two pieces. I stripped the paint, glued it back together, and used a 3M brand headlight restoration kit to make it clear again. The pictures make it look a lot worse than it actually is, I was really surprised how well it cleaned up; compared to what it first looked like. If I find a nos amber SP NO 14, I will replace this repaired one, but they seem to be pretty rare. The other oval side reflector was in even worse shape, and I couldn't save either the lens or the bezel. However, I found an original oval KD333 with the correct amber SP NO 14 lens, just waiting for it in the mail.

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1-44 Ford GPW (161784) USA 20439314, USN 87559
5-4-45 Bantam T3 (68871) USA 0948627

Myers
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Posts: 1089
Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2009 6:21 pm
Location: Fort Riley, KS

Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Myers » Sun Dec 06, 2015 1:07 pm

NOS black out switch, and intervehicular cable added to the frame. That finishes the frame up, so now it's on to the tub.

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1-44 Ford GPW (161784) USA 20439314, USN 87559
5-4-45 Bantam T3 (68871) USA 0948627

Mike Wright
US Army Major (Ret)
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Location: Owasso, OK

Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Mike Wright » Tue Dec 08, 2015 6:46 am

Hi Boone,
Looking really nice :!:

Check some of the pics in the TM. I believe you need to insert the 2 pins, washers and cotter pins that hold the dump release handle from the other side.

While I was looking at the TM I found that I do indeed have my reflectors (amber vs red) flip flopped :? So, I have something to do this evening :!: Now I need one more nice amber SR.CO.14 reflector, 1 red one and a nice KD 333 round 4 holer bezel :!:

Later,
Mike
Mike Wright
SEEKING MOTOR # GPW 2636
MVPA# 4341
GPW 2636, DOD 28 FEB 42, Reg# 2055811 (est)
GPW 104331 DOD 31 MAR 43, Reg# 20369321 (est)
MB-101008 DOD 27 NOV 41, Reg# W-2032462 (Original)
MB 438075, DOD 1 MAY 45, Reg# 20704591 (Original)
Converto ABN Dump 0886168
M2-HB gun trailer

Myers
G-Lieutenant Colonel
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Posts: 1089
Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2009 6:21 pm
Location: Fort Riley, KS

Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Myers » Mon Jan 18, 2016 3:02 pm

I had to remove the sub-frame from the body in order to repair both the sub-frame and the body floor. The sub-frame only needed one 1x14" section replaced in the channel, it turned out pretty well.

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1-44 Ford GPW (161784) USA 20439314, USN 87559
5-4-45 Bantam T3 (68871) USA 0948627

Myers
G-Lieutenant Colonel
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Posts: 1089
Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2009 6:21 pm
Location: Fort Riley, KS

Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Myers » Mon Jan 18, 2016 3:05 pm

These photos show the rot in the bed, it was a pain to remove all of the brace channels, but it's the only way to properly fix the body. When it's put back together, every inch of the trailer will be restored, inside and out!

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1-44 Ford GPW (161784) USA 20439314, USN 87559
5-4-45 Bantam T3 (68871) USA 0948627

Myers
G-Lieutenant Colonel
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Posts: 1089
Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2009 6:21 pm
Location: Fort Riley, KS

Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Myers » Mon Jan 18, 2016 3:08 pm

Every piece of the trailer is welded on, so it is a bit of an enigma trying to get it a part. The only way to remove the tail gate latches was by cutting the shaft in half, and then grinding the weld and drilling out the remains of the shaft, as well as the locking pin. Then its easy to press the latches off. I also had to make a few other random pieces that were too far gone to reuse.

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1-44 Ford GPW (161784) USA 20439314, USN 87559
5-4-45 Bantam T3 (68871) USA 0948627

TwoCar
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Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by TwoCar » Mon Jan 18, 2016 3:13 pm

Nice work Boone!
GPWs 196622 & 196623
GPs 14351 & 16625
Slat Grill 118247
Convertos 0567349 & 0877894
Daughter - 10/23/2012
Son - 01/02/2018
Wife - Top Secret

Myers
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Posts: 1089
Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2009 6:21 pm
Location: Fort Riley, KS

Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Myers » Wed Feb 10, 2016 4:45 pm

Making some progress on the body.

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1-44 Ford GPW (161784) USA 20439314, USN 87559
5-4-45 Bantam T3 (68871) USA 0948627

Mike Wright
US Army Major (Ret)
US Army Major (Ret)
Posts: 1930
Joined: Sat Dec 14, 2002 6:52 am
Location: Owasso, OK

Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Mike Wright » Wed Feb 10, 2016 6:20 pm

HI Boone,
You're doing some really nice work! Cant wait to see it. I'll be at Bragg in late March.
Mike
Mike Wright
SEEKING MOTOR # GPW 2636
MVPA# 4341
GPW 2636, DOD 28 FEB 42, Reg# 2055811 (est)
GPW 104331 DOD 31 MAR 43, Reg# 20369321 (est)
MB-101008 DOD 27 NOV 41, Reg# W-2032462 (Original)
MB 438075, DOD 1 MAY 45, Reg# 20704591 (Original)
Converto ABN Dump 0886168
M2-HB gun trailer

Myers
G-Lieutenant Colonel
G-Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 1089
Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2009 6:21 pm
Location: Fort Riley, KS

Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Myers » Sun Mar 06, 2016 5:23 pm

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1-44 Ford GPW (161784) USA 20439314, USN 87559
5-4-45 Bantam T3 (68871) USA 0948627

Myers
G-Lieutenant Colonel
G-Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 1089
Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2009 6:21 pm
Location: Fort Riley, KS

Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Myers » Sat Mar 12, 2016 3:28 pm

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1-44 Ford GPW (161784) USA 20439314, USN 87559
5-4-45 Bantam T3 (68871) USA 0948627

Myers
G-Lieutenant Colonel
G-Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 1089
Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2009 6:21 pm
Location: Fort Riley, KS

Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Myers » Sat Mar 12, 2016 3:29 pm

Welded it all back together after priming the inside of all the channels. Primed the entire body, and painted the under side. Now that it is mated back to the frame, I will paint the rest of the body OD.
1-44 Ford GPW (161784) USA 20439314, USN 87559
5-4-45 Bantam T3 (68871) USA 0948627

Myers
G-Lieutenant Colonel
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Posts: 1089
Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2009 6:21 pm
Location: Fort Riley, KS

Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Myers » Sat Mar 19, 2016 4:46 pm

Well it's almost finished! When I went to install the tailgate, it wouldn't fit. At some point during the complete rebuild, the body was somehow bent inwards a little bit, so I had to "spread" it using ratchet straps. It worked really well, and the tailgate works perfectly with no rattle or slop. I installed a set of the reproduction tailgate pins, as well as the trip lock pin that jeepjop makes. I also fitted a NOS set of C-B tail lights that I've been saving for it. I am waiting for my data plate from dataplates4u, and the wiring harness from VWOM, hopefully they show up in a day or two. I have to make the tailgate trip rod, and then I will mount the handle (also from jeepjop).

So I still have a little left, but it's well on its way to being finished. Looks a lot better than it did, so that should count for something :lol: :roll:

The tail light buckets, reflectors, reflector hardware, block out light switch, etc are all varying shades of OD green. They would have originally been different, as they were supplied by differing manufacturers. I think most people over restore by making all the parts match, when in reality, parts came from different manufacturers, so they would be a little off.


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1-44 Ford GPW (161784) USA 20439314, USN 87559
5-4-45 Bantam T3 (68871) USA 0948627


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