Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

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mdainsd
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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by mdainsd » Sun Sep 30, 2018 4:57 pm

Thanks. Both for the kind comment and the lead on the switch.

You know, I puttered on that thing all day. Really nothing to show. Just little things that need a look or a correction. I think the previous owner was starting the restoration to present the truck as a Navy truck in Haze Grey. Things that were already painted and done needed the color to be changed to OD. Seeing the parts in grey I wonder what the whole truck would look like finished. Just not brave enough to do it. Maybe next time.
52 M38 2X, '52 M37, '44 WC51, '42 WC 56/57, '50 CJ-V35(U), '42 GPW, '44 M3A1 Scout Car, 2010 M-Gator


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zepher11
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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by zepher11 » Sun Sep 30, 2018 5:38 pm

Ahh..found the switch, but I see Roger provided the link already. Glad they are still available as I will likely need on for the WC57. If I can find a volt gauge....
Zeph

'42 Script GPW Restoration Thread: CLICK HERE!

'41 Dodge WC16 Restoration Thread: CLICK HERE!

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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by mdainsd » Sun Sep 30, 2018 6:10 pm

Yeah the volt gauge :roll:

Ive got the dead one out of mine at least. Midwest Military has someplace they send them too for rebuilding. I guess Im going that route. Same for my temp gauge. Lost its gas somewhere. So while those two will be rebuilt the truck will have the full set of gauges it came with.

Had the top off of the transmission to change it from grey to OD. Looks new inside. it should, it was presented as rebuilt. I HATE getting the cover back on those! A real pain in the ass, especially that reverse shifter arm.

Edit: I guess the good thing is there are a million modern voltmeters that size. Find one without anything but white printing on the face and not many people on this earth will know its not the original.
52 M38 2X, '52 M37, '44 WC51, '42 WC 56/57, '50 CJ-V35(U), '42 GPW, '44 M3A1 Scout Car, 2010 M-Gator

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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by mdainsd » Sun Oct 14, 2018 4:50 pm

Finished all the reconstruction of the underside of the body this weekend. Jobs always seem to take longer than you though they would.
Hope to get the epoxy primer on the bottom this week. Photos coming. After that its OD on the bottom (not going to do the whole undercoat thing). Then flip it into place on the chassis.

Went up to my storage location and went through the extra parts AGAIN. Keep finding stuff I need and its saving me money!
52 M38 2X, '52 M37, '44 WC51, '42 WC 56/57, '50 CJ-V35(U), '42 GPW, '44 M3A1 Scout Car, 2010 M-Gator

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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by mdainsd » Tue Oct 16, 2018 5:36 pm

You never know what will show up on craigs list! Answered an ad on Sunday and today drove up to meet the seller.
Came home with two of the nicest 3/4t WC front fenders, a really nice CC gas tank and filler, and a few other trinkets.
52 M38 2X, '52 M37, '44 WC51, '42 WC 56/57, '50 CJ-V35(U), '42 GPW, '44 M3A1 Scout Car, 2010 M-Gator

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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by mdainsd » Wed Oct 17, 2018 8:25 pm

Some pics.

The epoxy primer and some not so common views

Image

Upside down is the way to go!

Image

Then some color,

Image

Even up under the rear body, its so much easier upside down. I can't afford a rotisserie, but I can afford beer and burgers for some muscle :)

Image

Progress!
52 M38 2X, '52 M37, '44 WC51, '42 WC 56/57, '50 CJ-V35(U), '42 GPW, '44 M3A1 Scout Car, 2010 M-Gator

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zepher11
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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by zepher11 » Fri Oct 19, 2018 8:42 pm

Paint job is looking good. Whatever it takes to get 'er done. Keep up the good work!
Zeph

'42 Script GPW Restoration Thread: CLICK HERE!

'41 Dodge WC16 Restoration Thread: CLICK HERE!

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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by mdainsd » Sat Oct 20, 2018 8:47 am

Thanks. And yes, any progress is good. I spent hours the other night on the round junction block that goes through the fire wall. But its done. Started whatever pre=wiring I could get done for up under the dash. The documentation is less than stellar with the wiring harness kit, but eventually figured it out.
Today with the beautiful weather I am aiming to get the core support, fender braces, radiator cover all in color and mounted. We will see.
52 M38 2X, '52 M37, '44 WC51, '42 WC 56/57, '50 CJ-V35(U), '42 GPW, '44 M3A1 Scout Car, 2010 M-Gator

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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by mdainsd » Sun Oct 21, 2018 2:59 pm

This weekend sees a fitting of the the front sheet metal.

Image

And about finished with the details on the motor. Still waiting for new hoses and me to get up enough strength, swap out the generator for a NOS one.

Image
52 M38 2X, '52 M37, '44 WC51, '42 WC 56/57, '50 CJ-V35(U), '42 GPW, '44 M3A1 Scout Car, 2010 M-Gator

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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by mdainsd » Mon Nov 19, 2018 2:19 pm

More progress! We have had some real nice weather but it is scheduled to get wet here in the next couple of days.

Body is on, started feeding wiring. Also had a set of LAV tires available so I thought I would fit them and see what i think.

Image

Its kind of a monster but I think I like it. Still need to do the outboard of the axles, brakes, paint, bearings etc, but i want to get it into the shop for all of that.

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Ready to fit the firewall pad, I think it goes on first...

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Also about ready to start stuffing the dash, everything is already detailed and just needs installing.

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And fit checking the "special" firewall hardware.

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All and all very happy with the pace and outcome of the work going into this.
52 M38 2X, '52 M37, '44 WC51, '42 WC 56/57, '50 CJ-V35(U), '42 GPW, '44 M3A1 Scout Car, 2010 M-Gator

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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by mdainsd » Mon Nov 19, 2018 2:21 pm

And one more shot.

Image
52 M38 2X, '52 M37, '44 WC51, '42 WC 56/57, '50 CJ-V35(U), '42 GPW, '44 M3A1 Scout Car, 2010 M-Gator

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Fred Coldwell
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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by Fred Coldwell » Mon Nov 19, 2018 3:42 pm

mdainsd:

You are coming along very nicely, and wonderfully quickly too, with your command car restoration. The radiator guard assembly with the "wire-in" grill and headlight guards looks good, but it is for a winch model command car, not the non-winch WC-56. The two sides of the winch model radiator guard now installed begin to taper towards the rear about 2/3rds down from the top, and that -- along with the short radiator grill -- provides clearance for the winch drum.

The radiator guard sides for the WC-56 are straight along their front edge from top to bottom, and the radiator grill itself is about 1/3rd longer, as pictured here:

223317-111918.jpg
223317-111918.jpg (103.82 KiB) Viewed 3610 times

Look among your Dodge parts for the correct radiator guard sides and a longer wire-in grill unless, of course, you plan on installing a Braden winch up front using Power Wagon frame extensions. Keep up the good work. :)
Happy Jeep Trails,

Fred Coldwell
1944 CJ2-09 - X33
1945 CJ2-26 - X50
1944 Dodge T233 CC
1945 Dodge T233 Utility
MVPA #283C

mdainsd
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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by mdainsd » Mon Nov 19, 2018 5:54 pm

Hey Fred,

Yes I have both types of grill extensions. Here is the deal. This purchase came with the CC body sitting on a -56 rolling chassis. Also a restored -51 chassis which I plopped the body on for the time being. Also included is a -57 chassis that is all in pieces but everything has been stripped, primed and painted. New springs, three winches etc. Short term goal is to get the this one running and fulfill a 50 year quest, own a running and driving CC. In the background I will finish the restoration of the -57 chassis and then swap all the body stuff to it. That will free up the -51 chassis under the command car now. I have the rest of the -51, which needs everything but is damage and rust free. I'll put that together as a runner and move it along, That still leaves me the original -56 chassis to move along.

mark
52 M38 2X, '52 M37, '44 WC51, '42 WC 56/57, '50 CJ-V35(U), '42 GPW, '44 M3A1 Scout Car, 2010 M-Gator

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Fred Coldwell
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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by Fred Coldwell » Mon Nov 19, 2018 7:41 pm

Mark:

That's a wonderful plan which makes sense to me. I especially like that your first goal is to get a running and driving command car which you can enjoy very soon to satisfy your long term dream. You have things well in hand. Carry on!
Happy Jeep Trails,

Fred Coldwell
1944 CJ2-09 - X33
1945 CJ2-26 - X50
1944 Dodge T233 CC
1945 Dodge T233 Utility
MVPA #283C

mdainsd
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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by mdainsd » Wed Nov 21, 2018 8:53 pm

I believe I have come up with, (or stumbled across), a name for this project.

A little cowl art..

"Not Quite Right"

I've taken a very few liberties with this truck, but have done nothing that it isn't bolt, on bolt off reversible. But I like the very few liberties :D
52 M38 2X, '52 M37, '44 WC51, '42 WC 56/57, '50 CJ-V35(U), '42 GPW, '44 M3A1 Scout Car, 2010 M-Gator


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