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Restoration of my 1942 Ford GPW Jeep


zepher11
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Lucky 7th Armored

Wow!! I enjoyed reading every post! Keep us updated please, and continue your great work.

 

Haydn

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Wow!! I enjoyed reading every post! Keep us updated please, and continue your great work.

 

Haydn

Will do. Thanks for the kind compliments!

 

Zeph

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Your restoration is amazing! You seem to be moving along pretty quickly. Does it seem like a crawl to you? :lol:

 

....Kat

Thanks, Kat. It does seem like I am barely moving along sometimes. Cleaning and prepping everything for painting is a real time consumer for sure. It is nice to look back and see what I have accomplished, however. We finally had some rain here, so that has slowed me down a bit. I can't wait to get my rear axle housing finished up so that I can start installing both the front and rear housings to the frame. Thanks again!

 

Zeph

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  • 3 weeks later...

The weather finally broke yesterday and I was able to get some parts cleaned and painted. I think I am finally at the point that I can start assembling components to the frame. The brakes components were also installed on the front axle, and I finally shot some OD on the rear housing. I also shot the final coat of OD on the four leaf spring packs.

 

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More:

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Unfortunately, I had to remove the rear differential carrier and replace the bearings. The bearings are hard to remove, but fairly easy to install:

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  • 2 weeks later...

I post updates on the Jeep forum, but like to post here as well for those that may be interested. Anyway, I had yesterday off, and it really felt like it was the first day that assembly has finally begun on my GPW project. Wow, it’s starting to feel like I will need to start looking for a wheel and tire solution soon. Of course, there is still a lot of work to be done before I get there.

I worked on installing the front and rear axle housings. I don’t have any help, so I’m always trying to solve the movement of heavy parts by my lonesome. I don’t know what the front axle housing weighs, but it is considerable. I’d put it in the double slipped/blown disc category if I were to lift it by myself. Overall, the project ended up not being as big a deal as I thought it might be. Everything went together fairly easily. I also built a little stand on wheels for the frame so that I can work on the brake lines and other components with the chassis up a little higher. It really came in handy installing the axle housings…since it is on wheels…duh! I’m fairly tall and it will come in handy so that I don’t have to bend over as much ….I hope.

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Great project! Makes me feel a little humble at work when I can just call on the 5 ton or 2 ton overhead crane.

Thank you. An overhead crane would be awesome. Thankfully, my engine crane has been very versatile and up to all of my tasks to date.

 

Zeph

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  • 4 weeks later...

Finished up my rear axle housing. Installed the brakes and the rear axles. I found some f marked bolts for the rear axles. I had some for the front, so of course I had to make it match the front. Now I am working on the brake lines, and I cleaned and painted a lot of parts today including my newly acquired combat wheels.

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I tried to restore the pedal pads, since the dimples had been worn off over the past 70 years. Not perfect, but it should keep my feet from slipping off.

 

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Thanks for looking!

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Hi Zepher11,

 

I always appreciate your updates and I'm looking forward to the others :thumbsup:

 

I wish I had the time and most of all your skills to restore such a wonderful jeep ;)

 

Great job.

 

Etienne

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Zeph = You are one heck of a craftsman. Can't wait to see the "finished" product. Bobgee

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Hi Zepher11,

I always appreciate your updates and I'm looking forward to the others :thumbsup:

I wish I had the time and most of all your skills to restore such a wonderful jeep ;)

Great job.

Etienne



 

Zeph = You are one heck of a craftsman. Can't wait to see the "finished" product. Bobgee


Thanks guys. Of course you know, I only post the good stuff. With the power of the internet, all of my mistakes just seem to have never happened. :lol: Like when I finished my rear axle housing only to discovered that I installed the hubs on the wrong side... :w00t:

Next up is finishing off the brake system. Then it is on to the propeller shafts. The rear shaft seems okay, but the front shaft is stuck. Looks like I will be figuring out how they come apart. After that, which, I don't think I can put it off any longer, is the rebuilding of the transmission and transfer case...myself. This will really be a learning experience for me.

Almost forgot to paint my axle bumpers:

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Here are the propeller shafts. The top one is the front shaft that appears to be stuck at this point:

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Thanks guys. Of course you know, I only post the good stuff. With the power of the internet, all of my mistakes just seem to have never happened. :lol:

 

Keep on making mistakes ... the result is outstanding :thumbsup:

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  • 2 weeks later...
Cobrahistorian

Zeph,

 

I've just gone through this thread with great interest. Seems a 42 GPW has just wandered into my life as well. It doesn't run, but for the price and for a matching frame, block and data plate, I couldn't pass it up! I'm probably going to be pinging you (and G503) quite a bit for advice, etc.

 

Thanks for this thread!

 

Jon

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Congratulations on your acquisition, Jon! I have a more extensive thread on the G503 under "Original Unrestored WWII Jeeps." Here is the: LINK

 

That is awesome that you found a numbers matching GPW. I found a 1944 GPW with a matching frame, tub and engine a few months ago. I also have another '42 GPW, but it has a 1941 Slat Grill motor in it. I am trying to sell that right now, as I stumbled upon a nice project G506 a couple of days ago, and might be picking that up.

 

Anyway, I have a lot of parts that I have picked up laying around. I may have something you are missing. You may know, but most of the technical manuals are available for free online in the G503 "Jeep Draw" section.

 

When you get some photos, please start a thread so we can keep an eye on your progress.

 

Lastly, does it still have the original data plates? I would be interested in the date of delivery and the serial/production number of your '42 GPW.

 

Zeph

 

 

Zeph,

 

I've just gone through this thread with great interest. Seems a 42 GPW has just wandered into my life as well. It doesn't run, but for the price and for a matching frame, block and data plate, I couldn't pass it up! I'm probably going to be pinging you (and G503) quite a bit for advice, etc.

 

Thanks for this thread!

 

Jon

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Cobrahistorian

Zeph,

 

I'm still in the process of acquiring it, but I think I'm going to go take some pics of it tomorrow. I'm buying it from a coworker who intended on restoring it and then found an easier MB to do instead. I'm under no illusions that it's going to take a heck of a lot of effort, time, money, blood, sweat and tears to get fully restored, but it's something I've always wanted. I'm looking at it as a project for me and my boys to do over time (my older is 3 and younger is 11 months!) and it'll be great to finish together.

 

It does have original data plates and I'll get pics of them when I photograph everything. My buddy purchased it from the guy who bought it as surplus in 1946 and there's an extensive scrapbook with original paperwork, etc on it. The hood numbers are still somewhat visible and it looks like the original bumper codes may still be there as well!

 

Jon

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Sounds exciting. It'll make an awsome father/sons project. Wow, same owner since 1946. That is great to have some provenance with your project! Looking forward to some photos.

 

Zeph

 

Zeph,

 

I'm still in the process of acquiring it, but I think I'm going to go take some pics of it tomorrow. I'm buying it from a coworker who intended on restoring it and then found an easier MB to do instead. I'm under no illusions that it's going to take a heck of a lot of effort, time, money, blood, sweat and tears to get fully restored, but it's something I've always wanted. I'm looking at it as a project for me and my boys to do over time (my older is 3 and younger is 11 months!) and it'll be great to finish together.

 

It does have original data plates and I'll get pics of them when I photograph everything. My buddy purchased it from the guy who bought it as surplus in 1946 and there's an extensive scrapbook with original paperwork, etc on it. The hood numbers are still somewhat visible and it looks like the original bumper codes may still be there as well!

 

Jon

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Here's the data plate on mine. Just went and saw her today. She's complete, but in need of a complete restoration. Tub, data plate, frame and block all match. Delivered on 16 September 1942.

Jon, it looks great. As you know, having most of the original parts will be a huge plus as you work your way through the restoration. Good luck and keep us updated.

 

Zeph

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