Sean's 44 MB Restoration

[jeep-a-holic]

Hey all,
Thank you so much for all the help you have offered me throughout the years. With College finally done, I can work full time on my jeep. It ahs been a rolling frame for a long time, but pending a little work, i will have the body painted and installed soon!
It has been almost nine years since the Willys I bought for way more than it was worth ran last. I still have the add from the magazine I bought it from, and I hope I can show the old man I bought it from up in Morgan Hill Ca what it looks like when its done. I will post some pre restoration photos soon, but for now, here are some pics of her now..

Willys MB
343955
June 22, 1944

I still cannot figure out a good hood number, any help would be great. I think it was a lemon though, It was delivered two days after the closest serial number to her. Would they have applied the registration when it got delivered or when it was made in the factory?

Also, please dont mind the terrible appearance and all the rags, I'm in the middle of getting it ready for some touch up and to paint the brake lines. Any suggestions or criticism, please let me know! I want to make this as accurate as possible.













Thanks!!
Sean

[thidisbogus]

Thanks for posting Sean. Is that your trailer too?

[jeep-a-holic]

Hey,
Yeah, both trailers are mine. The good looking one in unknown, but the yellow looking one is a Converto t6. Those are my next projects.

Sean

[hell-fire]

Nice job mate & I love how clean your shed is.

[F. R. Fox]

You gonna have it done in time for Geroge in October?

[Chuck Lutz]

Hey Sean....I didn't see your two trailers in my data base...any chance you can send me all the info and a couple pics of the ACM numbers and data plates? I can help with the USA numbers of them if you need them.

[jeep-a-holic]

Chuck,
I am not sure how to find the numbers. I would like very much for your help!

Sean

[Chuck Lutz]

Jack up the driver's side and put a safety stand front and rear on the corner of the frame.
Get the tire on that side up so it is off the floor by 6 inches
Undo the FOUR bolts that hold the LEFT FRONT SPRING HANGER to the gusset plate on the frame
Pull the spring hanger with the leaf spring attached to it DOWN
Wire wheel the paint & rust off the gusset plate where the "T" shaped of the spring hanger was bolted to it
You will find the ACM number stamped there (about 7/16" or 1/2" in height).
If the Upper Shock Mounts are RIVETED (rather than bolted) to the frame, you should also find a capital "W" or "B" there (Willys/Bantam)

DO NOT USE A SANDER OR ANGLE GRINDER! The stamps are lightly put on there and rust is often enough to obsure them....removing metal may erase what may be left if you do that. A wire wheel or hand-held wire brush is best. When you have a good pic....put on some primer to protect it until you get back to the restoration and when dry, rebolt the spring hanger to the gusset.

Send me that along with all the answers to the "How To ID...." sticky and a pic of the data plate (if there is one) and the ACM number....like this one:

ACM #17151W.jpg (94.06 KiB) Viewed 1972 times

[jeep-a-holic]

Ok, so I got the body on.. there is a slight overhang in the back, and the holes dont line up. Though, and this worries me, the fenders and grill are bolted to it and it doesn't line up. The clutch pedal is out of wack now too..















All the parts on the last pic are original.. I just need help finding a few more original parts to make it an almost 100% original Jeep (well, as close as I can get).. Check out my wanted list in the wanted page!!

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=206693#p1209454

Sean

[Bill M]

Looking mighty fine so far, the only point that stands out would be the battery earth cable, factory photos from 42 & 44 show this clearly
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=206465
Sean could you help with the caution decal on the generator?
Is this original or repro?
Can you measure the overall dimension?
cheers
Bill.

[jeep-a-holic]

Bill,
The entire generator is NOS, and I will get you dimensions and pics when I go to the shop next, which looks like Monday. Are there any more deals that I am not aware of?

The reason I went with the one I did is that the original one on the jeep was like that. That is not to say it hasn't been replaced. When was the wide one used?

Seabrook

[F. R. Fox]

Sean,

Is your tub not bolted down? The rear end hangs over quite a bit and it appears that your tub is sitting too far back. The tub rear panel should sit relatively flush with the rear cross member, and the pedals should not contact the floor at all.

What are the control surfaces for in your 5th photo? They look like alerons. J3-L4 Cub?

[jeep-a-holic]

Farrell,
The body isn't bolted down, and I'm not quite sure how to bolt it down.. nothing is lining up.

Those are flaps for the Stinson L-5 my dad is restoring. As soon as the jeep is done we are going all out and it should be Oshkosh ready in two years.

Sean

[F. R. Fox]

I would start by sliding the tub forward (without the fenders bolted on) and start with bolting the toe gussets and work your way back. If it's an original tub, it should line up perfectly. If you can get a helper or 3 to help lift and slide the tub forward, it will be easier to get it lined up and figure out if it is snagging on something.

[Bill M]

Bill,
The entire generator is NOS, and I will get you dimensions and pics when I go to the shop next, which looks like Monday. Are there any more deals that I am not aware of?

The reason I went with the one I did is that the original one on the jeep was like that. That is not to say it hasn't been replaced. When was the wide one used?

Seabrook

The link I posted has factory photos dated June 1944 and the generators pictured are the rear bush type which validates the photo dates and your MB falls slap bang into this series!
early factory pics show round earth cable as well but I do not know if the flat braided strap can be passed as OE fit for Willys MBs.
I would be grateful for dimensions on the caution label and photos would be a bonus.
cheers
Bill.