Motorpool Restoration 1943 GPW 124269

[thidisbogus]

I have been posting since July of last year when I acquired the GPW and have been educating myself and collecting parts since then. I feel like it is time now to go ahead and make a post like so many of you do to track the progress of the motorpool restoration.

For those of you that do not know the history, I bought this jeep off of ebay motors for 10k and had it shipped from Iowa to Texas. Unfortunately for me I gained more of my education after the purchase than before. If I had known more of what I was looking at I probably would not have spent that much money. On the bright side, I am starting with a lot more than a lot of others on the G503 have.

Here are some photos of bubba provided me of him doing some welding work before I purchased it from him. Fortunately he was a pretty accomplished welder and also fortunately not a fan of bondo:

[thidisbogus]

Now here are some photos of the condition it was in when I received it:

[thidisbogus]

Where to start? As you can see it is a fairly complete jeep relatively speaking but also many, many incorrect parts. Many of these were surprises while I was working to correct one thing I discovered another:
Incorrect:
frame and engine paint
tires
charging system
front bumper and rear crossmember
inner windshield frame
steering wheel
pintle hook
speedo and gauges
fuel tank
fuel tank sump
shovel/axe indention
rear seat
shock towers
taillights
taillight hole locations
oil filter assembly
coil
starter mechanism
wiring harness
outer windshield frame skin
and I am sure I am missing something.

[thidisbogus]

I have begun work on repairing the framehorns to mount the gussets correctly. I also built a body dolly:

[thidisbogus]

Here is the progress I made this weekend. With the help of my brother, a neighbor and my Dad we lifted the body off of the frame:















The taillight location that I need to weld up and reposition:



Bubba's incorrect taillight and homemade bracket:

[thidisbogus]

You will notice that I have sourced the correct 600X16 tires and mounted them to the non-combat wheels. I also have prepped and painted the drums the correct OD. I have removed the front bumper and rear crossmember and have started cutting on the framehorns according to Jon Rogers specifications. I have removed the steering tube and box and it is ant Stirstik's being rebuilt. I have also removed the transmission and transfer case and they are at Stirstik's being rebuilt.

[thidisbogus]

Here is what I started with on the frame horns:

[thidisbogus]

Here is where I am at so far on the frame horns. I have since the pictures were taken cut the additional correct diagonal angles along the top:

[Gary C V]

WOW Rodney,

Mate all I can say is welcome to the family.
This hobby will keep your head down,your bum up and your pockets empty .

Cheers Gary

[bazza46]

Hi Rodney,
Well, while Bubba was an accomplished welder, he wasn't very savvy about jeeps. He wasn't afraid to get in there and rebuild using his imagination, where others might have checked what a component really should look like.

That said, you have got a relatively good frame and tub.

There's a few issues that you will have to address, if not sooner, then later, depending on the depth of your purse.

I'd guess you'll have to strip it all off and rebuild the driver's side axe and shovel areas, the profile of the back panel,frame rear crossmember, rebuild the windscreen outer and inner, replace the tank and restore the floor profile next to the tank --- and ditch that dreadful rear seat!

You'll have a lot of fun and learn many new skills that you thought you'd never be capable of. And to see a really good resto emerge will be very encouraging. And it'll keep you off the streets.

I believe we've already seen your working on the front frame horns and gussets. It's just a matter of plugging on, doing one thing at a time. It's fun to step back and admire your work each time you finish some part of your project.

Looking forward to following your experiences. take plenty of pictures.
Bazza

[hell-fire]

Rodney,

I know exactly what you are & will be going through, I have been there & still sorting out the last owners mess although I am on the down hill run. http://www.g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=127&t=172207" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; If you want to see what I am going through.

I would say to get on with the frame & finish this & once this is rolling you will see a flicker of light at the end of the tunnel, you have the right attitude & I am sure you will get it done. I will look forward to your progress.


Good luck.

[Captain John]

Your work gives inspiration to those who are about to go down this road . At 10K in its original condition it would have been snapped up here in UK and the purchaser would have been very pleased . When you are finished it will be as good as new and in my view priceless . Jeeps are iconic ,more so in Europe I suppose, a better investment than any money in the bank.

Captain John in rainy Suffolk England.

[Armyspecial]

I wonder what Bubba been smoking just before he ordered his Ford Gray paint for the block

[Ben Dover]

And Motorpools do good work.

[horrocks]

I wonder what Bubba been smoking just before he ordered his Ford Gray paint for the block

I think he got Fergie grey and Fordson blue mixed up!

I remember seeing this in ebay. It looks a good solid Jeep. I have no doubt that you will have that as it should be in short order.