CCKW 1 1/2 ton, want to rescue it! PHOTOS!

[pintelhook11over]

Same to you and good to hear you have another M-2-4, they are getting pretty rare in my neck of the woods...

[wc56daveyboy]

From what you can see, does it look like it will take much to get her started? Clean fuel tank, lines, pump, carb, spark plugs, battery, ect. I'm just a jeep guy, but to me it looks like getting her started will be a peice of cake! Whats up with the bed, that isn't original is it?

OK... I admire your enthusiasm, you sound a lot like me when it comes to buying old iron. I jump in with both feet and go thru a rig.

Its funny how everyone says to Jump on it... Unless you have the space to work on, the bigger tools to work with, and a large budget to rebuild it with, do some long hard thinking on it.

But, step back and think about a few things:

First, I would not assume anything with the condition of ANYTHING.. Yea, you might get it started easily, but how well of a condition is this engine? Drivetrain? If you do get it running, PLEASE, for safety sake, dont attempt to DRIVE IT HOME.
It may look good, but trust me, you will end up addressing just about every major component before you will feel it is "road worthy " Brakes ? Tires? driveline?

As far as an offer, I would make a condition up front with the owner that the deal (that you make) holds true ONLY once ya get it running so you can see the condition of the truck.

Trust me, these trucks are NOT cheap to restore in comparision to rebuilding a jeep.

Try 75 bucks apiece for brake cylinders, for instance.
Its a heavy truck, with winch and dump assembly, your pushing 9K in weight.
Dont even think or trailering unless you got a 3/4 ton or larger truck, with desial engine (preferably) and a stout trailer to handle that weight.

Otherwise, you need to make it road worthy enough to tackle the roads and distances to which you want to take it. Breakdowns far from home can be costly.

Am I being a kill joy here? Nope. Just being realistic. Please take this sound advice from someone who has been there (and is there currently) on a chevy 1.5 ton restoration.

Try past the 18K mark already... Of course, I paid way too much up front for a truck taht was supposed to be what it is now! remeber, its easier to buy than sell too!!!

Good luck in your decision..

Dave

[F. R. Fox]

Thanks Dave,

That's what a really wanted to hear. I know its nice to own one, but what kind of work is put into having it. This gives me a good idea. I don't plan to drive her off the lot. If I get the truck, she will be towed home on a trailer. I don't want to burn up any bearings. But that's a god idea, I would like to see if the motor will start on the lot, or even turn over!

[wc56daveyboy]

your welcome. Just wanted you to sort of not loose sight of the real project ahead should you buy it.

Trust me, it aint cheap...

funny though.....I did exactly as I am warning you against doing! Its funny, though, for me, is if I really want something, there aint much to convince me NOT to get it! Then, once home, the reality of the work ahead sinks in.. But then its too late.

Now, with all that "negativity" said on my part, I will state as I have before on other forums, and this one, that I truely love this bigger truck.

I have owned a few WC 1/2 ton closed cabs, a few 3/4 tonners, and a bunch or jeeps, all restored to some degree by me....and I by far like this chevy much better.. NOW THAT ITS DONE that is!!

I cant say why, but I do like it overall better than all my others. Its a matter of preference, I know.... maybe its that I feel I am behind the wheel of a tough truck. Maybe its the gearing, the bigger steering wheel, the position of the cab/seat/controls, I dont know.. But I really like this over every other truck I have ever owned.

Should this be a project you wish to tackel, afte you fully know what your up against, you WILL be glad to own it. Its a pleasure for sure..

BUT>.. you got obstacles like how to bring it long distances if you are not comfortable with its runnindition. thats the draw back

[F. R. Fox]

That's good to know. When I got my jeep it was in a million prices. I was thinking to myself "you're an idiot for buying this" but I started on it and to me its a lot of fun. So much fun I bought another that needs a ton of welding. As much work an money it costs, its a blast! So I think moving to a bigger truck will be just as rewarding. Plus, I want a big truck! While I know the cost and monumental task of restoring this monster, from what I can tell, it has most of the parts it need to get her running fairly quickly! I would love to get that truck running and then do all the cosmetics!

[Sgt. Hancock]

Ferrel,
Don't lose sight of your goal. You have seen my Chevy at Camp Roberts several times, and it is 240 miles away from where I live in Glendale. True it did take some hard work to get it in the condition it is in. But that is what makes it so worth the effort. I have made the mistakes that took me off course to achieve the "end goal", but, I can and will help you avoid those SNAFU's.
DO NOT be intimidated by other peoples fears. 15 years ago when I bought my Chevy I didn't have the slightest idea of what it was or what I was getting into, let alone what trucks were used in WW2. Since then I have learned a tremendous amount of Historic facts about WW2. So much more came with the purchase of my Chevy, and like you, when I first saw my Old Girl, it was love at first sight. I didn't have the resources for the parts that are available now. Because of my truck my mechanical skill has improved exponentially.
Jeeps are fun, but everyone has one, or two. The process of restoring a larger truck is just the same as for the smaller trucks. True several thing are slightly more expensive, but most, if not all parts that are available are made here in the U.S. not China or India.
I have helped with several Chevy restorations, and find them to be very easy to work on as will you.
Lastly, Suck it up Marine ! You can do this. It is just like walking up Mt. MOTHERF**KER at Camp Pendleton. Remember ? ONE STEP AT A TIME ! OOHRAH ! Dave.

[pintelhook11over]

well, I think it is good to hear multiple "opinions" that could help decide if this is a project that is obtainable. For example, a Good friend of mine had the oportunity to buy a WC-40, with MBT trailer, then proceeded to scrounge up another WC-? 1/2 ton truck, then he took it apart...He has since repaired what he can when his budget allows...Which is taking much longer than he probably expected. I told him when we picked it up in Vista, ca that it would take at least $5000 to get is up and running in a road-worthy condition. He still purchased it and I hope he sticks with it for the long haul, He has the ability in him to see the project all the way through, I just hope he has the perseverance to make it through the project. Everybody's requirements differ from one another so I say, "its always good to look before you leap"

[F. R. Fox]

So far, I still cannot contact the owner. I did see him and his truck when I drove by but I could not stop

So, while I try to find the owner of this truck, does Portrayal Press make a maintenance manual for this thing? Vehicles of Victory should have them right? Also, since the bed is not correct, where can you get one?

[pintelhook11over]

I was just looking throough the "Portrayal" site the other day and I saw G506 books in their best sellers partial list, as for the beds... they seem to be hit and miss in my opinion. I saw a G506 bed the other day on Epay but I think it was out of state @ $500.00. That is good that you know the "owners" vehicle, It seems you are coming closer to a conclusion Sir Sherlock Holmes...lol.

[F. R. Fox]

I think I will order a Maint. manual and a parts manual.

$500 is not so bad. I figgured $1000 and up.


As far as the owner, he will not escape my grasp!!!

[tractor12]

Ferral i told you about 10 trucks sitting in the bay area with beds on them. Contact me and I can get a contact he may sell a bed from one or even parts off of one

[F. R. Fox]

Well lets see if I can get the truck first. Right now Im feeling around before I jump into a hole thinking its a puddle of water.

I have two things going on. The purchase of a new vehicle (one of a larger towing capacity) and a new trailer. So you can see why I haven't just jumped right in yet. If cash was no option and half of my income wasn't going towards Calif's debt, I would have bought it already. So, one thing at a time

[vista52]

Here's another one for you in Escondido with a parts trucks!!!


http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/cto/1939625434.html

[F. R. Fox]

Thats a nice truck, good price too! But to be honest I want a cargo truck with a regular bed. Plus that one is 100 miles away. The one I am eyeballing is 15 miles away.

I really want that one!

[pintelhook11over]

Standing by for a SITREP...