CCKW Nth QLD Australia

[Malaponte]

Hi Fellow G People,

I posted some photos of this CCKW late last year and after much discussion with a friend of mine who owns the CCKW, it now sits in my shed.

The truck is an Open cab 353 CCKW 6x6 . Identification number is 268232-A1. I will sand and confirm the number in a few days.

The Cab does have some rust, but after closer inspection the bulk of it is in the rear steel tray. Also the bonnet is almost unrepairable. I will look at it, but I doubt I will do to much with it. I might have to find another bonnet or even a replica bonnet if there available.

I am going to complete refurbish the rear tray, cutting and removing a much of the rusted metal as I can and replacing it. Once the tray has been removed and blasted I will start checking the mechanical and replacing whatever needs fixing. I did noticed today the rear transfer output seal is leaking. I am sure there is going to be a lot more questions.

I have attached photos of the truck, engine and dash. If anyone would like to comment on things that do not look correct " not war era" would be much appreciated.

Looking forward to posting many more photos over the coming months.

Cheers

Justin

[fernando mendes]

Rare and nice WW2 GMC CCKW 353 truck,split axle.Go ahead with your project.You have to find a good mechanic to do the heavy services.Good luck.Fernando.

[Joe Gopan]

Nice looking truck.
Don't let a GPW owner see that Stewart Warner Temperature Gauge.. Speedometer is M-Series.

[Malaponte]

Hi Ben,

Can you tell me or show me what the correct units should be ?

What do you think of the engine bay ? Can you anything that does not look correct ?

Regards

Justin

[Malaponte]

Ferando,

I saw some photos of you putting the STAR stencils on your Open Cab on CCKW.org last night. It's a nice looking truck.

How did you go with trying to find the correct period parts for your vehicle.

Regards

Justin

[fernando mendes]

I have an DVD manual that I printed.

[Malaponte]

The Cab is the main rust problem with the GMC.

Here are some photos. I will have to sand blast the whole tray and cut out all the rust .

[Malaponte]

Looks like I am mistaken with the Chassis Number.

After some sanding of the RH side of the Chassis I found the numbers to be CCKW353 468232-A1. I have attached a photo.

I also sanded a small area in the rear tray just to see how much extra paint is on the CCKW. You can see the original OD there but numerous other greens as well.

[Malaponte]

Being that the number is now 468232-A1 . HMVF site says it was built between November 1944 and May 1945. Is there any way of getting a closer build date ?

Cheers

Justin

[Joe Gopan]

Your Cargo Body is an original style installed on CCKW's prior to the Wood cargo Body. Note the forged tie down hooks. All sterl cargo bodies having the stamped flat hooks are post war European production.

[Malaponte]

Thanks Ben.

But does that mean it's still between Nov 44 and May 45 build date ? Is there anyway of getting a closer to accurate build date ?

Regards

Justin

[fernando mendes]

About bed I only know that the first bed period was ALL STEEL,second period STEEL with WOOD floor,third period ALL WOOD.My open cab 2-44 is ALL WOOD,but I do not have it yet.

[Joe Gopan]

Your truck may have been thru a rebuild and an earlier body installed at that time.

[Malaponte]

So what you are saying Ben is that it should have a later wooden bed on it ??????

[Joe Gopan]

Depends on the supply of steel bodies that were on hand. There was an overlap of both types being installed. Davit Doyles' GMC book explains it. You will also note there is a difference at the cut outs for the gas cap, early bodies were configured for the small neck tank, some were configured at the factory for the 4" neck and others were modified to match replacement tanks. Ironing all this out is a tangled web. CCKW .org has a list of CCKW's with serials and DOD's. Some are obviously wrong.
Your truck appears to be from 1945 production according to the chassis number. A lot of trucks were converted back to steel body due to the damage the wood body got from hard use.