Newbie with a 1945 MB S/N 433154

[Ernie Baals]

Man that looks great,
You do first class work all the way.
The smile on your face after the first ride will take months to go way, if it ever does
Ernie

[bmh_wkh]

any updates?

[918jeeper]

any updates?

Progress slowed down a bit due to being out of town, family, etc. Plus I have been taking care of some leaks, electrical, and carb issues. In between all that I've been working on the windshield frame which turned out to be more work than I anticipated. The previous owner of the windshield frame must of repaired it at one time and welded the frame crooked. So I had to cut the frame and reweld it correctly. The track where the inner w/s slides into was also bent so I had to bend it back in position to allow the inner w/s frame to slide in. What a Pain! I was at the point where I was just going to order a new repro one and even called Ron. Luckily he was all out so I kept working on it until it was right. Persistance paid off in the long run.





Some of the unwanted holes that I had to fill. Believe it or not these were the last holes filled on this jeep. Thank God! I must have filled at least a thousand holes. I definitely have become proficient in the art of hole filling.






Repairs finished and frame primed.






I also mounted the spare tire on the last remaining combat rim and attached it to the jeep


Right now the glass for the windshield is being cut and should be ready for pick up in a couple of days. All I have left to do is put another coat of paint on the fenders, grill and hood, clean up and paint the passenger seat, finish wiring the head lights, generator, regulator, paint the w/s frame OD, install the glass, and install the seat cushions, canvass top and paint the unit markings. Think I can make the Veteran's Day parade Nov 11th? I hope so!

[bmh_wkh]

If you get after it you should make your deadline no problem.
Glad you saved your windshield frame, usable originals are very hard to find and its a nice touch to any restoration to have all original sheet metal.

[918jeeper]

I've been woking all through the days and part of the nights to get this jeep to where it is. I'm %95 done. I still have to complete the wiring and figure out a generator problem I'm having. I've been plagued with nit noid problems and fixing them as I go along. So far I discovered I had a bad coil, Brand new and it was leaking. I had to remove the steering shaft and resolder the horn wire, new rebuilt carb is leaking fuel, generator terminals were marked wrong from the rebuilder so I had the wires mixed up (Hope I didn't damage anything), I have no brake or panel lights. Hope I can get it all figured out by Nov 11th.

Besides all the problems it's a blast to drive and it sure turns heads. I was filling it up with gas at the corner station and a guy came up and said, "That's the cleanest jeep I've seen!" , "Is that a kit?" I said no it's a 1945 WWII jeep that I've been restoring for the last two years. Kit?! Geez!



























A few videos for you. Next video will be when it's complete with unit markings and all.

[Chuck Lutz]

I actually think the guy that thought it was a "kit car" was paying you a compliment on the quality of your restoration in a round-about way...

[HH Birnie]

Great job.Thanks for the many pictures.I am full in restauration of my projekt so i can look to yours.
Here is a link to my restauration.
http://www.2010.nwveluwegroep.nl/hans%20birnie.htm
Gr Hans Birnie
gpw 236146

[horrocks]

Nice kit Newbie. Wish I had one like that. Sounds good too. She's riding a little high on the springs, but I guess she'll settle.

[44MB]

many thanks for the pics - a great record that will help me and others!

I love the idea of the twin engine stand rotisserie - super idea

truly inspirational work - with those skills I wish you were my next door neighbour instead of little old Granny Smith

Andy

[918jeeper]

Nice kit Newbie. Wish I had one like that. Sounds good too. She's riding a little high on the springs, but I guess she'll settle.

Kit?! I noticed it was sitting high. I think it's the new shocks because the rear springs are the original ones from what I can see. I guess I'd rather have it sitting a bit high than sagging though.

[918jeeper]

This baby is just about done!

The seats are all in, I installed the rifle holder, windshield wipers and canvass top. I also finished wiring the blackout lights and headlights. Now all the lights are working. Just waiting for a new bulb for the blackout drive light so I can wire that up.

I also installed the radiator felt which was a real PITA. I never thought something that looked so simple could be so difficult. I had to take the grill completely off in order to do it. Pushing new staples through thick felt and then trying to push them through the original staple holes in the radiator shroud then bending the staples is enough to drive you nuts. It must have taken me at least two to three hours to put that felt on!

Today I started painting the unit markings on the rear bumpers and the hood. I used Rustoleum satin almond in lieu of bright white to tone it down and make it look antiqued. I'll paint the USAF stars on the rear side corners and the front bumper this week which will be a three step process due to the three colors involved.

All I have left after the stars and remaining unit markings on the front bumper are the crash pads and tool box locks.

[macaddict23]

That looks beautiful! Where's the fuel filter?

[918jeeper]

That looks beautiful! Where's the fuel filter?

Thanks! I have an in line filter hidden underneath.

[Cobra Doc]

Are the historic plates still solid copper? If they are, one word of warning, take them off if it is to be parked in an accessible area for any length of time.

[gearhead]

Firewall fuel filters dropped in early 45 on MBs and GPWs.
Strainer in the tank from the factory.

Ed