Dan's 42 mb restoration

[dirtydiesel]

My name is dan i'm a mechanic from nottingham in the uk.

This is my first wartime jeep, i have wanted one for a long time, and while i've watched and waited prices have gone up and up. So this year i've decided to take the plunge before i'm totally priced out of one forever.

This is the is the most complete, most "honest" one i found, within my price range.

I bought with no frame number, no id tags, all i have is what you see in the pics and a later 45 mb bonnet

The only number i have is the tub number 25749, Jim Kilbourne has given me a date range of late feb '42 to early march '42, This gives me a date (and spec) to restore the jeep to.

This production date puts it as being a late slat grill with a glove box and rounded tank well.

My goal is to end up with a nice useable jeep that retains as much originality as i can manage.

Now on to the pics, as i bought it.

[dirtydiesel]

A few more detailed pics,

Tub number


Gpa steering column (apparently)


Early filterette


Gpw rear axle casting,


All the guages it came with.

[dirtydiesel]

My jeep came with this mb bonnet to replace the cj one it has fitted at the moment, i know the bonnet isn't the original as it belonged to another tub the guy had. I can just about see the star through the patina and there looks to be hood numbers present as well. I think it is much later than mine as it has holes that look to be in the right place for a grease gun?





The hinge needs a bit of love!

[Fat Albert]

Hi Dan! Nice jeep! I know what you feel when there are no data plates or numbers to find on your new girl... but don't feel too bummed about it, you have a very nice jeep to work with. I wish mine was a straight and rust free as yours! I'm sure there will be other G members chime in here as you post more pictures and record of your work. They are a helpful and nice group of folks on here. I'll pass along one of the best pieces of advice I've gotten from them so far. Keep it fun. Have fun... when it turns into work its time to take a break! At all costs have fun and enjoy the ride! And post lots pictures of it all so we can enjoy your project too!

[horrocks]

I would suggest that it never was a slat. Feb-March 42 had the pressed steel grille, glove box and rounded sump.

[dirtydiesel]

I would suggest that it never was a slat. Feb-March 42 had the pressed steel grille, glove box and rounded sump.

Maybe, i guess we'll never know,

Either way i'll restore and use the grill i have. Mine needs all the radiator support panel work reinstating.

Out of interest does yours have a flat topped grill?

[horrocks]

Out of interest does yours have a flat topped grill?

No, but it should. My MB was rebodied in the REME/Ministry of Supply programmes of the 1950s. Graham Thrussel (ironage) has a good original March 42 MB with the flat-topped grille. He would be a good reference for your rebuild. You might PM him.

[dirtydiesel]

After a great deal of reading on here i've decided to do something nice and easy first, the hood.

Although i know the bonnet isn't the original for my mb, i had a look for hood numbers using jim kilbournes technique.

From this,


To this,


Amazing really that it's survived all these years.

[dirtydiesel]

Hood numbers read 20611830,

On the other side 20 was already peeking through!


No luck with the rest of it though

[thidisbogus]

Welcome Dan!

You have a much more complete jeep than many on here start with, so congratulations! It looks like bubba installed a tailgate. You might just replace the rear panel in lieu of trying to repair all that.

[dirtydiesel]

Welcome Dan!

You have a much more complete jeep than many on here start with, so congratulations! It looks like bubba installed a tailgate. You might just replace the rear panel in lieu of trying to repair all that.

Thanks,

It doesn't feel very complete! I am really envious of the original features everyone else seeems to have.

I'm not envious of the rust on other peoples projects though, mine seems to be just lots of bubba mods and lots and lots of stress cracks.

I am planning on fitting a new rear panel, does anyone know who does the best quality scripted rear panels in the uk?

Also do the new rear panels come with the supporting framework?

[hell-fire]

Dan,

You may be missing parts but your base is good & there is no truck load of filler coating everything, The scripted rear panel you seek will be made in the Philipines & the UK dealers should have them, there is apparently something a little out with the lettering but I was grateful just to have something back & I thing it really doesn't look to bad.

Have attached a photo of my panel fitted.

Good luck with your Jeep

[dirtydiesel]

Yours looks good John,

The script looks plenty good enough for me, did yours come with the supporting frame?

Mine has quite a lot of filler in it, i'm not going to be working on the tub for a little while though,

i plan on rebuilding the rolling chassis before tackling the body

[spyder]

Hi Dan

My friend is currently restoring this 42 MB
He tells me that the Philipino rear panel from Jeeparts is a perfect fit & came with internal frame.

Keep up the good work. You have an excellent project

mbrearpanel.jpg (47.65 KiB) Viewed 998 times

[mr rusty]

Hi Dan,
You have a great project there. Looks like you have some nice early bits (filterette, early GPW axle). It looks like you have a later GPW bonnet (mid 44 on) with the reinforcement plates
where the grease gun bracket is fixed. So, the reg number you have found (super find) is probably not correct for your early MB. There is probably more guys on the 'G' who can date the reg number better than me.

Good luck ..... Peter

PS the best rear panels are made by a couple of guys in Holland (they attend Beltring in July). Try j.van.leijen1@kpnplanet.nl