1943 GPW 125009

If you have an unrestored WWII jeep, we would like to see pictures, and hear your comments. NO EBAY or COMMERCIAL SALES.
Post Reply
memimeman
G-Private
G-Private
Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Mar 08, 2017 7:30 pm
Location:

1943 GPW 125009

Post by memimeman » Sat Mar 18, 2017 7:22 pm

Been meaning to put this up for a couple of weeks now, I've posted a couple of pics in the for sale forum looking for parts and people have been more than helpful. Anyways, this is my third flat fender. Bought my first one when I was 15, a 48 cj2a with a pto, engine was seized along with the entire driveline (transmission and t-case had cracked and filled with water). Broke the engine free and put new cases in, was able to save all the gears and it fired right up!! (smoked like a chimney and had no compression though :lol: ) well that one was stolen not long after that, kind of a long story. After that I bought a 46 gpw with a tired smallblock in it and worn out everything else. I drove and broke that for a few years and finally got rid of it. I always held on to the original data plate from my cj2a. I was digging through my things a few months back and it sparked something, so long story short, I came home with this!!
IMG_0101.jpg
IMG_0101.jpg (47.38 KiB) Viewed 2291 times
Its a fairly decent 43 gpw. The guy I bought it from got it for free from some old farmer here in Texas. It has never been titles and has a CJ engine in it that was rebuilt about a year ago (so he told me haha) and runs pretty well, I hear some clicking, but i think the valves just need to be adjusted. The one thing that scares me a little is that the head is cracked. I knew this when I bought it and the seller claims it is because it wasn't torqued properly. I'm hoping that is the case, but I think the block might have to be decked. Right now it doesn't appear to be leaking so it goes into the 'things that are broken but kinda work so they're not really broken" category of problems. :shock:
IMG_2716.jpg
IMG_2716.jpg (47.38 KiB) Viewed 2291 times
IMG_2717.jpg
IMG_2717.jpg (41.84 KiB) Viewed 2291 times
snuck it in late at night so the HOA would not get spooked
IMG_2675.jpg
IMG_2675.jpg (55.54 KiB) Viewed 2291 times
A few hours with making new plug wires and tracking down a new distributor cap and it runs!!
IMG_2676.jpg
IMG_2676.jpg (36.6 KiB) Viewed 2291 times
and I've even driven it!
IMG_2683.jpg
IMG_2683.jpg (91.54 KiB) Viewed 2291 times
However the brakes were shot, you can read more on that in my other post, Ill try and post a link later. The good is that the frame is pretty solid and mechanically things seem to be pretty ok. The hat channels are all but gone but strangely enough, the floors are really solid. The frame was destroyed on the front as is typical with these poor jeeps, the front shackles are welded (thoroughly although not very pretty) to the homemade bumper. Same with the very rear shackles, tub is welded to the rear bumper. Not too much bondo on the tub, Ive only found two spots. anyways, Pics!!
IMG_2679.jpg
First thing to go was the anchor of a homemade winch! Less weight=more gooder!
IMG_2679.jpg (54.2 KiB) Viewed 2291 times
IMG_2698.jpg
solid floors!! note the hole for removing the shifter pin, if they had only thought of that at the factory then he wouldn't have had to use a blowtorch. . . .
IMG_2698.jpg (49.46 KiB) Viewed 2291 times
IMG_2699.jpg
one of the bondo spots, hard to see in the pic
IMG_2699.jpg (64.07 KiB) Viewed 2291 times
IMG_2702.jpg
bad things happened here, the shackles have also been ripped off the front of the rear springs, seems like it was either rear ended or the axle was ripped off from someone trying to pull it out of the mud.
IMG_2702.jpg (83.12 KiB) Viewed 2291 times


memimeman
G-Private
G-Private
Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Mar 08, 2017 7:30 pm
Location:

Re: 1943 GPW 125009

Post by memimeman » Sat Mar 18, 2017 7:41 pm

IMG_2707.jpg
more damage
IMG_2707.jpg (44.38 KiB) Viewed 2288 times
IMG_2705.jpg
probably the best hat channel on the whole thing which isn't saying much
IMG_2705.jpg (64.22 KiB) Viewed 2288 times
IMG_2715.jpg
IMG_2715.jpg (34.68 KiB) Viewed 2288 times
IMG_2718.jpg
bubba bumper
IMG_2718.jpg (81.54 KiB) Viewed 2288 times
IMG_2720.jpg
I'm sure these say something about the s/n, to be honest i haven't even tried to read them yet
IMG_2720.jpg (41.24 KiB) Viewed 2288 times
IMG_2723.jpg
front bubba bumper
IMG_2723.jpg (46.08 KiB) Viewed 2288 times
IMG_2722.jpg
as it currently sits
IMG_2722.jpg (51.67 KiB) Viewed 2288 times
so the plan is a "full" mechanical restoration. idk if I'm ever going to do a "perfect" restoration, but I want to keep it as stock as possible and do the best I can while still keeping it drivable. I love the L134 and want to keep that (lets be honest, I love the whole thing haha)! I plan on using it for tooling around town and light trail duty. Locking hubs and an overdrive are most likely on the horizon. I'd like to weld some new hat channels in it, so the body *might* come off in December. The farmer was a pretty decent mechanic but he didn't spend any money on it. For example, every bolt hole that stripped out, he would drill and tap a larger bolt into it. So my front knuckles have four different size bolts holding them together :cry: So just to keep me sane if I ever break down on the side of the road, new parts are on the way thanks to some very helpful people in the forum! I have rebuild kits for the transmission and transfer case on the way! Im very excited to have a project to work on and glad to be bringing another jeep back from the dead!

User avatar
twinflyer17
G-Colonel
G-Colonel
Posts: 1347
Joined: Thu Sep 12, 2013 11:49 am
Location: Washington, D.C.

Re: 1943 GPW 125009

Post by twinflyer17 » Sat Mar 25, 2017 4:59 am

Nice looking '43! Looks to be in about the same condition most of us on the G have likely found ours in...honestly, minus the cracked head, it looks more solid than my '43 was! Good luck with it and keep posting pictures when you make progress.
Sean

GPW 108175 viewtopic.php?t=267732
DOD 4/14/43 Louisville, KY USA20371070

MVPA
AOPA

User avatar
Michael O.
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 6131
Joined: Wed Feb 26, 2003 12:29 am
Location: The Great State of Nebraska

Re: 1943 GPW 125009

Post by Michael O. » Tue Apr 25, 2017 2:50 pm

Always good to learn of another '43 GPW that's still with us. All of your problem areas on the frame and tub can be repaired! I would advise against a reproduction tub (not that you were planning on that anyway)...definitely worth restoring your original tub.

My first jeep was my '43 GPW....which is why there's always a special place in my hear for '43 GPW's!

Congrats on your jeep! Please, post your date of delivery when you can....and add the information to the serial numbers page.
Michael O’Connell

Too many jeeps…and a Dodge.

MVPA 13861

Ian Fawbert
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 3598
Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2002 2:54 pm
Location: Sydney, Australia.
Contact:

Re: 1943 GPW 125009

Post by Ian Fawbert » Fri Dec 21, 2018 3:54 am

Hi mate,

In your early photos above, your Jeep had a mirror arm still fitted. Regardless if you believe it original or not, can you please share a few photos of it?

I’m trying to get some info and develop a pattern of what was fitted to what to help others out.

Thanks,
Ian.
Australian Jeep Investigator
MB: 131175
GPW: 11730.
GPW: 225290.
Aust trailer: GMH 3- #211
http://www.vintageengines.net


Post Reply

Return to “Original Unrestored WWII Jeeps”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 59 guests