How To Identify VEP Script GPW? Newbie

[signsup]

Just joined the group this morning after purchasing what I believe to be a 1942 Script GPW. It was about 90 miles away and I negotiated the price to include delivery, so it's on it's way! I want to come back to this group with information so that I can begine what will be a frame off restoration to original condition.
I don't even know what information to provide.
I will take lots of pictures, but what should I be looking for?
Here's what I believe so far:
Data plats missing from glove box door except for shift pattern plate. GPW and number is on head casting. Where do I look for block number? Under distributor or under oil filter? Cross member in front of frame is U shapped, not tube, but where will frame number be?
FORD in script is on rear panel lower left. Has pioneer tool brackets, spare tire bracket and Jerry can bracket as well as grab handles.
Front bumber has been cobbled on and a tow bar has been permenately welding to it over the hole locations at the frame ends, but I know it has large hole in center of bumber for crank.
Has bows for top, but one pivots on the other and it is welded to the body.
No wipers, but small holes in center of frames for manual wipers.
Fuel tank is NOT located under seat but well rusted out and was located under the tub under the pioneer tools with the filler neck coming out in the rear wheel well in front of the left rear tire. I'm having trouble finding information on that type of fuel tank location, but I have seen a photo of a restored GPW with that tank location.
What other information can I look for when it arrives to provide to this group to help me properly identify what exactly I have before I plan the restoration project?

This could be the start of a beautiful friendship.

thank you in advance.

[lt.luke]

Just joined the group this morning after purchasing what I believe to be a 1942 Script GPW. It was about 90 miles away and I negotiated the price to include delivery, so it's on it's way! I want to come back to this group with information so that I can begine what will be a frame off restoration to original condition. Welcome! We can't wait for pictures & more info.
I don't even know what information to provide.
I will take lots of pictures, but what should I be looking for?
Here's what I believe so far:
Data plats missing from glove box door except for shift pattern plate. GPW and number is on head casting. Where do I look for block number? Under distributor or under oil filter? The serial number is under the oil filter & stamped on a flat pad. The casting numbers will be uner the distributor & cast in. Cross member in front of frame is U shapped, not tube, but where will frame number be? Look on the left frame rail, inside the engine compartment, either on the engine mount structure or on the actual frame.
FORD in script is on rear panel lower left. Has pioneer tool brackets, spare tire bracket and Jerry can bracket as well as grab handles. Excellent start, ask him to look around real good for other stuff that he thinks came off, goes with or is for the jeep, other tools, parts, bolts etc. even if he thinks it is junk, take it!
Front bumber has been cobbled on and a tow bar has been permenately welding to it over the hole locations at the frame ends, but I know it has large hole in center of bumber for crank. If the hole is there, it's worth carefully removing the other stuff and trying to save the bumper.
Has bows for top, but one pivots on the other and it is welded to the body. Welds can be ground, dents can be filled, or cut out & replaced by sections of pipe etc, get them & work on them carefully, they are worth it!
No wipers, but small holes in center of frames for manual wipers. Manual wipers are factory on all but the late war jeeps.
Fuel tank is NOT located under seat but well rusted out and was located under the tub under the pioneer tools with the filler neck coming out in the rear wheel well in front of the left rear tire. I'm having trouble finding information on that type of fuel tank location, but I have seen a photo of a restored GPW with that tank location. Really? Where is the pic as I'm interested to see it. The tank on all jeeps was under the seat, with the filler under the canvas. Yours should have a "small mouth tank"
What other information can I look for when it arrives to provide to this group to help me properly identify what exactly I have before I plan the restoration project?

This could be the start of a beautiful friendship.

thank you in advance.

Some think that VEPs are only the first few of the 1st contract, characterized by the Willys style (round front cross member) frame with GPW frame stamping. I personally open it up a bit more to include the first contract. There were around 25,000 Script GPWs, all in the first and second contract. Your serial number could range from a 4-digit, up through about 25,xxx range. If you have the big stamped Ford in the back of the tub, you have a Script, but maybe not a VEP.

If your frame serial number & your engine serial match, & theres a reasonable chance your body is original to the jeep, then you have a numbers matching script, which is indeed rare after 70-odd years!

[smurf]

sounds like you have an early VEP if it has the Willys frame, your frame # is likely four digits but could be a late five digit one like mine, in any case it sounds like you have an interesting and probably valuable jeep, especially if the engine block #s match. If thet is an original front bumper do try to save it as the repops are lousy and the real ones are non-existent. I have a friend with a slat grill on a CJ2 body so when looking at the gas tank remember bubba has had a lot of time to "improve" your jeep!

[macaddict23]

I'm looking forward to seeing some pics!

[signsup]

I haven't forgotten. The Jeep is supposed to be delivered by the end of the week. Weather permitting, I'll take some photos and figure out how to post them here. My fingers are itching to start buying videos, manuals, restoration guides, etc., even some parts. But I'm holding off until I actually get the Jeep and with the help of this group, figure out exactly what it is. I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities to spend time and money on this in the years ahead. I've joined the local MVPA and look forward to meeting with them on this GPW as well.
I've got my fingers corssed on the numbers.

[Chuck Lutz]

Get the books, do a "survey" that includes every item on the jeep, any markings or features to determine Ford/Willys/postwar production, take a MILLION photos....make up a spreadsheet. ASK QUESTIONS here! Once you learn a little more about it and have decided if you are doing a frame-off restoration immediately....THEN take it apart and THEN begin to restore every part you have....and THEN you will know what you need to BUY....you can always BUY parts, but if you get the wrong ones for the kind of restoration you are doing (factory vs. motorpool) you will end up selling or trading them anyway.

Patience...the more you figure out BEFORE diving in, the happier you will be down the road.

Ren Bernier's book
AAW (vol 1 and 2 are suggested)
Lawrence Nabholtz's The Military Jeep
SNL
copy of the TM 10-1348 and TM 10-1349 for the contract your jeep was made under (script would be First or Second contract)

Welcome aboard....

[signsup]

Great advice on the books. I've ordered some of them as well as downloaded some of the manuals. The on-line stuff works best for me because, I didn't mention it in my prior posts, but I am blind. I have special computer software that reads to me, so anything on the Internet such as these forums and manuals or articles that can be downloaded are my first line of offense. My wife and son can help with the written items and photographs.
Jeep has not been delivered yet, so I'm still on "hold". Absorbing as much research as I can while waiting.
I've got Aberdeen on my schedule for May!
Thanks for the guideance so far.
I'll post images as soon as the Jeep arrives and I can figure out how to get them on this site.

[lt.luke]

WOW, Ok, I must give you a lot of props taking on a project like this with that sort of disability! Some of this stuff is hard enough for those of us who can see, I can't imagine tackling something like this and not being able to see. That is really outstanding.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[signsup]

Have taken plenty of photos. Need to find web host site so that I can post here. Engine not only not matching number, but later civilian L134 block. Will probably have this one rebuilt to get running and then look for GPW block and/or motor to put in later.

Chassis number if GPW12780

Haven't looked for body tub numbers yet, but floor pan, rear pan and Ford Script rear panel is pretty bad. Might have to go for replacement tub and Ford script rear panel and have them cut and welded together as they don't come that way.

Have discovered that this Jeep must have spent some time in the cold as it has the Winterization slave kit socket in the front passenger wheel well and has the remnents of the snaps for the winterization kit frill and hood blanket. No heater in chassis and with the newer engine put in at some point in time, doesn't look like it has the winterization engine conversion. Looks like it has the extra knobs choke pump on the dash.

Working are way slowly through paint to try to get to hood numbers. We see some white so we are hopeful.

Pictures to come.

[OldGPW]

Have taken plenty of photos. Need to find web host site so that I can post here.

Pictures to come.

I think Ron changed it awhile back so you can directly upload pictures?

[signsup]

I went to the information board and the process says that I need to have them hosted on the web someplace first. My wife is going to put them on our Jeep's facebook page and then I should be able to link to them from there. Once we doe it once, I can manage it with my special talking software, but the first time is a little tough on me for something new.
If you were attempting to post a photo with your "old gpw" link, it doesn't look like it worked.

[jeepfinger]

Hi Signsup,

Haven't looked for body tub numbers yet, but floor pan, rear pan and Ford Script rear panel is pretty bad. Might have to go for replacement tub and Ford script rear panel and have them cut and welded together as they don't come that way.

Pure Ford tubs don't have a tub number. I would check with Ron and some other dealers about a repro Script tub, I do know that MDJ did make them.
Regards,
Dave

[Chuck Lutz]

You can post three pics per post without having a host. If you use a hosting site that you quit or goes down, those pics are forever lost here as the link is no longer valid.

Start a thread or post on one that exists already
Look below the window for the UPLOAD ATTACHMENT and click on it
Click on BROWSER
Find the file where the pic you want is located on your hard drive
Click on the pic you want
Click on OPEN
Click on ADD THE FILE
Move the cursor to an open line under the text where you want it and click
Click on PLACE

You may have to crop a large pic to get it down to about the 256kb maximum....and only three pics per post....

[OldGPW]

You can post three pics per post without having a host. If you use a hosting site that you quit or goes down, those pics are forever lost here as the link is no longer valid.

Start a thread or post on one that exists already
Look below the window for the UPLOAD ATTACHMENT and click on it
Click on BROWSER
Find the file where the pic you want is located on your hard drive
Click on the pic you want
Click on OPEN
Click on ADD THE FILE
Move the cursor to an open line under the text where you want it and click
Click on PLACE

You may have to crop a large pic to get it down to about the 256kb maximum....and only three pics per post....

Chuck, thanks for the instructions. I was pretty sure you could upload directly onto the "G" but wasn't able to find a tutorial on the site.

[signsup]

Ford Script

DSC_0011.JPG (141.3 KiB) Viewed 856 times

Chassis number GPW12780

100_0690.JPG (49.35 KiB) Viewed 856 times

OK, let's give it a try.

1942 Ford Script GPW

gpw 1.jpg (9.2 KiB) Viewed 856 times

Ford Script

DSC_0011.JPG (141.3 KiB) Viewed 856 times