M1A1 Ward LaFrance Restoration Guide/ process?

Military Trucks 2 1/2 ton and greater, Wanted, For Sale (NO AUCTION or EBAY), and Knowledge Base

Moderator: kw573

User avatar
fotot8ker
G-Sergeant
G-Sergeant
Posts: 38
Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2011 8:01 pm
Location: Coupeville, WA
Contact:

M1A1 Ward LaFrance Restoration Guide/ process?

Post by fotot8ker » Sat Feb 18, 2012 6:20 pm

Was wondering if anyone knows of or where I can get a restoration guide or step by step process in how to restore a M1A1 Ward LaFrance? Looking to restore a local one for a future endeavor. Please let me know! Thanks!
Respectfully,
Bryan I.
Coupeville, WA

GPW 103743 4/1/43 -Dallas, TX., USA 20365988 S
MB-T 22938 -Feb./Mar. 43', USA 0223127


Jeff Jensen
G-Second Lieutenant
G-Second Lieutenant
Posts: 565
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2003 6:26 pm
Location: Excelsior, Minnesota

Re: M1A1 Ward LaFrance Restoration Guide/ process?

Post by Jeff Jensen » Wed Feb 22, 2012 7:28 am

Bryan
There is no such guide. You do it the same way you would do a jeep X 10.
Take many pictures.
Buy all the manuals TM9-796, TM9-1796, TM9-1795A, TM9-1795B, Ord 9-G116 or Ord 8-9 G116.
Wheels & Tracks number 3
Heavy wrecker by David Doyle.
Military Vehicles Issue 129
There are a few more, cant remember right now.
Look at any pictures. Most pictures you find on the net are not in the states.
There are a few of us on the G that have M1A1's. Me being one of them.
I looked in the latest MVPA directory
Some parts for these trucks are very hard to find, So hope it is fairly complete.
Post some pictures of this truck, Is it for sure a Ward lafrance?, Could be a Kenworth.
Jeff

User avatar
Captain Crank
G-Captain
G-Captain
Posts: 706
Joined: Fri Nov 10, 2006 11:14 am
Location: Hamburg USA

Re: M1A1 Ward LaFrance Restoration Guide/ process?

Post by Captain Crank » Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:27 am

You will also need big.......everything.

The engine and transmission alone weigh about as much as a Jeep.
"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy"
Benjamin Franklin

"Life is like a roll of toilet paper
It goes quicker towards the end"
CC

User avatar
fotot8ker
G-Sergeant
G-Sergeant
Posts: 38
Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2011 8:01 pm
Location: Coupeville, WA
Contact:

Re: M1A1 Ward LaFrance Restoration Guide/ process?

Post by fotot8ker » Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:58 pm

Jeff Jensen wrote:Bryan
There is no such guide. You do it the same way you would do a jeep X 10.
Take many pictures.
Buy all the manuals TM9-796, TM9-1796, TM9-1795A, TM9-1795B, Ord 9-G116 or Ord 8-9 G116.
Wheels & Tracks number 3
Heavy wrecker by David Doyle.
Military Vehicles Issue 129
There are a few more, cant remember right now.
Look at any pictures. Most pictures you find on the net are not in the states.
There are a few of us on the G that have M1A1's. Me being one of them.
I looked in the latest MVPA directory
Some parts for these trucks are very hard to find, So hope it is fairly complete.
Post some pictures of this truck, Is it for sure a Ward lafrance?, Could be a Kenworth.
Jeff
Jeff,
Thanks for commenting on my post! That really sucks there isn't really a restoration guide. I kind of figured there would be one, but I just had to ask. I can only wish though! I'd figure that the process would be similar to a Jeep, but like you said times 10! I would certainly take alot of photos in the process, like you mentioned! I agree! All the manuals you stated to get, I will take your advice and go with it and start jotting them down. In looking at images on the web it does seem most are from Europe though and none really state side. Glad to know there is you and a few other guys here on the G that own one! I would guess that parts for the M1A1 would be very hard to find, since they are a rare truck. The M1A1 I found is pretty mostly all there, but I don't know if it is a Ward LaFrance or Kenworth. I just happened to see this M1A1 about a year ago with my Dad and he didn't know what it was, but in returning two weeks ago during my Navy Reserve drill weekend, I took my camera and photographed it. It looks like its been sitting there for 15+ years or more and was used on NAS Whidey Island during WWII and after until being sold to that company which sticker is on the hood. On the dash there is a small "government property" tag which has six numbers. The engine (from the driver's side) looks mostly complete, but still I'm not sure. There are quite a few things missing from looking at it. In comparing to restored M1A1's on the web, there are a few add-on's that you can see were 'welded' later on. I'm not sure if it's for sale or not, but I hope to find out soon! It really need a good pressure wash since there are a few plants growing on it! Here's the photos:

Captain Crank: From looking at a few images of a guy restoring a M1A1 in the UK, I would definitely say that I would need "big everything"! I don't dought that it would weigh as much as a Jeep!
BMI-021212-001 Low Res.jpg
The yellow M1A1 near NAS Whidbey Island
BMI-021212-001 Low Res.jpg (230.7 KiB) Viewed 3099 times
BMI-021212-002 Low Res.jpg
Cut side panel of driver's side cab
BMI-021212-002 Low Res.jpg (165.95 KiB) Viewed 3099 times
BMI-021212-003 Low Res.jpg
Driver's side rear with added on features
BMI-021212-003 Low Res.jpg (244.38 KiB) Viewed 3099 times
Respectfully,
Bryan I.
Coupeville, WA

GPW 103743 4/1/43 -Dallas, TX., USA 20365988 S
MB-T 22938 -Feb./Mar. 43', USA 0223127

User avatar
fotot8ker
G-Sergeant
G-Sergeant
Posts: 38
Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2011 8:01 pm
Location: Coupeville, WA
Contact:

Re: M1A1 Ward LaFrance Restoration Guide/ process?

Post by fotot8ker » Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:05 pm

Here's some more photos from my Navy Reserve drill weekend lunch break:
BMI-021212-004 Low Res.jpg
Passenger side rear view
BMI-021212-004 Low Res.jpg (238.27 KiB) Viewed 3099 times
BMI-021212-005 Low Res.jpg
Towing boom attachment closeup view
BMI-021212-005 Low Res.jpg (199.34 KiB) Viewed 3099 times
BMI-021212-006 Low Res.jpg
Passenger side in the sticker bushes
BMI-021212-006 Low Res.jpg (233.98 KiB) Viewed 3099 times
Questions? Please ask and I'll try and answer them!
Respectfully,
Bryan I.
Coupeville, WA

GPW 103743 4/1/43 -Dallas, TX., USA 20365988 S
MB-T 22938 -Feb./Mar. 43', USA 0223127

User avatar
fotot8ker
G-Sergeant
G-Sergeant
Posts: 38
Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2011 8:01 pm
Location: Coupeville, WA
Contact:

Re: M1A1 Ward LaFrance Restoration Guide/ process?

Post by fotot8ker » Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:10 pm

The next three photos out of 12!
BMI-021212-007 Low Res.jpg
BMI-021212-007 Low Res.jpg (229.16 KiB) Viewed 3099 times
BMI-021212-008 Low Res.jpg
Closeup view rear of cab
BMI-021212-008 Low Res.jpg (181.9 KiB) Viewed 3099 times
BMI-021212-009 Low Res.jpg
Inside cab view from driver's side
BMI-021212-009 Low Res.jpg (209.44 KiB) Viewed 3099 times
Respectfully,
Bryan I.
Coupeville, WA

GPW 103743 4/1/43 -Dallas, TX., USA 20365988 S
MB-T 22938 -Feb./Mar. 43', USA 0223127

User avatar
fotot8ker
G-Sergeant
G-Sergeant
Posts: 38
Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2011 8:01 pm
Location: Coupeville, WA
Contact:

Re: M1A1 Ward LaFrance Restoration Guide/ process?

Post by fotot8ker » Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:14 pm

Last set of photos:
BMI-021212-010 Low Res.jpg
Close up of dash with all the guages
BMI-021212-010 Low Res.jpg (209.37 KiB) Viewed 3099 times
BMI-021212-011 Low Res.jpg
Engine from the driver's side
BMI-021212-011 Low Res.jpg (205.38 KiB) Viewed 3099 times
BMI-021212-012 Low Res.jpg
The "government property" tag with numbers
BMI-021212-012 Low Res.jpg (214.17 KiB) Viewed 3099 times
Respectfully,
Bryan I.
Coupeville, WA

GPW 103743 4/1/43 -Dallas, TX., USA 20365988 S
MB-T 22938 -Feb./Mar. 43', USA 0223127

kw573
G-Colonel
G-Colonel
Posts: 1232
Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:48 pm
Location: Near Bundaberg, Australia.

Re: M1A1 Ward LaFrance Restoration Guide/ process?

Post by kw573 » Fri Feb 24, 2012 1:16 am

Hello Bryan,

Thanks for posting the very, very interesting pictures.

Although there are many alterations to be seen, there is nothing major that seems to have been butchered on this truck. It looks like a splendid restoration prospect to my Australian eye. Certainly, it is bristling with goodies that I lack on my truck. Interestingly, the entire welding tanks rack seems to have been removed.

We only very rarely see vehicles as untouched as this one on my turf.

To restore one this big would be very difficult/tiresome/risky without some form of crane of at least a couple of ton capacity readily available, and a hard surface to operate it on, and the room to move it around.

Having said that, there would be more fun things to do for a couple of years, but not much really springs to mind!!! :lol:

Please let us know what happens.

Have a nice day.
Sam.

bradcckw
G-Sergeant Major
G-Sergeant Major
Posts: 193
Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:58 pm
Location: Washingtion state

Re: M1A1 Ward LaFrance Restoration Guide/ process?

Post by bradcckw » Fri Feb 24, 2012 5:48 am

IM just down the road in freeland,nice to see island trucks on here.
Brad
1944 CCKW 353 A1 In restoration process http://www.flickr.com/photos/37254914@N06/

Jeff Jensen
G-Second Lieutenant
G-Second Lieutenant
Posts: 565
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2003 6:26 pm
Location: Excelsior, Minnesota

Re: M1A1 Ward LaFrance Restoration Guide/ process?

Post by Jeff Jensen » Fri Feb 24, 2012 6:21 am

Bryan
This truck could be a kenworth, I see only 2 hinges on the tool box.
Look on the right frame above front axle by the spring hanger, You will find the serial number, Let me know what it is.
It might be on that data plate on the dash, right side.
Shes kinda rough but I would haul it home.
I left a number out on my first post,It should be like this( I looked in the latest MVPA directory 12 listed )
Jeff

kw573
G-Colonel
G-Colonel
Posts: 1232
Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:48 pm
Location: Near Bundaberg, Australia.

Re: M1A1 Ward LaFrance Restoration Guide/ process?

Post by kw573 » Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:58 am

Bryan,
According to W&Ts, about 85% of the M1A1 trucks built were WLF, the remainder being Kenworth. I gather that there is hardly ever a Kenworth M1A1 seen in Europe, although most of the very few down-under seem, on first inspection, to be Kenworth.

The first indicator, although cosmetic and unreliable, is the shape of the top of the brush guard. Kenworth guards are almost flat, while WLF have a slight peak in the middle. It seems that this was a lot more pronounced in the earlier series than this standardized model (KW573?) Also, it seems that the wrecker bed ('tray') tool boxes vary between the models and makes. And other stuff.

Eventually I found the chassis number of my paddock truck which confirmed my long suspicion that it was a KW.

PM sent.
Sam.

supertrack
G-First Sergeant
G-First Sergeant
Posts: 144
Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2010 12:47 am
Location:

Re: M1A1 Ward LaFrance Restoration Guide/ process?

Post by supertrack » Sat Feb 25, 2012 12:19 pm

I'm trying to finish restoring an Ward Lafrance ( in france :mrgreen: )
I work on it almost 4 years now .
I completely disassembled, sandblasted and then checked and repaired everything that needed to be.
I think today better know this special truck
i have lot of pictures .
Supertrack
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

User avatar
fotot8ker
G-Sergeant
G-Sergeant
Posts: 38
Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2011 8:01 pm
Location: Coupeville, WA
Contact:

Re: M1A1 Ward LaFrance Restoration Guide/ process?

Post by fotot8ker » Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:49 pm

kw573 wrote:Hello Bryan,

Thanks for posting the very, very interesting pictures.

Although there are many alterations to be seen, there is nothing major that seems to have been butchered on this truck. It looks like a splendid restoration prospect to my Australian eye. Certainly, it is bristling with goodies that I lack on my truck. Interestingly, the entire welding tanks rack seems to have been removed.

We only very rarely see vehicles as untouched as this one on my turf.

To restore one this big would be very difficult/tiresome/risky without some form of crane of at least a couple of ton capacity readily available, and a hard surface to operate it on, and the room to move it around.

Having said that, there would be more fun things to do for a couple of years, but not much really springs to mind!!! :lol:

Please let us know what happens.

Have a nice day.
Sam.
Sam,

Glad you like the photos. Yeah there is sure alot of alterations to be seen, but like you said least there isn't any major alterations! I thought the welding racks would have been there, but in closer inspection to my photos they were taken off. Looks kind of like the remant of where the tank holders were is barely visable though. From a few restoration photos I have seen it looks like it would require alot of space and a forklift. I know it would be tiresome/ difficult and risky, but the end product would be awesome! I'll keep you and anyone keeping an eye on this post informed in what happens! Also the PM is sent! Thanks for the message!
Respectfully,
Bryan I.
Coupeville, WA

GPW 103743 4/1/43 -Dallas, TX., USA 20365988 S
MB-T 22938 -Feb./Mar. 43', USA 0223127

User avatar
fotot8ker
G-Sergeant
G-Sergeant
Posts: 38
Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2011 8:01 pm
Location: Coupeville, WA
Contact:

Re: M1A1 Ward LaFrance Restoration Guide/ process?

Post by fotot8ker » Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:52 pm

bradcckw wrote:IM just down the road in freeland,nice to see island trucks on here.
Brad
Brad,

Man, I never knew there were CCKW's on Whidbey! That's awesome! From the link you posted it looks like you have some great restoration projects ahead! Someday I'd love to come and check out what you have! Being mostly a Jeep guy I can understand what you have to go through to get original parts to put at least one together! Hope to see more photos of your restoration(s) in the future! Thanks for sharing!
Respectfully,
Bryan I.
Coupeville, WA

GPW 103743 4/1/43 -Dallas, TX., USA 20365988 S
MB-T 22938 -Feb./Mar. 43', USA 0223127

User avatar
fotot8ker
G-Sergeant
G-Sergeant
Posts: 38
Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2011 8:01 pm
Location: Coupeville, WA
Contact:

Re: M1A1 Ward LaFrance Restoration Guide/ process?

Post by fotot8ker » Sat Feb 25, 2012 2:01 pm

Jeff Jensen wrote:Bryan
This truck could be a kenworth, I see only 2 hinges on the tool box.
Look on the right frame above front axle by the spring hanger, You will find the serial number, Let me know what it is.
It might be on that data plate on the dash, right side.
Shes kinda rough but I would haul it home.
I left a number out on my first post,It should be like this( I looked in the latest MVPA directory 12 listed )
Jeff
Jeff,

You are definitely right about the truck that it could be a Kenworth! When I go back to look at the truck I'll make sure to try and find the serial numbers. They would be on the passenger side (right side) above the front axle by the spring hanger? The data plates and all the other plates on the dash are gone besides that "Government Property" plate I have in one of the photos. The truck is definitely rough, but I hope to try and aquire it! In your first post you said you left out a number? What number was that? Was it the number of MVPA members who have M1A1's? Let me know if that was it! Thanks Jeff!
Respectfully,
Bryan I.
Coupeville, WA

GPW 103743 4/1/43 -Dallas, TX., USA 20365988 S
MB-T 22938 -Feb./Mar. 43', USA 0223127


Post Reply

Return to “Trucks 2 1/2 ton +”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 45 guests