Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

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Myers
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Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Myers » Sat Jul 18, 2015 10:18 am

I am going to document the restoration of 0886653, the youngest WWII converto dump in the G503 database. This will be a slow restoration, but I am going to do as thorough a build as possible. The purpose of this thread is to share my progress, and to ask for help on the way. Hopefully it's informative for everyone involved!

As you read through the thread and see the pictures, if there are any errors or things that should be fixed, PLEASE SPEAK UP!! I welcome any criticism, it will lead to a better trailer in the end.

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1-44 Ford GPW (161784) USA 20439314, USN 87559
5-4-45 Bantam T3 (68871) USA 0948627


Myers
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Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Myers » Sat Jul 18, 2015 10:25 am

I have never seen a ring on any other Converto's dump lever, but I want to confirm it to be post war before I cut it off.
1-44 Ford GPW (161784) USA 20439314, USN 87559
5-4-45 Bantam T3 (68871) USA 0948627

Myers
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Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Myers » Sat Jul 18, 2015 12:02 pm

More progress, got the combat wheels separated as well as chasing all the threads (I will be adding the reinforcing discs to them). Sandblasted the Dump Release Housing and its 4 bolts, found all of them to be "A" marked.

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Last edited by Myers on Tue Oct 20, 2015 5:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1-44 Ford GPW (161784) USA 20439314, USN 87559
5-4-45 Bantam T3 (68871) USA 0948627

Myers
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Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Myers » Tue Jul 21, 2015 3:07 pm

Rebuilt the dump mechanism over the last two days. Only had to replace the U bolts and the jam nut, everything else is still original. I'll post a picture of it finished in OD once the paint has dried in a day or so.

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1-44 Ford GPW (161784) USA 20439314, USN 87559
5-4-45 Bantam T3 (68871) USA 0948627

Myers
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Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Myers » Thu Jul 23, 2015 11:32 am

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Finished the dump mechanism with a few coats of OD.
1-44 Ford GPW (161784) USA 20439314, USN 87559
5-4-45 Bantam T3 (68871) USA 0948627

Myers
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Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Myers » Sun Aug 02, 2015 6:08 am

Sandblasted and prime/painted the dump handle, so that about wraps up the dump mechanism. I have the axle torn apart right now, I'll try to get some pictures up of the progress.

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1-44 Ford GPW (161784) USA 20439314, USN 87559
5-4-45 Bantam T3 (68871) USA 0948627

Myers
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Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Myers » Sat Aug 08, 2015 1:49 pm

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Fedex delivered my Gillespie paint gallons this morning, so I took advantage of today's sunny and warm conditions. Sandblasted and primed several parts, it's nice to see the progress. My intention is to restore it from the ground up, ie axles and hubs, then wheels, then frame, then body etc.
1-44 Ford GPW (161784) USA 20439314, USN 87559
5-4-45 Bantam T3 (68871) USA 0948627

Myers
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Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Myers » Mon Sep 07, 2015 10:02 am

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Combat wheels painted and ready to reassemble. Received my new tubes, flaps, stem protectors, and valve caps, so the tires will be together and completed shortly! Also finished the axle/hubs. Within a day or so I'll have a "rolling axle".. Not a whole lot of progress, but it is nice to see it coming together ever so slowly. The dump mechanism, lunette, body pivot pins, and stanchion are all finished as well, so the frame will be the next project. Kind of like having a bell and horn, but no bike to put under them :)
1-44 Ford GPW (161784) USA 20439314, USN 87559
5-4-45 Bantam T3 (68871) USA 0948627

Myers
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Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Myers » Wed Sep 09, 2015 3:43 pm

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The axle is back together! It's nice to be able to wheel it around, feels like progress :D . Just have to finish painting the studs and nuts on the right side wheel. Now it's on to the frame..
1-44 Ford GPW (161784) USA 20439314, USN 87559
5-4-45 Bantam T3 (68871) USA 0948627

Myers
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Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Myers » Tue Oct 20, 2015 1:42 pm

Finally finished all the repairs to the frame. Freshly sandblasted and painted in red oxide primer. In a few days I will paint, and mate to the axle. The dump mechanism, lunette, stanchion, and dump handle are all ready to mount as well. It should start to look like (half) a trailer again!

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This is the pile of metal that had to be cut off..

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1-44 Ford GPW (161784) USA 20439314, USN 87559
5-4-45 Bantam T3 (68871) USA 0948627

Myers
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Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Myers » Fri Oct 23, 2015 3:56 pm

Starting to come together!


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1-44 Ford GPW (161784) USA 20439314, USN 87559
5-4-45 Bantam T3 (68871) USA 0948627

Myers
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Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Myers » Tue Oct 27, 2015 7:46 am

I made a decent "tall head" 1/2'' bolt out of a generic 1/2"-13-4" from lowes. All I had to do was weld the head a little taller, and then grind back down into a nice hex. Luckily, I was able to drill the remnants of the twisted off bolt out from the original castle nut, so I was able to save it. Added a 1/8" - 1 1/4" cotter pin and it's back to factory specs! I've been trying to find photos and measurements for the landing leg pin, but have come up dry so far.

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1-44 Ford GPW (161784) USA 20439314, USN 87559
5-4-45 Bantam T3 (68871) USA 0948627

gearhead
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Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by gearhead » Tue Oct 27, 2015 2:17 pm

Looking good, there are 2 earlier ones here in PA.
The first gen 42s did not have a plunger style lock, hook type instead, no swivel pintle, no taillights,and built up not cast rear "skids".

Ed S :)
54 CJ-3A/B
56 DJ-3A for sale
45 GPW 271022, USMC 46 CJ-2A 2WD"gasser"
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Myers
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Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Myers » Tue Oct 27, 2015 2:38 pm

Thanks!

I know I need the later style removable pin/bolt, not the early spring assisted "T pin". If anyone has a photo and measurements of the later style, I could really use them.

Boone
1-44 Ford GPW (161784) USA 20439314, USN 87559
5-4-45 Bantam T3 (68871) USA 0948627

Myers
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Re: Converto Engineer Dump Trailer Restoration

Post by Myers » Wed Oct 28, 2015 3:36 pm

I made a new landing leg pin, I think it turned out really well. The chain is original, but I made everything else. I didn't have any original measurements to go off of, just a few photos. I might make a few of these "kits" (both cotter pins, pear shaped link, twist chain, pull ring, and pin) in case anyone else needs them for their convertos.

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1-44 Ford GPW (161784) USA 20439314, USN 87559
5-4-45 Bantam T3 (68871) USA 0948627


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