1943 GPW 108175

If you have an unrestored WWII jeep, we would like to see pictures, and hear your comments. NO EBAY or COMMERCIAL SALES.
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1943Willysgpw
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Re: 1943 GPW 108175

Post by 1943Willysgpw » Mon Jan 18, 2016 8:41 am

Awesome work.
"None of us are as smart as all of us"

1942 GPW 1871 DoD 2-27-42 Dallas Plant
1945 GPW 247890 DoD 1-26-45 Louisville Plant
1942 GTB 136166 DoD 9-18-42
1942 GTB 135938 DoD
1952 M100


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Chuck Lutz
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Re: 1943 GPW 108175

Post by Chuck Lutz » Tue Jan 19, 2016 10:40 am

Matching numbers GPW-108552, another Louisville jeep, awaits a factory restoration in my garage also....only 377 motor numbers and a couple days later than yours.
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947

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twinflyer17
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Re: 1943 GPW 108175

Post by twinflyer17 » Tue Jan 19, 2016 11:38 am

Chuck Lutz wrote:Matching numbers GPW-108552, another Louisville jeep, awaits a factory restoration in my garage also....only 377 motor numbers and a couple days later than yours.
Wow. That's actually really cool to hear of another jeep so close to mine! It's also neat to see two jeeps, built only days apart, survive the last 70+ years and end up on completely different sides of the country. Unfortunately, though, I'm not lucky enough to still have the original engine in mine. :cry:
Sean

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

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Re: 1943 GPW 108175

Post by twinflyer17 » Tue Mar 29, 2016 5:48 am

A few more updates on the finalization of my GPW resto. The last couple of months (basically all of two free weekends that I've had to work on it :roll: ) have been primarily focused on completing the tedious odds and ends. The biggest thing I had to do was rebuild my carb. On my first drive around the block, the engine wasn't running very smooth and it wanted to choke off and die when I stopped. Needless to say, a fresh rebuild certainly helped fix that problem :D At this point I only have around 25 miles on her since then, but it's running better than ever, has plenty of power, and idles and sounds smooth as can be. Still hoping to get another 100+ on her before show/parade season begins, just to build my trust, but so far so good! I've even been able to finish up the engine bay, get the horn hooked up, and get decals on the fuel and oil filters (pic doesn't show them):

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I've also been able to finish up with the wiring of my BO drive light and BO tail lights...for some reason, my wiring harness wasn't setup for the left rear BO tail light? Regardless, a simple splice and I was able to get the plug installed and working:

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Lastly, I was able to finally secure the front driver's seat (I still need to spray the bolts OD) and the transmission cover and boot rings:

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Overall, I'm happier than ever and can't wait at all for nice weather and summer events! I still need to get my stencils painted on the hood and body (I have my USA # ready), just need a nice warm day to get those done :lol: and I bought what seem to be an original axe, shovel, and jerry can which all need cleaned up and mounted. Hopefully in the next few weeks I'll have them and the stencils completed and mounted...then it's time to enjoy spring and summer! 8)

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Last edited by twinflyer17 on Sun Aug 06, 2017 1:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Sean

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

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Re: 1943 GPW 108175

Post by gpw6335 » Thu Mar 31, 2016 3:57 pm

Very nice job.
1943 GPW 103951
1951 M38 27714
1952 M38a1 28888
1969 M274A5
1972 M151A2
1943 MBT
1951 M100
1979 M416
1962 M37B1

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Re: 1943 GPW 108175

Post by twinflyer17 » Mon Apr 11, 2016 8:32 am

Final updates. The GPW is completely finished and ready for spring and summer! This past weekend I was finally able to paint the stars and numbers on the hood and body, as well as mount the axe and shovel. I do have an original jerry can which I've cleaned up and painted OD - I just need to get the canvas straps on and I'll be able to mount that next/last. I've also been able to put 33 miles on her so far, so fingers crossed it keeps running as good has it has been so far! I can honestly say it's a great feeling driving through town and getting people to honk, wave, and strain their necks when trying to catch a glimpse of me driving by!

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Last edited by twinflyer17 on Sun Aug 06, 2017 1:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Sean

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

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Re: 1943 GPW 108175

Post by twinflyer17 » Tue May 31, 2016 9:41 am

I got the chance to participate in my first Memorial Day event and parade this year and even had the honor to carry two Vietnam veterans in my jeep. Not only did I have a great day displaying my jeep for the first time and talking to other MV owners and spectators, but I was fortunate enough to meet each of these gentleman and make their evenings by asking if they would like to ride with me during the parade. Each of their reactions was priceless and they immediately accepted my offer...not only that, but other veterans near them lit up and began asking me to participate as well! Unfortunately I didn't have enough room for everyone, but it was an amazing feeling seeing all of their excitement! I hope others had the same experience this year as well!

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Last edited by twinflyer17 on Sun Aug 06, 2017 1:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Sean

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

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Fortyeight2A
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Re: 1943 GPW 108175

Post by Fortyeight2A » Wed Jun 01, 2016 8:08 pm

It's too bad you and I aren't closer. Your early CJ engine block with GPW head would meld nicely with my CJ head and GPW block, although my block is from October of '43.

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Re: 1943 GPW 108175

Post by twinflyer17 » Thu Jun 02, 2016 5:23 am

Fortyeight2A wrote:It's too bad you and I aren't closer. Your early CJ engine block with GPW head would meld nicely with my CJ head and GPW block, although my block is from October of '43.
That is too bad...If you happen find yourself heading towards the east coast, and vice versa, let's touch base. My engine runs smooth with no smoke! :wink:
Sean

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

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Re: 1943 GPW 108175

Post by Fortyeight2A » Fri Jun 03, 2016 7:45 pm

My engine runs smooth with no smoke too! It would be cool if we could meet halfway and do a dual-engine swap in a parking lot somewhere! :lol:

BTW, my block is a Wilson Foundry casting with a curved-'W' serial number. I think the S/N is 155-----somethingsomethingsomething...
Is it true real Jeeps have flat fenders?
Alone cannot you it resist!

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Re: 1943 GPW 108175

Post by twinflyer17 » Fri Aug 19, 2016 6:56 am

Hmm...update on the summer since Memorial Day. Gotta love these old jeeps, but for all of the work you put into them they don't seem to show much appreciation and always fight back with new issues and constant work! Guess that's a part of what comes when you own something 73+ years old :roll:

After only about 100 miles on the GPW after the resto was complete I began to notice some oil leaking from the head. Not what you want to see when you only get one weekend a month to work on and drive the jeep, but nonetheless a head gasket replacement had to be done.

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Oh yeah, make sure you hookup the oil outlet on the oil filter before you start the engine... :shock:

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Fortunately, only two head bolts broke during removal. Not sure when the last time the head was taken off, as I didn't do any engine work prior to reinstalling it, but I did expect more bolts to break. The problem was the pain in trying to remove the broken studs. Ended up having to drill them both out and carefully chisel out remaining pieces from the existing threads...not the easiest process and completely nerve wracking when it came to threads and messing things up. Both holes ended up working, though, and I was able to successfully get the new gasket on and sealed up properly. I have a little over 100 miles on her since this was complete and no leaks yet!

Next problem ended up being an "over heating" issue. I've been following several threads this summer with people who have the same issue. I was hovering around the 200-210 degree mark but wasn't boiling over, so my first thought was to let it go and continue to drive the old girl; however, since a thermostat replacement seemed pretty easy, I decided it was worth at least replacing it so I wouldn't have to worry myself anymore. That was a mistake. All three bolts that hold the thermostat housing on broke from rust and one ended up needing to be drilled. That said, another full day of drilling and tapping and I was able to get it cleaned up and replaced. Of course I did it with the radiator on...and ended up causing a leak out of a bubba repair from the outlet tube at the bottom. After a quick solder job I was able to patch it and get everything replaced. After a 20 mile drive on a 90 degree day, I'm now holding much closer to 180 degrees, which makes me much happier!

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Fingers crossed to the rest of the summer into fall remaining carefree! :D
Last edited by twinflyer17 on Sun Aug 06, 2017 1:36 pm, edited 4 times in total.
Sean

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

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Re: 1943 GPW 108175

Post by fotot8ker » Tue Jan 31, 2017 8:08 pm

Nice survivor! Glad to see how your project went. Keep up the good work. Hope mine will someday look like that! :)
Respectfully,
Bryan I.
Coupeville, WA

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

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Re: 1943 GPW 108175

Post by twinflyer17 » Wed Feb 01, 2017 6:07 am

Thanks, Bryan! It just takes time and patience. I'm sure yours will look the same, if not better, once you're finished! You should post a few pics somewhere, if you haven't already, so we can all follow your progress :D
Sean

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

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Frank
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Re: 1943 GPW 108175

Post by Frank » Fri Feb 03, 2017 2:58 pm

Nice work :!:
Willys MB`s
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CJ2A
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Re: 1943 GPW 108175

Post by Ralph » Mon Feb 06, 2017 6:13 pm

Sean,
Your restoration is very nice to look at.Your pictures are helpful to us all...your time frame is impressive.
Ralph


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