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 ) 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!!
A few hours with making new plug wires and tracking down a new distributor cap and it runs!!
and I've even driven it!
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!!
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.
snuck it in late at night so the HOA would not get spooked1943 GPW 125009
-
- G-Private
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Wed Mar 08, 2017 7:30 pm
- Location:
Re: 1943 GPW 125009
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 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!
- twinflyer17
- G-Colonel
- Posts: 1347
- Joined: Thu Sep 12, 2013 11:49 am
- Location: Washington, D.C.
Re: 1943 GPW 125009
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.
- Michael O.
- G-Lieutenant General
- Posts: 6131
- Joined: Wed Feb 26, 2003 12:29 am
- Location: The Great State of Nebraska
Re: 1943 GPW 125009
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.
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
Too many jeeps…and a Dodge.
MVPA 13861
-
- G-Lieutenant General
- Posts: 3598
- Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2002 2:54 pm
- Location: Sydney, Australia.
- Contact:
Re: 1943 GPW 125009
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.
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
MB: 131175
GPW: 11730.
GPW: 225290.
Aust trailer: GMH 3- #211
http://www.vintageengines.net
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 63 guests