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1943 Willys MB Jeep so far.....


thefoxhat

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Got the paint from Warpaint (RRServices?) and they just asked what year it was and sent the right stuff, but I seem to recall seeing on the label it referred to it as Tony Sudds Olive Drab. The pictures are deceiving though because of the camera flash and the fact that the paint definately changes colour quite a bit as it dries out over a period of a week or so...

 

Well I'm sure most of you are probably well educated on here about how a MB/GPW Jeep comes apart and goes back together, but as my first venture into the MV world it was very interesting. This forum provided many useful links and photos to other restorations which certainly helped us immensely, so I'm posting up our pics in the hope it also helps others.

 

I guess this is the tried and trusted way of putting the tub back on the chassis. Borrow four strong people and then supervise the move !

 

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Thats me on the left making sure they don't scratch the paint ! Gently easing it down the steering shaft into place now

 

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Little bit of adjustment and alignment...............

 

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And the job was all done in literally five minutes. I couldn't believe how straightforward it was and another milestone is passed as the chassis is once again joined back up with the tub. Put the kettle on guys............

 

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  • 3 months later...
  • 7 months later...

Blimey, can't believe a whole year has flown by since I posted on here.... Well the Willys is now finished but not running very well....

 

Anyway after fitting the body tub back on the chassis I started finishing off all the remaining bodywork. Rear end needed the most work and both side but we got there in the end

 

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All the while we were fitting various bits to the engine bay, plus new wiring, the radiator, hoses, etc and finally got the front sheet metal all fitted roughly in place......

 

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At this point there was definitely something wrong with the fit of the front reproduction wings so the inner strengthening bar had to be removed by drilling out all the spot welds and welding it back in about 1/2" further forward to ensure the bolt holes lined up with the chassis holes

 

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After getting both front wings to fit properly they were all sprayed Olive drab and then we finalised fitting out the engine bay with all the pipes, accessories and wiring, lighting, etc

 

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Then work commenced on bare metalling the windshield, applying the primer and painting it and then fitting the gun rack. By this time we had also fitted the proper combat rims and new tyres which really did start to make it look the part again.

 

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All the new canvas from Worthings was fitted along with all the other little external accessories and then it was time to get the stencils done..........

 

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And then finally we fitted the new hood hoops and the new canvas top and it was pretty well finished. New rubber seal was fitted to the screen surround... and it was ready to go.......... !

 

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Overall this project took 2 years mainly working every Friday, some Saturdays so in total I guess it was some 120 man days which only equates to around 4 months if you condensed it to working 7 days a week non-stop. One of the most rewarding and biggest restoration jobs I have ever done !

 

Got a couple of videos of running it around the yard to show you next.........if I can figure how to post them !

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