GPW fender and grill getting some 33070 OD Green

GPW fender and grill getting some 33070 OD GreenPainting and Grill Work

Finally was able to get some more painting in, mainly due to setting up a paint booth because I was so fed up with the wind! Progress is coming along, as most things get painted the closer I get to putting them back on the Jeep!

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M38 Rim on a 600-16 Tire Wheel

M38 Rim on a 600-16 Tire WheelPainting and metal work

Not as much done this week as I was hoping, but still, little victories here and there getting closer and closer. Waiting on calm wind so I can really hit the painting now that I have another gallon of OD Green paint. Also, hope to order the reproduction body tub in the next day or two.

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Painting the grill, fender, and other Jeep items

Painting the grill, fender, and other Jeep itemsMore Painting and small jobs

Another week of smaller jobs here and there getting various items prepped for the eventual return to the Jeep. Some of the larger items, like the fender and grill, have been painted with a final coat of primer and OD Green!

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Welding the 1944 GPW Grill

Welding the 1944 GPW GrillWelding Time!

This has been another busy week with lots of activities on the Jeep, from finishing the Voltage Regulator to finally welding one of the fenders and grill! Then from welding to sanding and adding filler to the gaps left for a good finish.

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Original GPW Jeep Grill sandblasted!

Original GPW Jeep Grill sandblasted!HALFWAY POINT!

This past week has seen a lot of work, and I’m finally reaching the HALFWAY point of this restoration with the (finally) painting of the frame! There’s a lot of extra work including electrical checks, final engine painting, and the return of major parts from sandblasting!

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GPW Blackout Marker Light

GPW Blackout Marker LightElectrical Work and Engine Rebuild

This past week has had a lot of activity on the Jeep with more small projects as I wait for good non-windy weather to paint the frame. Lots of electrical items have arrived for the Jeep, and I was able to test most of them with the battery. Some fun surprises! Work is about done on the engine with the oil pan reinstalled, just needs to be put back on the frame once the frame is painted.

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NOS Voltage Regulator

NOS Voltage RegulatorVoltage Regulator and Pre-Painting

I opened the voltage regulator I got on ebay to a wonderful surprise, and work continues on various items for the Jeep. Plus, there was a ‘less windy than usual’ day so I was able to pre-paint the frame with primer!

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The bare metal GPW windshield and repro inner windshield

The bare metal GPW windshield and repro inner windshieldWindshield Restoration: Part 2

Work continues on the Windshield… getting closer and closer to being done! Huge progress was made November 3rd when I was able to get the windshield adjustment screw bolt welded into my outer windshield frame thanks to Paul and Tom at the Planes of Fame Air Museum. That same weekend I finally figured out the best way to get all the remaining paint off the windshield… wish I’d known this from the beginning! I then test fitted everything and it worked well!

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Correct Dash Switches on a 1944 GPW

Correct Dash Switches on a 1944 GPWDashboard switches

On the dashboard of a Willys Jeep, you have several switches that control everything from the lights, the engine choke, engine throttle (think of it as an ‘early cruise control’), the panel lights, etc. The Jeep was missing most of the switches including what’s known as the ‘push/pull’ switch that could controls all sorts of the lights based on how you pull the main knob. I removed all the switches that were incorrect and purchased new ones including a vintage push/pull switch. I then removed all the switches on the dash and did a test fitting of them all (not hooked up).

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GPW Headlights

GPW HeadlightsHeadlight Restoration Begins…

Every night I’ve been taking on a new project and continue working on it once previous projects hit a pause (like waiting for a weekend to use loud power tools). I started the process of removing the headlights from the Jeep including undoing all of the wiring (in prep for the new wiring harness). It wasn’t too complicated of a process, though I had to un-solder the wiring to the headlights internally. After some sandblasting and then some red oxide primer, they are ready for OD Green paint!

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