Hi all! Just checking in. Progress continues on Sweet Chee though I haven’t had much time to update. Hope you all are well!
Hi all! Just checking in. Progress continues on Sweet Chee though I haven’t had much time to update. Hope you all are well!
Keep that baby rollin' Mike!
Well, I was trying! Ha! Had to pull the radiator as it sprung a few leaks in the top tank where the top baffle was welded. Took it back to the shop that re-cored it that I have used for 30 years and he has retired! Dangit!! The shop they recommended to me is just down the road from my house so a few days and $145 later I’m good to go again (hopefully!)Originally Posted by bmorgil
While it was apart I pulled the non operational generator and took it to the local electric shop for a rebuild. He’s had it for 2 months….sigh. He is old and getting ready to retire as well (hopefully not before he finishes my junk!)
Anyway, I’ve been adding bits here and there. I decided to bolt the tailgate closed and make up some spacers to mount the spare and Jerrycan. Also got all the lights working and finally got a blackout light for the front fender.
Today I swapped the windshield for the one that has glass in it. I think I’ll keep this one as is and just get some new rubber bits. The other one I may try to convert to the MB style which (from what I’ve read) is about an 1-3/4” shorter in the lower portion of the outer frame. I found a place online a while ago that offers the replacement sheetmetal in the correct size and contours for a wartime jeep.
Anyway. Here are a couple pics.
That baby is coming along nicely Mike. You are lucky to have a radiator shop. They are becoming very rare indeed. Hopefully that generator returns to you soon!
Mike,
You have run into the two major hurdles of restorations. As you have discovered, radiator shops are few and far in between. With plastic tanked aluminum radiators the normal, there is very little use for the traditional radiator repair shops. When the craftsmen retiring out, and nobody wanting to learn the trade for the few instances that the skill is not needed near as much to be profitable. The other lost art is the starter/generator repair shop. I too fought that battle last year when I had both my starter and generator gone through. Where I am, there is one guy left in a five county area that still works on them, and he is semi-retired. His prices were cheap since mine only needed new sealed bearings and a clean up on both. The only thing was that you ought not be in any kind of a hurry.
It is just a sign off the times. My barber is 93 years old this year, and he is starting to have heart issues. He is now considering on retiring out along with his 70 year old son who works along side him. The son may cut hair for a few more years, but he's ready to ride off into the sun set on his Harley.
As far as sheet metal goes, I can vouch for the American made sheet metal piece parts that Kaiser sells. The pieces are of good quality and the proper thickness as the originals, along with the proper bends. I haven't had an MB/GPW to know 100% how those panels fit, but the later M38A1 and Wagon metal have all been good. I tend to be fussy when it comes to the quality of metal, and I was satisfied.
Thanks for the input on the metal panels GM! I placed an order the other day for some bits and pieces and I’m excited to get them!
Yes it’s a real shame about the state of repair shops around. Just a sign of the times I guess! We are lucky to have suppliers like KW and others now and for when all the other avenues roll up shop!
Hopefully those few who still know how, will pass on that knowledge to their next generation. I hope that we will always be able to find someone who is willing to do those crafts and ship our projects back to us.
Last edited by bmorgil; 04-20-2025 at 06:37 AM.
Agreed!
As an aside, today just happens to be Sweet Chee’s 80th birthday!
*dangit!* sideways pic!
Hard to believe, in a short 20 years Sweet Chee will be 100 years old! There is something about reaching the century mark that is just cool.
Reply With Quote
