1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Flat Fender Upgrades!

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by craigman, Aug 7, 2017.

  1. Aug 7, 2017
    craigman

    craigman New Member

    96019
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2017
    Messages:
    4
    Hello!
    Just got my first Jeep this weekend and just joined the site!
    I got a 1942 Ford Jeep, all original. What i'm wondering is what simple upgrade do you guys recommend? Just going to do some trail driving, no crawling or anything like that. Just some nice easy back roads the wife and I can enjoy. Just want to make it nice and reliable.
    Thanks for any help!
    Craig
     
  2. Aug 7, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2014
    Messages:
    7,540
    Welcome.

    Tell us more about the Jeep. Does it run? How's it handle?

    Most of the time this answer is...Drive it for awhile and the Jeep will tell you, i.e. - Brakes.
     
  3. Aug 7, 2017
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Clinton, Mississippi
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2014
    Messages:
    2,137
    Welcome from Mississippi. Sounds like you got a gpw.
    Before we can help we need some pictures of this Jeep. ;)
     
  4. Aug 7, 2017
    craigman

    craigman New Member

    96019
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2017
    Messages:
    4
    Focker,
    at this time, it does not run. Supposed to have carb problems. It came with 3 different carbs in a box, and all 3 look a little different. I'm not sure which one it's supposed to have on it. It's the Ford model Jeep, (GPW I think?) but at some point someone has put a Jeep motor in it. It's supposed to be of the same year, 1942. So I need to find out which carb is supposed to be on a 1942 Jeep motor.
    It came with the original block minus the carb. So if I ever wanted to rebuild the stock Ford motor I have it.
     
  5. Aug 7, 2017
    craigman

    craigman New Member

    96019
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2017
    Messages:
    4
    73 cj5, i'll upload a few when I can figure how to do it! lol
     
  6. Aug 7, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2014
    Messages:
    7,540
    Get it running...Clean every bit of the carburetor.
    Link - Forum Help And Testing.
     
  7. Aug 7, 2017
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Clinton, Mississippi
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2014
    Messages:
    2,137
    You should have a Carter WO 539s. If it's WWII it'll have 8 patents on the fuel bowl. Later ones have 12 iirc.
    If you have the original engine the serial number stamp will be behind the oil filter canister. Ford and Willys used the same engine but each had different cylinder heads and serial numbers.
     
  8. Aug 7, 2017
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
    Messages:
    4,460
    Every part of a GPW is supposed to be interchangeable with the MB so any specific part should work on either, including the carb. Take a very close look at the frame. They are strapped like the 2A but in my experience, that wasn't a very good long term solution and they break easily. To the point when I lifted my 42 GPW to load on a trailer using the front bumper and pintle hook, it literally sandwiched and bulged out at the door openings. The other problem area is that full float D23 rear axle. One of my early wheeling friends got pretty good welding those shafts back together-----

    The only piece of that GPW I saved was the nice cast iron front axle cover. But I might have to grind that ford script off if I ever decide to use it.

    For your proposed use, that should make a good rig. Good luck!
     
    47v6 likes this.
  9. Aug 7, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    All original? 1942??? Ford????

    Don't ruin it with "upgrades.":shock:

    Restore and repair it, sure, but don't spoil a rare original by modifying it or modernizing it. Plenty of those around already if you want one.
     
    mayday, cadwelder and 47v6 like this.
  10. Aug 7, 2017
    oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    St. Charles,...
    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    Messages:
    3,466
    After you get frustrated ....I take dibbs on the bronze windshield latches ! :)

    Yeah but seriously I fully agree.... don't go fixing up a standard GPW unless its already been trashed
     
    47v6 likes this.
  11. Aug 7, 2017
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
    Messages:
    12,367
    Good chance it's also a script GPW. Definitlely need pictures.
     
  12. Aug 8, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    The GPW is the Willys MB WWII Jeep produced by Ford. Willys won the design competition, but Ford was recruited to supplement production of the Willys design. I suggest you read this Wikipedia article Willys MB - Wikipedia about the WWII Jeeps. 1942 is pretty early for a MB/GPW ... this could be a valuable and historic Jeep. We need pictures.
     
  13. Aug 8, 2017
    1957Willys

    1957Willys Member

    Birmingham, Alabama
    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2012
    Messages:
    698
    Cast iron front axle cover? Do you mean the inspection cover?
     
  14. Aug 8, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2003
    Messages:
    8,102
    upload_2017-8-8_17-1-38.jpeg
     
  15. Aug 8, 2017
    craigman

    craigman New Member

    96019
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2017
    Messages:
    4
    Thanks for the reply's fellas!
    Sorry I haven't gotten back. I've been working 10 hour days. It's pretty original but previous owner did do some "upgrades". He converted it to 12v and added electric wipers. Also the original motor is out of it and a same year Jeep motor was put in. It did come with the original Ford motor that I was thinking of going thru and rebuilding it. This was his "hunting rig!" lol
    I promise, i'll post some pics this weekend. I have it in storage right now. Oh, also he eliminated the foot starter switch and put in a keyed starter switch. But I would say it mostly original and could be put back to original with little effort.
    73 cj5, thanks for the info on the carb. Being that it came with a few carbs i'll try to find the correct one. Then i'll order a kit for it.
     
    Last edited: Aug 9, 2017
  16. Aug 10, 2017
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2004
    Messages:
    4,491
    There are other options rather than destroying a nice original part ( that front diff cover) that a restorer may want or need. Some Dana 25's had thick stamped covers that are pretty tough.
     
  17. Aug 10, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    I make minor upgrades in my antique vehicles - usually so I can enjoy them more - but I always try to be sure they are 'reversible,' and I save all original parts.

    Last week I put electric wipers in my '34 Ford pickup, but the way I did it meant drilling just one small hole, and didn't destroy the ability to revert to vacuum wiper.

    I mounted a snowplow on my M38A1-C using only original bolt holes etc. When it is taken off, there is no sign.
     
  18. Aug 10, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    Or you can go this route! :watch:

    ect7ih400rez.jpg
     
    melvinm and craigman like this.
  19. Aug 10, 2017
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
    Joined:
    May 25, 2006
    Messages:
    2,871
    Change all the fluids, check the brakes especially the wheel cylinders for leaks and whether the shoes are grease soaked. Belt, hoses, points, condensor, tie rods, bellcrank and anything else that jumps out at you. Most importantly DRIVE and enjoy it without taking it all apart and then several years later giving up on the project.
     
  20. Aug 10, 2017
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
    Messages:
    4,460
    Absolutely!!

    Actually, the 5 has a heavy Scout cover. And the B now has a D44 ARB cover so the F script version may be on the market













    Some day-------
     
New Posts