Restoration Blog Posts, 1944 GPW #208102 Jeep Restoration

Please note, I am currently copying over posts from the Facebook page: https://facebook.com/1944gpw. It’s a long slow process and seeing as there are hundreds of updates, it’s going to take a while. I’m going in order from latest posts to older posts, so as of March 2121 all of 2020-2022 are currently copied over along with 75% of 2019.

Lyon Event, Fuel Filter, Air Cleaner, & More
May 06, 2022
Lyon Event, Fuel Filter, Air Cleaner, & More This week’s update includes a trip to Lyon Air Museum with the Jeep for an event and then a photoshoot around Old Town Orange! I continue work on a friend’s Fuel Filter and start work on his Air Cleaner for a full restoration. Finally, a look at a ‘smaller’ Jeep project I’ve continued.…
TBM Avenger, Fuel Sender, & restoring a Fuel Strainer
April 15, 2022
TBM Avenger, Fuel Sender, & restoring a Fuel Strainer This week’s update includes a trip to the Planes of Fame Air Museum to see a TBM Avenger, more updates on my Fuel Sender float, some mail call items, and a complete look at how a Fuel Strainer works and restoration!…
WW2 Jack, March Field Museum, & Extras!
April 08, 2022
WW2 Jack, March Field Museum, & Extras! A new flea market find, while not a WW2 Jeep jack, it’s pretty much the same with a slightly different design! I take a look at how it works and the full restoration. I then shift focus to an ongoing Fuel Sender issue. Also, I went to the March Field Museum in Riverside and took a look at the Jeeps there.…
Fender Project complete!
March 14, 2022
Fender Project complete! It’s been nearly two months’ worth of weekend work, but the whole ordeal with replacing the repro fender with the repaired original GPW fender is complete, including having to deal with a total realignment of the body tub! This update includes a recent update on the Jeep restoration as a whole, and getting an original push/pull switch tag!…
Fender vs Body Tub
March 04, 2022
Fender vs Body Tub Last month I started the process of repairing my original GPW passenger fender to replace the temporary reproduction fender. With the welding and overall repairing done, it was time to swap the fenders… but things didn’t go as planned making what should have been a small project into a two-month project requiring a complete realignment of the body tub!…
Fender Work Begins, Jeep History, and more!
January 28, 2022
Fender Work Begins, Jeep History, and more! Now that the holidays have passed, I have been able to get a start on my next big project which is repairing the original passenger fender! This is part one of what will be several parts during the repair and install. I also found some new history on my Jeep! Plus I started a new side project!…
4×4 Jeep for Christmas, Ignition Switch, and Jeep Toys!
January 07, 2022
4×4 Jeep for Christmas, Ignition Switch, and Jeep Toys! A bit of a different update for these past few weeks… First, a special project for Christmas as I redo a 4×4 ‘Jeep’ ride-on vehicle for my nephew, then finishing the ignition switch knob project! And a recap of some Jeep-related items I got for Christmas.…
Merry Christmas!
December 25, 2021
MERRY CHRISTMAS! Wishing you and yours a very Merry Jeep-mas (Christmas)!…
December 7th event, Ammo Crate Radio, & Ignition Switch!
December 17, 2021
December 7th event, Ammo Crate Radio upgrades, Ignition Switch, etc! I took the Jeep out to a Pearl Harbor event at the Planes of Fame Air Museum, where I tried a new amp board for my Ammo Crate radio and added some new upgrades. I took a NOS ignition switch for a special project, some new accessories for the Jeep, and more!…
Ax Bracket, new Pinup, and more Flea Market Finds
December 03, 2021
ax Bracket, new Pinup, and more Flea Market Finds A small update on what’s been going on during this otherwise quiet month of November! I finished the ax bracket project I started in the last update, got a new flea market find, changed out my pinup artwork on the Jeep, took a look at my fender that needs some welding, and more!…
Happy Halloween 2021!
October 31, 2021
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!…
Jeep makes the cover of a magazine and F Bolts!
October 15, 2021
Jeep makes the cover of a magazine and F Bolts! A small update with some new enhancements to the Jeep in the form of replacing a few bolts for F stamped ones. Also, a really exciting announcement about the Jeep!…
WW2 Bombers, Repro Grill Display, & Flea Market finds
October 06, 2021
WW2 Bombers, MD Juan Grill Display, and Flea Market finds It’s been a while since the last full update, so here’s a special one with what all has happened in the last month! First, the Jeep got to meet two incredible World War 2 bombers including a B-29 Superfortress and a B-17 Flying Fortress! Lots of photos with both the aircraft. Then, I finished the MD Juan grill display that I had worked on in August which is now hanging in my garage. Finally, various flea market finds including tools and how to identify correct Schrader screw type tire valve caps.…
Warbirds and MD Juan Grill
September 10, 2021
Warbirds and MD Juan Grill This past weekend I took the Jeep out to the Planes of Fame Air Museum (in over 100 degree heat, yikes!) to get some photos of the Jeep with various warbirds at the museum and also have it on display for visitors to check out. Driving home was a bit of an issue with the intense heat though! Also, I started work on a special project with a MD Juan Grill……
Photoshoot, Russian ‘Jeep Clone’, and Jerry Can Nozzle!
August 28, 2021
Photoshoot, Russian ‘Jeep Clone’, and Jerry Can Nozzle! Another slower week since there wasn’t a lot to do on the Jeep work wise, but with a day of cooler cloudy weather, I was able to take the Jeep out to a new location and do a photoshoot in several spots with some great results! Also, I chronicle, through photos, a Russian ‘clone’ of the Jeep… a GAZ-67 located at the Planes of Fame Air Museum. Finally, I begin work on a very rusty Jerry Can nozzle.…
Replacing the Water Pump, Thermostat Redo, & Flea Market Finds!
August 20, 2021
Replacing the Water Pump, Thermostat Redo, & Flea Market Finds! After another lull in updates on the Jeep, this week I finally have things to show! I’d been meaning to replace my post-war water pump with a GPW wartime-style water pump, and this was the week it happened! I also re-did my thermostat which was leaking slightly. I also worked out a way to do some temporary markings, and I go through some more recent Jeep flea market finds!…
SPECIAL UPDATE – Jeeps in Normandy!
August 13, 2021
SPECIAL UPDATE – Jeeps in Normandy! This week I decided to do a special update about the Jeeps I saw in Normandy, France during the 2019 75th Anniversary of D-Day. I documented every single Jeep I saw during that time taking over 2,500 photos of Jeeps in five days! This update showcases some of the interesting Jeeps I saw around France and some of the Jeep events that took place. Looking forward to the 80th anniversary when I head back!…
Canvas Half Door Curtains!
July 30, 2021
Canvas Half Door Curtains! Another fun addition to the Jeep this week, Canvas Half Doors! Also known as canvas curtains, these were issued with Jeeps, but were one of the first things the GIs would toss! I go into how they are installed and removed, and my thoughts of them on after a drive. Also, I tackle another test for the rear axle clackity sound, and begin work on replacing my water pump!…
Windshield weatherseal, NOS Filterette, & more!
July 09, 2021
Windshield weatherseal, NOS Filterette, & more! Finally, some more work on the Jeep! I finally got around to replacing the over sprayed with paint windshield weather seal, which ended up a bigger task than I thought! I also finally got a NOS Tobe Filterette to replace my home-made mini filterette bypass that I had on the Jeep. That project took several days after some setbacks. During the process, I also fixed the annoying air filter wing screws that always seem to break. And lastly, I got another piece to the First Aid kit!…
Happy 4th of July!
July 04, 2021
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! A little patriotic moment with GPW #208102 for today. Look for a new update this Friday!…
Planes of Fame Air Museum event, Air Field History, & more!
June 11, 2021
Planes of Fame Air Museum event, Air Field History, & more! Despite the ongoing issue with the rear axle sound, I took the Jeep out to the Planes of Fame Air Museum for their Live Demo event. The museum is located at Chino Airport, formerly a US Army Air Force training base called ‘Cal Aero Field’. After the event I took a Jeep tour around the airport. I also did some minor cosmetic work on the Jeep this week, used a tachometer to dial in the RPMs, cleaned up some tools, etc!…
Clackity Saga update and new tests
May 28, 2021
Clackity Saga update and new tests This is a short update for this week as I only worked on the Jeep a little bit getting back to trying to figure out the clackity issue on the rear axle. Next week will be a bit more busy as I work on some new tests to, hopefully, solve this ongoing issue!…
Ammo Crate Radio, GPW Display Sign, & Flea Market Finds!
May 22, 2021
Ammo Crate Radio , Display Sign, & Flea Market! Taking a break from the axle clackity issue this week, I focused on some fun side projects for the Jeep when it’s on display at future events. First, I had an idea for a custom-made Ammo Crate radio that looks like a WW2 soldier field mod! I go through the entire idea to finish product. I also finished my custom-made ammo can Jeep display sign. I also got some fun Jeep items from a local flea market over the weekend!…
The complete ‘clackity’ Axle Saga
May 14, 2021
The complete ‘clackity’ Axle Saga It’s been 5 months now since I replaced the CJ axles on my Jeep with original GPW wartime ones. I’ve been plagued with a ‘clackity’ sound that just won’t go away after all these months, lots of work, lots of money, countless tests, etc. So I thought for this week I’d go through the entire story from start to finish. It’s been frustrating, to say the least! Join me on this ongoing journey……
Axle Saga Continues and a Speedi Sleeve!
May 07, 2021
Axle Saga Continues and a Speedi Sleeve! This week saw a couple smaller projects with some continuing work on trying to find the mysterious clackity sound from the rear axle with some interesting conclusions. After seeing gear oil slung all over the bottom of the body tub, I decided to speedi sleeve my rear axle yoke to make it brand-new like! Includes a full speedi sleeve tutorial. Finally, I adjust my gas pedal linkage, start construction of a ‘sign’ display, and get the brake drums honed!…
Second GPW Rear Axle… Does it make a sound?
April 30, 2021
Second GPW Rear Axle… Does it make a sound? Finally, after about three weeks of work I’ve finished the SECOND GPW wartime axle… but the big question is: Does the mysterious clackity sound from the first GPW axle go away? Find out in this update along with some video links from the new GoPro!…
Rear axle work, axle dating, alternator enhancements, & more!
April 24, 2021
Rear axle work, axle dating, alternator enhancements, & more! After last week’s difficult task of setting the ring and pinion (which continued this week, but it’s finally ‘mostly’ set, so I’ll add more thoughts on the process) I took some time this week to figure out the rough timeframe of the axles after some research, getting the U bolts ready, an infuriating setback with the driveshaft, adding a final touch to the ‘generator’ alternator, and more!…
Setting a Ring and Pinion
April 17, 2021
Setting a Ring and Pinion Now that I have a second GPW rear axle ready to go, it was time to get to the one thing I don’t enjoy doing and has been an issue for quite some time… setting the ring and pinion. This update is not for the person who wants to do something easy, this is a LOT of work requiring lots of changes that can take hours/days to do. I’ve tried to simplify the entire process the best I can, and it’s still complicated! So join me on one of the most complicated processes to do on a Jeep! I also cover the removal of the ‘bad’ rear axle out of the Jeep.…
Rear Axle Wars – Episode 7: A New Hope
April 10, 2021
Rear Axle Wars – Episode 7: A New Hope With the rear axle clackity issue eluding myself and many other trying to help me out, I’ve decided to go in a different direction and restore ANOTHER wartime GPW rear axle to replace the one I restored. Join me over the new few weeks as I restore and rebuild this axle and hopefully, solve the last major issue!…
Small Projects and Extras
April 03, 2021
Small Projects and Extras With things at a bit of a standstill as I figure out my next move with the strange rear axle noise, I didn’t do much this week. However, there are several side projects I’ve done the last few months that I’ve yet to cover with the Jeep, so I decided to compile them into this week’s update including a F stamped keychain, wartime Fire Extinguisher and modern Extinguisher, Push-Pull switch tags, and more!…