Happy 2017, everyone. Yesterday I finished pulling all of the brake lines, then I gave the rolling chassis a power wash. 70 years has turned the old farm dirt into concrete, but she’s certainly a lot cleaner now. Thankfully there’s not a lot of rust.
I’m going to have my work cut out for me. The rear crossmember is toast and will have to be replaced.
The ends of the rear frame rails and the A frame are also pretty beat up, although I may be able to recover them.
The right rear shock mount pin must have failed at one point during her tough life. The shock was mounted with a long bolt through the support. That’ll have to go. I pulled a replacement from the frame of my parts jeep.
The front frame horns are in good shape, as are a few of the gussets. I think I can grind smooth the old weld in the top left gusset. The front frame rail is another matter, though.
Finally, there is a large frame patch that has me scared to see what’s underneath it.
Where to begin?
Restoration of 1945 Ford GPW 270351 