Oh my aching back....I started working on the floor replacing the wood and battons this past weekend. My all wood bed requires complete dissasembly of the sides in order to replace the floor. Will post updates..
Nice shot of my hydrovac
shot of one brace and spring on front side of bed behind cab.
Another brace...
Brace that holds mudflap on..
Mark Mason
Anderson, Indiana
GMC CCKW 353
MVPA #29624
Would you like us to take up a collection to help buy more saw blades for the Sawzall?? What a great tool.
I can't name another hobby that will train you as a mechanic, carpenter, electrician, machinest, painter, librarian and historian all with just one project.
I remember one old timer commented about all the top grade oak lumber used on the WWII trucks by saying "there were many great oaks that gave their life in service to their country." So true.
Thanks for the pictures.
Cat Man
40 Years An Engine Guy
30 Years A Caterpillar Guy
Still Learning Every Day
The saws all came in handy..only had to cut 156 bolts!
I am attempting to save the steel straps since they are in pretty good shape..a couple need straightened. I noticed the bottoms of the straps were painted OD too. I also have some real nice pieces of wood with very good paint on the underside of the floor that never saw the light.
I do plan to take pictures of fittings, take measurements..and with the help of a friend, will work this bed into a blue print that can be used to build other beds..
I wonder though if a original print for these beds still exists? I know Kimball Piano company made wood beds for one....and what about steel beds, I wonder if prints would exist and available?
will keep you all up to date
Mark Mason
Anderson, Indiana
GMC CCKW 353
MVPA #29624
Several years ago the MVPA receivied all the old WWII Ord Dept part drawings that were were about to be disposed of by the TACOM in Warren Michigan. There were several truck loads of paper drawings donated to the MVPA.
Every part on every military vehicle! These are the manufactuiring drawing intended for contractors to manufacture the part. The problem is, the drawings are not sorted by vehicle or part number. They are by Ordnence drawing number.
The collection is housed in Auburn Indiana and a group of volunteers is working to identify and group the drawings into vehicle date files that we can access. It is a HUGE task. MVPA HQ has a master list, by vehicle of the drawings identified so far. The drawings exist....we just have not got them sorted out yet.
Contact MVPA HQ to find out what CCKW prints have been identified.
Cat Man
40 Years An Engine Guy
30 Years A Caterpillar Guy
Still Learning Every Day
Thanks for the information ! I live about a hour south of Auburn, IN
Im thinking I could be of some help to those with wood beds if I could get parts measured and drafted..but that would probably be expensive to do I dont know....besides if they already exist..why reinvent the wheel..
somebody needs to go into business and produce brand new beds for these truck heh?
Mark Mason
Anderson, Indiana
GMC CCKW 353
MVPA #29624