Flat Fender Upgrades!

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

 

Welcome from Mississippi. Sounds like you got a gpw.
Before we can help we need some pictures of this Jeep.

 

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.

 

73 cj5, i'll upload a few when I can figure how to do it! lol

 

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.

 

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!

 

All original? 1942??? Ford????

Don't ruin it with "upgrades."

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

Cast iron front axle cover? Do you mean the inspection cover?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Or you can go this route!

 

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.

 

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-------