53NavyJeep.com

A Frame Off Restoration

Grind Baby Grind

Photo of more grinding
After welding patches and filling holes there came a lot of noise, sparks and metal filings as we gound down the welds.

Rusted Brake Drum

Brake Drum
The LR brake drum was totally seized and would not budge. After doing all the adjusting, blasting, heat treatments and beating the drum it took major surgery which included drilling out the Hold Down Pins, disconnecting the brake cylinder and cutting an access hole in the drum to force it off.

Missing Bleeder Screw

Missing Bleeder
After bench bleeding the new master cylinder we prepared to bleed the brakes. When much to our disappointment the RR brake cylinder was missing the bleeder screw. That required us to replace the wheel cylinder and while we are at it we replace the brake shoes on both rears.

Repair Side Pannel

Photo of of metal patch process
The passenger side panel needed to be replace with good steel. It was complicated by having to replace three separate layers.

Grinding the Welds

Photo of grinding welds
We started the important process of grinding down all the welds to ready the tub for the body filler and sanding.

Welding Spoon

Welding Spoon
We started using a copper welding spoon to close the gaps and fill the holes. It really helps keep the welds neat and reduces the amount of grinding later.

Built Patch

Photo of prep for metal patch
We cut out a section of the rear side panel and replaced it with a welded patch. We fabricated the patch from the old section of the tub we removed.

Floorboard Repair

Hat Channel 2
We removed the last of the corroded hat channel to get at the damaged floorboard.

Out of Hibernation

season 4
The forth season began. We took the jeep out of hibernation to begin this summer’s work. We set the ambitious goal to be driving it by September 2015! Alas, it was not to be. It took until June 2016.
1953 M38A1 Navy Jeep

Phase II Restore

With the easy part behind us it' was time to start restoring or replacing parts. This took the longest time because each piece had to be cleaned, inspected, refurbished or replaced. It was fun to learn about each component and gratifying to see each part repaired and ready to install.

Click the Phase II link below and scroll to the bottom to see the progression.