Another WC63 found...

[maddawg308]

Looks pretty good, actually! The windshield will be the hard part to find, I looked around a bit for you but no dice. Try Midwest Military and Vintage Power Wagons for the missing parts, and they might be able to give you some leads on combat rims and the windshield.

 

[glcaines]

I think you have a great project ahead of you.

 

[Gypsyman]

As far as the windshield goes, I assume the cowl is shared with the WC51/WC52. Is that correct?

 

[mdainsd]

Yep. Everything (just about) from the back of the seats forward interchanges with the other open 3/4 t WCs. wc-51, 52 windshield frames are the same. The command car win shied frame isn't right, but could be modified real easy, but doing that would be sacrilege!

 

[Gypsyman]

That's good to know. Thank you for the information. In an odd twist of fate I ran across (and struck a deal on) a rusty parts rig that's close to me. Hope to get it home next weekend.

 

[maddawg308]

And just like that, there's your windshield frame! Use the parts you need for your first one, taken from the 2nd. When your 1st one is all restored, part out the rest of the 2nd to others that need spare parts for theirs.

Unfortunately, such is the nature of a lot of hobbies involving old things - once the stashes of new or used spare parts run out, the only way you can keep things running is by sacrificing the lesser-condition ones to keep the better-condition ones working. Hopefully the technology of 3D metal fabrication will catch up to us soon, and we can fab whatever we need to easily, including new frames, engine blocks and axle assemblies.

 

[mdainsd]

Dont trash that hard top without researching it. I don't know well enough but it might be the arctic cab.

 

[Gypsyman]

I have no intention of trashing any parts.

 

[Gypsyman]

Possibly picking this hodge-podge up too if the owner can get the title for it. '52 M37 sitting on a WC62 chassis.

 

[Gypsyman]

And just like that, there's your windshield frame! Use the parts you need for your first one, taken from the 2nd. When your 1st one is all restored, part out the rest of the 2nd to others that need spare parts for theirs.

Unfortunately, such is the nature of a lot of hobbies involving old things - once the stashes of new or used spare parts run out, the only way you can keep things running is by sacrificing the lesser-condition ones to keep the better-condition ones working. Hopefully the technology of 3D metal fabrication will catch up to us soon, and we can fab whatever we need to easily, including new frames, engine blocks and axle assemblies.

Looking at some pictures of the windshield frames they don't look that complicated. I'll look at the parts truck when it gets here and see what's involved with fabricating them.

 

[mdainsd]

Possibly picking this hodge-podge up too if the owner can get the title for it. '52 M37 sitting on a WC62 chassis.

And...down the rabbit hole we go!

 

[Gypsyman]

The older I get the more that seems to happen to me. =)

 

[Bulldogger]

She looks worlds better sitting on the trailer and cleaned up a little. Hope you are able to restore her.
BDGR

 

[maddawg308]

You're lucky you live in the Pacific NW - after WWII a PILE of surplus equipment and trucks ended up in your corner of the US to work the rest of their lives in the logging industry. Even with all the rain (and subsequently, rust) that you get, there are still a lot more WWII rigs in your area than there are in many other parts of the US.

Downside to that is a lot of them have been hacked up and bubba'ed over the years to serve in their new roles. So while it's easy to find them for your area, you might have more work to do to bring them back to original condition.

That WC-63 / M-37 amalgamation is pretty cool! I like it, might be a 2nd project to tackle once the 1st is done...

 

[Gypsyman]

I'm actually surprised by the number or trucks I've run across since I found the first one just 30 days ago. Today I was surfing and ran across a fellow with a '68 Power Wagon who has 6 of the combat wheels (extra). Unfortunately he won't part with the wheels. He'll only sell them with the truck which is overpriced for the condition.

I can't seem to find any past sales of the combat wheels to gauge value. Any thoughts on the matter?

Richard

 

[Gypsyman]

Pretty good day pickin' parts. Came away with 12 more serviceable combat wheels, WC-62 cowl with steering column to strip for parts (data plate with s/n intact), and a complete WC front end with radiator and hood. He was so happy to have the parts gone that he threw in a NOS clutch/pressure plate/flywheel set and a poorly stored but NOS Zenith Model 29 carb.

 

[Bill Nutting]

Thanks for saving this truck from the scrapers!
Vintage Power Wagons May have the parts you need.
Vintagepowerwagons.com
641-472-4665

 

[Gypsyman]

I've been running through their parts catalog a lot lately. =)

 

[JD4044M]

That is in great shape and worth a lot of money in parts! My 48 Power Wagon had a WC63 frame and drive axles from the cab back. I restored it myself. Completely went thru everything and it was pretty good inside. Your only missing the Windshield and seats to speak of and the body looks great. Finish it you will have a cool looking truck with a winch to! I sold this one for $39,500.00 and bought a new John Deere 4044M Tractor. Took 1 1/2 years to do it and 1,200 hours! Youcan always Re/Power it like this one.

 

[Wolfen]

Great find.