Due to summers heat, my restoration has not progressed in any significant manner. It's simply too hot for me to be in the workshop, thanks to an intolerence to high temperatutes and humidity. This, it seems, is a legacy from a past viral illness. The gift that keeps on giving!
It has been an almost constant thought, the amount of time which is passing without achieving progress on the truck, and my longing to finally drive the vehicle had gone unquenched. A friend of mine had his Ford CMP advertised for sale for a number of months with moderate interest but no sale. This vehicle had been on ebay, amongst other places, for quite a while. I wouldbe very surprised if it has not been noticed by someone on MLU and discussed in the forum somewhere. The truck is by no means original, with a number of modifications made for ease of use, safety, economy, and drivability. I would watch this vehicle sit advertised on ebay week after week, and wonder that it wasn't sold. Now, I know the seller very well, and I know his standard of workmanship. The original flathead V8 has been removed, and a small diesel engine with 5 speed synchro gearbox grafted into place. Radiator has been changed to match the current engine. Starting and charging system is 24 volt, instruments and dashboard are 12v. There are 2 seperate battery banks, both having 2x 12 volt heavy duty batteries. Both driver and mates side steps have a pair of batteries behind them. One system is primarily for starting and running of equip, the other is to power accessories such as electric winch, and power sockets in cab and rear (covered) body. This truck had been used extensively as a long range travelling vehicle, and he has done approximately 25,000 Kms travel in past few years. The electrical system is brilliant. For example, there is a button on the dash which, when pushed, engages charging to the auxiliary battery bank, to replenish and loss since last driven (that which was used overnight or longer while camped). The same button can be used to start the vehicle from aux batteries if starting circuit goes flat or fails. Windscreen wipers are now electric. An interior light has been installed to cabin and rear body. Original fuel tanks have been removed (I was given them some years ago. Still have them), and considerably larger ones installed. They don't look out of place, and give considerable increase in diatance between refueling. From memory, I think they may have been from a Studebaker 6x6 or similar size vehicle. Fuel system has electric pump, and ther are two fuel selector valves, instead of the original one. With changing the two valves in different configurations, fuel can be selected from either tank, shut off entirely (anti theft device), or can be rigged to pump fuel from one tank to another. This can be done to/from either tank. There are 3 stainless steel water tanks, all store drinking quality water. The rear body is fully inclosed by a custom made vinyl canopy, which has 4 windows with roll up covers. All windows have fly screen to ensure insects don't get through. A roll up awning extends out from left side of the canopy. This provides good sun cover from the elements and would be very useful for lunch stops or overnight camping where rain might be expected, because the side window can be left open without water coming in. There is a stainless steel camping table stored vertically in the rear body. Two square box section rods are clipped beneath the table, which slide into slightly larger box sections welded under left side of rear body (the awning side). There is a removable frame inside the rear compartment, which can fit a mattress of sufficient dimensions to allow sleeping room for 2 people. The frame can be folded up to turn this area into seating if a sectional type mattress is used. A power socket is placed in rear, so a camping fridge can be used. An inverter is used between auxiliary battery system and this power outlet. Vehicle came with 5 brand new tyres, but seller has made available another set of new tyres into the deal. These have a more military appearance, and I will put them on once he has another set of wheels for me to collect. I will then get those sandblasted and painted, before putting the other tyres on, and return the current wheels and tyres to him. Current tyres have all been balanced to their wheels and I will be able to return those to him still as balanced sets.
I'm not writing all this to encourage or promote sale of this vehicle. After seeing it sit unloved on ebay, I decided to raise the funds, and bought it myself. While the changes are certainly making the truck more reliable and practical, there are several things I will eventually change. First thing will be to change the roof. A much earlier owner had removed the roof hatch and welded (roughly) a flat panel in it's place. I will make a sunshine roof from this bodged up panel. The other thing will be to repair some minor dents and repaint in a suitable lustreless green color. The chap I got the truck from has another cab frame which has the correct hinge pins etc for canvas doors. I will buy that and make a set of canvas doors to fit.
In the meantime, this is a very drivable vehicle as is, and I have been driving it extensively since it's arrival a fortnight ago. Also put my personalised plates on. So FINALLY, I have a CMP to have fun with until I get back to my restoration project.